The Married With Stranger
Run into
“Agnese, can we talk to you for a minute?”
Agnese turned her head and found Adrian at the end of the room. “What's up, Mr. Adrian?”
“Can you continue until tonight? The club needs you very much.”
“Didn't you say I can't go in tonight?”
Adrian walked up to the table and sat on it. “That's true, but the club needs you a lot, Agnese. You know, right, if a lot of customers come just to see you?”
“But ...”
“If you want, your pay for this month will increase. I know that you need more money.”
“But I have to go home and take care of my mother. I haven't said goodbye either.”
“No buts anymore, Agnese. Just answer, 'yes or no'.”
Agnese bit her lower lip while thinking for a moment. If he refused Adrian's offer, he would lose a few percent of his income which would have helped cover his needs. However, if he takes the offer, he cannot take care of his mother.
“How?” ask Adrian again.
Agnese let out a long breath. “Alright, I'll accept your offer. But, I can go home faster, right?”
“Depends on how it works.”
“Good. Thank you, Mr. Adrian,” said Agnese before retreating.
Upon arriving outside the restaurant, Agnese immediately pulled out her mobile phone and contacted her dear friend, Yoana. It didn't take long for the call to be received. He smiled for a moment, though he could not be seen by the receiver.
“Yoan, I want to ask for your help. Would you like to help me?”
“Of course, Agnese. What should I do for my best friend, hem?”
Agnese smiled. “Can you help me take care of my mother?”
“Of course, Agnese.”
“Then, come to the restaurant that is in front of Kenzo's boutique to pick up food for him.”
“Good. Wait for me, yes.”
“Sorry to trouble you, Yoan.”
“I'm glad to be able to help.”
Agnese nodded and disconnected the phone. After that, he immediately helped Dean, Jonah, and several other friends clean the table because the restaurant will soon be closed and changed into a club. They all help each other to get the job done quickly.
Joanna came shortly after Agnese finished cleaning and tidying up the place. Agnese smiled as she approached Yoana to hand over Briza's food and returned to work. Not to forget also the girl thanked her best friend for helping so much.
“You owe me an explanation, Agnese,” pinta Yoana when you see Agnese's appearance.
Agnese simply smiled as she nodded in response to Yoana's request. He never told anyone about his work, other than Mrs. Ribbon yesterday. He did it because he did not want to be pitied and pityed. At least he tried not to trouble others.
“I'm doing a lot of work, Yoan. See you at school.”
There's not much Agnese does after Joanna. He changed his clothes again using a special uniform of workers at the club. After that, he took a break to get more energy to serve the visitors later. Honestly, he felt very tired especially today had to continue working until midnight.
However, he could not complain because he did not have the right backrest. He did not want to complain to Briza for fear that the mother's disease would get worse. He did not want to tell Joanna because he did not want to burden the friend more over the problems faced. He prefers to be quiet and channel the feeling felt in a picture or singing.
Agnese took a deep breath and tidied up a bit of her clothes before exiting the room. Just closing the door, he heard someone calling his name.
“Agnese, can you help serve the visitors at the bar? We were a little overwhelmed,” cried Jonah from the bar when he saw Agnese coming out of the employee-only room.
Jonah was one of the employees who remained there. In a day, the man spends 12 to 17 hours, depending on the number of visitors. Unlike Agnese who only works part-time because she still has to go to school.
Without waiting for long, Agnese immediately headed for the bar to help Jonah and some other bartenders. The club is quite crowded these days, so it's only natural that Jonah asks for help. As soon as he arrived, he approached a man who looked normal alias still not contaminated with alcoholic beverages there.
”Rose wine, please,” pinta the man before Agnese asks.
Agnese nodded, took a bottle of wine and a glass, and poured the Georgian and Iranian drinks into the glass. After that, he presented it to the visitor earlier.
“Hei! Aren't you the one who used to serve me when ordering some vodka bottles?” asked the man after sipping his first glass.
Agnese frowned while closing her eyes and trying to remember the figure of the man before her. As soon as a memory appeared, he opened his eyes. “Oh, hi! You remember me?”
“Of course. You've caught the attention of many people here, including me.”
“Sorry?”
“Ah, forget! My name is Dennis Besson. You?” said a man known as Dennis.
Agnese smiled and shook Dennis' hand. “Agnese.”
“How long have you been working here, Agnese?”
“I also don't remember. It's obviously been almost a year.”
Agnese continued to work on her duties as a bartender while answering some of the questions Dennis asked. He thinks he can be friends with that person even though he just knew. However, he must be careful if he does not want the same mistakes to be repeated. He had to take care of himself before what was feared happened.
After a while, Dennis noticed Agnese's facial changes. He was sure if Agnese was very tired especially he had forced the Manager there—Adrian— to keep asking the girl to work. He pulled out his cell phone and sent someone a message. Afterwards, he looked up again to look at the girl who had accompanied him talking and gathering information.
“Are you okay?” Agnese smiled as she nodded. “But, your face looks pale.”
“Really?” ask Agnese to make sure.
“Yes." Dennis stared at the club situation for a moment. "Rest, I'll tell Adrian you're sick.”
Agnese smiled again. “Thank you, but I'm fine.”
“Hei! You're not doing well. It's better if you rest. I can take you home, Dennis' bargaining” that made Agnese's focus split because it remembered the incident a few days ago.
“Not necessary. I can go home by myself.” Agnese walks up to Jonah and tells him she is going home because she is not feeling well. After that, he went back to Dennis. “I'm home first. You're right, I need a break. Nice to meet you, Mr. Dennis.”
Agnese walked towards the employee's special room to change clothes. After that, he turned to the bar to see Dennis. However, he did not find the man there. Maybe you went home or pooped in the bathroom.
He deliberately rejected Dennis' offer because he did not want to get the same treatment Zach did a few days ago. No one knows what each man's heart is like other than God. Therefore, he chose to be careful in accepting the offer this time.
***