After a few hours, the day became brighter. Michael was very far asleep when his phone began to ring over and over. After several attempts, the caller stopped calling.
The sun was already burning hot when he finally woke up. He stretched his body, yawning when his phone began to ring again.
With half-sleepy eyes, he swiped the blinded screen of his phone and picked up the call.
"Where the fvck are you, loser? Why haven't you resumed work by this time of day?!" A very rough and angry voice wailed before ending the call.
The sleep in Michael's eyes wiped away right away, realizing it was Jack Harris, the manager of Skyline Restaurant. He glanced at the wall clock and discovered it was already past twelve.
He jumped out of bed, trying to prepare, and sprinted to Skyline.
He hurriedly searched for his uniform before he found it soaked and stinking where he had kept it last night.
"Oh, shit!!" He cursed, running out of his room.
In less than twenty minutes, Michael arrived at Skyline.
As soon as he entered the dining area, his colleagues, who had contributed to humiliating him last night, began to laugh contemptuously.
"Wastrel, you arrived so early today. I hope all is fine," one of them asked mockingly.
At that moment, a man in his 30s, Jack Harris, was approaching with three ladies by his side. The ladies wore skimpy dresses that made it clear who they were at a glance.
"You're not even in uniform. This shows how you regard this job!" Jack barked at Michael upon setting eyes on him.
"Not what you think, Mr. Harris," Michael tried to explain.
Jack waved his hands, "I don't need any explanation from you. By disregarding this job, your salary will be slashed from now until the next three months."
"Ah! Please—" Michael wanted to plead but quickly paused.
All the workers around had different facial expressions, aware of what Michael had just asked for.
Jack turned to look at him disdainfully. "Did you just use that word?"
Michael was silent, staring at the floor.
Jack Harris hated the word 'please' with all his being. He never spared any worker who mentioned it in the past. Therefore, Michael could never escape it either.
Jack announced coldly, "Michael Quinn, you're fired! Now, get out of this restaurant!"
The whole lobby went silent, and some of Michael's haters nearly burst out laughing. They had always wished for this day to come, and it was finally here.
They all hated and ridiculed him just because he was a poor orphan.
Michael knew Jack was a merciless man. Because of that, he didn't bother to fight for a chance further.
Especially, the heartless man acted more animalistically when he had his ladies around him. It meant nothing to him to embarrass his workers to entertain his prostitutes.
Michael raised his head, wearing an expressionless look. He was about to turn and start leaving when a voice stopped him.
"Wait, Michael." A young lady, Vivian Noah, wearing a knee-length skirt and a button-down shirt, walked forward. She looked beautiful and perfectly endowed.
She stopped at a distance between Jack and Michael. Then, she said to Jack politely, "Michael is one of our most hardworking staff. Overlook his offense on my behalf, sir."
"No, Vivian!" Jack disagreed immediately.
Vivian, the assistant manager of the restaurant, was taken aback. She never thought that Jack took the matter to heart that much.
She had been watching the whole situation from where she stood earlier.
"Mr. Harris, accept this apology on my behalf." She tried again.
"My words remain!!" Jack barked louder.
Vivian's face was expressionless, yet she felt a bit embarrassed. Then she said to Michael, "I tried so hard, but it seems this is beyond my capacity."
"It's no problem, Miss Noah. I appreciate you so much." Michael turned to leave.
"I can spare him on one condition." Jack let out, looking away from Vivian.
"Oh really, what's that, sir?" Vivian asked optimistically.
Jack turned to Vivian, grinning stupidly. He gazed at her beautiful body, licking his lips, "Spend a night with me in my bedroom."
A total silence took over the atmosphere. All eyes fixated on the manager, staring at him shamelessly.
"This is an insult to us, Mr. Harris," one of the ladies murmured.
The man ignored the comment and shamelessly asked Vivian, "Do you agree or should I ask my guards to throw the trash out?"
Jack had always looked for the opportunity to have a taste of the gorgeous. He felt this was a great opportunity for him.
"You are such a shameless man, Jack. Do you think everyone would be a pig like you?" Michael was irritated by the pervert's ill manners.
Jack's eyes widened in rage, "Are you out of your senses?! Do you dare talk to me in that manner?! Blade!" He called one of his guards.
"Break his limbs and throw him out!"
Blade rushed forward, aiming a jab at Michael's limbs.