The smell of fresh, grinded coffee beans fills up the entire building while the afternoon sunlight continuously peek through the large windows, allowing the customers inside the establishment to enjoy their afternoon leisure.
A week passes by ever since the interview took place at H Corporation. The barista absentmindedly glances toward the customers from across the room. She sees an elderly couple seated in the lounge area, sipping away their freshly brewed coffee while enjoying the soft, calming music played on the stereo and conversing with one another. She wonders if those perfectly worry-free people had ever faced hardship in their life. For a second, she felt envious.
Ari's hopes for a decent salary career went down the drain the moment she argued with Ren Hawk and stormed out of that office. She found it odd that the other job opportunities she had also applied for were suddenly wiped away. Letters of rejection quickly dispersed to her emails. No other companies accepted her as a potential candidate for hire.
She secretly wondered if that wicked man played a role in this absurd situation. Did he perhaps blacklist her in this competitively cruel industry? However, she disregarded that thought after careful consideration. It's impossible, right? He's a busy man controlling a multimillion dollar company. He shouldn't have time to worry about someone insignificant like Ari.
With no other offers available, the stressed out girl was starting to feel hopeless and was getting desperate. Her current resume only allows her to continue her trivial part-time jobs.
Should I take out another loan, she wonders quietly to herself while contemplating her current unlucky situation. She had already maxed out her credit cards and was sending all her earnings to those shady loan servicers. No other banks would be willing to risk their money for a client like Ari. A sigh was her response to the useless suggestion. I must be crazy.
While busy wiping down some freshly washed coffee mugs, the barista was so distracted by her pitiful thoughts that she didn't even notice the next customer walking towards the counter.
"Excuse me, dear," a slim woman of average height interrupts the part-timer. "If you're not so busy being distracted, then I'd like to place my order now."
Ari switches her attention from the ceramic cup to the owner of that cheeky voice. Her lips automatically curve upward when she recognizes the blonde standing in front of her. "Mina Young?!"
The customer associated with that feminine and lively voice is a good friend who Ari met in college. They spent their early youth together. Although Mina had dropped out of school and had moved away to pursue another career, Ari still sees her as a big sister and dearest friend.
The fashionista dressed in a bodycon mini dress paired with over-the-knee high boots beam at the plain-looking barista. "Hey," Mina greets, also happy to meet her old friend again.
She felt bad seeing the part-timer looking so gloomy as a barista. Ari was the one who graduated university with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. According to what Mina can recall, the college graduate is very ambitious and hardworking. She excels well in school and should have started her career already, not end up with some temporary employment.
But then she suddenly remembers Ari's past. That explained everything. She seals her lips shut, hesitant to ask about the girl's past association with certain people.
After crafting a custom order for the unexpected customer and giving her a special discount, Ari decides to take her lunch break so she can catch up on their recent lifestyle. While still busy conversing with each other, the part-timer couldn't help but notice all the lavish jewelry Mina was wearing along with her luxury handbag and designer clothes. It made her a little jealous but the envy eventually faded after learning that her friend was a Nightclub Hostess.
Recognizing Ari's discomfort, Mina smiles to assure her that her workplace is safe. "Don't worry. It's not like those typical sleazy places you see on the news. We have strict rules with good security all around. However, if you bond well enough with your customers then you can earn some good perks here and there." The confident woman glances into Ari's gaze. "Are you catching my drift?"
Ari gasps, surprised to hear what Mina was hinting at. This meant that the bold woman was purposely using her customers for money and goods. And worst of all, she's probably sleeping around with those men in order to get what she wants.
"Anyways," Mina continues while ignoring Ari's judgy eyes, "you mentioned you were having some money issues. Well, are you interested? I can refer you to my workplace. The pay is above average and the establishment is very high-class for its standards so you can expect to make good money fast."
Ari frowns while listening to the job description. She knew of those places and had always heard or had bad experiences with them.
The reluctant girl had too much pride. She didn't purposely get a college degree just to end up at some dishonest establishment where men could easily harass you. But due to her current problems, she was considering it. She needed money fast to pay off her debt. The deadline for one of her loans was drawing near.
Ari calculated the possibility of working three or four weeks without having to offer any extra "attention" to the customers. She refuses to engage in anything sinful with a stranger for money. No way. The best she would consider is flirting with the customers and sweet talk to flatter them. If it works out well, then that'll be all it takes since she's still single and in financial hardship. Once she earns enough money, she'll quit right away and forsake that memory forever.
While pondering that thought, the barista was distracted when the coffee shop manager suddenly called her name.
"Yes?" Ari replies while walking up to the middle aged woman who looks just as miserable as she behaves.
"Your break is over in five minutes," she informs the part-timer, her voice declaring a sense of authority. "Go clean up the restrooms afterwards. You're responsible for cleaning duties this week. Oh, and by the way, a customer reported that the toilet is clogged in the men's room. Make sure you bring the plunger with you."
Ari heaves a heavy sigh after hearing those unpleasant words. She hated cleaning duties the most. Especially in the men's restroom.
Putting her pride aside, the motivated girl decided to gamble on the new temporary job to earn some fast cash. It's not like she's going to be doing anything immoral, right?
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