Chapter 23 A New Job
Aria
I walked through the streets in a hoodie, envelopes of my CV tucked into the sweater pocket. If I couldn't get a job in a company at my old position, then I might as well just get one smaller until a way opened up.
I walked into a restaurant, some italian sign in front. I walked to the counter and placed my envelope on the counter top. I removed my hand looking at the cashier with a small smile.
“I'm here looking for work. I want to know if there are any vacancies.” I stated my case simply
“Um, I'm sorry, madam. There are no vacancies here.” It was an exotic looking man, beard gelled into a curve.
“Well, couldn't you, like, reach out to the manager or at least ask for me? It's really important, please.” I was pleading now.
“Madam! There are no vacancies here. I've been warned expressly not to let any applicants seeking vacancies come in here. If you do not leave, I'll have to walk you out.” I nodded, my head fallen in shame, leaving my envelope there and walking away.
“Madam! Please come get your envelope. We are not accepting people and will not be anytime soon. So please take your envelope back.” He moved the envelope towards me as I walked back to get it.
Rage filled the inside of me, like a jug full of water.
How could he say it like that? I was willing to work. I wasn't here to steal or anything. He didn't even own the place. So much for humility.
I scoffed as I walked out of there. I said nothing to him. Just walking out of there with my head held high.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead, a few more restaurants and bakeries after. Every single one either rejecting me or taking my CV and sending me on my way.
The afternoon was getting hotter and hotter with every single envelope that left my pocket.
And things were tightening even more and more. Almost like everything I was doing was futile. I thought to myself and walked, wondering if I'd ever find a job at this rate.
And that was when I saw it.
Hope surged through me.
A cafe. A small building to the side of the road, colourfully furnished. I smiled and walked into it, walking towards the countertop immediately and asking for vacancy.
“Hello, good morning. I'm here seeking a job. Are there any openings? Maybe like a waitress or a barista or something. Or even a kitchen assistant. Anything. I'll take anything.” I was close to tears.
“I'm sorry, there are no vacancies. But I could help you. Let me help you go ask the manager for you.” She smiled at me.
She was a nice lady. I could tell. Long, wispy hair and large doe eyes with lashes for days. She was beautiful. I could see why she was hired.
She walked in to get the manager, and I waited. The manager was a bulky woman with full lips and moonshot eyes. Her hair was in curls, short, grandma-like.
“Good morning, madam. I'm here seeking a job. I want to know if you have any openings, any vacancies at all. Anything.” I handed her the envelope with my CV in it.
She took it, opened it, and looked around her like she was searching for an opening to give me.
“Well, we're looking for a kitchen assistant. Somebody that could help with the baking and the setting up of things that are served with the coffee. Are you open to that?” I could have screamed.
“Of course I'm open.” My words were directly after hers. She smiled.
“All right. Show up here tomorrow morning, and I'll give you a run-through of what the job is like. And follow me. I'll hand you your uniform right now so you can start tomorrow.” I smiled. My eyes blurred from tears.
I didn't know it could be this easy. At least now I had some kind of employment, no matter how little it paid. I smiled at her, thanking her profusely.
I followed her into the storage, behind her as she searched for the uniforms. She turned around.
“Take the hoodie off, young lady.” Her words tooke by surprise.
“Madam, I don't really think you'd like to see what I have underneath.”
“Of course not. Take the hoodie off. Let me see.” I took the hoodie off, showing her the scarring. She frowned.
“Oh, that's really bad, young lady. What happened?” Her concern was palpable, for someone she just met.
“I'm sorry. I don't really want to talk about it, unfortunately. Well, I understand, and I'm so sorry for whatever it is. Just know that you're not just getting hired. You're getting hired by a friend, okay?” She smiled.
If you ever need anything, I'm here. I'm always here to listen. Alright? My name is Mia, and I'm your supervisor here. So just remember that if you want, if you need anything, just let me know.”
“Alright then, madam. I'm Aria. It's nice to meet you. Thank you so much.”
“You can go. I'll see you in the morning, bright and early. You start at seven.” I smiled at her, throwing the hoodie back on, and walking out of the restaurant.
I had a job. I had a job!
That was what mattered most to me now. I walked home briskly, needing respite from all the walking around I'd done. I entered the apartment building, trudging up the stairs and opening the door with a flourish.
“Nana, I got a job!”
“Oh, my baby, I'm so proud of you.” I ran into her arms and held tight. This small victory surged in my heart and blew fireworks in there.
I smiled at her, taking her face in my hands.
“Thank you, Nana. I'll continue to take care of you, I promise. I don't want to know how bad it gets. I'm here. You'll be fine. We'll be fine. I promise. Okay?”
“Okay, my baby. Okay. Now go get ready for your work tomorrow.” I smiled, getting up giddily and g
oing into the room to look over my uniform.