After much anticipation, Chief's order was finally ready. Despite her reluctance to approach his table, Mirabel had no choice.
Carrying a tray of smoky chicken nuggets and French toast,still steaming as if they had just left the pan, along with Chief's glass of chilled wine, Mirabel approached his table. She carefully placed the tray down, saying with a courteous tone, "Your order is ready, sir."
Chief, however, barely acknowledged her presence, his gaze fixed on his phone, chuckling at a chat message. Mirabel hesitated, pointing to the tray. "I think that's everything, sir," she murmured. Still, Chief didn't respond, absorbed in his conversation. Finally, she ventured, "Chief?"
Only then did he look up, his face holding a stern expression. "What else do you want to offer me?" he said abruptly. "Don't tell me you're actually expecting a response from me. Or are you?" He took a sip of his wine, his tone dismissive.
Feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation, Mirabel shrugged slightly. "I was only following protocol, sir. Since you seem satisfied, I'll take my leave now." She turned gracefully, her neatly packed ponytail swaying, but as she neared the counter, a loud voice rang out behind her.
"Come back here!" Chief's booming tone pierced through the quiet, melancholy music in the background, drawing the attention of nearby customers. Mirabel turned, exchanging a helpless look with her colleague, who simply shrugged. "He's your customer. Go see what he wants," her colleague said, moving away with another order.
Mirabel straightened her apron and approached Chief's table again, attempting to keep her composure. "Yes, sir. You called for me? Is there something else you need?"
Chief nodded slowly, watching her with a scrutinizing gaze. "Yes, I actually do need something," he said flatly.
Her patience waning, she responded, "But I thought you said you didn't need anything else." She tried to hide her frustration, but he picked up on it, giving her a look of disdain. "You don't even pay attention. I pity you."
Mirabel blinked, perplexed. She wondered what could possibly be wrong with this man. "Excuse me, sir, but is there actually a problem?" she asked cautiously.
"Take this away," Chief said, gesturing toward the untouched French toast and chicken nuggets. "I don't eat cold food. I was busy with a meeting."
Fear seized Mirabel; a complaint from Chief could cost her the job. "Sir… please, I'm very sorry if I've offended you. But could you please consider trying the food? If you don't, I might lose my job." She clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, her anxiety showing as she glanced down.
Chief smirked, clearly amused by her discomfort. "Are you really begging me?" he said, smiling as if he had just secured a lucrative deal. "So, you're this desperate to keep your job?"
"Yes, sir. I truly am," Mirabel said, desperation flashing in her eyes. "What can I do to make this right?"
"A lot," Chief replied with a hint of amusement, leaning back in his seat as if this was a mere game. "A lot," he repeated, watching her reaction.
Mirabel scanned the restaurant, searching for any possible way to satisfy this wealthy, difficult man. She took a deep breath. "Is there anything specific I can get for you, sir?"
Chief finally relented, adjusting his seat as if ready to leave. "Just take the food away. I don't eat cold food, and I was only kidding around. It's been a rough day, and I wanted a bit of fun." He softened his tone and looked her up and down, saying, "You're good at your job."
Mirabel blinked, surprised by his sudden change in demeanor. "I'm good?"
Chief nodded, pulling out a thick bundle of cash from his briefcase and offering it to her. "Here, a little tip for you."
"Thank you, sir, but no, I can't accept it," Mirabel replied, attempting to smile politely. "It's against our policy to accept tips."
"Why not?" Chief asked, still holding the money out.
"It's just part of our regulations here, sir," she said with a relieved smile.
Chief tilted his head, intrigued. "Fine. Then just give me your account number, and I'll make a transfer," he said, pulling his phone out once more.
"No, sir, that's also prohibited here," Mirabel said as she turned to head back to the counter with the tray.
Chief, feeling perplexed, whispered under his breath, "This place has got to be kidding me." Mirabel froze, her mind racing. What did he mean by that? She thought quickly and decided to offer him a compromise.
"Alright, sir, it doesn't look like you'll be satisfied until you tip me," she said, pulling out a brown docket and an office pen with the phrase "Let the flow, flows" inscribed on it. "Here's a docket and a pen. Write down the amount you'd like to tip and transfer it to the company's account. That's the only way they'd allow me to have it."
Chief looked at her, bemused, and accepted the docket.
"It's Mirabel, sir," she added, with a small, sheepish smile.
"Sorry?" Chief asked, momentarily confused.
"That's my name, sir—Mirabel," she clarified, her smile widening.
"Oh, you see? That wasn't so difficult, Mirabel," Chief said with a slight grin as he proceeded to write on the docket.
Mirabel felt a pang of guilt. She knew she couldn't truly take the money, but perhaps this way, he'd feel she had.
"There you go," Chief said, handing back the brown docket and pen. Mirabel looked down and read his message: "I, Chief Daniel Mina, tip Mirabel the sum of 50,000 Naira, and I've transferred it to the company's account."
Mirabel's eyes widened at the amount. She stammered, "Chief Mina… this is quite generous."
"Huge? It's the least I can do," Chief replied, flashing a bright smile. "Thank you very much, sir," Mirabel said, watching as he stood up to leave.
"I'll want to see you again, Mirabel, next time I'm here," Chief said, pushing through the door with a final glance.
As Mirabel walked back to the counter, a slight skip in her step, her colleague noticed her glow. "Mimi, what's going on? Why are you so happy?" she asked, curious.
Mirabel laughed. "You won't believe it! That same Chief who got me so irritated and stressed out just tipped me a huge amount of money! Even though I couldn't keep the tip directly, I had him transfer it to the company's account."
Her colleague shook her head with a grin. "I knew he couldn't be that bad. So, you were able to settle everything?"
"Yes, I'm just glad we ended on good terms," Mirabel replied with a satisfied smile.
"Sharp girl," her colleague teased, swinging her arm playfully.
Mirabel, blushing slightly, replied, "Sharp girl? You're the one who knows what you're talking about." She chuckled and added, "Come on, let's get back to work. After all, I can't keep the money."
Her colleague sensed a bit of embarrassment but tried to reassure her. "Hope I didn't upset you?"
Mirabel shook her head with a smile. "No, it's fine." With that, she turned back to clear a nearby table, feeling lighter and more at ease.