Black Rose Society

1. How To Get Fired

"There's not enough cream in this stupid coffee! How do you expect me to drink this shit! I want to see your manager right now ma'am, I've been coming here for years and never have I been so disappointed with your services."

I would've found this interaction hilarious on literally any other day. The man's face was beet red and he looked about ready to burst over the fact that his coffee wasn't as creamy as he wanted it to be. Never mind the fact he could just...add more cream.

Today though, I was on the verge of exploding. My landlord had given me one more week to pay rent (bless her soul) but even if I managed to get enough money to pay, I would have to eat canned beans until my next pay check. On top of that my mother had just visited, critiquing every single thing I did. From my clothing choice (greasy sweatpants and a Minecraft t-shirt for work) to my decorations (an abstract painting of a naked woman in my living room) to my work (barista by day, waiter by night). I was glad she had finally gone back to Ohio and left me in semi-peace in New York City.

This was the place where dreams were supposed to come true but I was very much rotting away in the city. And this man was just the icing on the giant shit cake that was my life. So I happily grabbed the "disgusting coffee" from the man's hand. And promptly dumped it over his head.

His screeching didn't register in my mind until my manager came frantically running from the back of the cafe.

"Nova! What the hell!"

This was definitely my last day working here.

......................

"You're lucky the man won't press charges," Chia all but yelled.

I didn't respond but instead stared at the Obama chia pet on my weird managers desk. I guess I'd also have fun chia seed things all over my room if my name was chia.

Chia snapped her fingers in my face, "Are you even listening Nova? You're fired. Like f-i-r-e-d, fired!"

"I was just having a bad day," I protested, "It won't happen again I swear-"

"No! Mr. Evans was one of our most loyal customers and you just pissed him the hell off. Majority of our customers are old assholes and he'll probably tell them all what happened today and they'll fucking boycott or something."

"But didn't you give him free coffee for life? Surely that'll keep him from spreading the news?" I said.

Chia, despite her height (a whopping 5'2) looked scary as hell when she wanted to. And right now she definitely wanted to. She looked ready to strangle me.

"Nova," she said, scarily calm, "I know you're in a tough situation but I can't let you keep this job. I could get fired for letting you stay."

My shoulders sunk as I realized she was dead set on letting me go. Where else was I supposed to go? I had to pay rent in a week!

Chia must've noticed the hopelessness in my eyes because she sighed, rubbing forcefully at the bridge of her nose. She muttered something under her breath and I leaned forward.

"What?" I asked.

"I said I have this cousin," Chia muttered.

I blinked, "Um okay..."

"She's hiring at this firm she owns: The Black Rose. It's just dumb office shit but it pays really well and I could...put it a good word for you if you want."

I got up and wiped my sweaty palms on my sweatpants, "I'd never work an office job but thanks I guess."

Chia shrugged and didn't say anything as I made my way out of her small office. I awkwardly waved at the cooks as I quickly headed to the back door of the cafe. A part of me would miss this place, another part was thinking about rent while another just really wanted a nap. At least now I'd have time for one before my shift at the restaurant.

I sighed and pulled out my phone, no texts, no calls, no bitches. I guess no notifications was for the best, at least it meant the police weren't trying to contact me because of coffee assault or some shit. I pushed back the pressing feeling of self pity and hesitantly clicked on Safari.

I told Chia I'd never work at an office but as I left I was already searching up "The Black Rose".