Chapter 2 Fired Unfairly

EMERALD

I gasp in shock.

What the hell is she talking about?

"Home?" I ask, letting go of her hand, but still cautious, in case she unleashes another attack.

"Gabriel. Remember him? The man you've been trying to seduce for months?" she says with an obvious spite in her voice.

Oh...

A little realization kicks in. So this is about-

Is She Gabriel's girlfriend? Wife? Fiancée?

Whatever it is, it's not Platonic, and so is my relationship with Gabriel. My heart sinks for a few seconds as I process the betrayal and a wave of hurtful feelings washes over me. Needless to say, my feelings won't matter at the moment.

So, this is about Gabriel, my boy...soon-to-be ex-boyfriend-if any of this woman's words are true. She's super furious. What are the odds that Gabriel played us both? Who's the side piece?

"What is going on here?" Cecilia's voice intervenes.

Took her long enough.

"Ask this home–wrecking bitch."

"Excuse me?" I snap.

Uh, ma'am. You're the one with the vendetta to burn my skin. I didn't even know of your existence till five seconds ago.

"Emerald," Cecilia holds up a hand.

"I need to speak to the manager. If you don't fire this woman, I'm going to sue this hotel," the woman passes the threat.

For the first time, I get to fully scan her. She looks like someone in my age group. Her blond, wavy hair falls so perfectly on her back. Her make-up perfectly won. You can't miss the highlight of her red lipstick. She's classy, in a red dress that looks like it cost thrice my monthly salary or more. The black handbag hanging in her left hand must be from one of the most expensive brands. Her look explains it all. There's no doubt she's capable of suing this hotel.

I almost look down at myself. At the uniform I'm wearing. A question sticks in my mind.

Was Gabriel really playing us both? What was his angle, exactly?

"We can deal with this privately," says Cecilia, trying to handle the situation calmly and maturely.

Almost half an hour later, the hotel is calm and back to its normal activities. She wouldn't be Cecilia if she wasn't perfect at what she does. The next thing I know, I'm being summoned to Cecilia's office.

She's alone when I walk in.

I want to say thank God, since that trouble-making woman left, but the look on Cecilia's face tells me there's nothing to be relieved about.

My thoughts are confirmed by the dreadful words that follow.

"I'm so sorry, Emerald," she says with a fallen expression.

Of course, she is.

Why am I even not surprised?

Obviously, she is not sorry for the chicken soup that was poured on me.

"I will write a very good recommendation for you. Your experience at The Galaxy will help," she tries to coax.

But I have one question for her.

"Aren't you going to ask for my side of the story?"

"Do I have to?" She raises a brow.

It won't matter, anyway. Seems to me, a decision has been made. No amount of talking would revoke it. As unfair as this sounds.

"Why am I being fired for something that isn't my fault?" I still ask.

Gabriel is the asshole here. I thought we were in love. I even envisioned our relationship ending up like my parents'. But again, who would care about a waitress' love life, right?

"Lindsey Hayes barked all sorts of threats to the hotel. She comes from a very powerful family, Emerald. The CEO will be brutal. Which is why, after Lindsey gave him a call, I told him I would deal with you myself."

"You mean fire me yourself," I snort.

She sighs...

Doesn't matter.

Right. There goes my dream to make my parents afford a luxurious hotel.

_____________________

I rarely stay at home in the afternoons. I'm always busy. When I'm not at work, I'm helping my parents at the floral shop, or out with Alicia, or with Gabriel.

Now, I have plenty of time to stay at home.

I close the door to my room right before I tiredly slam on my bed and sigh.

They didn't even care about my services, yet I gave them my all.

Now, I have a crisis at hand.

How are the bills going to be handled? It was easier when I helped my parents. I'm thinking about the worst-case scenarios here.

My brother's hospital bills are piling up. The twenty-year-old decided to take matters into his own hands and look where that got him. Why did he try to fight? One man against so many. What was he thinking?

It makes me furious. I wasn't there to protect him, either. Even though we're four years apart, we have always had each other's backs.

I haven't slept well since that tragic incident. What I could do was make sure he got the best care in the hospital. How can I do that now, when I'm jobless? It's going to be a heavy burden for my parents before I get my next job, which is difficult these days, especially when you don't have credentials. That job was like a miracle. But now it's over.

I could sue them for wrongful termination, but what would that cost me? They are powerful enough. They must have the best lawyers. Can I even afford one?

___________________________

"Emerald, wake up." I hear my mother's voice from a distance. A soft tap on my shoulder makes me open my eyes. It takes a while before I register my environment. When did I fall asleep and for how long have I been off?

"Why are you home early today? Are you okay?" she asks.

I sit up and take my phone. It's seven in the evening.

The last thing I remember is cursing on how my life's in shambles.

I have several missed calls from Gabriel and a text from an unknown number. I try to mask my frowning expression. As if ruining my job wasn't enough. Now she's sending threats? I read the threatening text again. she's actually promising to make my life a living hell.

I must have been silent for longer than I should, even forgetting my mother's presence. Still trying to wrap my head around the text.

"Emerald," mother calls out. "You're acting strange, what's the matter?"

Right, knowing my mother, she would drill me for information, and lying won't work since she detects those from a mile away.

Luckily, I have something else to blame for my fallen expression.

"So many missed calls from Gabriel," I tell her.

"Must explain why he's here. He's waiting for you downstairs."

Spoke too soon.

"Gabriel is here?" I ask the obvious.

Actually, I need to have a word with him.