Destiny's POV
"Slapping a customer is a no-no, Destiny, no matter how rude a guest can be unless she physically hurt you without a valid reason." Our manager said that after she had called me to her office,
"She slapped me first," I replied in more than a whisper.
"You threw a hot soup on her lap, remember?" It was a normal reaction from our guests. Our company mission is to satisfy our customers with excellent customer service, and what you did out there was unacceptable." She declared with disappointment all over her face.
"She yanked the tray from my hand and did it on purpose, Ms. Dems," I reasoned while shaking her head.
"Whatever reason you have is unacceptable. Do you know who she was?" She asked, and I bit my lower lip to keep from telling her she was my step-sister.
"She is the daughter of Alejandro Ganzon. I am sorry, but I can't just sit here and pretend nothing happened. We no longer need your services, Destiny. It was hilarious that you have the same family name as Mr. Ganzon, but I knew you are not blood-related since you are only a waitress." My manager added, and her words crushed my already broken heart.
"You can get your last pay tomorrow; you are dismissed." She added with finality, and I walked out of her office with my tears welled up in my eyes.
"See, I told you it would be your last day today!" Carmie said with a victorious smile on her face as I got out of the restaurant. I didn't know she lingered and waited for me.
"What do you want, Carmie? You have everything you wanted; why are you still bothering me? I am living in peace; stop being an insecure brat because I have nothing left in my life. You took everything from me." I hissed as I stood before her.
"Not everything; I won't stop bothering you and making your life a living hell unless you leave this city without a trace. Why are you still here anyway?" She asked with the same taunting smile.
"I already have Red and your father's affection, but I no longer like seeing you around this city. It displeases me so much, and I can't stand to see you, Destiny." Carmie added.
"I want you to disappear. Don't make me do that to you. I came to warn you, and you must know by now that I never broke any promises. Do it before you regret it, Destiny. Run while you still can." She continued before taking her wallet from her bag, getting ample bills, and throwing them at my face.
"Keep that as a pocket money!" She declared, fanning her face with her well-manicured hand, and my face darkened when I saw not only one but three rings on her fingers that belonged to me.
She hurriedly left while I stood like a statue. I was too stunned to move; I only lowered my head when I noticed someone picking up the money.
"You should take them; that is your money anyway," Pia said as she handed me the bills.
I didn't want to take them, but I clasped my fingers on them after I realized she had stolen even my precious jewelry. It was inside my room, and I wondered if she had taken my room too.
"Thank you, Pia. I am sorry I didn't say goodbye to you." I mumbled, and she smiled.
"Why say goodbye? We are friends, right? I can visit you anytime at your place. Just give me the address, please!" She begged, and I laughed and told her my address, but I wasn't sure if I would be there next month, knowing I just lost my job.
I sat on the bus carrying the heaviness in my heart. I thought they would leave me alone when I worked as a waitress. I tried my best to forget my old life and live my current life, but they didn't stop ruining what I had. I never did anything to them.
I was happy with my salary, and the tip I received at the end of the day made my day complete. It helped a lot with the bills and our food, and now, I am jobless again.
I counted the money Carmie threw in my face, and half laughed when I realized she gave me more than enough to pay the one-month rental and our bills.
"That monster!" Daria exclaimed after I narrated to her what had happened.
"Don't worry, I will find another job," I said with certainty that I would find another job.
The following day, I got busy applying for a job after I got my last pay. Days turned into weeks, and I am still jobless.
"Do you think it is time for you to surrender and come with me to the province?" Daria asked, and I shook my head.
"We are not living, Daria; I will do everything possible to find a job," I responded, and she fell silent.
But after one month, still, no one hired me, and I got so pissed with the world for abandoning me. When I received notice from my landlord to vacate the place, that was the time I lost hope.
"Are you sure with your decision?" Daria asked with concern.
"I knew I would miss the hustle and bustle of the city, the city lights that would always brighten my night, but there is no place for me here," I responded.
"I felt scared of what was waiting for us out there, but I knew as long as we are together, we will survive," I added, and her face brightened.
"Okay, we should pack our things now," Daria excitedly responded.
"Not yet; there is one thing I want to do before we leave Fenjza City," I responded, and she looked at me with a quizzical look on her face.
"What is that? I feel scared, Destiny, with that seriousness on your face. We are not going to rob a bank, aren't we?" She asked, and my laughter reverberated in the living room.
"I am not that desperate, but what I am going to do is very important to me," I responded.
"You are going to see Red?" She asked, and my eyes widened.
"How did you know that?" I asked back.
"The look all over your face is telling me I like that," she responded with a smile of mischief on her lips.
"What you are thinking is far from what I was planning," I replied, and her face fell.
I woke up the following day and got ready in my room with a restless heart. I tried to put on light makeup on my face. I only dressed in jeans and a simple blouse. I didn't want Red to think I came to win him back.
"Wow! You looked so beautiful, Destiny," Daria yelled out after I got out of my room.
"Thank you, Daria, and please, wish me luck," I responded as she sent me to the door. I bid my farewell and walked to the bus stop.
I found it hard to think as I sat in my seat; I could hear the audible beating of my restless heart. I should not feel this way, but I couldn't stop my heart from beating so fast as I thought about Red, and I wished he would help me.
"Do you have an appointment with Atty. Galvez?" The secretary asked with irritation.
"No, but please tell him it is Destiny Ganzon," I responded, and her face suddenly changed from annoyance to recognition. I hadn't seen her before and wondered what happened to his previous assistant.
"Ms. Ganzon, I am sorry, but Red is attending a hearing. He will be back this afternoon." She replied with a warm smile.
"Thank you. I must come back later," I responded and thanked her before I left.
I felt so lost and alone, and I didn't want to apply for a job anymore since it would be useless since Daria and I were leaving the city behind. I didn't know how to embrace life in the province, but the new scenery would be good for my broken heart and shattered soul.
My feet brought me to the nearest park since I wished to kill time. I wandered alone and felt so envious of the couples walking holding hands while whispering sweet nothings to each other.
I sat on the nearest bench with a view of the open ground when my phone rang, and I quickly took it from my bag. It was an unknown number, and I wondered who could it be.
"Hello," I answered.
"Destiny? Where are you?" My heart raced as I listened to Red's sexy voice, and I noticed the concern in his tone.
"I am at the park," I replied.
"Which park?" He asked.
"Fenjza Central Park," I responded.
"Wait for me. Just text me your exact location, and I will arrive in fifteen minutes." He declared before the line went dead.
I listened to my heart as its rhythm became normal before I texted Red my location. Maybe his secretary texted him; he was attending a hearing, and I thought he would be back in the afternoon.
I anxiously waited for Red and fidgeted in my seat like a young lady waiting for her date. I reprimanded myself that I was seeing Red for something and not about our forgotten relationship.
"What do you want from me this time, Destiny?" Red asked the moment he found me, and my face hardened with his approach. He didn't even bother to say hi.
I realized the concern I heard in his voice over the phone must be the product of my imagination since the man I saw standing before me was still looking at me with the same coldness in his eyes.