Chapter 321 New Employee
Bella watched Serafina, who was always ready to go the extra mile for her family, and felt a wave of admiration. Smiling, she waved her hand and said, "Of course, if you're taking on two jobs, you should get paid for both. Give it a shot, but if you start feeling worn out, let me know. Don't push yourself too hard. We all want you to be okay, alright?"
Serafina nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement. "Can I start today? I saw there's a ton of stuff in the kitchen that needs washing. I can jump in right now since I've got some free time!"
Bella chuckled and nodded. She often saw Serafina buzzing around the store like a busy bee, and it always made her feel a mix of amusement and helplessness. She really liked Serafina.
"Alright, you can start now," Bella said. "But take care of yourself and don't overdo it. If you need any help, just holler."
Serafina responded cheerfully and immediately got to work. She grabbed a dishcloth and cleaning supplies, diligently washing the kitchen's dishes and utensils. Despite the hard work, she always had a satisfied and happy smile on her face.
As time went by, Serafina gradually got the hang of the busy job and performed increasingly well. However, the workload was too much for just one person, so Bella and Anna were constantly on the lookout for new staff to replace Charlotte.
A month later, a young girl named Lily Martin joined the team. Compared to Charlotte, Lily made a much stronger impression.
Lily had a clean and striking presence, with a tall and well-proportioned figure. She never wore heavy makeup but had an indescribable elegance that made people take a second look. Her skin was a beautiful tan that many envied.
Lily preferred casual clothes and always tied her hair into a simple ponytail, showcasing her efficiency and confidence.
Moreover, Lily was never late. No matter the weather, she always arrived at the store on time.
Lily's arrival undoubtedly added a fresh vibe to the store. Her diligence, hard work, and self-discipline impressed both Bella and Anna, and she got along very well with them.
Days passed, and the store's atmosphere became increasingly harmonious. Although the income fluctuated slightly, it remained profitable. At the end of the month, Bella paid Lily and Serafina their salaries but decided to forgo her own for now. She thought it was fair to repay Anna first since she hadn't invested any money initially. Once the debt was cleared, she would consider her earnings.
As winter quietly arrived, the first snow fell, and the number of customers decreased. Due to the cold weather, more people opted for takeout, increasing the store's delivery orders. Whenever Serafina was busy, Lily would step in to help with deliveries, and their teamwork was highly efficient.
Bella sat in the store, flipping through the calendar and planning the store's future. She realized Christmas was only twenty days away, presenting a great business opportunity. However, when she tried to brainstorm promotional activities or creative ideas, her mind was blank.
Bella decided to take a break and go for a walk, hoping to find some inspiration. She bundled up in a heavy coat and stepped out into the snow-covered streets. Snowflakes danced in the air, and the shops along the street were decked out with lights and decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
As Bella strolled and took in the sights, ideas began to form in her mind. She thought about hosting a Christmas-themed party, inviting customers to join, and offering special holiday drinks and dishes. She could also include interactive activities like raffles and trivia to make the event fun and engaging.
When she returned to the store, her face was lit with excitement. She immediately gathered Lily and Serafina to share her ideas. Both of them agreed and offered their suggestions and opinions. After a thorough discussion and planning, they finalized the event's details.
In the following days, they busily prepared for the event. They bought decorations, prepared ingredients, and designed promotional posters. Each task was challenging yet enjoyable, and they eagerly anticipated Christmas.
Among them, Anna was the most excited. She patted her chest confidently and said, "Leave it to me! Don't worry, I'm great at organizing promotional events. I promise we won't lose money, and I'll give everyone a discount. We need to make customers feel like they're getting a great deal so they'll keep coming back."
After speaking, she seemed to remember something, her brow furrowing slightly with a hint of hesitation. Bella noticed and curiously asked, "What's wrong? Is there something you can't handle?"
Anna hesitated for a moment, as if making a big decision, and finally spoke, "You have to promise not to get mad when you hear this."
Bella couldn't help but smile wryly. "My life is pretty good right now, busy but fulfilling. My mindset is great, and nothing can really upset me. Unless our store goes under, that's the only thing I can't accept. So, just say it, no need to beat around the bush."
"Sterling and Colin, they opened a financial company together in that fancy office building across the street!" Anna blurted out quickly, her eyes filled with urgency and unease as she watched Bella's reaction.
Bella's hand trembled slightly, causing the coffee in her cup to ripple. Her face showed a mix of disbelief and confusion. "What? How is that possible? How did you find out?"
Bella bombarded Anna with questions, her voice calm but unable to hide the underlying turmoil.
Anna, feeling even more anxious, swallowed hard and explained, "I saw it on social media, a news article about Sterling and Colin starting a new company together, right across the street. I didn't believe it at first, but after checking, I found it was true. I thought you should know since our store is so close to their company. We might run into them any day."
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