Chapter 5 À new friend

Naomi Peterson

On the way home, several questions came to mind. Why is this man behaving like this? It's like he forgot our last exchange. He acted coldly and didn't even acknowledge my apologies. It's like I've been throwing my words into deaf ears like water off a duck's back. In any case, he gave me the job even though I'm on a trial basis. I just hope I don't have any unpleasant surprises in the coming days at this company. The studio door closed behind me, and I flopped onto the couch next to me because I was so sleepy. My mother, who had watched my arrival, scrutinized me carefully before asking.

"Naomi, how did it go?"

"Pretty good, I'd say. He gave me the job even though I'm on a trial basis. My salary is 200,000, and my hours are reasonable." From eight to six.

"Look at yourself how tired you are. Will you be able to manage both jobs, especially the night one that doesn't allow you any rest?"

"Mom, we need this money. I can't settle for just one job because no one knows the future. Besides, between six and twenty hours, I can get a little sleep."

_ And if unforeseen circumstances arise regarding your work at the company, which delays you, how will you still rest?

_ You're right, it's true, but do you think I'm comfortable seeing my brothers and you sleeping in this tiny room when we had a house that was taken from us in the worst possible way? No, Mom, I have to work hard to get us out of here and find an apartment that can accommodate us all so that everyone has their own space, then get us out of this poverty we've been in since Dad died.

_ And when will you think about yourself, Naomi? You're twenty-five, my daughter, and you're getting older. If at least you had a man to support you, that would be great.

_ I will never rely on a man's shoulders at the risk of becoming useless in his eyes. I want to be financially independent. Don't count on any man to get to the top. And besides, I'm in no rush to get married or start a relationship.

_ Naomi!! She said, surprised by my answer.

_ It's true, Mom, I have bigger worries than that. How am I going to balance a romantic relationship and work, especially given my condition? It would only delay me from my goal because there will never be a shortage of little arguments, and I don't want to think about money or how to make harmony reign in my relationship.

_ What if you found a handsome, rich man who can do all that? Take care of you and us so that you won't have to do anything. You can still continue your work, but he will be by your side, constituting a great source of support.

_ Mom, I want my own hard-earned money to protect you from want, not that of a perfect son-in-law, who doesn't even exist.

_ The day you meet him, I hope I can still be here to remind you of what you said. I don't deny that you want to be independent, self-sufficient, to escape this precarious life without help from others, but know that you will always need a man to help you in your quest, and I'm specifying a good man who will have the same goals as you and who will know your worth.

_ At least for the moment, he hasn't been born yet.

_ We'll see.

_ Mom, sorry, I'm sleepy, let me sleep because I'm exhausted.

_ And then she tells me she can handle it. The day you come back to this room with puffy eyes, a heavy face, and swollen feet, I'll have the pleasure of having a good laugh.

_ Puff!

After a good few hours of sleep, I'm back on my feet. I go get my brothers, cook, and then I go to work. There weren't many customers tonight, so I could sit on the chairs for a bit. During my short break, another waitress came to join me.

_ Good evening, Mills

_ Uh, good evening

_ You must be new, I guess

_ You guessed right.

_ I'm Amanda, she said, shaking my hand.

_ Naomi

_ Cool, I'm an old hand, but sometimes I go on trips, which is why I'm not always there.

_ And the boss doesn't say anything?

_ No, actually, I do this job to unwind, to feel free, to live a normal life, I'd say.

_ Really! Are you the type of rich girl locked in a golden cage?

_ Maybe let's say I'm too overprotected by my brother and it's suffocating me.

_ Oh, I see, and does he know what you're doing?

_ Oh no, never! He doesn't know anything, and if he ever found out, he'd freak out. My brother is the conservative type when it comes to social status. Anyone who comes from a lower background than him is not worthy of being around him.

Hearing Amanda speak like that reminds me of the words of that man, or rather my boss: "I'm not going to waste my day with a low-class girl." It seems her brother isn't the only one who hates people of a lower status. "That's good," I said when she finished her story, which I hadn't paid attention to because of my thoughts.

"What's good?" she asked with a questioning face.

"What you just said?"

"Ah, Naomi, you're not listening to me. I was asking you what prompted you to start this work."

"Oh, excuse me. Well, let's say I want to lift my family out of poverty."

"That's sad."

"Yes, but I trust that everything will work out for the best."

"Can we be friends?"

"Friend? I've never had a close friend except for Odile, whom I've spent time with. Friendships don't mean anything to me because they are sometimes sources of problems. Seeing my colleague's face fall, I answer yes, which makes her smile.

_ I don't have many friends, she continues. During my studies, I only had one, but she betrayed me by sleeping with my boyfriend, so since then, I've settled down. Everyone who works here is my friends, but aside from a goodnight or a client-related matter that will bring us together, I don't talk to anyone in particular. But you, I feel like you're different. At least, that's the impression you gave me.

_ I am because my goals are my priority.

_ Well, I'm going to change, it's time to leave.

_ It's only 10 p.m.

_ Yes, that's true, but a family dinner awaits me, and I'm already late. I asked for permission, and I'm also trying to figure out what lie to invent to avoid incurring my brother's wrath. _ Is he that mean?

_ He's a hurricane when he's angry. Anyway, have a good evening and happy to have met you, Naomi.

_ Me too. Goodbye.

She gets up and disappears into the changing room, then comes out for a few minutes, well-dressed and very classy. It's obvious from her clothes that she comes from a super-rich family. If her brother is everything she just described, I don't think he'll accept a friend like me at his sister's side. With the arrival of other customers, I feel obliged to get up to serve them, and it's time for another restless evening.

Amanda Anderson

Crossing the threshold of my brother's large living room, I find him sitting dressed only in shorts and a tank top in front of the television, By his side, his bimbo girlfriend, whom I hate so much. That girl is too superficial, and only my brother can't see it.

"Good evening," I said, heading for the stairs.

"Ama, come back here right away."

"Ama is the nickname my mother gave me, and since her death, it's my protective brother who indulges in it with gusto whenever he wants to reproach me for something. Turning around, I find myself facing him, his face etched with anger.

"Where have you been?"

"Walking around."

"So late at night? How many times have I told you it's dangerous for you outside, especially at late hours?"

"Samy, I'm no longer a fifteen-year-old girl you can control as you please and as you see fit.

"It's for your own good that I'm doing all this, and you know it." _ Baby, leave her there, if she doesn't want to listen to you, the consequences will teach her.

Huh! That bimbo just put her mouth into the conversation with my brother, who does she think she is?

_ You, Miss Cassie or Cassandra, I don't know what, you keep your mouth shut when my brother and I are talking. I hope you've absorbed that into your little brain.

_ ENOUGH, AMA! I don't want to hear you talk to her like that anymore. Besides, dinner's been ready, and we're waiting for you since you're here. Let's eat.

_ I'm not hungry, especially with this... this I don't know what you call girlfriend here. Enjoy your meal, everyone.

I quickly climb the stairs despite my brother's incessant calls. If he thinks I'm going to sit down at the table with this girl, he's sorely mistaken. Locking myself in my room, I take out my phone for a little musical evening.