Chapter 0

"Stop here, sir!" I shouted to the driver, but it seemed he was deaf. The passengers seemed deaf too. I looked at the person next to me and tapped his shoulder.

"Can you pass my fare?" I asked for a favor, but he just glared at me. What a rude guy.

"Pass it or I'll kick you out? Your choice, you jerk!" I yelled irritably. As a result, the passengers turned to look at me. Even the driver glanced at us through the mirror.

"There you go, if we don't shout and get angry, no one pays attention!" I complained to myself and forcefully placed the fifteen pesos in his hand. "Pass it!"

The guy quickly handed over the fare. Maybe he got scared because of my fierce look.

When I got off the jeep, I could still hear people whispering behind me. I ignored them and continued walking. I needed to get to the restaurant before I was late.

"Wow, that woman shouts like a tiger," whispered a lady behind me.

"Maybe she's just going through something," said another.

"It wouldn't hurt if she calmed down a bit," added another passenger.

I took a deep breath, trying not to be affected by what I heard. I didn't really want to be rude, but sometimes people without consideration are just irritating.

My phone rang, and I quickly took it out while walking fast, almost running, to avoid being late for work.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey girl, just because you're pretty doesn't mean you can be late. Where are you now?" Janny said on the other end.

"I'm on my way!" I replied, looking around to cross the pedestrian lane.

"On your way? Or on your way to take a bath?" she said sarcastically.

"Whatever. If I get hit by a car, I'll haunt you!" I hung up on her before she could respond.

I put my phone in my bag and finally saw the restaurant. It was hot even though it was still morning, probably because it was already nine. I was late sleeping last night because I was studying for the upcoming exam.

I looked at the restaurant where I worked, and as usual, there were expensive cars parked outside because only wealthy people could afford the food here. Even the leftovers are expensive.

I started working here three months ago. It was the first month of summer when I got hired. I almost cried because it's tough being in my third year. My schedule is always full: work in the morning, study in the afternoon until evening.

I entered through the back entrance of the restaurant, where the employees' entrance was located. We weren't allowed to enter through the main area if we came from outside because we might get in the way of the customers.

I put my small bag in the locker in the women's room. There were two rooms here aside from the door to the kitchen. After putting away my things, I went straight to the kitchen to check the duties for the day.

I noticed my colleagues gathered around, seemingly checking something on someone's phone. I slowly walked towards them and peeked at what they were doing and why they were busy scrolling.

"Hey! What's that?" In less than a minute, they were back to their respective places. I laughed at their reactions. They glared at me, making me laugh even more.

"You scared me! I almost died of a heart attack, you kid!" Kuya Kaspher exclaimed, clutching his chest.

"That was funny, wasn't it?" Ate Lily said sarcastically. Ate Lily was the first to befriend me here, and she's three years older than me. She taught me on my first day, and she's kind too.

Despite being kind and cheerful, I don't understand why the father of her child left her for someone else. What the hell? Why does this seem so normal nowadays?

I wiped the tears from my eyes from laughing before facing them. "What were you guys doing? Is there another national issue going viral? Were you gossiping again?"

Janny, who was also a student but from a different school, answered. We're the same age, so we became close.

"Isa, a new app just went viral, so we got curious and tried to d******d it." She showed me the logo of a dating app. "There are lots of handsome guys there, and some even get instant iPhones!"

I grimaced and pushed the phone away from my face. "Not for me," I joked, "I'm pretty, but I won't use my looks to attract a sugar daddy." I headed to the locker to get my uniform.

"You're not into boyfriend hunting?" I just grimaced at her and walked to the bathroom while she followed me. "Don't drown yourself in textbooks, friend. Life isn't all about exams; you should have fun too, you know?"

I entered the nearby bathroom and put on my uniform. Janny followed me but stayed outside.

"I don't need boys, Janny. They'd just distract me. And besides, I'm pretty. They come to me," I replied arrogantly.

"Wow! So full of yourself. Fine, you're the pretty one!" Even though I couldn't see her, I knew she was raising an eyebrow.

"I have the right to be proud," I said, checking my uniform in the mirror. "I'm pretty and smart. Tsk, tsk. The guy who marries me will be lucky." I added with a grin.

"You're so full of it, Isabella!" I laughed when she threw a rag from outside, and I dodged it. "Please, just close your mouth. It's getting stinky!" she added.

I took the rag and walked out. Janny stood there with her hands on her hips, waiting for me. "Let me borrow your phone," she said.

I frowned. "Why? What nonsense are you planning?" I asked suspiciously.

She extended her hand. "Just give it to me. I need to check something. I'll return it after your shift."

I didn't argue and handed her my phone, which she quickly took. "In a hurry, aren't you?" I asked, but she didn't answer and just walked away abruptly. I shrugged and headed to the main area.

I stood at the entrance, doing my usual job before serving customers later.

"Good day, Ma'am and Sir. Welcome to 'Noble Palette Brasserie.' This way, please." I smiled at the incoming customers.

"Bella, the manager wants to see you. Ate Lily had to leave early because her child was rushed to the hospital," Ate Carol, the cashier, said.

Here we go again. It looks like the manager's picking on me today. When someone's absent, I'm the one who takes over because I can adapt quickly even if our roles are different.

When I arrived, I heard the manager angrily talking on the phone, so I waited for a moment before knocking on the door.

"Manager, you called for me?" I asked politely.

His forehead was deeply furrowed when he looked at me, then he hung up the phone. "You'll take over Salmonte's duties, and you need to do it well because we have many reservations today. Don't mess up!"

"Yes, manager. I'll get going now." His phone rang again, so he waved me off before answering the call.

I was nervous because Ate Lily's role required a lot of patience, especially since most of the wealthy customers here don't hold back their words.

My patience isn't that long. I sighed deeply and headed to the main area. I lost track of time because the reservations were full, and I had to work at the bar later. It was the weekend, so I was working full-time at the restaurant.

I carefully carried a tray with both hands. This wasn't even my job, but I had no choice because my colleague was busy.

As I walked, I noticed a group of wealthy people. One woman caught my attention as I walked toward the table where I was delivering the wine. She was staring at me, but I couldn't read her expression. Her gaze made me nervous, like she was watching my every move.

"Who ordered this wine?" she asked when I reached her table.

"The table at the end, ma'am," I replied, and she nodded.

"I'll take one, just send a new one."

I didn't argue as she stood to take the wine I was holding, but suddenly, someone pushed me from behind. I tried to grab the table, but it was too late. I couldn't even look at who it was.

The room fell silent, and everyone turned to look at me. I could hear the loud gasps of people around me, and I felt the weight of their gazes directed at me. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I struggled to find the right words to apologize.

This was my first mistake in three months, and I was more nervous about what would happen next. The manager is not a kind man; he won't just let this go. He can easily replace me, even if I am good at my job. I'm just a waiter, but we have different sections of work here.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to. I-I'll just get a new one." I stammered an apology to the woman as I picked up the shards from the floor.

"Oh dear, it seems they've let anyone serve here these days," she remarked in a tone just loud enough for nearby customers to hear.

The comment hit me like a sharp punch. I had worked tirelessly to get this job, and the last thing I needed was to be humiliated in front of everyone because of a customer. As I continued cleaning up, I tried to remain professional despite the mocking tone, feeling the painful sting of embarrassment in my chest.

I was used to being humiliated, but it still hurt.

As I continued to pick up the broken glass pieces from the floor, I heard the whispers and laughter from the customers. "Oh, look at that, she can't even hold a tray," one of them said, followed by the laughter of their companions.

"Poor waiter, she might lose her job because of that mistake," another one said, with a mocking tone.

I bit my lip in embarrassment and anger but tried not to show it. "I'm sorry, ma'am," I said to the woman who had commented. "It was an accident. I'll get a new one right away."

But instead of accepting my apology, she just smiled and looked at me with disdain. "Hardworking yet foolish. Is this really what the poor are like? Stupid poor people," she insulted, followed by laughter from the other guests.

I glanced at my male coworker, but he didn't even help me and went straight to the kitchen area. Fortunately, Janny came to me and apologized to the people present because I was too ashamed to speak.

"Hey, are you okay?" Janny patted my back while I was washing the dishes. I could only answer with a smile.

"Where is Ms. Heyes?!"

I got nervous when I heard the voice of our manager. Even Janny stopped and just stared at the door. I washed my hands and waited. I'll wait for the manager to approach me since there are more people outside than here.

As soon as the manager saw me, my heart pounded with fear because of his piercing gaze. He approached me angrily.

"Manager, why are you looking for me?"

"Why?!" he yelled in my face. I looked down because of the loudness of his voice. "Do you know who you just humiliated? That's the owner's wife!"

My eyes widened at what he said. "I didn't know, and besides, it was just an accident."

"An accident?!" he yelled again, frustrated. Damn, so loud. "That accident will cost you! That woman is a perfectionist! So don't even dream of coming to work tomorrow because I'm telling you now, you're fired!"

"But manager, it was just an accident. Someone pushed me!" I couldn't help but raise my voice. He just put his hands on his hips and looked at me in disbelief.

"Are you really that smart?! Don't you understand what I'm saying?! I can't help you with that! Wait for the owner later because his wife called him." I felt extreme disappointment for myself and for them. There was nothing I could do.

Without saying anything, the manager left while I hung my head in shame and sadness. Janny was talking to me, but I didn't answer, and every time I looked at the clock, the end of my shift was getting closer.

I went straight to my things and prepared them because it looked like I wouldn't be able to come back tomorrow. I don't want to expect anything.

"Isabella, the owner wants to see you." I turned to Kuya Kaspher. I saw pity and sadness in his eyes. I gave a weak smile and didn't answer him.

I went to the owner's office, and before entering, I took a deep breath outside the door and forced a smile before entering the office, which quickly disappeared when I saw the owner's wife looking at me with obvious anger. Mr. Devis was talking to her, and when he saw me, he gestured for me to sit before speaking.

"Isabella," Mr. Devis began, his voice full of regret, "I have received complaints about your performance tonight. It seems there are doubts about your ability to meet the needs of the customers."

"I'm sorry," I stammered an apology and looked down. I couldn't bear to look him in the face. "I understand if you're disappointed in me."

He sighed, his expression pained. "I appreciate your efforts, Isabella, but in this industry, customer satisfaction is paramount. I'm afraid we'll have to let you go."

I forced a smile and nodded. I had no choice if I was being fired right now. It's my fault in the first place.

"It's okay, Mr. Devis. I accept it," I turned to the woman and wanted to strangle her because of her mocking smile. I looked at Mr. Devis again. "I'll leave now, thank you for everything." He didn't even return my smile because he seemed sad too.

His wife was beautiful, and Mr. Devis himself was quite handsome. Sometimes, we would talk, especially since he always checked on me, and I knew he was doing this because of his perfectionist wife. I stood up and looked at the woman again, smirking at her. I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to pull her hair, and just left the office because I felt like I was suffocating around them.

I was walking on the street, dazed, not knowing where to go. I looked like a fool, and all I needed was to kick some cans to look like a madwoman.

It was just one mistake. I didn't mean it. Someone pushed me, and when I tried to explain that to the manager, he didn't listen. I really wanted to punch them earlier, but I held back because I didn't want any trouble.

I didn't realize tears were falling from my eyes, so I quickly wiped them away. I didn't even get to say goodbye to my colleagues. I left immediately, feeling too disappointed.

I couldn't help but think that his wife planned what happened, even though she wasn't the one who pushed me. Maybe she was insecure about me because she looked like a foot.

I got into a car heading to my apartment. I still have a shift at the bar later, and there's a birthday celebration for my cousin's boyfriend's best friend tonight. My cousin said I shouldn't push myself too hard, but I can't help it. I have an exam coming up, and I need to save money for the first test of the semester.

I felt like I was carrying half the world's weight. I don't get tired easily, but with everything that happened today, it felt like I was buried under cement on the street.

I opened my phone and scrolled through social media. There were many messages from my coworkers at the restaurant, especially from Ate Lily, who probably regretted being absent.

I didn't open them; it wasn't important to read the same drama over and over again. Yes, I was disappointed, but it was partly my fault. I don't want to think about it now and rest before going to the bar later.

Before I exited my social media, I saw a logo of a famous event. They have an upcoming event this month, and for sure, there will be a lot of women pretending to be rich, even though their money comes from what they extort at this event.

"Matchmaking event for single people, huh?" I read the description of the post. "There are so many desperate people nowadays," I said to myself, shaking my head.