From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

“Carole’s daughter is a real beauty, just like her!” one of the neighbors remarked.

“Pretty, sure, but it’s a shame she’s born on the wrong side of the blanket,” another chimed in, shaking disapprovingly.

“I’ll never understand Carole. With her looks, she could’ve married anyone. Why become the “other woman‘? At last, she got nothing out of it and ended up living in a basement.”

“Well if you play with fire, you’ll end up in the cellar, right? Nobody forced her to wreck someone else’s home.”

*Karma!”

Before long. Carole arrived at the rotisserie, where she worked, with Anthea in tow.

The owner was a robust woman in her forties named Harriet.

Upon hearing Carole wanted to quit, Harriet was none too pleased. “It’s our busiest season, and you’re quitting out of the blue. Where can I find someone on such short notice?”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I just….” Carole stammered, feeling guilty.

“I run a business, not a charity. I’d have to shut down if all my staff up and left like you. If your want to quit, you’ve got to give me a month’s notice. You leave now, and I’m docking a month’s pay!”

After hearing that, Carole quickly backtracked, “Then I won’t quit.”

A month’s wages, over one thousand dollars, was a lot for her to lose.

Anthea stepped forward, addressing Harriet. “Ma’am, my mom’s not well and needs some rest. How about I take over her shifts for a month? Give you time to find someone else?”

“You?” Harriet sized Anthea up. “No offense, darling, but this isn’t a job for someone like you.” Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Anthea’s mother tugged at her hand. “Ann, maybe we should just let the wages go…”

But Anthea smiled and insisted, “Please, ma’am, let me try! If it doesn’t work out, you can fire

me.”

Amused by the girl’s determination, Harriet relented. “Fine, I’ll give you a chance for your guts and devotion. But let me be clear. If you can’t handle it, you’re out. No second chance.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Be here by 6:30 pm for your shift,” Harriet added before they left.

After leaving the rotisserie, Anthea took her mother to a local pharmacy.

“What are we doing at a pharmacy?” Carole asked, puzzled.

“We’re getting some meds, Mom. Rest alone won’t do it. Your body needs proper care.”

11:19

At the Morris Mansion, the butler rushed into the living room urgently. “Sir, ma’am, the Christensens will be here any minute!”

“So soon?” Daly was shocked.

He had only heard in the morning that the Christensen family was back in town and facing bankruptcy. But he hadn’t expected them to come knocking so quickly.

Sandra frowned slightly. “The Christensen family returned at this critical time. Could it be about their youngest son’s engagement to our Rebecca?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Daly replied tersely. “They’re in a financial mess, on the verge of ruin. They’re just looking to plug their funding gap with a marriage alliance!”

“No way, Daly!” Sandra spat out, “Our sweet Rebecca tying the knot with a family that’s barely hanging on? I don’t think so!”

To Sandra, Rebecca was the moon among stars, a celestial beauty:

She couldn’t possibly tie the knot with a practically destitute family. No way!

“As if I needed you to tell me that. I know Rebecca can’t marry into that mess!” Daly’s face was stormy with anger.

The engagement between the Christensen and the Morris families was no secret in their circles. The Morris family had a legacy of centuries. Canceling the engagement at this point would be scandalous.

They needed a solution that would save face for everyone involved.