Losing her job?

** ** ** ** ** Crystal's POV ** ** ** ** ** **

"Sir! Sir please don't do this to me, I really need this job" I pleaded.

"I am sorry Crystal, but you can not continue to work here," he announced.

I was shocked, how is this possible? Everything was fine yesterday, and even this morning, although I was a bit late to work but the boss had exchanged greetings with me, he had been very nice to me and didn't even question me for the lateness, so why is he firing me all of a sudden?

I pleaded for half an hour but he did not change his mind, the same man who had always been very nice to me, even though he was strict with other workers, he hardly found issues with me, so what could be the reason behind his sudden change of attitude? his actions!

I took the envelope and walked sluggishly out of his office. I went straight to the locker and carried my bag in tears. Ignoring Mrs Maggie's call, I ran out of the restaurant.

What am I supposed to do now? My step parents don't earn much to take care of Aidan and I, this job meant a lot to me.

I boarded a cab back home. I met my step parents in the sitting room when I walked in.

"Crystal, are you okay?" my stepmom asked and came closer to me

"No Mom, I am definitely not okay" I said and threw my handbag to the table.

How can I be okay when my only source of Livelihood has just fizzled away in minutes.

"Crystal, what's wrong?" Dad two asked, he also stood up and walked to me.

They both held my shoulders and helped me sit on the couch.

"I... I lost my job, I got fired" I announced sadly.

"Fired? Why?" mum-two queried.

Only if I knew the answer to that question, but unfortunately I don't.

"That's what hurts the most, mum, I don't even know why? He just fired me for no reason?" I said, trying hard not to cry. I can't look weak now!

"How is that even possible? No one wakes up one morning and fires their employee, that's not how it's done" mum- two complained.

"Don't worry crystal, I will call my lawyer, your boss can treat you like that, it's certainly not done" Dad-two supported.

"No Dad, there is no need for that, I am sure he has his reasons, he's not a bad man so he must have had a reason to do that" I said in his defence.

The last thing I want right now is dragging up an issue against a man who has been so nice to me for the past five years. Maybe he believed I had worked too long in the restaurant, maybe he wanted to give the opportunity to someone else.

"So what do you want to do now?" mum-two asked.

I really haven't thought about that, and I can only do that when my mind starts functioning, it is still disarrayed from the shock of losing my job.

"I don't know mum, I am just worried about how I am going to take care of Aidan, how are we going to survive?" I lamented.

"It's fine crystal, don't worry about Aidan, he is also our responsibility, your step mum and I would manage the little we have to support, he's going to be just fine okay?" Dad consoled me.

"I hope so Dad, I can't help but worry"

That's one of the reasons why I love my step parents a lot, they are always supportive of me, they always have my back.

I carried myself to my room, Aidan was asleep when I walked in, I went closer and patted his head.

I promise you Aidan, I'll do my best to take care of you, no matter what I have to go through.

** ** ** ** ** Clement's POV ** ** ** ** **

My phone rang, I checked the caller ID and took a deep breath before clicking the green button.

"Good day sir... yes sir, it's done" I answered.

After a brief discussion, he hung up.

I felt bitter. I had to fire the poor crystal for no reason, I don't know if that young lady would ever forgive me for the wrong I have done to her.

I had no choice as he had put so much pressure on me, if I dared to go against him, I could lose my restaurant, something I had been building up for years.

No! I think I made the right choice. If I had sided with Crystal, then he would have succeeded in ruining both our lives at the same time.

There was a knock on the door, I knew it was that hag. I asked her to come in.

"Mrs Margaret, is there any problem?" I queried.

"I am not really sure sir, I'm just worried because I saw crystal leaving moments ago, and I think she was crying, I wanted to know if everything is fine" she blabbered.

This old lady is quite a pain in the ass, how am I supposed to handle her?

"Mrs Margaret, do me a favour, find a replacement for Crystal, she is no longer working with us" I announced.

"What? why?" She queried and I groaned.

I don't know which one if us owns this place

"Mrs Maggie, do I need to repeat myself?" I spoke sternly.

The Old woman shrugged and took her leave.

"What a stubborn lady" I grumbled.

** ** ** ** ** Crystal's POV ** ** ** ** **

It has been a week since I lost my job, I had drowned into depression. Watching my son eat little food everyday really hurt me, at times I had to starve although mostly because I had no appetite to eat food.

** ** **

Aidan who was recently enrolled in school had just come back for the day. Mary had brought him home.

I sat on my bed and hugged my knees. I was drowned in thought.

Mary knocked on the door and I gave her permission to come in, the look on her face told me that something was wrong.

"Ma'am, Aidan says he's hungry," she complained.

"Well make him some cereal" I instructed.

She stood still at the same spot, it looked like she was contemplating on whether to speak or not, finally she did

"We have run out of food stuff, there is none left" she said

What? Aidan's food ain't available? This is not good.

"Okay just take some money from the cupboard and get another"

She waved her head sideways and I understood her unsaid words.

"The money in the cupboard is not enough," she complained.

My worst fear has come true. No food! No money! No job!

No... I can't sit on my hands doing nothing, I need to get back on my feet and make things happen. How else am I supposed to take care of my son? I can't rely on anyone.

I should go and look for a job immediately, my son and I can't die of starvation... Not when I'm healthy!

Tbc!