As soon as Estella left, the restaurant instantaneously turned lively. Everyone and everywhere was booming with excitement.
As it was told, Rena and the owner's daughter had some conflicts between them. Facing a confrontation, Rena insulted Estella causing her to leave in extreme anger.
Everyone's mouths, especially those who had witnessed the scene were full of gossips.
These news naturally reached Julia's ears.
A smile tugged at her lips as she sniggered. She felt a rush of happiness as she responded enthusiastically to those around her.
"That bitch is an innate good-for-nothing! If she isn't seducing men, she is ether offending someone, she deserves to be fired!"
Her tone was quite sinister but the people around were not surprised at all.
After all, they were all acquaintances so they knew of the acrimony Julia had with Rena.
As for the seduction Julie spoke of, they knew it was pertaining to Archie.
Nonetheless Julia had been the one to reveal she had seen Rena engaging with Archie in the locker room.
Many knew of her feelings for Archie so her hatred was justified.
They supported her.
Even though most didn't care, they still had to show they did.
Who wouldn't want to be friends with the executive chef? No one wanted to get on her bad books.
They joined in; "You are right, Julia. Such a person being here would only soil the atmosphere. She needs to leave!"
"Yes!"
Julia didn't speak no more but her eyes flashed with satisfaction.
Even though she knew these people's intentions towards her were not genuine, she was yet glad because conclusively, such flattery was what Rena would never be able to get in her lifetime!
~~
Archie didn't know from the gossips. Actually, he was one of the servers situated before Estella so he directly was one of the witnesses who watched the show.
But since he was amidst the 'background chatacters' he didn't say a word.
Seeing Estella dealing with Rena, he'd feel glad in his heart. He took it as punishment for her bite last time but upon hearing Estella mention the word 'fired' and angrily leaving, he felt a sense of uneasiness.
He didn't want Rena to be sacked.
He didn't like her — don't get him wrong, even if his father had told him to stay away from her, he still had a deep-rooted goal in his heart to sleep with her.
How could he let her leave? Leaving was tantamount to exiting his grasp. He couldn't allow that, he couldn't accept such, so when Rena was about to leave the room, he suddenly stopped her.
"You really are foolish!" He snarled. "You know she is related to the boss but you still dare to provoke her, you lunatic!"
Although his father had said Rena didn't seem to place much importance in her job, he didn't really believe it. If she didn't care much, then what was she doing here?
Rena was a little startled at his abrupt appearance.
For the past days, Archie had not waited for her in the changing room. She had not even interacted with him again.
She indeed felt a bit happy.
Today when she thought it would be the same, she was left disappointed.
She was quite annoyed, coupled with Estella's vile actions today, her head felt like it was about to explode.
She brusquely uttered.
"You shut up!"
Her voice was raised, attracting the eyes of a few people around.
But she didn't care. She continued. "If you really are concerned, then why didn't you stop her when she was behaving so brazenly? Don't come blocking my path with your pretentious attitude. I don't want to see your disgusting face at all!"
Her words were fierce and bare.
Seeing the people staring, Archie felt embarrassed.
He had always been treated nicely and with esteem here but Rena doesn't — didn't give him even a shred of respect. She even dared to insult him so openly.
He was infuriated.
He made to retort, only to see Rena walking away not sparing him another glance.
"..."
Archie felt even more aggravated.
He cursed furiously, his whole face wrinkled in ire. "Bitch! Bitch!!"
He silently vowed in his heart that as long as he got her, he would kill her himself.
~~
Willis upon confirming the accuracy of the news immediately acted and began dispersing the rumors of Archie and Rena.
He was afraid that once Estella reports to her father, Archie with the rumors circulating would be directly linked to Rena.
He didn't want to afford being reprimanded.
But he knew that couldn't be avoided.
Rena had offended the Miss and Rena was one of the workers he had employed.
He would definitely be scolded for not managing his staffs well. With this thought in mind, he scowled.
He was just waiting for the call to fire Rena. He couldn't allow such troublesome person in the restaurant, no matter what!
~~
As for Rena, she kept her eyes and ears lowered, not bothering to concentrate on the mumbles and piercing glances around her. After work, she went home, took a bath and left to the Bazz supermarket.
Mildred had just arrived as well. After a few words they took a shopping cart to grab the products needed, then chatted a little. The conversation naturally drifted to Estella.
Although Rena was not really disturbed by the issue, nor did she like sharing her problems with others but this was Mildred.
They knew nearly everything about each other, so she unconsciously mentioned it.
Mildred was so angry her face turned red. "That she-goat! So what? Because she is related to the boss, she dares to bully you. Does she think you have no one?"
For Mildred, both she and Herman were her shields. Herman was even more capable.
He could buy Rena a restaurant if she wants but she knew Rena would not want that. She had never asked anything from Herman, not even for a pair of earrings.
Rena's willingness to be independent had made her quite speechless.
Although she didn't like it, she couldn't force things so she had reluctantly compromised.
Rena shrugged helplessly. "She indeed has the ability, so I could only endure."
"Endure?" Mildred didn't like the word. She gritted her teeth. "If she gets you fired, then leave. How much is the salary? Just a few hundred bucks! With your abilities, you are even more fitting for greater works! Bring a waitress is after all temporary."
In Mildred's eyes, Rena was a shinning star with multiple outstanding skills.
If she does have the ambition, she would be able to outmatch many!
Rena smiled. She nodded. "Right."
She had never planned to be a waitress forever. For a while at most, until she saves enough money to start up a business.
As for what business it would be, even she was still contemplating. She hadn't decided yet.
Mildred took notice of Rena.
Her thoughtful eyes and her smile which barely held any enthusiasm.
She felt a pang in her heart.
There was a fact she realized.
No matter how remarkable she becomes in the future, she yet had a flaw she couldn't erase. She was an highschool dropout!
For the civilized society, that was overly contemptible. Even if she enters high society in the future, she would yet be undoubtedly looked down on.
She felt her body stiffen.
She turned to Rena and voiced softly. ",You are still in the early twenties, it's not too late to take up the highschool certificate exam and get into university."
Rena shook her head. "I don't have the interest."
She was truly not interested anymore. Now she just wanted to save up money, start up a business and live a stable, satisfactory life.
Mildred felt her vision suddenly blur. She took in a deep breath and mumbled hopelessly. "It's my fault, it's all my fault..."
If only she hadn't suffered that injury, if only she had just died, then Rena would had been a graduate by now.