When I arrived at the Eagle Club, Rebecca called me into the supervisor’s office.
“Seraphina, you’re fired,” said the woman I’d met on my first day, her voice icy.
“Why?!” I was stunned. It was so sudden; I couldn’t process it.
“You’re not a qualified employee. You’ve fallen short in many areas,” she explained coldly. “Your pay will be settled today. You can go home now.”
“But I think I’ve done my job well.”
“That’s your opinion. In my assessment, you’ve failed.”
Leaving the office, I felt utterly dejected.
I’d been wanting to leave this place for a while, to avoid getting too involved with people I knew. But when it actually happened, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have another job lined up.
This meant my income would dry up, and my savings would only last so long. I needed to find another job quickly.
Why was I fired now?
I was deeply frustrated. I believed I’d approached my work more diligently than anyone else. I’d completed every task with care, yet here I was, dismissed with a single sentence.
My heart felt like it was drowning in a sea of sorrow. I could barely breathe, and the world seemed gray.
Why? Why was I let go so easily? And with such a flimsy reason? They didn’t even bother to come up with a decent excuse.
As I walked out of the Eagle Club, I ran into Vivienne coming in.
She looked at me and smirked. “You’re a loser.”
Anger flared inside me. “Was it you? Did you get me fired?”
“Of course not. But since I pity you, I’ll give you some advice: You and Kael are from different worlds. You’re not good enough for him. Staying with him will only bring you more danger.” With that, she tossed her golden hair and strutted away like a proud peacock.
I stood there, the afternoon sun warm on my skin, yet I felt cold inside.
Was it because of Kael that I lost this job?
Vivienne denied it, and she wasn’t the type to lie about such things. So why was I let go?
Did Kael lose interest in me after learning my feelings for him? Or was it his father, who thought I was a mistake for Kael because we were from different worlds?
I pulled out my phone, wanting to confront Kael. But in the end, I didn’t dial his number.
Maybe this was the best outcome for us. We were never meant to be together; it was just passion that kept us close.
I couldn’t like him. I shouldn’t like him.
Yesterday, I revealed my feelings. Today, I was fired.
This was a lesson, a warning. It told me I’d made a mistake.
Whether Kael was behind it or not, I needed to understand I couldn’t keep getting involved with him.
But I still needed a job, or I wouldn’t survive.
My previous job applications had gone unanswered. Where could I find another job now?
Back to the bar?
After some thought, I called Jack.
“Jack, does the bar still need people?”
“Seraphina, are you coming back?” he guessed immediately.
“Yes, I think I need this job.”
“Of course. No one’s replaced you since you left,” Jack said with a laugh.
“Can I come back?”
“I’ll check with the boss and let you know.”
“Thank you, Jack.”
Hanging up, I felt a little relieved. At least I had a potential job.
Working at the bar might mean dealing with unwanted attention from men, but I had no other choice.
I’d do as I always did: wear heavy makeup to obscure my true appearance, making myself safer.
That evening, Jack called back, saying I could start at the bar, preferably that same night.
I was ready.
Standing in front of the mirror, I applied thick makeup, adding fake scars as I used to.
Staring at my reflection, I felt a sense of deja vu. I hadn’t expected to return to the bar so soon.
But I quickly adjusted my emotions and headed out.
Working at the bar often meant late nights and occasionally drinking with customers.
When I arrived, I greeted the boss first.
“Nothing’s changed, Seraphina. You remember your duties, right?” he said.
He was a burly man in his forties, with a beard and tattoos covering his arms and chest, like a mobster. But his personality was easygoing.
“I remember. Thank you for letting me back in,” I said gratefully.
“As long as you’re here, you’re family.”
After shaking hands with the boss, I went to find Jack.
He was still behind the bar, working as a bartender.
“Seraphina, long time no see. I thought you wouldn’t come back,” he greeted me.
Smiling at this old friend, I replied, “I thought so too.”
“Nothing’s changed here. Want a drink?” Jack poured me a low-alcohol beer.
We clinked glasses.
With few customers around, I chatted with Jack about my studies and recent life.
As the night wore on, more people arrived, and I got back into the rhythm of work.
My first day back at the bar went smoothly.
At midnight, a group walked in.
They were members of the Iron Fist Club.
I’d seen them at last night’s match, especially Briar, who stood out like a shining star, surrounded by admirers.
It reminded me of Kael, who used to be the center of attention like that.
“Seraphina, didn’t you work at the Eagle Club? Did you see the match last night? This Briar is incredible. Kael almost lost to him,” someone said.