Fate Escape

CHAPTER 8

   I checked the time; it was 11:45. I had 15 minutes left until the end of my shift. My thoughts involuntarily drifted to my mother. It had been almost a day since she saw me at the restaurant. After our conversation, I went home right after work. My mother had already gone to sleep. I hoped to encounter her in the morning before going to work, but evidently, she had gotten up and left before me. What was surprising was that I'm still working at the restaurant, and I haven't been fired. What's with this silence? It's not a good sign, and it's unsettling. Where am I going wrong? Why isn't my plan working? How much longer did I have to wait? Charlie's words interrupted my thoughts.

   "Mrs. Suares," he said wearily, "Please, call me Suena!"

   "Alright. Suena, the customer at table 12 refuses to accept any waiter except you, sir."

   For a moment, I felt proud. I had only been working here for a day, but it seems people were very satisfied with my service. Eagerly, I walked towards the double table by the window.

   "Welcome, sir. What... No, no, it can't be. This is him. The slanted-eyed boy from the group of five who came yesterday." I quickly composed myself.

   "...would you like?" He turned his face towards me.

   "Actually, before you order anything, I would like to apologize on behalf of my friend Angelina," he said, and I chuckled with irritation.

   "First of all, it's during working hours, but out of courtesy, I'll respond to you. Instead of apologizing on behalf of someone else, try apologizing in your own name. Because someone who remains silent in the face of injustice is just as guilty as the one committing the injustice." I said this sharply, looking him directly in the eyes.

   "I..." he started, but I interrupted.

   "Sorry, I didn't hear. What would you like to order?"

   "If you allow me to respond..."

   "Listening to such unnecessary conversations during working hours is forbidden. With your permission," I said, about to turn away when the guy, with annoyance,

   "I'll have a strawberry waffle and orange juice then," he said. I nodded and went to the kitchen to prepare the order. Meanwhile, it was Lian's break time. Her shift ended at 2 in the morning, and there was another employee in her place now.

   Lian's peculiarities came to my mind. I understand her treating me differently, knowing my body measurements. Our bodies are almost identical, but her behavior towards me is different from the other employees here. While the other employees try to be respectful, she is both respectful and seems to harbor a different feeling towards me. Finally, I decided to ask Lia.

   "Lia, is there something you want to tell me?" My question surprised her, but she still responded with a friendly demeanor.

   "Am I making it that obvious?"

   "Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

   "To be honest, I might be treating you a bit differently unintentionally. You don't remember me, do you?"

   "I thought about it a bit, but I still don't remember."

  "Sorry, I don't remember," I said, shaking my head.

   "It doesn't matter. I'm sure you've helped many people like me."

   "What help?"

   "I had just entered the 2nd grade of middle school, and the garden of the school you attended was a place I wanted to be, like any child with not-so-good conditions. One day, I sneaked past security and wandered around the school grounds. It was very clear that I didn't belong there. I actually planned to take a quick look and leave before getting caught, but the magnificent garden drew me in.