I needed to find a new job as soon as possible. My savings were not going to last us a week and I needed to pay rent as end month was soon approaching. I could not ask my father to chip in despite it being his responsibility to house the twins. He did not care about that. I did not want my sister's to suffer so I had to make sure that I had money to sort out the bills,take them to school and save for an occasional ice cream treat here and there. At the moment though, we could not even afford to get three meals a day. Old Prisley who used to help had also closed shop. I did not want to go to him and home to stress him out. I knew he would give us food if I went to him but I did not want to. He had done enough for me. The only other place I could go to was the former diner. Old Prisley had said that the new owner was willing to give me a job. All I needed to do was go to him and present myself. I was going to tell him that I had been sent by Old Prisley. I just hoped that I would get a job there.
I walked hurriedly towards the gate. I had spent my lunch money on a train to the diner. I was going to take my chance with luck. I found people seated waiting for lunch.
"Hello." I greeted shyly.
"Hello. How can we help you young lady?" One of the men asked. He was the supervisor based on how he was dressed.
"I am looking for work. My former boss told me that he had talked with the new owner and he promised me a job. I have come to talk to him." I said,albeit scared and afraid of being sent away.
"Well, I do not think that there is work here. At the moment, we are only hiring male workers. This is hard word work, a young lady like you cannot do such." The contractor said.
"I...I can do light jobs...I really need a job sir. My sister's..." I started. I was almost in tears. I was desperate.
"I am sorry. I wish I could help you." He said and went back to telling stories with his fellow men.
I started crying. This was my last resort and they were sending me away. I was not going to leave without a job.
"Why are you crying? You can look elsewhere. This is not the only place that is hiring, there are other places that can give you a job." The contractor said.
I was not going to leave. "Can I speak to the owner please?" I begged while still crying. Maybe he would listen to me and help. After all, he had money to buy the whole diner.
"He is busy at the moment." The contractor said.
"What is going on here?" I heard someone ask behind me. I was standing near a small building that looked like an office.
I turned to see the owner of the voice. He was tall, well built with a chiseled jaw. One of his eyebrows was raised in question. I wiped my eyes and opened my mouth.
"Are you the owner?" I asked as I looked him up and down. His suit was pristine, clean and fit him well. It was like it was made just right for him. He looked good. So good. I had never seen someone looking this good in a mere suit. It was not even a tuxedo.
"Yes. Can I help you? Why are you causing a ruckus here?" He asked, his brow still raised. His voice was between bass and alto. It sounded like music to my ears. Almost made me lose focus of what I was supposed to ask. I shook my head to clear it off the thoughts that had started crawling in.
"I need to talk to you. Can we go somewhere else?" I asked, summoning enough courage to last me through the conversation I was about to have with him.
"Sure. Come on." He said as he walked towards the office.
I faltered a little before following him. I had not expected him to agree that quickly. I thought he was going to chase me away like the contractor.
"Sir, there is no work for that young lady." The contractor said.
"Don't worry. I can find her something else to do." He said. "Come on young lady." He added.
I followed timidly. The structure was not that good but it worked for them.
"What is it you want to talk about?" He asked as soon as he closed the door.
I still had a little courage left so I started, "I am here to ask for a job. I used to work for Old Prisley and now I am out of work because you bought the diner." I said. I released a breathe I did not know I had held.
"Oh. Mr. Prisley wanted to sell. I did not force him to. About the job, I can help you with that. I will talk to my house manager to see if she can find something for you. That is the only thing I can do. Unless you have some skills and education. Did you go to school?"
"I did. But I had to stop and help take care of my siblings." I said.
"Okay. Come back tomorrow and I will take you to my house manager." He dismissed me. It was like he asked the question about my education but did not really want to know more about me. I was also not going to start telling him my family history. I did not know if he was going to keep his promise but I would be here tomorrow. I was that persistent. In fact I was going to come here everyday until he gave me work.
"Thank you." I said before leaving.
I had to call Vik and tell him about the job. I did not know if I was going to get it but I doubted if the owner was a liar. I had not even bothered to ask for his name. Neither had he. We were strangers. Maybe Old Prisley could tell me his name. I was, however not going to tell him that I had gone to visit the former diner, especially after causing a ruckus. He would berate me and I did not also want to disappoint him.
Now I had to face my father.