Autumn had arrived and I was working at a breakfast cafe on the morning my life began to change. My fellow co-workers were busy, taking orders and serving orders. Along the line, the door opened and two young men walked into the restaurant. The men were undeniably handsome and my friends began giggling amongst themselves. Well, to be truthful, I did steal a glance at them as I took their orders.
"Good morning, sirs. What would you have?"
One of them, the one with a balayage hair spoke, "Two cups of coffee and brioche."
"Okay, sir. Your meals will be ready shortly"
I called out their order to the kitchen and started preparing their coffee and brioche. As I worked, one of my coworkers, Maya, sidled up beside me. "Becca".
Hearing her voice sent shivers down my spine. Her voice sounded so unusual, almost flirtatious, as if she wanted to seduce me.
"Becca, please, can I serve their orders when you are done?", She asked, her eyes fixed on the two men.
I inwardly sneered and rolled my eyes . I wasn't surprised tho because Maya always showed interest in serving tables with attractive, rich and well-dressed men.
"No, Maya. I'll do it", I replied trying to sound innocent as i held the tray containing their orders and walked towards their table. Just as I was about to place one of the cups of coffee on the table, I felt a push from behind and...
Splash!!
The scalding coffee ended up spilling on the other man, the one who looked cold. I gasped in horror as I realized what happened. The man's white shirt was now stained with a dark brown blotch from the coffee and the exposed skin on his chest and hands became shockingly red.
"I'm... I'm so sorry", I apologized, so mortified. I rushed to grab a stack of napkins but Maya beat me to it, her movements swift. "Hey, dude. Are you okay?", The balayage-haired man asked, concern etched in his face as he turned to his companion. I was completely frozen as I felt the man's anger, annoyance and discomfort knowing I was guilty.
Maya, however, had a sly smile on her face. "Let me help", she said, her voice dripping with sweetness, as she began helping the man. But before her hands could touch the man, he quickly sidestepped away from her, his body language screaming irritation. His eyes flashed with annoyance making it clear he did not need her help. I was surprised seeing the man's sudden movement. But Maya, looked shocked with her lifted hands frozen. The balayage-haired man gave her a warning glance, his facial expression so stern. "Manager", his equally cold voice called out. Mrs. Davis, our manager hurriedly came forward, her face apologetic, "Sir, I apologize on their behalf,'' she said.
At first he didn't respond, his gaze fixed on Maya with what seemed like disgust and then at me.
"Can you fire them?". He finally spoke, his voice firm. Although that sounded like a question, it was more of a command. And that got my blood boiling. I was at fault I admit it. So what gives him the right to fire me? And why is he firing Maya? Just because she made an attempt to help?
I felt a surge of indignation and resentment and before I could say anything, Mrs. Davis intervened.
"Once again, my apologies, sir", the older woman's voice was calm. "I understand your annoyance but firing them is not my decision to make on the spot". A sly smirk appeared on his lips, curling them upward I'm a condescending arc.
"Really?!", He drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "One dared to push and the other dared to splash. I really wonder if they undergo training?"
His words shocked me and I took a quick glance at Maya, just in time to catch the glimpse of panic that flashed across her face. Her eyes widened and her mouth parted as tho, she wanted to offer an excuse or say something. She looked completely frozen and I could see tiny droplets of sweat trickling down her face.
Once again, Mrs. Davis tried to intervene. "Sir, I understand your frustration and annoyance, but I assure..." The man cut in, "Mrs. Emily Davis I didn't pay anyone to be a willy nilly employee in my restaurant". That sentence was like dropping a bombshell. How did he know the Manager's name? I wondered. Just then, Mr. Smith, our owner rushed into the restaurant, towards the man and gave a respectful bow. "CEO Leo, did you come to inspect the restaurant today?" That sentence dropped another bombshell.
HE IS REALLY THE OWNER?!!
Suddenly, I felt a punch in the gut. CEO Leo? CEO Leonard Adams?! CEO of Nardgar Company?! Nardgar Company is an all-rounded company and that means he is really the owner of the entire restaurant chain. And that also means that Mr. Smith who we thought was the owner was just the representative. I looked around to see the reaction of others and realized that the restaurant had been emptied at some point. Maya's face had turned pale and her mouth widened with shock. Mrs. Davis' expression also showed shock. Meanwhile, CEO Leo's companion, the balayage-haired man was leisurely watching the scene unfold.
CEO Leo's demeanor changed, from an angry customer to a charming CEO. "Mr. Smith, I indeed came to inspect and I should say I'm a bit disappointed."
Mr. Smith turned ashen hearing these words. ''CEO Leo, sir, I apologize. This matter will be addressed quickly."
The corner of CEO Leo's lips lifted as though it was a smile, "I commend Mrs. Davis. She really did a good job as a manager, not yielding to threats. But Ms..", he paused as he took a glance at Maya's name tag and continued, "Ms. Maya, I must say I'm really disappointed. You pushed your colleague and perhaps you were trying to frame her. Then, you'll come forward portraying yourself as a good, careful waitress. Am I right?"
Maya's eyes widened, her voice trembling as she stuttered, "N-no, sir. I didn't push her. I really don't remember pushing her".
Well, that sentence would have been believable if she didn't look so guilty. A sign that she did push me. But why? I thought. My mind raced with questions and possible answers as I fixed my eyes on Maya's nervous expression. CEO Leo's expression turned skeptical, "Really?!" He glanced at Mrs. Davis, his expression and demeanor changing once again, "Fire her. My restaurant is not a place to find rich husbands". The last statement ultimately revealed Maya's true intentions. I was stunned on how he guessed her motives so accurately.
Just as Maya wanted to plead, CEO Leo raised his hand, his eyes glinting with authority. "Ms. Maya, you are fired and that's with immediate effect. I'm sorry I don't tolerate irresponsible employees who engage in unprofessional actions". His voice left no space for argument. "Mr. Smith, please, join me in my office. We have some matters to discuss".
As they walked away, Maya looked shaken to the core and I seethed with indignation as I recalled she had pushed me. Why did she push me? What if I was fired too? In a moment , I felt a surge of anger. If I was really fired alongside with her, I would have torn away my innocent facade and beaten Maya up.
----
The rest of the morning passed without incident, just gossips about the earlier drama. Afternoon arrived and it came with the end of my shift. I changed out of my uniform, said goodbye to my coworkers and left the restaurant. But little did I know, the wheels of fate had turned and my life will never remain the same again...