A few days into the normal work grind, I get a voicemail from my boss at Hence. She asks me to stop by before my shift for a chat. Which makes me nervous, she’s never wanted to chat.
I’m finishing up inventory in the stock room at Lace of Desire when one of my co-workers tells me I have a delivery.
“Tell him to put it with the rest.” I’m not the only person in the store that can check in a freaking package.
“No, it’s a personal delivery.” She waggles her brows.
“Well, okay. I’ll be right out.” I finish up the last set of thongs and exit the stock room.
After walking out of the back room, I notice a customer from earlier is still shopping around. Her head pops up and we make eye contact. She smiles and walks my way.
“Excuse me…” she looks down at my name tag. “Agnes. I love this store so much. I was wondering if you could help me pick out a little something for my boyfriend.”
When she sees my face, she clarifies. “Something for me to wear for my boyfriend.” She giggles.
“No problem. We just got these new negligees with matching garter belts in that we can’t keep on the shelves. Let me show you them before they’re gone.”
On our walk over, I notice she keeps checking me out. Not in a sexual way, but in a curious way.
“Do you have a man Agnes?”
I laugh. “No, no one special in my life.”
“Really, that’s surprising. Not to be forward, but you’re very attractive.” She moves some stray blonde hair behind her ear and looks at me.
“When it’s meant to be it’ll happen. I’ve heard people say once you stop looking it falls into your lap.” And now I’m thinking about the Big D whom I haven’t seen in nearly two weeks because of Mimi’s little stunt.
“I don’t know. You have the look of love.”
“Oh, not at all. Here they are on this display.” I show her the nighties and she ends up grabbing one of every color.
“Thanks for your help Aggie. I’ll be seeing you around.”
“No problem. Have a nice day!”
I completely forgot about the package until I finally make my way to the front register. I’m surprised when I see the person with the package because I’m expecting a UPS guy, not some teenage kid. He’s looking bored out of his mind, like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Hi, you have a delivery for Agnes Fletcher?” I question.
“Yes ma’am. Here you go.”
He hands me a wrapped box then leaves like there’s a fire under his ass. I head for the back office to open it in privacy. Who the hell would send me a personal package at work? This better not be one of Jill’s gag gifts! I still can’t live down the anal beads I pulled out in front of a full store of people.
I sit at the chair behind the desk and stare at the package skeptically. Finally deciding to dig in, I make quick work of the box and in an instant a gorgeous pair of black heels are in my hands. And they have red bottoms! What the hell?
There’s a note at the bottom of the box.
Wear these on Friday.
This is getting a little weird. I’m not too highbrow to send these back, I’ll get plenty of use out of them at work. I’m trying to convince myself they are from my Big D. Well, not mine… you know what I mean.
He’s a delivery guy. He shouldn’t be able to afford designer shoes like these.
This is all getting out of hand and I know I should march down to the restaurant and return these shoes to him. But… I can’t. Maybe tomorrow.
Denial.
***
With my cute new heels on, I walk into work seeking out my boss Sherry. She’s pretty cool for a high-strung workaholic. If you’re doing your job and doing it well, she stays off your back and I’m her best waitress. It’s not bragging, it’s a fact.
I lightly knock on the door. “Come in!”
“Hey Sherry, you wanted to chat?” I try to act nonchalant even though I’m super nervous.
“Yes, how are you Aggie?” She stacks some papers she was going through then looks at me.
“I’m good, caught the Twilight marathon on TV last night.”
“Good, good. Okay I’m just going to cut to the chase. You’re getting a promotion.”
“Excuse me? Did you just say I’m getting a promotion?”
“I did. The higher ups have noticed your hard work and want to offer you a… make shift position of sorts. It doesn’t have an official title yet. You’d be traveling around to all the restaurants within the company making sure the wait staff are adequately trained and doing their jobs properly. It’s a new position, really new.” She says it like she can’t believe she’s offering this to me.
“Would there be a pay increase?” I question.
“There is!” She throws a number at me and I almost cry. That’s practically triple what I make from both of my jobs.
“Um, wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, someone really wants you in this position. This very new position.” She eyes me and I feel like I’m on trial.
“Hmm. I’m not sure I’ve met any of the owner’s. They said they wanted me for this position?” I question again.
“Yes. And it’s just one of them and he was very adamant that you accept the job.”
Who the hell is this he? It must be one of the owner’s, but why? “Do I have a few days to think this over?”
“Do you really need a few days sweetie?” She smiles and I can smell her disbelief across the desk.
“Well, yeah. I need to think it over.” Logical Aggie’s head is peeking out demanding to be seen. This mysterious person insisting I take the job is what’s throwing me off.
“You have a week then… not that I know why it’ll take you that long.”
“Thanks!” I smile and leave her office still unsure if this is all real.
To be able to work one job with regular hours… I’ve been working towards this since I turned 18. I couldn't afford college so instead, I worked. And I worked hard so I could move out of my grandmother’s and stop being a burden to her.
The answer’s definitely going to be yes. I’d be stupid to turn this opportunity down. I just need to process it all. And figure out who this he is.
I go into my shift with a huge smile on my face as I start working on what will hopefully be my last few days of being a waitress.