Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Gina
“I’d never applied for a job before. As a matter of fact, I never even thought about getting a job before. I didn’t need one. I’d been listed as an employee in my parents’ company since I was five years old, and they’d paid me with an allowance that increased the older I got.
I had always been making my own checks, but it was because I was on their payroll. Now that I was planning on cutting all ties with them, I’d left all my bank cards, credit cards, and everything that tied me to my parents’ money at home. I was ready to get out in the world and make it on my own.
I was sitting at a diner on the local Army base, looking over the first application I had ever filled out.
I didn’t even know where to start. Putting my name at the top was clear because at least I knew that.
It was also easy to fill in my birthday and other basic information, but it was things such as previous work experience that I struggled with.
The only thing I’d ever known how to do was sing.
I didn’t know how to cook, clean, or do any other necessities.
I grew up in a home filled with chefs, maids, and people who swarmed my house and did everything for me.
That was a blessing and a curse because I’d been blessed to have everything my heart desired and people who waited on me hand and foot.
But now that I had to figure out how to make it in the world alone, I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I didn’t even know where to begin.
Getting frustrated with the whole process, I picked up the application from the table and slid out of the booth. I walked over to the counter and placed the application there before asking to speak to a manager.
“May I speak with the manager, please?”
“Sure,” the cashier assured. “Did you need help with the application?”
“No, I’d just like to speak with someone.”
“Okay, just give me a second. Step to the side, and I’ll have her come up in just a second. You can actually just have a seat again. I’ll send her over to the table.”
“Okay. I appreciate you.” I thanked her for her help before walking away.
I thought of myself as a naturally nice person.
My mom had raised me with the decency not to be snobby, and I wasn’t one of those rich kids who didn’t know how to treat people.
Although I’d grown up sheltered, my heart was made of gold.
I knew from a young age that everyone deserved to be as appreciated as the next, no matter if you came from the richest family or the poorest.
When I got back over to the booth, I didn’t turn my legs inward.
Instead, I left them outward and crossed them over my lap with the application sitting neatly on the table beside me.
The diner was packed, which only heightened my nervousness as I waited for the manager to walk over to me.
I watched her as she got closer and stood to greet her.
“I’m Regina.” I stuck my hand out to shake hers.
“Ms. Audrey.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Audrey. I don’t want to keep you long, but I was looking over the application, and I see you asked for prior work experience.
Now, I don’t want you to be alarmed, but I’ve never had a job before.
But let me tell you a few things about myself.
I’ve been singing since the age of five.
I got a voice on me that many people cannot believe.
If you want me to audition, I have no problem.
So, I was thinking that I could come here and maybe entertain some of your guests, and you could pay me whatever you see fit. ”
I had it all worked out in my mind. I knew soldiers were stuck here on base day in and day out. They could provide a little entertainment, and I wanted to help with that. Besides, I was desperate. I needed her to say yes.
I could tell by the polite smile Ms. Audrey flashed that she wasn’t going to say yes. I’d seen that smile before. It was the smile my mom always gave when she was already saying no in her head. I knew it well.
“That’s nice. Gina, did you say?”
“Yes, ma’am. My name is Gina.”
“Okay.” She took the application from my hand before letting it fall to her side.
“We’re not exactly in the market for a singer right now, but I do have an opening for a cook.
The job pays eighteen dollars an hour, and I will give you sufficient hours to make it worth coming here.
Although I don’t have what you’re looking for, we’d be happy to have you. ”
“I really appreciate that, Ms. Audrey, but I don’t know how to cook. I’ve never cooked a day in my life.”
“Okay, that’s fine. What about waiting tables?” I hesitated to tell her I didn’t know how to do that either. My pause caused her to continue trying to convince me. “I can take one of my waiters off the tables, put her as the cook, and I’ll make you a waitress.”
“I don’t know anything about waiting tables either.”
I dropped my head after letting the words roll from my lips. People were starting to tune in to our conversation, and I was becoming more embarrassed by the second. To make matters worse, I saw him when he came through the door with his eyes already locked on me.
Just as the manager and I were finishing up our conversation, he and his entourage were getting closer to where we were standing. They slid one by one into the booth right next to us. He gave me a sexy nod as he sat with the rest of his people.
I wanted so badly not to acknowledge him, but after the way the butterflies flew in my stomach as soon as my eyes landed on him, I knew there was no way I could act like I didn’t see him.
I shot him a quick smile before returning my attention to the conversation I’d all but tuned out.
If it wasn’t for her scratching her throat to bring my attention back to her, I would’ve forgotten she was standing there at all.
“I’m sorry, but unless you’re willing to be a cook or waitress, I don’t have anything for you.”
“Please, just give me a chance. Let me audition. I could start right now.”
“That won’t be necessary,” she said, holding up her hand to stop me. “Like I said, we’re not in the market for a singer.” She handed the application back and turned on her heels, letting me know that I’d taken up enough of her time.
In that moment, I knew I was a little out of my arena. I’d stood there, begging for a position that didn’t exist. All my life, I’d seen myself as hyper independent because I was always alone and had to be. But the truth was, although my parents weren’t around, I was never alone.
I had people willing to bend to my every whim, which was why I expected the same thing here.
I was used to getting what I wanted. So, when I asked her to create a position for me, I thought, what the hell?
Surely, she would do it. This was my first taste of knowing what it felt like to not have everything I wanted, and I didn’t like it at all.
Sinking back into my seat, I let my head drop for a second.
I didn’t know what I was going to do. I didn’t even have a place to stay.
I’d slept in my rental car last night, and I only had a few more days before I had to turn it in.
I needed a job, and not only that, but I also needed a place to stay.
For the first time in my life, I had to figure things out without my parents’ name or money.
Before I could soak in my unhappiness, he slid into the booth with me just as he had the night before.
He pushed his body up as close as he could get to me.
I wasn’t in the mood for company, but the way he looked at me let me know he wasn’t going anywhere.
If I hadn’t learned anything else about him the night before, I knew he was not only cocky but also pushy as hell.
“So you looking for a job means you planning on being around for a little while? His nosy ass had been listening to our conversation.
“Well, it looks like I won’t get any luck here.”
“Maybe you would if you stopped being so stuck in your own ways.” He hinted at what he’d just talked to me about the night prior.
“This is not me being stuck in my own ways. I honestly don’t know how to do anything but sing. Singing is all I’ve ever done,”
“Just because singing is all you’ve ever done, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new. You got people here that’s willing to teach you whatever you need to know, but you keep getting in your own way. Why is that?”
I didn’t have an answer to his question. Everything that came out of Ramel’s mouth made so much sense, but it was still hard to hear. As much as I wanted to deny it, he was right. I had to start learning different things, or else I wasn’t going to make it out there in the world alone.
“You’re right,” I agreed, finally letting my eyes meet his.
“Come on. I’ll take you back over there to talk to her. She got a sweet spot for me.” He winked before sliding out of the booth.
Once he was on his feet, he held his hand out for me to grab, and I grabbed it instinctively, just as I did the night before. Something about the palm of his hand wrapping around mine felt like home. He calmed me even when I didn’t know I was unsettled. I smiled when he gripped it tighter.
We walked back to the counter hand in hand, but I stood to the side as he got ready to plead my case.
I could tell by the smile on Ms. Audrey’s face when she greeted and gave Ramel the biggest hug, he was about to get whatever he wanted.
It was like watching a spoiled grandchild with his grandma on his mom’s side.
“Now, where have you been? I haven’t seen you in days,” she greeted before letting him go and looking him up and down as if she was doing an inspection.
“You know Cap be working us like dogs. We barely have time to eat.”
“Don’t lie on me!” his friend, whom I assumed was Cap, yelled from their booth.
Ms. Audrey and Ramel’s conversation got quieter as they walked toward the back, but I could see her still smiling. That had to be a good sign. When he walked back over to me, he let me know that I would be starting in the morning.
“Thank you!” I squealed, jumping into his arms without thinking.
“No biggie,” he said once I finally let him go. “Good luck with everything.”
Ramel walked back to his booth to join his friends, and I thanked Ms. Audrey for giving me a chance.
All I had to do was be there at five in the morning to start my new life.
I had no idea how my first day would look, but it didn’t matter.
I was just excited to get my first real job.
No matter how much it paid, I would be making my own money, and there was not a single soul who could take that from me.