The wooden door creaked softly as Rosetta stepped inside, the familiar scent of the house waffled through her nose.
Yes, she had missed her home, her grandfather but it was only to fulfill a promise of marriage that was made between two old friends when they were young.
She placed her bag by the door, careful not to let the old wooden floor crack open.
"You look pale, Rosie," her grandfather said, following her in. "Sit down. Let me get you some water."
"I'm fine, Grandpa," she replied quickly, hurrying past him into the kitchen. "Let me make you some tea instead. You must be tired from the ride."
His footsteps followed her, slow but steady. "I'm not tired," he said, his voice quieter now. "I'm worried."
Rosetta froze at the counter, her hands grabbing the kettle. " Grandpa Thomas, you don't have to worry about anything" she said, making her voice sound very calm.
"They didn't treat you right, did they?" His words hung in the air between them. '' I am very sorry Rosie, if I had known better, I wouldn't have fulfilled Raphael's wish for you to get married to his grandson''
"I don't want to talk about it, I am back home now and that's all that matters." She filled the kettle with water, keeping her back to him.
The hiss of the kettle was a good distraction for Rosetta, but it didn't swallow the silence that followed.
Her grandfather sighed heavily, after watching her for a few seconds. "Rosie, you don't have to protect me from the truth. I'm stronger than you think. Tellme anything, I can handle it"
She turned to face him then, her face softening. "I'm home now. That's all that matters."
He frowned, studying her carefully. "You've always been good at dodging questions and hiding things to stop me from hurting, but that hurts me. The little actions you take on my behalf.''
Grandpa Thomas walked back into the living room, sunk into a chair, and asked, as Rosetta served him the tea. What's your plan now?"
She blinked several times, caught off guard. "My plan?"
"Yes, your plan. What's next?" His eyes were sharp, like those that had seen her through every scraped knee and sleepless night. "You've got that fire in you, Rosie. Don't let anyone snuff it out."
She dropped her gaze, her fingers brushing the edge of her bag where the folded letter peeked out. "I'll figure it out," she said quietly. "I just need a little time."
He shook his head. "Time won't pay the bills, Rosie." His voice was gentle, but it hit like a hammer.
You have to join me in the scrap business again, it may not be much, but remember, we have your tuition to pay. He glanced at the acceptance letter sticking out of her bag.
She nodded quickly. "I know. I'll find a job tomorrow. Don't worry about it."
"You're always so quick to carry the weight on your own," he muttered, but he let it go. "Just remember, you don't have to rush."
The next morning, Rosetta sat at the small dining table, the acceptance letter from Haven University in her hands. The crisp black letters seemed to taunt her.
Congratulations! You've been admitted to Haven University.
Her fingers traced the words as her chest tightened. Haven had been her dream for years, the chance to build a better future. But now, it felt like more of a curse than a blessing.
She chose her education and dream over Dango, who wanted her to be in the kitchen and breed children for him. But she wanted more for herself to be able to care for Grandpa and take care of herself, Not depending on a man always, or for the rest of her life
"How am I supposed to afford this?" she whispered, folding the letter carefully and putting it back into her bag.
"Rosie, you ready?" her grandfather called from outside.
"Coming!" she replied.
The hum of the bike was almost soothing as they made their way into town. When they arrived at the job center, he parked the bike and turned to her. " Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you Rosie?"
"I'll be fine, Grandpa," she said, hopping off and kissing his cheek. "Go to the market. I'll meet you there when I'm done."
He hesitated, his eyes searching hers. "Don't push yourself too hard, Rosie."
She smiled faintly. "I won't. Promise."
Inside, the job center buzzed with quiet activity. Rosetta joined the queue, clutching a clipboard listing open positions. Waitress, Retail clerk. Hotel cleaner. The words blurred together as she scanned the options.
"Next!" called a brisk voice from the counter.
She stepped forward and handed the clipboard to the clerk, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes. "Are you in need of part-time or full-time?"
"Part-time," Rosetta said, with a steady voice. "But… is there anything that pays well?"
The clerk glanced at her sympathetically. "Most part-time jobs don't pay much, but we just got a listing for a new hotel downtown. They're hiring banquet staff. Evening shifts, decent tips."
"I'll take it," Rosetta said quickly.
The woman nodded and slid a form across the counter. "Fill this out, and I'll submit your application. They're pretty quick with interviews."
Rosetta moved to a small desk in the corner, holding her pen tightly. As she filled out the form, her mind hoped and prayed.
Evening shifts meant she could still make time for school, if she could figure out how to pay the tuition.
"One step at a time," she murmured under her breath. "Rosetta you can do this." she assured herself firmly
Rosetta clutched the strap of her bag, shifting nervously on her feet as she stood in front of the towering glass doors of the Haven Regency Hotel. Her reflection stared back at her, as she saw her reflection on the glass door.
A girl in a faded blouse and a skirt that had seen better days. Her shoes were scuffed, the soles worn thin from too many miles.
She wasn't discouraged at all , looking down at her outfit. "It's clean," she whispered to herself, taking a shaky breath. "That's what matters."
Inside, the lobby was busy with activity. Rosetta's eyes moved around nervously as she walked to the reception desk, she was nervous.
"Hello," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The receptionist, a young woman with perfectly styled hair and an immaculate blazer, raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yes?" the receptionist said, her tone cool but polite.
"I'm here for the banquet staff interview. I—uh—I applied yesterday." Rosetta clutched her bag tighter, hoping her voice didn't betray her nerves.
The receptionist gave her a quick once-over, her expression unreadable. "Third floor. Room 3B. Take the elevator on your left."
"Thank you." Rosetta's voice trembled slightly as she hurried toward the elevator, her scuffed shoes squeaking faintly against the marble floor.
The interview room was small but well-lit, with a polished wooden table at the center. Two chairs faced the table, one occupied by a woman in her forties with sharp eyes and a professional demeanor.
"Name?" the woman asked briskly as Rosetta entered.
"Rosetta George," she said, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
The woman gestured to the chair across from her. "Have a seat."
Rosetta sat down, placing her bag carefully on the floor.
"You applied for the position of banquet staff," the woman said, flipping through a file. "Do you have any experience in hospitality?"
"Yes," Rosetta said quickly. "I've worked as a waitress before. In small diners, but I'm familiar with serving, cleaning, and handling guests."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "Small diners can't exactly compare to a five-star hotel, Miss George. This is a fast-paced environment with demanding and rich guests. Do you think you can handle that?"
"I can handle anything," Rosetta said, her voice firm now. "I learn fast, and I don't give up. I'll do whatever it takes."
The woman studied her for a long moment before nodding. "The shifts are from 5 PM to midnight. You'll be on your feet most of the time, carrying trays, setting tables, and assisting with events.'' She paused glanced at Rosetta for a few seconds
''Uniforms are provided, but you'll need to maintain a professional appearance. Pay is minimum wage plus tips. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes," Rosetta said without hesitation.
"Good." The woman slid a paper across the table. "Sign this, and we'll start you on a trial shift tomorrow evening. Impress us, and we'll consider keeping you."
Rosetta took the pen, her hand steady as she signed her name. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
The woman offered a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Welcome aboard, Miss George. Be here at 4:30 tomorrow for your uniform fitting. Don't be late."
"I won't," Rosetta promised, standing and picking up her bag. "Thank you again."
As she stepped out of the room and back into the gleaming hallway, a small smile tugged at her lips. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
She took out her phone nd made a call to grandpa Thomas, it rang and immediately got connected on the other side of the phone. With tension in his voice
''Rosie how did it go?
'' Grandpa' I got the job,'' Rosetta spoke softly into the phone but her joy could not be hidden in her voice.
'' That's my girl, I'm so proud of you. WE should celebrate it when I come home.
Okay Grandpa, she hung up the phone feeling like the greatest granddaughter in the world.
Grandpa I will definitely be great and take care of you soon. We won't have to pick trash and sell to put food on our table ever again