Chapter 320 Principles
Anna watched Charlotte's tantrum with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Taking a deep breath to keep her cool, she said, "Look, the leftovers still belong to the store. You can't just take them. And it's not like you're eating the leftovers; you always go for the best coffee. The store has rules—employees can't just take food and drinks. It's about keeping things fair and orderly."
Charlotte, realizing she was in the wrong, was left speechless. She shot Anna a glare, muttered something under her breath, and stormed off in a huff.
As Charlotte walked away, Anna shook her head in resignation. She knew someone like Charlotte would never understand the store's rules and principles. She just hoped Charlotte would find a job that suited her better and learn to respect others' hard work and the store's property.
Nearby, Serafina was eyeing a job posting. She bit her lip and gathered the courage to ask softly, "I see you're hiring for general help. What kind of work does that involve? If I can handle it, maybe I could take on more to help out."
Anna looked at Serafina with a hint of surprise and smiled. "It's mostly daily tasks like cleaning, organizing shelves, and helping prepare ingredients. If you're willing to learn, you could also try some simple tasks like making coffee or baking basic pastries. Our store isn't big, but there's always plenty to do, so we need someone to help manage things."
Serafina felt a surge of excitement. She believed she could handle the work and was eager to learn new skills.
"I'd love to help! I'm more than willing to take on the extra work!" Serafina quickly responded, her eyes shining with determination.
Serafina's enthusiasm took Anna aback. She hadn't expected Serafina to volunteer for two jobs and was concerned about the toll it might take. She thought for a moment and then advised, "But the job also involves cleaning, washing dishes, and other tough tasks. Your delivery job is already exhausting, and adding this on top might be too much. Your body might not be able to handle it."
But Serafina shook her head firmly and said, "I can do it. I really need this job. Please believe me, I can handle it."
Anna saw the determination in Serafina's eyes and felt a pang of sympathy. She insisted, "You're still young. It's good to work hard, but you shouldn't push yourself too much. Why do you need the money so badly? Isn't it just you and your grandpa at home? How much could he possibly need?"
Serafina lowered her head and, after a moment of silence, quietly said, "My grandpa is sick and needs a lot of money for treatment. I don't want him to worry, so I need to earn more."
Her face showed a worried expression as she continued, "My grandpa is old and often unwell. He has Alzheimer's, which is really tough to manage. I need to earn money to support us, but I also need someone to look after him during the day. Sometimes he wanders off, and it scares me. I want to hire someone to take care of him during the day so I can work without worrying. It's not a big city here, so hiring help isn't too expensive."
Anna felt a deeper understanding of Serafina's situation. She looked at Serafina with sympathy and admiration, knowing she was a responsible and devoted granddaughter willing to do anything for her family.
"Serafina, you have it tough," Anna said with a sigh. "How about this: you work here during the day, and I'll help you find someone to take care of your grandpa."
Serafina's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Really? That would be amazing! Thank you so much!"
Anna smiled and shook her head. "Don't mention it. We're like family here. Your grandpa is our elder too, so we'll do our best to help. You focus on your work, and leave the rest to me."
Anna admired Serafina's determination but was also concerned about her taking on too much. "About the job, I can't decide alone. You should talk to Bella."
Hearing Anna's words, Serafina's eyes showed a grateful light. She knew that Anna was helping her, giving her a chance to make her request to Bella. So, she nodded and said, "Okay, thank you, Anna."
She then went to find Bella, feeling both nervous and hopeful. Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Bella, can I take on two jobs here?"
Bella was startled by the request. She looked at Serafina with a mix of surprise and concern. Understanding Serafina's situation, she asked, "Are you sure? It might be too much for you."
Serafina nodded firmly. "I'm sure. My grandpa is sick and needs care. Hiring help is a big expense for me, so I need to earn more to cover it."
Serafina's dedication moved Bella. "Alright, if you're sure, I'll agree. But remember, your health is important. Don't overwork yourself. If you face any difficulties, let us know."
Serafina's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you! I'll work hard. I've discussed the details with Anna. I can handle the work, and if it gets too much, you can hire someone else. And if two salaries are too much, you can pay me less."