Boss

1.

"Well, I can't" I shrugged. There was technically no reason why I couldn't and maybe if he'd asked instead of demanded I stay then I might feel a little different but I was done being treated like this.

Mario looked up from his menu and snapped it shut. "Have you got somewhere better to be? A hot date maybe?"

I just blinked at him confusion.

"No I didn't think so. You'll stay till this place is ready for tomorrow's trade or you can find yourself out the door with no job. Your choice, Veronica"

God, I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face. I balled my fists in frustration.

"You know what Mario. I quit" I shook my head in disbelief. My fingers shook as I reached round for the black apron strings that were tied round my waist. Luckily the crisp white shirt and black trousers were both my own so I didn't need to take anything else off and embarrass myself further.

"Excuse me?" Mario blustered. A bubble of excitement popped inside my chest at his sudden change in demeanour. Bet he wasn't feeling so smart now.

"I quit" I repeated simply as I balled the apron up and shoved it on top of the maitre-de stand. "I'm not doing this anymore"

Mario stood gaping at me.

"Do you know how many clean up shifts I've done in the past month? 18!" I answered before he had a chance to try and bullshit me. I knew these figures well.

I took a deep breath trying to slow my erratic heart rate.

"Do you know how many Jessica has gone? 4" I spat before he could give me any other bullshit answer.

"I'm tired of working my fingers to the bone for you, for nothing. I'm the best damn employee you've got in here. I get the best compliments from customers and I never get complaints and what thanks do I get? None. I get you demanding that I stay on for a shift I'm not rota'd to do. So I'm done"

I swish my pony tail as I march passed him, towards the staff room. I hope the ends of my brown pony tail whipped him in the eye. It would serve him right for being such an obnoxious twat.

I quickly grabbed my coat, swiped the contents of my locker in to my handbag and marched back out through restaurant where Mario was still gawping at the front door.

I took a deep breath and almost stumbled over as the cold air hit me and also the realisation of what I'd just done.

I'd quit my job.

Granted it wasn't the highest paying job, or even a job I really liked but it paid the bills and now I was left with no way of paying the bills. Shit.

Double shit. What had I done?

I fumbled around in my bag searching for my phone as I pulled my coat tighter around my body. I yanked my phone out and furiously searched for the one number I needed to call.

"Hello?" The croaky voice of my best friend Sarah, answered on the second ring.

"Sarah, I've just quit my job"

"You what?" The startled voice gasped.

"I quit. Oh I've fucked up so bad" I worried, pulling myself together a little I started to walk in the direction of my flat, that was conveniently close to the restaurant. Though I guess it wasn't that convenient anymore.

"What happened?" Sarah asked, "Where are you?"

"I've just left the restaurant. I walked out..." and I continued to tell my best friend of 11 years, the details on how I quit my job.

"Well shit the bed Ron, you did it!" I could hear Sarah's elation as I fumbled with my key fob and opened the front door to my quiet apartment block.

"Did what?" I asked in confusion at her happiness.

"Finally left that shit show. You deserve so much more respect and recognition. You were wasted in that pretentious place. This way you can concentrate on applying for actual jobs in the actual field you want to work in"

"I have been applying" I argue quietly as I unlock my front door on the second floor of the three story apartment block, conscious I don't want to annoy my neighbours, it is quite late.

"Barely. This way you can concentrate solely on getting a new job. In fact I was going to tell you tomorrow; a positions opened up in my place. It's only an assistant position but it's to the CEO. It might be a little below your degree but it would be a foot in the door"

"I'd take anything right now. I can't survive without a job" I flopped down on my little 2 seater sofa and kicked off the ridiculous black pumps, propping my feet up on the coffee table.

"I'll send you the details tomorrow and you can email your CV over. I can try and put a good word in for you but I'm just a lowly associate, I don't know how much good it would be"

"Thank you, Sarah. I really appreciate it" I smile in to the phone, a little weight lifted off my shoulders. Even the prospect of something was better than the disastrous prospect of nothing.

~