ager, Mr. Johnson, a stern man with a perpetual scowl, instructed her. This was Betty's second week working at Fort Club after losing

dn't afford to lose this job; it was her lifeline. Mr. Johnson handed her a tray l

" he ordered. "Th

ached the tables Mr Johnson had instructed her to serve, her heart pounding. She greeted the men with a forced sm

table to table, desperately trying to keep

e tray of steaming hot plates. She attempted to place a plate of spaghetti in front of

e turning crimson as the man's scowl deepened.

proached with a stern glare. "Betty," he hissed through gritted teeth, "how

ly grabbed a napkin to dab at the sauce-stained customer. T

ed wine for a couple celebrating their anniversary. Her hand wavered, a

ce cut through the tension like a blade. "Betty, I can't beli

ther apology, her voice barely audible over the clat

n't keep you here any longer. Y

h tears as she remembered her sister's hospital bills which she w

he chaos of her grief. But her emotional turmoil had betrayed her, leading to her rapid departure f

her dignity. She felt the weight of her parents' absence and her sister's sickness crushing her soul, and now, this latest rejection threatened to shatter her

do without it." But her manager's resolve remained unyielding, the decision final. Betty crumple

f her manager kept on echoing in her mind, "We can't keep you here any longer." She felt sad

r. As she walked down the busy sidewalk, her vision blurred through the

her. His concerned expression was framed by salt-and-pepper hair, a

he asked, genuine conc

mething about his demeanour and the empathy in his eyes made her feel like she could t

d. "I'm really sorry to hear that.

and I have a sister in the hospital whose bills I'm yet to settle. I've been struggling to hold onto

shoulder. "I'm truly sorry for your loss, Miss. It must be incredibly tough for you. B

ecome all too familiar in recent months. She looked down at the sidewalk, her voice barely a

he led Betty to a nearby coffee shop. They sat in a corner when the man finally broached the subject

ty, her brow furrowing slightly.

een fortunate in my business endeavours, and I have the means to help

edibly generous offer, but it's an enormous amount of money. It

o money, my Angel. I can take care of it

d what the man was about to ask of

ut the hospital bills; I promise to care for you deeply, and I believe we could build a future to