Coby wanted to lie down for a bit, but suddenly remembered something important. Immediately he got up and started to run. Sweat coming down like rain, mixed with dirt that he accumulated from the ground. He knew he could not go to work like that but luckily for him his fast food joint was near a gas station. He quickly went to the public washroom and washed himself up.

  After that he went directly to his work. He's already late for the shift.

  Normally Coby wouldn’t have been this worried, but his manager Mr.Asmonbald was a punctual man, and on top of that, he was bald! Yeah he was a very serious bald man, when it came to running his fast food business. Mr.Asmonbald used to be a homeless person, but through hard work and luck managed to land a job in the fast food joint. No matter how difficult the profession was he stuck with it, because he liked his job. and finally became a fast food manager. He says, There is no other happiness than to be able to satisfy the hunger of people, by filling their stomach with delicious foods. Normally Mr.Asmonbald was an understandable person and he also let employees have the leftover food. But when it comes to cooking he becomes totally a different person. He doesn’t like putting customers in waiting. To him, the customer comes first and anything else after that. And not just that, it wasn’t the first time he was this late either. A month ago he had to do some errands for Nick, and was late for his work. At that time Mr.Asmonbald warned Coby that he is letting it slide this time but he won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour in the future.

  The moment he stepped inside, His manager Mr.Asmonbald shouted at him for being late. What were you thinking? Coming this late. How many times I've to teach you that, you need to be right on time.

  Uh… I.. I am deeply sorry Mr.Asmonbald an emergency came at the last moment, and I wasn’t able to come early. I apologi…

  Mr.Asmonbald interrupted Coby with an irritated voice, Stop apologising, it wont feed the hungry customers. If you don’t wanna work here then just say it.

  After giving Coby an earful he ordered him to the kitchen.

  The evening rush hours had already begun. Coby changed his clothes and quickly headed to the kitchen, though his body ached badly from Nick’s punches. But despite the pain he continued to flip patties. But still he couldn't stop thinking about how the manager yelled at him earlier. What made it worse was Suzi’s presence.

  Suzi was a co-worker of his, a sharp tongued girl with a huge chest. Uh.. I mean shoulders. Her long dark hair swiftly edged gently on her body. She also had deep black eyes that made her stand out even more. She wore a simple white shirt and a red apron and black pants below. But even in that basic outfit she somehow stood out. She was confident and walked like she owned the place. But she wasn’t always like this.

  Coby had once confessed to her. At that time he was new to his job and didn’t know how to operate many things in the restaurant. Suzi was the one who actually taught him how to do those things. And not just that, she also taught him how to flip patties nicely without over cooking them, or taught him how to fry crispy french fries. On top of that she let Coby have her share of leftover food and used to drop him home if the shift got too late in her moped.

  Seeing how nice she was to him, Coby had a twinkle in his eyes. Coby was naive and didn’t know any better. And he mistook her behaviour towards him as a form of interest. thinking maybe she saw something in him.

  One night when she dropped Coby near his apartment, Coby proposed to her immediately.

  Hey I think I'm in love with you, will you be my girlfriend?

  Huh? That came out of nowhere. It kind of makes me weird, Suzi answered nonchalantly. But I've to give you credit for your boldness. Now let's make this conversation straight, literally. I cannot date you.

  Ba.But.. you’re so nice to me and helped me so much in work, Coby tried to reason with a worried look. That's why I am able to fulfil Mr.Asmonbald’s demands. Without you he would have fired me long ago. Also you give all your share of food to me without eating.

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  Ha ha ha Suzi started to laugh historically and said, that was part of my job you dummy. Look, you and I don't match up as a couple.

  What are you talking about? Coby asked with a confused look. You are the perfect person I was looking for this whole time. Do you want me to say it out loud? About you being a fut.

  Stop! You don’t have to say it outloud okay, I get it already. Suzi interrupted in annoyance.

  All I wanted to say is you are not up to my standard. You are so short and fat. Even though you claimed to be five point ten inches, I know you're just five feet.

  Ba..but five is average, Coby interrupted in panic.

  But I do not want average, Suzi raised her voice. I will only date guys who are above six feet tall or above. And honestly speaking. I wouldn’t date a guy who works at a Mcdonalds.

  Oh and about the food, I gave it to you because I'm on a diet, and I wouldn’t wanna become a fat loser like you.

  Suzi replied bluntly and left. without caring to hear further what Coby has to say.

  Hearing Suzi’s point of view about himself left Coby speechless.

  Coby, left alone on the street, with a broken heart.

  After that he noticed two female dogs on the street, one was a small shiranian breed female dog and another one was a female Rhodesian Ridgeback breed. Both seemed stray and were roaming near his apartment building. The smaller one seemed energetic and circled around Coby and wagged her tail like crazy. It seems she already smelled the food that Coby was holding. but for some reason the big one looked a bit sad. Or maybe it's just her face that looked that way, Coby thought to himself. His hunger had already died because of the earlier conversation with Suzi. So he decided to give all those smash burgers to the dogs.Both dogs ate the food and waggled their tales with joy.

  For some reason seeing the dog's happiness made Coby forget about the earlier insult from Suzi. And he decided to not press any further after that day.

  Even then her behavior towards Coby changed completely. Whenever Coby tries to have a conversation about anything, even work related, he is met with bitterness and mockery.

  Now back to present Coby was busy preparing burgers, but while taking the orders the pain from Nick’s beating started to catch up with him. Ah. my entire body hurts like hell. Maybe I should rest a bit. No, I've already wasted too much time. I cannot ask for a break now. Mr.Asmonbald might actually fire me, If I slack off anymore. And I cannot let my mother carry all the burden by herself, Coby thought to himself and continued to work. Every movement hurt but he pushed through. At one point while preparing burgers he accidentally dropped all the patties on the floor. Before he could react Suzi immediately called out to the manager. Mr.Asmonbald stormed in already stressed from the rush. Quick! Why did you call me?

  Uh.. Mr.Asmon look, what Coby just did, Suzi pointed her finger at the dropped patties. The customer already has waited too long for their Burger, Now they have to wait even longer. He might give a bad review on the internet. Don't you think Mr.Asmon? Suzi asked with a fake worried face.

  Seeing the mess and his reputation on the line Mr.Asmonbald could not hold his anger any longer and unleashed all his frustration on Coby. Where is your mind at? Do you want my reputation to be ruined?

  Suzi stood by watching with a smirk, clearly enjoying the show.

  Coby felt humiliated, Being scolded is one thing but being laughed at by the girl who had once rejected him, that caught deeper than what Nick could diss out.

  I was feeling a little fatigued. It won't happen again, Coby replied with a sad look.

  But Mr.Asmonbald was not buying anything that Coby had to say.

  I've already had enough of your excuses. You’re fired! Don’t come here ever again. Mr.Asmonbald shouted.

  Hearing the dreaded words that Coby didn’t want to hear made his heart stop, he quickly asked for forgiveness. I’m so sorry Mr.Asmonbald it wont happen again. So please don’t fire me. I really need this job.

  Suzi also stopped smirking and tried to calm Mr.Asmon down. Um.. Mr.manager don't come to the conclusion that quickly I just wanted him to get scolded for his action, If you fire him it’ll be difficult to find another worker that quick. Besides, in the end it's the customers who will suffer the most, not him. Think about the customers who have already waited for too long. So I request you not to fire him. I will make sure he won't do anything stupid in the future. Suzi explained to the manager.

  Hearing Suzi’s reasoning Mr.Asmon calmed down a bit and dropped the thought of firing Coby. Okay, do not make any mess and start to work, The customers are waiting.

  After that, Coby started to prepare burgers again.

  After the rush hour ended Suzi came by to Coby, who was busy cleaning his earlier mess. Hey, I saved your butt earlier, so don’t you think you should clean and wrap up my part of the job as a form of thank you? You see, I’ve a meeting to attend so I’m planning to head out early. Or should I tell Mr.Asmon that you didn’t listen to my request?

  Already mentally and physically drained Coby didn’t try to argue further and cover her part of the job as well. After finishing his exhausting shift he finally left the restaurant and headed home. Dragging his feet and trying not to let the day get to him too much. He thought to himself at least his job wasn’t bad as a grape picker. And It’s not like he didn’t have the worst days before.