"Sophia, can you please deliver these to Richard's Company. It's on the 35th floor, room 3525. On the exit of the elevator you turn left", says Rica, my colleague here at Love Café. She then puts the orders at the counter.
"A minute, please. I need to change first," I said as I enter into the dressing room of the café. I need to take off my apron since I wiped the tables. After changing, I grabbed my helmet and went out of the room.
"2535!" I shouted and took the orders from the counter and exited the café.
"It's 3525!" I heard the shout of Rica and I suddenly stopped and gave her an okay sign.
I was wrong so it's good that Rica reminded me before I left. Well, even if I'm wrong I can check the address on the receipt that was attached to the orders. I hopped on my scooter and went to Richard's Co.
I have 2 jobs right now, a barista and a delivery woman at Love Café and a waitress at Chef Tiu's Restaurant. My work isn't easy and I don't get any dayoffs but I don't want to get rid of any of my job since it's not easy to look for one. Aside from that, I need money for my tuition on the upcoming school year.
I parked my scooter as I got to the side of Richard's Co. I went to the building's entrance, "Guard, I have to go inside to deliver these orders to the 35th floor. I'll be back for a while", I told the guard. "Hurry up, miss. The VIPs are coming today. Outsiders are prohibited thereafter" the guard warned me.
I walked through the scanner and the guard ahead checked the delivery bag.
"Go ahead" he said.
I walked inside and took my delivery bag at the end of the scanner.
As I walked through the elevator I checked the inside of the hallway. I've been here several times but still, I was astonished by the design of the interior like the first time I saw it, I can say that it was grand. I dreamed of working here after I finish college but according to hearsay, it is hard to be accepted to work here. They only accept those who graduated at exclusive school.
After entering the elevator, I pressed 35. The building was so high and it consists of 60 floors. I suddenly stopped and take a look at the receipt because I forgot what Rica told me, is it left or right? Only the floor and the room number was written on the receipt. "Whatever, I'll look for it myself." I said to myself.
I turned left and looked up on the numbers on the upper part of the doors. I continued to walk straight as I checked the numbers that was written on the doors. There was a turn at the end of the hallway and before I turned a lady scooting bumped into me.
"What the heck?!" shouted the girl. I moved back and I didn't know what to do. The drinks she was holding was thrown all over her since I blocked and pushed her away from me because I was surprised by her sudden appearance. She was accompanied by four men standing right behind her back. According to their complexion and the way they dress, they belong to a wealthy family.
"I'm so sorry", asking for her forgiveness for what had happened, "I was not looking on my way." I got my hanky in my pocket and was about to wipe her dress but she moved back so I looked at her face. I stood up straight and stopped as she look at me coldly.
"Mikaella?" she asked as she looked at my nameplate pinned on my uniform. "You're fired!", my eyes dilated and I suddenly got baffled for what she's saying.
"What!?" I said, confused .
"Come on, Tiff", said the handsome blonde haired-man and placed his suit over her and continued to walk.
"Fired?" I whispered to myself as I glanced at them from behind. "Is that a joke?" I continued asking myself and looked at the spilled drink that was on the floor. "What shall I do?" I asked myself once again. Eventhough I was confused, I grabbed the cup from the floor, got some tissues from the bag and wiped the liquid from the floor.
I threw the trash to the bin that I saw and continued to look for the room number. I sighed as I remember her words that she said. I don't know the reason but I suddenly got nervous. I suddenly got worried about the things she said. I know she's wealthy, it's obvious, but who is she? Maybe she thinks that I'm working here that's why she aforementioned that.
I found the room I'm looking for and knocked on the door. I peeped on the glass door to see if there is someone inside the room, I saw two women from within sitting behind the tables. A long haired woman stood up and headed for the door and opened it.
"Hello, delivery from Love Café." I said as I smiled.
"Wait, I'll get my wallet." said the woman and returned to her previous spot. "How much?" she asked.
"That's $170," I replied. She returned to me and handed me the exact amount.
I thanked her and turned away.
After I returned from the delivery, I was perplexed when I saw the manager. He was too early than usual.
"You're early today, Sir." I greeted him. My forehead wrinkled as he sadly smiled at me.
"Did something happen to you?" He asked that makes me more disoriented.
"Nothing,sir. Why?" I asked.
"Come to me into the office." He walked to his office and I followed. I glanced at Rica to asked her if she know something but she shrugged her shoulder. Questions suddenly appear in the back of my mind. What's the problem? I really don't know but I started to panic.
"Mikaella, did something happen?" he asked again and sat on the chair that was behind his table. I sat on the chair that was in front of it.
"Nothing, sir." I gulped when I saw the white enveloped and he handed it to me.
"The boss called me and she fired you." I jolt in surprised. Boss? Fired? I winced as I remember the lady earlier.
"Sir, can I asked you if the owner was a tall lady, fair skinned and sassy?" The manager just looked at me. "Sir, I never meant to do such a thing. I already said sorry to her. Sir, don't fire me, please." I kneeled, clasped my hand and begged.
"Mikaella, can you please stand up. I can't do anything about it. I will be the one to be fired if I didn't fire you." My tears started to roll down. As I was saying earlier, I don't want to get rid of any of my job.
"Sir, please. I'm really sorry. Please don't fire me." I wiped the tears that rolled down on my cheeks. The manager stood and moved towards me. He put his hands around my arms asking me to stand. As I stand, he took the envelope and handed it to me once again.
"Mikaella, I'm so sorry." He puts the envelope on my hand and heavyheartedly looked at me. He pat me on my shoulder and walked outside the office. I was left devastated. I sighed and cried.
**********
"I'm home." I said in a languored voice after I entered the house. There, I saw Luca, my step-mother, and Daniela, my step-sister. My step sister was sitting on the floor, facing at the laptop while my step mother was relaxing on the sofa.
"Ella, go to the kitchen and cook for us, we're hungry!", said Luca.
"Okay." I answered.
"The dishes, rinse it properly. You're living here for free, you better do things correctly." she said and looked at me evilly.
"Yes, I will. I'm so sorry." I sighed and went to the kitchen to cook. I felt downcasted for what has happened earlier. Because of that accident, I lost my job.
"Not again?!" I heard Luca exclaiming something to Daniela.
"There's one more, mommy." told Daniela.
I return to the living room to see what's happening.
"Are you looking for your college examination result?" I asked Daniela. They both looked at me.
"Yes, why?" Luca asked.
"Can I see mine?". They exchanged glances and looked at me at the same time.
"Okay. As if you're gonna pass?", said Daniela. I smiled at her and went between them. I took an examination to only two universities because I'm quite busy. I wanted to be qualified with many prominent school but time doesn't pervade me because of my hectic schedule.
I opened my email and read one of them. I felt blue when I saw that I didn't pass at Vancourd University. It's okay because I have another chance at the other school. Then I opened the other email.
"Oh, my! Oh, my! I passed!" I covered my mouth in shock. The email was from Harrington University. I blissfully looked at Luca and Daniela but I saw them gawking right in front of the laptop. I stood up and returned to the kitchen happily.
I went down beforehand to the basement to bring in my things, changed my clothes and returned to the kitchen. The basement served as my room and it's alright with me because I have a large space in there. After I finished cooking, I cleaned the house for awhile. I don't want my step mother to nagged at me if she sees a tiny spot of dirt. After cleaning, I decided to prepare myself for my late afternoon shift at Chef Tiu's restaurant.
As I was heading to the basement I saw Margaux, my other step sister, coming out of my room. I suddenly stopped and blocked the way to the stairs.
"What are you doing in my room?" I asked. She's never been in my room unless the intercom in their room or in the living area are broken.
"Mommy's looking for you. She never find you so I'm the one who search for you.", she said as she climbed the stairs but I blocked her way. My forehead puckered as I saw her pooched pocket.
"I'm just outside. What are you doing in my room?" I asked again.
"I'm searching for you." She replied and shoved me, resulting for my side to hit the railings. "You keep on repeating!", she said and sneered at me. She continued to climb the stairs.
I hold on to my twinged side and continued to walk down the stairs. My eyes rolled over to see the inside when I entered and checked my room. Nothing has changed in the placement of my things, everything is in its proper place. I changed and fixed myself for work. I got my uniform from the cabinet and took my snack that was on my table. I was about to put it inside my bag when I notice that my bag was open.
"The envelope..." I was nervous when I searched inside my bag. I can't find the envelope so I turned it upside down. "Margaux..." I tweaked my hair in frustration and put back the scattered things on my bag. After that, I hanged my bag on my shoulder, come out of my room and locked the door. I needed to take back my money from Margaux but I need to make haste. I don't want to be late for work because I don't want to be fired again. My manager at Chef Tiu reminded me yesterday to never be late again because I might be fired for tardiness. Luca constantly commanded me to do things inside the house like she has the intention of making me late on purpose when I'm about to went out for work.
I climbed the stairs to look for Margaux, I went to the living room. There I found Daniela and Margaux sitting on the couches, watching TV. I come towards them and I faced Margaux.
