Chapter 6 The Evidence and Arguments

The next day, Carina went with Dina to go to their manager's office at the restaurant. As they were leaving, the Filipinas who were also their neighbors were looking at her. I was ashamed of them, so I just bowed as we walked to the alley to take a taxi.

"Let them go Carina first, that issue will also disappear. You just need to be stable." Said Dina.

“I can't help but worry for myself because I'm not at fault and I didn't do that. I'm just annoyed with our manager because when I found a job to get stuck in that restaurant so that I wouldn't see him again, this is what he did to me. He wasn't like that before, but why do people change?” Said Carina.

"Maybe our manager likes you for a long time, so when you asked for his favor, he took advantage."

“He is serious. Isn't it forbidden for employers to like an employee? He's just horny, so that's why.”

“Haist! Oh, Carina, don't think too much. You might be the only one who gets sick of that.”

“I can't be bothered! So I will confront him for what he did to me. No one else will do this to me but him.” Disgusted Carina said.

They have already arrived at the restaurant. Carina immediately went to their manager's office. She knocked on the door but no one answered and when she asked one of their colleagues; he said that their manager was just inside. She attempted to open the door and was surprised when she saw that one of their co-workers was in the manager's office doing something strange.

She saw the woman sitting on their manager's lap as they sat and kissed. She knew the woman because it was her co-worker. Suddenly, her blood rose. If he was their only husband, their manager might have rushed in and pulled the woman out. She had an idea. She took her phone. She pictured and videotaped, unbeknownst to his manager and the woman. She also became brainy, for no matter what happens, she has a defense.

She saw the woman get up and leave. She hurried, pretending to walk toward Dina. When she noticed that the woman was out, she went there and knocked again. That was heard when their manager entered.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sir, I just want to ask if you are the one who spread the issue that is trending today on social media and in the newspapers?"

"What are you talking about? I know nothing of what you are saying. And am I still your enemy? Why are you accusing me? Do you have proof that I ordered the journalists to write that?” Defense of their manager.

"Why? Should I doubt and believe that you did it? Why are you so defensive? I'm just asking?” Carina replied.

"You don't have proof that I did it then, so don't involve me in your mania." Disgusted Leo replied.

“Do you know what that issue caused me? You know in yourself that I can’t do that. That's why I rejected you, because my conscience can't cheat and manipulate people. Yes, I respect you as a manager, but it is not fair that you are spreading fake news. You ruined my reputation. I know you won't admit it, but you also know in yourself that you did it.” Carina almost burst into tears at what she said, because anger and fear were already mixed in her heart.

“Shut up and leave my office. Maybe you want me to take you to the guard.”

“I don't need it anymore sir, I'm leaving voluntarily. But you will remember this, sir. You will regret what you did to me.”

"Are you scaring me? You are the one who wants to intimidate me. Who are you?! You are just a slut working here in another country to feed your family in the Philippines.”

“Are you insulting my character, sir? Say all the insults but don't hurt my family. Because I am honored to work here. Unlike others there, even if there is a family in the Philippines, they still get to cheat here in other countries.” Carina returned.

"Are you calling and accusing me?"

“Did I say your name? Why are you so defensive? Are you guilty?”

"You're pissing me off, Carina. Get out of my office or I'll send you to the guard, and when you get out of here." His manager was furious.

“Okay fine, I'm leaving. There will also be justice for everything you have done for me. The day will come when you will have karma, too.” Carina left immediately.

That her manager is high blood because he did not think Carina was that brave.

While a thorn in Carina's heart was torn when she released whatever she wanted to say to her manager and the pain she felt in her heart.

~~~~~

Loid will be back in London in a few days. He received a call from his cousin in London.

"Hello cousin, how are you?"

"It's okay Pia, how are you there?"

"It's okay too, ah your parents will be there with me, because I'll be back there." Said Loid.

“Oh! Really? That’s good. Ah! I heard something here, and it is widespread here in the area. You know the woman at the restaurant who argued with Lizel, you spilled juice on her clothes?”

“Ah! Is it Carina? Yes, I know her. Because they are always my customer there. Why, what about her?”

"Did you know that her face and name are cluttered here because she allegedly received money from his manager for a night they were together so that he could send something to his family in the Philippines?" Pia's story.

"What?! Are you sure about that news? Maybe that's fake news.” Shocked, Loid said.

“I'm not sure either! But what a pity for your woman if that news is not true. She is embarrassed.” Said Pia.

Loid was silent. He worries about Carina because he believes Carina can't do that. He knew he had lent her the money, so he wanted to hurry the day so he could go to London again. To comfort Carina, he knew he needed sympathy now.

He just called Carina.

"Hello Carina, how are you?"

“Oh! It's okay sir Loid, you were called. ”

"Yes, I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine." Carina suddenly thought that Loid might have already discovered about the issue that had spread in their area.

"Are you sure? Maybe you want to tell me something.”

“Ah! Nothing sir, I'm okay. Thank you for your call and greetings. I'll hang up the phone and I still have work to do.” Goodbye Carina.

“Ah! Is that so? You're busy. I'm sorry if I disturbed you.” Carina said sadly.

Loid noticed Carina's sad voice. He wanted to hug Carina, but it was far away. So he just put up with it. He could not explain how he felt like he was falling for Carina. He just sighed and thought deeply that he was anxious about Carina.

~~~~~

A few days later, Carina felt a little better. She got a new job and a restaurant as well. She did not know her new employer yet, but his secretary said that their employer was coming. He had just disappeared for a few days because he was on vacation abroad and he had just arrived.

On her second day at work, the secretary called Carina to talk to the owner of the restaurant. Her chest was pounding, she was nervous, as if something strange was going to happen. She knocked on the door and heard the voice of a man who said she had entered. When she entered, she saw the man sitting and turned to look outside the building.

"Good morning sir, I'm Carina, your new employee."

Slowly, the man turned around. She was stunned when she saw the man. The man was handsome, and he looked kind. It smiled at her without one word.

“Oh! Good morning. Sit down first. Ah! So, you are your new employee. I saw in your resume that you already have two years’ experience in the restaurant and I’m glad to know that because I need an employee with experience in the restaurant. ”

"Thank you, sir. I will do my best to serve the customer well and satisfy them," Carina said, smiling.

“That’s nice to hear from you. And by the way, I would like you to introduce yourself before me.” Said the owner.

“Oh! Sorry sir, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Carina Chavez, 25 years old. I have two siblings. I was considered being the breadwinner of the family since my dad passed away two years ago and I am the one who will provide for my family's needs, especially since my mom no longer has a helper. They are in the Philippines, I dare to have a good job here in another country and I am lucky to work here. Oh! I'm sorry sir, my introduction is long.” Said Carina.

“Oh! It’s fine, I like your introduction and very interesting. And yeah, I am Marco Buenaventura. You can call me sir Marc or sir Marco anything you want. Hopefully, you will enjoy working here in my restaurant, and if you need anything, you can approach me.” Said Marco.

"Thank you for being so nice, sir."

“You're welcome. You can go to work now and nice meeting you.”

Carina left, smiling as she went to the kitchen. She felt reassured when she talked to the owner of the restaurant and he was also their manager. She heard from other staff their employer is kind and is not stingy in giving incentives, which is why she likes to work even more.

She happily told Dina about her new workplace and how she was welcomed by her co-workers, especially when she met her new employer.

~~~~~

Carina got home earlier when Dina arrived just a few minutes later.

“Friend, how is your new workplace? I'm excited for you to tell your story because I'm not satisfied with what you said earlier.” Smiling, Dina said.

“It's okay, Dina, I'm okay with my new job. And guess what? The handsome of the new manager is very smart.”

“Really?! Your luck. I can see in your face that you prefer to work now than before. And I am happy for you. By the way, did you ask if he is still single?” laughed Dina.

“She’s terrible oh! That question is too personal. Not, of course! It's embarrassing when we seem to be so close. You know the relationship between employee and employer, don't you? It's just pure business?” Carina replied.

“Oppss! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm just excited to know, maybe you can send me back to him. Haha!”

“Are you crazy, just desperate?! The right person will also come for you, so just wait.”

“What are you, Carina? Maybe I'm just menopausal and I won't see my prince charming yet. I don't know why he's struggling so hard. I'm not ugly, am I?” said Dina.

“Of course you are beautiful. But first, that will come at the right time. I'm just waiting for a miracle to happen. Haha!”

“You are even worse than me, Carina. Haha! Let's eat, maybe we're just hungry, we're just an illusion.” Said Dina.

What will be Marco's role in Carina's life?