In the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, two individuals, Jessie and Norman, find their lives entwined in a delicate dance of fate and circumstance. Jessie, a resilient young woman on the brink of a life-altering career move, grapples with her im...
'Sir, what would you like to have?' Her voice, gentle and patient, brought him back to reality.
'Err... Sorry, say again,' he stumbled, his eyes still drawn to her features. A quick glance at her name tag revealed the name 'Jessica,' a name that resonated with a quiet charm within his mind. The pretty young lady before him, Jessica Lin, known among her close friends as Jessie.
She sighed and repeated, 'Sir, what would you like to have? Eat in or take away?'
Norman, still entranced by her captivating eyes, finally responded, 'McChicken, please.'
'À la carte or as a meal?'
'Make it a meal, with a Coke Zero.'
'Anything else, sir?' Jessie prompted; her composure unfaltering.
'No, that's all.'
'That will be Six Ringgit and Ninety Cents.'
As Norman handed her a Ten Ringgit bill, his admiration for her deepened. Her straight hair, partially hidden under the cap, allowed a few stray strands to gently graze her soft ears, furthering his enchantment. He couldn't help but continue to admire her.
In contrast, Jessie was unfazed. Such encounters were a routine part of her day, with customers often captivated by her charm.
'Here's your change, sir,' Jessie said with a warm smile.
Norman extended his right hand, and she placed three one-ringgit bills on it, setting a ten-cent coin atop the stack.
'Please wait on this side,' she pointed with her left hand, before turning her attention to the next order from Sam."
Within few minutes, Norman's meal was placed on the tray before him, and Jessie gently nudged the tray closer to him.
"Sir, here is your McChicken. Enjoy your meal, thank you, and please come again," she said, offering a warm smile.
With a contented expression, Norman left the counter and found an empty seat that had just been vacated. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly settled into the newly vacant spot.
Glancing back at Sam, Norman raised his hand in a friendly wave, signaling that he had secured a place. Sam sauntered over, balancing his tray as he took a seat and leaned back in his chair.
"That girl is sweet," Sam remarked, a mischievous glint in his eye as he playfully nudged Norman and winked.
"Yeah, she is very beautiful," Norman acknowledged, his gaze involuntarily drifting back to the crowded counter where Jessie was managing orders.
"Did you know she's from Sweden? I managed to get her WhatsApp ID," Sam boasted, unwrapping his burger with a triumphant grin.
"Wait, you're talking about the white girl?" Norman feigned nonchalance, attempting to conceal the flush creeping up his cheeks.
"Then, who were you referring to?" Sam shot Norman a puzzled look.
"Nobody," Norman replied, his attempt at nonchalance faltering.
"I saw you looking at that girl at the counter. You were practically drooling," Sam teased.
"I was just looking, not drooling," Norman retorted, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"You're 25 already, man. You need to get a girlfriend. Tracie seems interested in you. Why don't you ask her out one day?" Sam suggested, his tone a mix of jest and earnest concern.
Norman chuckled, dismissing the idea. "Nah, I've got no time for that. Besides, she's our colleague, and it's not appropriate to date a co-worker."
"Come on. You're Chindian, and she's Eurasian. You guys will be an awesome combo," Sam jested.
"I'm going to smack your head," Norman laughed.
As they continued their lunch, the bustling crowd gradually dissipated, leaving only a few lingering patrons enjoying light snacks.
Jessie made her way to the kitchen area, grabbing a cleaning cloth and a bottle of cleaning solution as she set to work wiping down the cabinets.
Clara, one of Jessie's close friends and co-workers, approached her. "Hey Jess, did you receive any call from the Singaporean company?"
Clara inquired about the job opportunity Jessie had applied for a week ago. Having worked at McDonald's for the past year, Jessie sought a position with a higher salary to cope with the escalating cost of living. With her recent diploma in Business Administration, she had set her sights on an administrative role at a renowned shipping company located in the neighbouring city-state.
"Yeah, I have an interview scheduled for this week. They mentioned there would be a series of three interviews, and only if I manage to pass them all, I'll secure the job," Jessie explained.
"That sounds like a tough process. Will you be traveling to Singapore for the interviews?" Clara asked.
"No, the initial interview will be conducted over the phone, and the subsequent ones will take place here in KL. The HR manager visits the branch office in KL once a month, making it more convenient," Jessie replied.
"That will be convenient for you",
"Yeah, I don't have to go through the hassle of travelling up and down",
"So once you get the job, you plan to settle down over there?"
"I don't intend to settle down there permanently; my goal is to save up for a year or two before returning to Malaysia. Hopefully I can last that long, because I've heard the work-stress there is worst", Jessie remarked, dipping the cloth into a pail of water.
"Don't worry too much about the stress. Given the current exchange rate, you should be able to save quite a bit. Just keep in mind that the cost of living there is higher," Clara advised.
"True, I'll have to be more mindful of my expenses. I'll learn to be more stingy," Jessie chuckled, squeezing out the excess water from the cloth.
As the conversation continued, Tracie, with a mischievous grin, hinted, "If there's any opening in the accounting department, please keep me in mind."
"Well, first, I need to secure the job," Jessie responded, a hint of optimism in her tone as she continued wiping the surface clean.
"Of course, good luck with the interview. I'm sure you will get the job," Tracie encouraged, displaying unwavering support.
"Thank you," Jessie responded with a grateful smile, refocusing her attention on her task at hand.
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