However, he wasn't sure if he was willing to risk their current friendship to acquire more wealth.
'It's not worth it. I'll be quitting anyway, so it best I don't ruin the one good relationship I currently possess,' Elias thought as he walked towards the direction of the back of the kitchen to drop the plates before returning back to work.
…....…
After four long hours of attending to guests and ensuring that their orders were taken correctly and delivered, Celestial Dining had reached its official closing hours for the day.
Elias offered his resignation letter at the general manager's office, then quickly changed his uniform into his regular attire and walked out through the restaurant's back door. Other workers were also making their way out.
When Elias stepped out of the building, he quickly noticed Sofia waving her hand at him to attract his attention from a distance. Immediately, he walked in her direction and arrived before her within seconds.
"I thought you had already left," Elias said, his eyes fixed on Sofia.
"I was waiting for your arrival. Let's go," Sofia responded, turning around and walking ahead with Elias.
They walked side by side under the dimly lit street, cool air brushing against their faces as they passed other passersby.
"So what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Sofia finally asked, glancing at Elias.
Hearing Sofia's question, Elias took a deep breath. "I've resigned from the Celestial Dining, so I won't be coming to work here anymore."
Sofia turned to look at him. "Are you sure about this, Elias? You know how hard it was for you to get an opening at this job, and with your skills, it would be harder for you to get any other high-paying job as this one?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as she scrutinized him, waiting for his response.
Despite Elias's salary not being something to brag about, as a staff member in a high-end restaurant, it was still much better than that of anyone working in a similar profession in a lower-class restaurant. Therefore, she couldn't understand what could make him quit his job.
"Yes, I've thought about it, and quitting is the best decision I can make," Elias responded, nodding.
A sudden silence enveloped the atmosphere around them.
"I see. So, since you are quitting this job, you've got a better one, right?" Sofia asked curiously. She wondered about the kind of job he had discovered that would immediately make him want to quit working at a high-end restaurant like Celestial Dining.
"Ahem! I haven't found a job yet; I am still searching for one," Elias responded, his voice getting smaller with each word as he witnessed Sofia's sudden change in expression.
Suddenly, Sofia halted her steps and turned to face Elias. She examined him from head to toe before reaching out to feel his neck and forehead to check his body temperature and ensure they were at normal levels.
After Sofia had confirmed everything was okay, she locked her gaze with Elias, a heavy frown on her lips. "You're not showing any symptoms of illness, so what would make you give up your high-paying job at the Celestial Dining with your level of skills to be jobless and job hunting?" she muttered to herself as though she was not asking that question directly to Elias.
Almost instantly, she grabbed both sides of Elias's cheeks firmly. "If you are in there, Elias, talk to me! Did you get possessed by a ghost or something? Give me a sign, and I'll do my best to help you?" Sofia asked, her gaze fixed on Elias seriously.
Witnessing Sofia's fierce reaction, Elias was astounded briefly before he shook away from her grasp and stepped back. "I'm neither sick nor possessed by a ghost—–" Elias began. However, before he could finish his sentence, a stranger emerged out of nowhere, abruptly grabbed Sofia's bag, and pushed her to the ground before fleeing in seconds.
Fortunately, Elias caught Sofia before she reached the ground and held her upwards. "Are you okay?" he asked hurriedly, wanting to see if she had suffered any injuries in the theft.
However, rather than responding, Sofia screamed, "MY BAG!!" And freed herself from his grip before chasing after the thief.
"Hey, wait!" Elias shouted, swiftly running after her to stop her from doing anything dangerous, his heart pounding with worry for her safety.
Sofia removed her shoes and aimed at his head, hoping to slow him down so she could close the gap between them and retrieve her stolen bag. "GET BACK HERE, YOU THIEF!!" Sofia yelled, launching her shoe forward.
The crowds parted, not wanting to get hit mistakenly by the flying projectile or be involved in the unfolding drama. Some even pulled out their phones to film the chase scene, hoping they could amass a sizeable following with its views.
Luckily, the shoe precisely smacked the back of the thief's head, temporarily disorienting him and giving her enough time to catch up to him.
When she did, she immediately lunged forward, latching her body on his back.
"YOU THIEF, HAND OVER MY BAG!!" yelled Sofia angrily. She sent a punch towards the side of the thief's face.
The punch knocked the thief off the sidewalk and into the main road.
It was at this moment that Elias arrived at the scene.
Witnessing the unfolding scene as the thief tried to avoid being hit by a passing vehicle, with Sofia clinging tightly to his back and delivering consecutive punches to the side of his face, Elias ran forward to hold the thief down and rescue her from danger.
Honk!! Honk!!
As Sofia and the thief were engrossed in their confrontation, Elias watched in horror as a speeding bus careened towards them. Its bright headlight beamed at them, causing Sofia and the thief to instantly halt their actions as they realized the danger.
"SOFIAA!!" Elias's screams tore through the air as his instincts took over. He lunged forward, shoving them both out of harm's way.