Chapter 2 Determinations pays off

Anita adjusted her hair, finished getting ready, and left her room. She met her dad sitting next to her stepmom in the living room. Her stepsister, Amanda, was nowhere to be seen, having probably gone out as usual. Anita sat on a chair facing her dad and waited for him to start the conversation.

"So, Anita," her dad began, his tone serious, "I'm afraid to tell you this, but you are now to stay in this...

"House, in your room precisely," he said. "So, I'm going to just stay in my room till I age and die?" Anita asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Her dad held up his hand, signaling her to let him finish. "You didn't allow me to finish what I was saying. So, you're going to stay indoors until we get you a job or something."

"No need for that, I'll get myself a job!" Anita yelled, her eyes flashing with defiance. Her dad stared at her in confusion.

"No, I can't let you...

Her dad shook his head. "No, I can't let you do that; leave that for me."

Anita's face twisted in frustration. "Just give me twenty-four hours, Dad, twenty-four hours, and I'll be back with a job letter!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in desperation. With that, she stormed angrily back to her room.

Anita had dropped out of school a year after her dad remarried. Her stepmom had somehow convinced her dad to stop paying her school fees, for reasons Anita couldn't understand. Anita had repeatedly asked her dad to continue paying her fees so she could finish her education. Sometimes she asked politely, but most times she...

...does it rudely, but it always ended up in disapproval. It was going to be a tough task for Anita to find a decent job within twenty-four hours. She didn't even have a specific location in mind, planning instead to roam the city until she stumbled upon something. Anita got dressed and headed out in search of a job, starting by walking around her...

Anita got dressed and headed out in search of a job, starting by walking around her neighborhood for a while. She then boarded a taxi to a popular fast-food restaurant, hoping to find a job there. After a long drive, she arrived at the restaurant and paid the taxi driver with the last of her money. "Wait, how am I supposed to get back home when I'm done here?" Anita asked herself, realizing her mistake

Anita sighed and walked into the restaurant, looking around at the bustling atmosphere. She had only been there once, a long time ago. Anita approached an elderly woman who was mopping the floor and greeted her. "Hi, ma'am, I'm here to see the manager," Anita said. The old woman directed Anita to the manager's office. Anita reached the door, took a deep breath, and pushed it...

Anita pushed the door open and gasped at the scene before her: a man was fiercely kissing a woman on his desk. Anita quickly closed the door, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Hey, come back in!" the man yelled from inside.

Anita hesitated, then opened the door and walked in slowly. The woman quickly adjusted her clothes and hurried out of the office. Anita stood there, staring at the man.

"Are you the manager?" Anita mumbled.

"Yeah, sit down. How can I help you?" the manager asked, his tone dismissive.

"I want to work for this restaurant," Anita said, trying to sound confident. "I'm good at cooking, cleaning, anything you want me to do. I'm good at it!"

The manager raised an eyebrow. "Really? We could use another waiter, but it has to be someone with five years of experience. You don't look old enough for that, so you can leave my office now. Bye!

"Wait, what?!" Anita asked, looking shocked.

The manager repeated his statement, asking her to leave. Anita pleaded with him to give her a chance to show how good she was, but he refused. After some persistent pleading, Anita gave up.

"Fine, I'll leave," Anita said, standing up. "I'll leave and tell the owner of this restaurant what her manager does secretly in his office!" Anita exclaimed, her voice rising.

The manager's expression changed from dismissive to concerned. "Excuse me, I don't think that's necessary," he said, his tone softer.

"Excuse me, you don't even know the owner of this restaurant, so you can't do anything," the manager said, smirking.

"I just said 'she'," Anita replied, a sly smile spreading across her face. "I know who she is and where she stays. I'm going to tell her everything I saw!" Anita exclaimed, turning to leave.

"Stop! Alright, I'll give you the job!" the manager exclaimed, holding up his hands in defeat.

Anita let out a triumphant whoop and jumped up, doing a little victory dance. The manager watched her, a mixture of amusement and annoyance on his face.

The manager instructed Anita to sit down and handed her some forms to fill out. She was to bring back the completed forms and start work the next day. Anita thanked the manager and left the restaurant feeling fulfilled.

Her mood soon changed when she realized she had to walk home. She walked back into the restaurant and went to the manager's office. Anita opened the door and found the manager sitting behind his desk, a look of expectation on his face.

"Is there something else I can help you with?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Anita met the manager fondling and kissing the lady again. "Holy shit, what do you want from me for God's sake!" the manager yelled, his face red with anger.

"Um...I need taxi fare. I'm out of cash," Anita said slowly, trying to hide her discomfort.

The manager angrily handed her some cash and asked her to leave immediately. Anita took the money and quickly exited the restaurant, boarding a bus back home.

As she arrived home, Anita felt exhausted. She stood on the doorstep, stretching her tired muscles. She opened the door and slowly walked in. Her dad was sitting on a chair, staring at her as she entered, looking tired.

"Are you okay?" her dad asked, concern etched on his face.

"I got a job in a restaurant," Anita replied, a hint of a smile on her face.

Her dad's expression changed to one of surprise and pride. "Well, congratulations, dear. You just made me proud of you," he said, beaming.

Anita nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and walked