Reality is cruel

"How's the interview going? Found anyone yet?" Aaron asked as he eyed the girl who is sitting in a daze before Edgar. He flashes a friendly smile towards the girl and gave her a nod in greetings. Although still in a daze, she politely returned his nod.

Edgar then handed a few sheets of paper to him. "You can pick from this pile."

The girl and Edgar watched as Aaron browse through the papers before he nods with an expression full of satisfaction on his face. Out of habit, Aaron passed the papers to Devon who has been standing next to him. And out of habit, Devon received it. It was only after a few seconds later that the both of them stiffen and Aaron recollect the paper with a 'hehe' and returned them to Edgar.

"How about hers? Is it in the pile?" The girl who thought her existence has been forgotten finally made her appearance. Though, she doesn't really mind...

"I'm still reviewing her resume." Edgar then hands her resume that he has been staring for a good ten whole minutes over to Aaron.

"Take a break. You've been here since ten o'clock. I'll take over." Aaron then proceeded to pull Edgar out of the seat by the arm. "The food's in the bag over there. You guys go ahead and eat first."

The girl who is witnessing the whole interaction in VIP seat: (￣〃￣)

Edgar gave a helpless smile before relenting and proceeded to sit at another table and take out the Tupperware. Devon silently followed behind Edgar and took a seat. Not bothering to lend a hand at all.

At the same time, Aaron has taken over Edgar's previous seat and finished skimming through the resume. Lifting his gaze, he greeted. "Sorry. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Aaron. The co-owner of AE's."

The girl who has been dazing in her own world was finally reeled back to reality. Upon hearing that Aaron is the co-owner of the restaurant, the girl was stunned at first. From his look, she deduced that he should be about her age. He's probably one of those people who don't look old as they age? She comforted herself. She then politely says, "Greetings, Sir. I'm Vivian."

The atmosphere during the interview with Aaron is much better as he approached people in a very friendly manner. So Vivian's tenseness and nervousness from sitting before a silent, expressionless Edgar just before have eased up a lot. The other interviewee who saw his friendly and relaxed manner also sighs in relief. Every one of them agrees they're a lucky batch.

Aaron, "Seeing that we're the same age, I hope you don't mind I don't keep the formality. You don't have to call me Sir. Just call me Aaron."

[Vivian received the "Reality is cruel" curse from Aaron. Sustained 9999 damage.]

Upon hearing his words, Vivian's glass heart shattered a little. While she's struggling to look for a job, this man before her is already setting up a restaurant of his own. She can't help but wonder where she had gone wrong in her life. Is this...my retribution...?

(ಥ﹏ಥ)

Despite her internal breakdown, she still responds with the same amount of politeness as before. "Alright."

With that, Aaron continued. "Do you have any experience being a server before?"

Vivian shook her head, but with a voice full of confidence, she said, "But I can learn. I'm a quick learner. I'm good with my hands. I can do anything. I have a good personality too, which is essential in the service industry. You can work me to the bone. I don't mind!"

She has decided to cry and roll on the floor while begging just before. This amount of shamelessly promoting herself is nothing in her eyes. She stared into Aaron's eyes intensely. One can see the fire of determination burning in that pair of round beautiful eyes. 

Aaron laughed at her answer. Although he finds it funny, he can't ignore the desperation in her words. Leaning forward, he lightly probes in a low voice, tone serious, "You can't possibly be running away from home are you?"

After saying his piece, he saw that pair of round eyes widened. She was silent for a moment before saying, "It's not that I ran away from home. But if I don't nab a job by today, my parents are going to drag me back home tomorrow. I don't want to leave X City. In fact, you can give them a call to confirm. That might be good too. I can show them that I'm finally employed."

Aaron was amused by her answer. It's good to be young and spirited. It has been ages since he last encountered someone like Vivian. The corner of his mouth turned up a little. He then proceeded to say, "You see, I'm looking for a long-term employee. According to your qualification, you might be able to go somewhere better than AE. You might be able to nab a job that's in line with your major..."

Before he could finish his words, Vivian suddenly cut him off, "With the benefits and salary that you're offering, I can sign a lifetime contract with you right now. Of course, I also wish that I can grow along with the company. And if my performance is to your satisfaction, I hope you'd consider giving me a promotion. After all, we're in a lifetime contract. I can't possibly be a server my whole life."

It was only now that Aaron finally realized what desperation can do to people. To sign a lifetime contract at her age without batting an eyelid. How badly did she want to stay in X City? He was left utterly speechless at her answer. He can see that Vivian truly has a good personality and is rather quick-witted.

After the initial shock, Aaron cackled to his heart content, which attracts the attention of Edgar, Devon, and the rest of the applicants. Wiping the happy tears lingering at the corner of his eyes, he finally said. "Alright! Let's sign a lifetime contract now!"

Vivian was so happy that she immediately jumped from her chair and pounce at Aaron to give him a big hug while thanking him endlessly. It was a long hug and Aaron even responded by patting her back a few times with a doting smile plastered on his face. After that, the arms around his neck lowered to his shoulder as she pushed herself up to stand up and look straight into his eyes. With great seriousness, she said, "Great. Let's call my parents now."

Cling! Clang!

Those in the restaurant who has been confused by the sudden shoujo-manga-like development of the interview finally snapped out of their daze upon hearing the sound of the metal hitting the tiled floor. Everyone's attention finally shifted to the source of it.

A man as pale as a spirit greeted them while his hand still hangs mid-air. One can see the missing spoon if one looks down at the floor. It was the boss...

=====

Edgar: Did...did Aaron just propose to a girl he just sees for a few minutes? *breaks down*

Devon: *pats pats pats*