Chapter Three

Joyce Donald was in her place of work,chatting with a friend named Angela. They were both working as waitresses in an eatery which was popularly known as 'Yes,thanks.'

The nickname was given to the restaurant as anybody as anybody who ate there always request for more. 'Yes,thanks' had always been the reply of most customers if they were asked, "Do you enjoy the meal?" Or "Do you want to order for more?"

"No matter how popular this place is,Angela,it will be bad if the pay refuses to increase. So many waiters and waitresses have been complaining about that," Joyce said to her friend.

"It's not as if they are not earning,Joyce. They are gaining a lot. The manager is just too stingy. He is a miser," Angela pointed out.

Felix,the manager of the restaurant approached them. Talk of the devil.

They were shocked at first but relaxed when they notice he didn't hear the gossip.

"Joyce,I want to ask you for a favor," he began. "The man at the entrance..." He paused for her to say something but went on when she didn't. "....went somewhere. Please,go there and start welcoming our customers," Felix landed.

"Do you pay me for that?" Joyce asked arrogantly. "There are so many workers,many men who could do it,why me?"

"Hey,girl! Calm down," Angela whispered to her.

"I said it's a favor, beauty," he paused. "Or you want to query my authority?" he finished.

"Okay,okay. Fine. I will go but you will add the wage for it to my salary," Joyce said and dashed her way to the entrance of the restaurant.

Her boss shook his head and went back to his office.

______

Joyce stood grumpily at the entrance uttering "You're welcome" to those coming in and "Thank you" to those going out of the place. Many of the customers wondered why the restaurant hired such a stern looking lady but she paid no heed to them. Most of them were just people who were only there to spend their last kobo on the food. She was sure they had no hope afterwards. They didn't even come in any fancy car,so why should she care?

She watched as a man emerged from his car,white as snow. The man as handsome as....she didn't know what to compare him with. He got to where she was but she was not aware to open the glass-made door him.

"Oh! Sorry,sir," she finally said,awake from her thoughts after his knock and opened the door for him. " You're welcome,"she said.

"Thank you," hr replied.

She repeated the words again without smiling.

The man paused and turned to her. "Smile," he ordered.

"Pardon,sir?" She said.

"Never mind," he said and went back outside. She told him thank you.

It suddenly dawned on her that such a customer might be a loss to the restaurant.

"Oh,God!" She muttered and ran to him.

He turned to face her.

She spoke first. "Sir,I'm very sorry. Kindly come inside and have your order,sir," Joyce begged.

"Joyce,don't fret. I just want to take my wallet from the car," the man said surprisingly.

"How do you know my name,sir?" She asked,amazed at how a stranger could know her name.

"The name tag on your uniform reads Joyce Donald. I am Peter Andrew. Nice to meet such a beauty," he introduced and shook her hand.

That name seem weird to her, though. Peter and Andrew?

After taking his wallet,she followed him back inside to take his orders and told him 'Thank you,sir' when he was leaving.

Peter Andrew started and continued to visit Joyce at the restaurant either to eat or for no reason. They had become fast friends. They chat a lot whenever he visit so she decided to ask Peter for a job that could pay her higher salary than the one she was receiving. She told him and he smiled.

"Higher salary? Is your pay here not enough for you? I mean...your expenditures," he asked.

"Exactly, Peter. My family needs money. Please, help me. I am their only hope," Joyce pleaded.

He gazed up to ponder. "Well," he started,dropping his gaze to look at her. "I'll see what I can do. You're lucky to be a graduate. I'll look into a job for you," he said and she thanked him.

"I'm so grateful. Thanks," Joyce appreciated.