All of the employees in the restaurant, including me, lined up inside the staff room and waited for our supervisor. Our supervisor said there will be a special announcement.
“Hey Jenna,” said Min, the person who was standing beside me.
I turned to her. Min looked anxious. I tried my best not to laugh at my coworker and friend.
“Do you think someone will get fired?”
“No. Of course not. What made you think someone will get fired? All of us deserved to be here.”
Min let out a relieved sigh after hearing me said that. “Yeah, you’re right. If I get fired here, I don’t know if I will be able to pay for my studies and support my family.”
I reached for Min’s hand and gave her a comforting smile. I actually feel the same way. Working part time in an expensive restaurant has helped me afford to pay for my tuition fees in university. I just graduated high school six months ago. Coming from a poor family with no experience yet, it was hard for an 18-year-old like me and Min to secure a job. Good thing that our restaurant was hiring part timers and college students. Being one of the most expensive restaurants in the city, they were able to pay their employees higher than what the other restaurants are paying.
“I heard a millionaire is planning to book our restaurant for his wedding reception.”
Both Min and I turned to the other side of the line where there were employees who are gossiping loudly enough for the whole room to hear.
“Wow, our restaurant is lucky.”
“No, the bride of the millionaire is millionaire IS lucky.”
“I wish I also meet a millionaire.”
“Yeah, me too.” The female employees started to giggle.
One guy started to roll his eyes. He is one of the chefs. “As if millionaires would want to marry someone who is from a different status. Ouch—”
One of the female servers who was our senior hit him in the head. The rest of the staff laughed, including me and Min. Moments like these are common in our restaurant. We treat each other as family.
Except our supervisor.
Speaking of the devil, Mr. Brady entered the staff room with a stern face. He was holding a folder in hand and gave it to the person who is closer to the door. “Pass it around.”
Just like that. With no please or what.
“As some of you may know, one of our rich clients has booked the restaurant as their reception for his wedding. The restaurant will be closed for a week.”
Some of us tried our best to stop smiling and look excited. Finally, a full week off. I can focus on my studies have a free time for myself.
Mr. Brady doesn’t seem pleased with our excitement. He wanted us to just think about work all the time.
“You should be grateful that I am letting you all rest for a week. Just make sure that no one will mess around during the wedding day or else you will get fired!”
“Yes, sir!” we said in unison.
“You’re dismissed for today!”
We started heading to our individual lockers.
“Let’s buy some fruits on our way home, Jenna,” Min said.
“Sure!” I replied.
“Jenna, can you come to my office?”
We turned to the person who said that. It was Mr. Brady.
“S-sure, Sir.”
Ms. Brady turned to Min. “Min, you should go home. No need to wait for Jenna, I can just drive her home after our ‘meeting’”
Min reluctantly nodded but looked at me worriedly. I tried to give her best smile as a reassurance to my friend.
“Let’s go, Jenna.”
I followed Mr. Brady to his office and prayed that I was not being fired or reprimanded for something I have done. Mr. Brady closed the door behind us once we were inside his office.
“Is there something wrong, sir?”
Mr. Brady put down his folder on top of his table and turned to me with a naughty smile. He looked at me from head to toe.
“I have been noticing how hardworking you are.”
“T-thank you, Mr. Brady” I said while looking down. Mr. Brady keeps on looking at me with a naughty look and it is making me feel uncomfortable.
“And you are really pretty.”
I did not give an answer.
“I will take you out on a date tonight,” Mr. Brady said with authority as if it was a normal thing to say.
My eyes widened. I looked at the man in front of me and saw a pervert, not my supervisor.
“We could go to another fancy restaurant or a bar.”
“I-I am not going w-with you, Mr. Brady.”
Mr. Brady looked displeased. As a supervisor who always expect his subordinates to follow him all the time and say ‘yes’, hearing an objection was not an option.
“I need to go home and study for my classes tom—”
“Then you can’t go home just yet!”
I flinched because of how angry Mr. Brady sounded. He suddenly realized he might be heard by the other staff outside, so he fixed his composure and returned to his stern face.
“You will render overtime…” Mr. Brady turned around as if to walk away but he suddenly turned around again to my direction for his final words of the day. “…and clean the whole restaurant tonight.” After that taunting command, he left me inside the office shutting the door behind me.
I let out a relieved sigh. For me, having to clean the whole restaurant even if I am alone is better than having to spend the night with my supervisor. I still can’t believe that Mr. Brady has asked me for a date. What will the other staff will say if they find out, especially the owner?
But nobody will believe me if I tell them. I might even get fired.
I got out of the office and look at the huge place around me. It will be a long night ahead.