"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Ava was excited to go to her new part-time job. She looked presentable in a black knee-length, full-sleeved frock paired with black knee-length socks and black ankle-length boots. She tied her hair into a high ponytail. Anyone who sees her could easily make out that she is obsessed with black. Since the weather was chilly, Ava wore her black jacket and looked at herself in the mirror one last time before heading out.
She went to the given address and spotted the restaurant, which read "The Royals." As she was about to enter, she was stopped by the guards.
"Hey girl, you don't look adult enough to go inside. Show me your ID." One of the guards asked her in a stern voice.
"I don't have an ID." Ava said.
"What's your age?" He spoke out loudly.
Ava became nervous all of a sudden. She was sensitive to loud noises, and seeing his muscular body made her more nervous.
"I'm 16 and don't shout. I'm not deaf." Ava said confidently, though she was nervous as hell.
"This place is not for children. Go back to your house, kid!" The guard said, while trying to chase Ava out.
Ava was furious after hearing the word 'child'. Though she was underage, she hated being called a child. In her opinion, children's lives will be perfect, with no stress at all. They would always be pampered and given everything they desired. Most importantly, they are loved by both of their parents.
But that was clearly not her case. She never enjoyed her childhood. She had very few memorable moments with her mother and not even a single one with her father. She had always imagined her father embracing her and playing princess games with her, just like all other fathers do. But it was quite the opposite. He never even considered her a child. He only considered her a weak person who would not survive in the mafia world.
"I'm not a child, you grumpy old man!" Ava expressed her displeasure. Her mother taught her good moral values, and she respected her elders, but the guard was very rude. The guard once questioned his whole existence. He was in his forties, but not old enough to be called an old man.
Before he could reply, she took out the card from her purse and showed it to him without bothering to say anything. She was glad that she remembered the words of Mr. What's-Your-Name: 'And when you are inside or at the entrance of the venue, don't forget to show this card to them.'
The guard's face went pale as he saw the card in the girl's hand. It was the VIP card given by his boss to very few people very close to him. Most of the people who had the card were either secret agents who were on a mission or other mafia leaders, but he never saw a girl having it.
"I'm sorry. Get in, Miss." The bodyguard said. Ava found the grumpy man's behaviour strange. Nevertheless, she passed the entrance of the restaurant after flipping her hair and glaring at the bodyguard.
As soon as she entered, all her confidence was gone. The place was huge. The first thing she noticed was that very few people were present. She took a sigh of relief. She has never been to such a restaurant, especially one that requires an ID.
She went to a female who was at the counter. "What do you need?" The female looked at her with arrogance, scanning her from head to toe. Ava couldn't understand why everyone in this place was so rude.
"Um... I'm here for work." Ava said to the lady.
"I'm sorry there are no vacancies. Can you please leave?" She said this while scanning her from head to toe. Ava was confused.
"I want to do the waitress' job here." Ava rephrased her sentence, which gave more clarity to the lady.
The lady chuckled. "You are in 'The Royals' restaurant, dear. No one can do any job without the approval of the boss. Now, please leave. You are wasting my time." The lady said.
"That's what your job is, I suppose?" Ava spoke sassily.
"Dealing with job seekers? No it's not." The lady spoke rudely.
Ava took a deep breath to control her anger and showed the card to the lady.
Just like the guard, the lady's face looked drained. She immediately said, "I'm really sorry, Miss. Please come with me. I'll give you your uniform."
Ava followed the lady, and they went inside a room where many girls were there. The lady guided Ava into the closet and showed her the uniform. Ava looked at it in shock. It was a tiny piece of clothing—a red bodycon sleeveless mini dress that wouldn't even reach her knees.
"I'm not wearing this shit." Ava denied with a firm voice. She was scared that anyone would see the tattoo on her arm and a few permanent scars that were caused by her abusive father.
The lady became nervous and gulped after hearing Ava's scary voice. "But, this is the only dress that waitresses can wear as per the rules given by our boss. I'm afraid you cannot go against him."
"I'm not going to wear rags."
"But Miss-"
"Give me another one or I'll continue working on this one only." While Ava was shouting, a huge crowd gathered. Ava didn't even realize it.
"What's happening here?" a loud, deep voice boomed.