Chapter 2: Dismissal

Emily's POV

"What the fuck are you doing? Are you blind?!" The voice rang in the spacious restaurant, breaking my reverie immediately. I blinked in astonishment as I realised I had over poured the consumer's drink which accidentally splashed on him in the process.

Lifting my gaze, I noticed his red face as he glared at me with flaring. I had been so distracted by the sight I witnessed minutes back at the restaurant that I couldn't concentrate on my job. The feeling of betrayal, shame, and pain stabbed my heart. I was a wounded dog in the middle of a cold winter with nowhere to go or turn to. I was back to my previous state. I was utterly alone again but this time it hurt more than before.

"Won't you apologise? How dare you stand there and stare at me like you did nothing wrong?!" The middle-aged man snapped angrily. He was short and bald with his stomach sticking out of his shirt and scowl on his face as he threw more insults at me.

"I'm truly sorry--" he raised his hand to cut me off.

"Urgh! You just had to ruin my day. Just look at me now, I'm all wet because of you. Do you know how expensive these clothes I'm putting on are? Even though you work your ass for the next fifty years to come, you'd never make enough to afford these clothes. Lowlifes like you should always be grateful to have a job like this and are even more privileged to serve someone as important as me," he pointed at me with so much anger emanating from him.

His finger was so close to my face and I had to move back to avoid him poking at my eyes. "I'm so sorry sir, please allow me to show you to the restroom--"

"What the fuck do you just say?! Do you think simply brushing it with water would clean the stain of this dress? You think this is the same as the rag you're putting on? If so, then you're truly stupid," he slurred, and I trembled slightly as I lowered my head to fight back the tears that wet my tears. I could feel the intense gaze of the onlookers on me. They were whispering, pointing fingers at me.

"You know what, I'm done wasting my time on a coward like you! Call your boss right now," he commanded, not listening to my apologies. "Are you deaf? Why are you still standing here?"

He hissed, scanning me from head to toe. A wicked glint suddenly flashed in his eyes. "But if you want me to spare you, then maybe you can find other means to appease me," he licked his lips slowly with a hungry look in his eyes. I felt disgusted, and I wanted to run badly from this scene but what about my job?

"How about spending a night with me, so I'd let this all go? It's as simple as that. A night in exchange for my forgiveness and I'll spare you from losing your job. I can tell that it means so much to you," he strode closer and my heart raced. Fear gripped my heart as the sound of the onlookers egging him on echoed through the room.

"You should count yourself lucky that I want to sleep with you in exchange for my expensive dress. Do you think you're worth up to these clothes?" He continued to berate me.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced myself to speak. "I apologise for any inconvenience but--" before I could continue, his hand suddenly came around my waist. He pulled me extremely close to him and the cheers increased.

Feeling repulsive, I slapped his hand away quickly. I could hear a few gasps from the onlookers.

"What did you just do? You whore! I was giving you an easy way out, and you dare act so ungratefully, you bitch!" He raised his hand to hit me and I flinched back instinctively.

"What's going on here?" I slowly opened my eyes. I saw the customer's hand hanging in the midair. Turning my gaze to the source, I found my boss working towards us.

"Boss, I accidentally spilled a drink on him, and now he won't listen to my apologies," I briefly explained. I felt relieved because I knew he wouldn't let a customer ruin his work for him.

"This stupid employee of yours dared to splash the drink on me now look at how wet I am," his words were exaggerated as he pointed at the small stain on his dress that could easily be fixed with a slight brush. "She has ruined my dress, and I was still forgiven enough to ask her for a night to appease me, but she rudely refused," he growled.

"I'm sorry, sir. Emily, how could you be so careless? He is a shareholder of this restaurant, do you have any idea of what you've done? You better do as he says right this instance or leave this restaurant immediately," my boss snapped at me. I jerked back in utter disbelief. What did he just say? He was taking the man's side.

"Where did you see such a lousy employee? She has so much pride like she's something worth dying for. She's extremely useless at this rate, you should fire her already. I would rather not see her here on my next visit," he spat.

I shuddered, my lips quivering in shock, fear, and pain. "I-I will never sleep with him," I replied, and my voice shook a bit.

"So you've chosen to leave the job then?" My boss asked to confirm. My throat tightened as I realised the gravity of the matter. What should I do? How do I get another job?

"You useless and despicable--" the patron began, but he was immediately cut short this time.

"More lousy, useless and despicable than you? I don't think so," a deep masculine voice resounded from behind me and the chilling voice sent shivers down my spine. My heart had slowly become numb, but it started racing again. That voice… Who could it be?