MCPHEARSON FAST FOOD CHAIN-E

Astrid arrived much earlier than expected. She met Ms Reanna and she was introduced to the crew. She was right at guessing 4 vampires and 3 humans. Her teammate was attentive, and she maintained a cordial relationship with them, answering them in short answers. Never ask personal questions and never tell.

Astrid learned how to prepare the orders, pack them, how to minimize walking and clean up after leaving her workstation. She did not learn the cooking or the till part as she was assigned to learn the basics before moving up the ladder.

She noticed that only girls assigned to work behind the till. She asked Ms Reanna and her reply was short.

`You are not pretty or sultry enough dear'.

Astrid smiled and almost laughed but closed her mouth. I think I'm better working behind here than the front counter, she thought.

She finished her shift at 6 pm and collected her salary. She chooses the daily wages option, where a portion of her salary will be held back and released at the end of the month. She left for the wet market while nibbling on her apple pie.

As soon as she arrived, she went to her booth and unlocked it. She turned on the lights, dusted her booth, and set up her creams and oils.

`Hello, Astrid, you were missing for a week now. Are you ok?' Mrs Farrow asked her. Mrs Farrow sells trinkets made of glass and ceramic. She was like a grandmother to her, always talking to her, telling her stories from her youth, her children who abandoned her and lastly her dear husband who dies a few years ago, leaving her with an empty house and a broken heart.

`Nice to meet you too. I was busy with my night classes. Last term to complete my degree'

`Will you be closing your shop permanently?' Mrs Farrow seemed sad.

`No, no. That will never happen. I need to make as much money as I can'. Astrid replied cheerfully.

`Alright, Astrid I won't disturb your work', she turned to attend a customer who stopped by to buy some trinkets. Mrs Farrow liked Astrid a lot. She reminded her of her youthful days selling trinkets to make a living and continuing so until her golden years. She deserves a better life than this, Mrs Farrow thought.

Astrid had a steady stream of customers who came to her and bought her essential oils and herbs. Initially the business was slow and she was barely surviving but after some time and word of mouth spread, her stall started reaping profits. One of her favourite customers was a butler always dressed impeccably and had a warm smile on his lips.

`It has been so long, Astrid', the butler spoke.

`So sorry, busy with studies', she replied sheepishly.

`I need the regular order', the butler eyed other oils and saw something new in the display.

`Are you selling candles now?'

`Yes, they smell exactly like the oil but I'm still experimenting on it.'

`Have you ever thought of changing the name from Jungle Jones to Jungle Girl =Astrid?'

Astrid laughed at the butler's joke and said,` It rhymes better with pop than mine'

`I will try the ylang-ylang, citrus, cinnamon, and peppermint candle. Can you add some extra lavender oil, it seems to disappear quickly and the young miss always throws tantrums at her missing oils', the butler added.

`You mean Jungle Jones is in demand in your household?' Astrid was ecstatic.

`Yes, dear. And I suspect I know who the thief is. Or rather thieves, I suppose. Do you have any oils I can use to reduce some swelling on the face?', the butler thought of Hadwin and why not try to pacify his pain.

`Yes, I have a mixture of lemongrass and almond oil. It should do the trick'

Astrid placed all his orders in a box before typing a green ribbon around it. She made a cool $482 from the butler alone. Satisfied with her sales she closed her shop early.

As soon as Astrid arrived at her hut, she took a long shower and snuggled into bed. She was tired from all the walking today. When her eyes were about to close her phone dinged. Who could it be? She wondered and looked at her phone.

`Saturday, 7.30 pm, Riverdale Mansion, Stargaze Lane,47880'.

Shit! So fast? That's 2 days away. She groaned and pushed her misery away for tomorrow.