When Alia turned around, she was t with a kindly woman who wore a bright smile. She might be dressed in the club uniform, but it still sensually hung onto every curve on her body in the best way possible. She was beautiful― so much so that Alia would've assud she was a custor rather than a server if it weren't for the fact that she had the uniform and na tag pinned on her chest.
"Alia Kentwood?" she asked again when t with Alia's silence.
The latter was still in awe at the woman's beauty that she could only numbly nod. Then, she jolted a little where she stood.
Was this woman here to replace Nigel? Or worse― fire her like her other employers?
"Yes..." Alia said hesitantly, "That's ."
"Great," the woman cheerily said. "I'm the new manager here, to replace Nigel. You can call Cherry. It's nice to et you."
Cherry held out a hand, and Alia grabbed it to shake. Her new manager had a firm grip, and at one glance, Alia could see the perfectly manicured French tips that decorated her long nails.
"Right. Now that introductions are in order, let's see who else I've got on the list―" Cherry absentmindedly said, looking through a list of nas on her phone screen before Alia interrupted her.
"Wait," Alia said, cutting her off. "You're not going to fire ?"
"Fire you?" Cherry repeated as she reeled back in surprise. "Whyever would I do that?"
Alia was stupefied. "I― Because―"
All her other workplaces had fired her, and she had no doubt that it was the wonderful handiwork of her soon-to-be ex-husband once their divorce was finalized. She hadn't expected that he would have the capabilities to move mountains like that, but it was great to know that there was at least one place in Solara where she could escape from Caleb's clutches.
"In that case," Alia said, shaking her head. "Do you think I can get more shifts?"
"More shifts?" Cherry echoed, her eyebrows rising. "I suppose I could look to arrange such a thing... Are you free this coming Tuesday?"
"Yes," Alia said. "I'm free every day, actually. Is it possible for to co in every night?"
"That is a little difficult," Cherry said, wincing. "I want to help you, Alia, I do, but there are also other part-tirs who need the shifts and we have to be fair. We're a little overstaffed at this point―"
"There's no need to arrange more shifts for her, Cherry." A deep voice quickly gathered both ladies' attention, and when Alia looked over, her eyes instantly t with that of Matteo's.
Her breath was caught in her throat when his frosty gaze shifted over her, causing her to still. Here it was. The kindness that he showed yesterday was nothing more than a farce. Like her two other jobs, she was no doubt going to be let off again.
"Mat― Mr. Montgory?" Cherry asked, confused.
Matteo turned to look at Alia, and he said, "There's no need for you to co in tomorrow."
"What?" The word left Alia's lips in a soft, breathless mutter.
This was her final job. Without it, and with how Caleb had proven that businesses could turn her down with just a snap of her fingers, how else was she supposed to make a living in Sol City? Not to ntion, her father was soon to reach retirent and she couldn't expect to live off of the poor old man forever.
"You can't!" Alia cried out.
She reached forward and grabbed Matteo by the long sleeves of his shirt. Cherry's eyes bulged at her actions, and even Matteo's expression shifted slightly, but Alia paid no heed.
"I need this job!" She lanted and begged, "Please, please don't fire ! I just lost two other jobs today and this is my last. Please, Mr. Montgory, I'll do whatever you ask―!"
"Alia, calm down!" Cherry said, lurching forward to grab Alia. She practically pried the poor sobbing woman off of Matteo, tossing an apologetic smile to those who have turned to them out of curiosity. "Let Mr. Montgory finish."
But what else was there to say? This was the end, the final nail in the coffin, and Matteo Montgory had linked hands with her horrible ex-husband to send her six feet under. She would need to move out of Sol City at this rate― maybe even Solara!
"You will need to learn how to better manage your emotions, Miss Kentwood," Matteo said.
He then pulled out a small na card from his breast pocket, handing it to Alia. Dumbfounded, she instinctively took it, looking down at the words before she turned back to Matteo.
"8 AM tomorrow at this address, don't be late," he said.
Alia continued to blink dumbly, repeating the action a couple of tis. In the end, Matteo sighed softly.
"I need a new secretary," he finally explained, putting Alia out of her misery. "I seem to recall from your resu that you were a business graduate from Solara University?"
She nodded, still silent.
"It's a full-ti job," he continued. "The pay can be further discussed, but for now, we're offering this." He held up two fingers.
"Twenty thousand?" she asked, wincing. That wasn't too bad for a full-ti job. Perhaps she could consider doing food deliveries on the side if it wasn't enough. After all, she needed to pay off the debts the lovely Caleb had left for her, on top of paying for daily supplies.
"Two hundred thousand, annual," Matteo said, nearly causing both Cherry and Alia's eyes to bulge out. "Inclusive of other benefits, which we can further discuss if you're keen on taking up the job."
"Keen!" Alia imdiately said, nearly screaming her throat hoarse. She then composed herself and cleared her throat, swiping at the dried trails of tears running down her cheeks. "I an, yes, thank you for the offer. I would like to take it."
"Good," Matteo said. He then repeated, "8 AM, tomorrow. Don't be late."
Cherry and Alia could only watch wide-eyed as Matteo turned on his heel and left them gaping in his wake.
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