Lynn hand slowly came out from under her covers as she searched her bedside table so she could turn off her blaring alarm clock that was almost driving her insane.
She finally turned off her arm and waited for a few seconds before she finally dragged up, her eyes were still closed as she got up from her bed. Her bed calling back to her.
It was still dark outside when she left her apartment. She needed a head start because she had to walk down to her first job of the day and the distance was a bit far from her house. She sighed and headed off.
Luckily, she got there earlier than she had planned, and her manager had just arrived. "Good morning Sir" Lynn greeted Mr Thompson, who seemed to be in an oddly good mood. Maybe this was her chance. Maybe if she asked for an advance, he would pity her and help her out. She had been diligent with her work and was never late.
"Good morning, Lynn. You are pretty early today" Mr Thompson said and hummed a song as he started towards the back of the coffee shop where his office was. The scent of freshly baked pastries wafted in the air as the sun rose in the sky.
"I was wondering if you could spare me a few minutes sir" Lynn's hand was fisted by her side, hope was the only thing left in her heart as she thought about how to explain to him about the advance.
"Go, on" Mr Thompson said as he took off his jacket and took a seat. Lynn immediately went on to explain to him why she needed an advance. Her eyes were shown with anticipation as she awaited his reply. She needed his pity right now.
"You seem to need it rather urgently. You have been a diligent worker, so I don't see why not"
Lynn felt an instant rush of relief pass through her body when she heard this response. "Thank you so much, sir…" She said happily as a smile of relief graced her face. She had one less thing to worry about now.
She happily changed the sign of the coffee shop to open and went about her morning. She had a good feeling about the day and hoped it turned out well since it started on a good foot.
A few minutes later, the shop became crowded, filled with office workers from the buildings across the street. It was always a busy morning, but this morning was especially busy.
Lynn's eyes scanned the crowded coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries enveloping her. She was finally able to balance the tray of steaming hot coffee, her fingers trembling slightly as she navigated through the sea of suits and briefcases, who didn't pay any mind to her. "Table ten," She muttered, her eyes looking around till they landed on 'table ten'. Two men were seated both engrossed in their work like everyone else...
She tried to walk as carefully as possible and at the same time make sure the coffee in her hand remained balanced, this seemed to have enveloped most of her concentration and just as she was about to take her final steps she lost her balance sending the tea cups flying out of the tray in different directions. Lynn's eyes widened in horror as the hot coffee splashed onto one of the men's laps, the stain spreading like a dark map across his expensive-looking pants.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry!" Lynn exclaimed, her voice barely above like a whisper. Her heart raced in her rib cages in fear as she frantically searched for napkins to minimise the damage she had caused. The customer's icy gaze froze her in place, his voice dripping with disdain as he spoke.
"Pathetic."
The word cut through the air like a knife, making Lynn flinch. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, her face burning with shame, as most eyes were on her. The customer's companion quickly stepped in, his voice calm and soothing.
"Don't worry about it, miss. People make mistakes." He assured her with a kind smile.
Lynn nodded, still frozen in shock, as the companion ushered the customer out of the shop. The door swung shut behind them, leaving an uncomfortable silence in their absence.
Lynn's manager, Mr. Thompson, who had come out of his office in time, witnessed the whole ordeal. His face was red with anger, as he yelled Lynn's name, causing her to flinch. The curious customers all returned to their business, leaving her to face the consequences of her actions alone. she could tell she was in trouble from the way her name was called...
"Incompetent and clumsy!" Her manager yelled. He was fuming mad in contrast to the good mood he had been in earlier that day. "Do you have any freaking idea who that was!" His voice thundered in the office.
Lynn winced, feeling like she'd been punched in the gut. "I'm sorry, sir," she apologized yet again, her voice barely audible.
Mr. Thompson's expression turned even darker. "Forget about the advance, and I'm cutting half of your pay!"
Lynn's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the implications. She felt like she'd been slapped in the face, her breath knocked out of her.
"Sir, please! you can't do this. I need that advance" She pleaded her mind in turmoil. At the sudden switch and how bad the day turned out for her. The thought of Mrs Adams pressuring her for the rent made a cold shiver run down her spine. What was she going to do?
"If you are not okay with it, you are free to leave!" Mr Thompson said without a shred of emotion, and Lynn wanted to cry. could her life get any worse...
Lynn's shoulders slumped in defeat as she watched Mr. Thompson storm back into his office, the door slamming shut behind him. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries now seemed overpowering, making her stomach churn with anxiety.
She slowly turned to face the crowded coffee shop, the patrons' eyes still fixed on her. Lynn's face burned with shame, her eyes welling up with tears. She quickly grabbed her bag and made a hasty exit, the bell above the door jingling loudly as she fled. There was no use in her staying here any longer. she had to find a new job and fast.
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The cool morning air hit her like a slap in the face, making her gasp. Lynn took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She couldn't believe her luck – first, the pompous customer, and now her boss's wrath.
As she walked away from the coffee shop, Lynn felt like she was walking away from her last lifeline. She had no idea how she would make ends meet now, her rent already overdue. The weight of her responsibilities threatened to crush her.
Lynn stopped at the corner of the street, looking around frantically for a solution. Her eyes landed on a help-wanted sign in the window of a nearby restaurant. Desperation drove her to push open the door and step inside.
The aroma of freshly cooked food enveloped her, making her stomach growl with hunger. She hadn't had dinner the previous night and had used up all of her remaining energy.
Her eyes scanned the unfamiliar place till it landed on the counter. She immediately started to approach the counter, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Hi, I'm here about the job," she said, trying to sound confident and not look like the pathetic mess that she was.
The manager, a kind-eyed woman, smiled warmly. "Welcome! Let's chat about the position."
Lynn's heart skipped a beat as she sat down, hoping against hope that this would be her ticket out of the chaos...