The City Held Its Silence by Irel Knx 28

28 Business is dwindling 

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JASMINE’S POV 1 

“Josh take that to table 6,” the manager of the restaurant said as he expedited said from serving table of the kitchen. 

“Yes, sir,” Josh said and stepped forward to take the plates. He turned away from the table and leaving the kitchen to deliver the food to the tables. 

The manager turned back to the plates to myself and another waitress who the current waiters waiting for orders. “Megan, table 2 for you and Jasmine that’s for table 8,” he then indicated which of the plates we should take. 

“Alright, I said as I took the 4 plates for my table. I managed to balance them all in my 

arms. 

“Isn’t table 2 one of Mike’s tables? Megan complained. 

“I’m not sure where he is,” the manager said. 

“Every time,” Megan complained as she then picked up the plates. 

I left the kitchen and went to the dining area. “Here you go,”I said as I placed their 

meals down at table 8 and went to another table to take their order. 

Working at the restaurant was getting better. In the few weeks since I’d started working here I’d say I’d improved a lot. 

I was also feeling extra positive today after my talk with Keith yesterday. I had gotten rid of almost everything that Diana to bother me with and with the ever oblivious Keith wat. I wondered what nonsense she could try now that I’d done that. 

I also no longer had to worry about would be one of one. Which was to have to serve someone I knew. So far I’d served 4 people whom I recognised but none of them recognised me. 

Firstly I came to realise most wealthy people were snobbish, barely looking at or acknowledging waiters. So I didn’t have to worry about them looking at me and wondering if they recognised me 

Secondly the restaurant had a uniform for workers. Once I put it on I looked different from how I usually did. For an extra effect and good measure, I styled my hair 

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28 Business is dwindling 

differently so it would be harder for them recognise me. 

After the lunch service was done the other waiters and I went for a lunch break. This shift wasn’t too bad it was one of the less busier ones, I’d say. The was a seating area in one of the back rooms of the building. 

“Mike what the fuck!? I swear you didn’t work this shift at all!” Megan complained to Mike at the table we were sat at having our company lunch. 

It was Megan, Josh, Mike and me having lunch together. Mike and Megan were college students in their early 20s and they worked here part time like me. 

“There were several times I had to deliver plates to your tables ecause you were conveniently missing!” She continued to yell at Mike as we ate. 

Mike had a habit of getting out of doing work and making others step in and do it for him. That person often being Megan. I shook my head as I watched the two bicker. Reminded me of my conversation with Keith the day before. 

“There those two go again,” Josh casually commented. 

I looked at him, he was neither eating or paying attention to Megan and Mike. He was smoking a cigarette as he scrolled through his phone. He was in his early thirties and worked here full time but also said he was ina band. He had a too cool for school vibe 

about him. He was covered in tattoos 

“I went to the bathroom! What? a guy can’t get a break?” Mike defended himself to Megan. 

“Bathroom my ass that was the longest break ever! What, were you shitting bricks?!” 

“Why are you overreacting Megan, it’s not like there were many customers anyway,” Mike said to Megan. “This isn’t 2 years ago when you could barely breathe in the 

restaurant. 

“That’s not the point you jerk!” She yelled at him. 

I typically worked with with these three on my shifts. They were an interesting bunch but they were kind and friendly. They made me feel comfortable in no time at work 

Something about Mike and Megan’s argument caught my interest though. 

“What was the restaurant like 2 years ago?” I asked them what they meant. 

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28 Business is dwindling 

Megan and Mike turned to look at me pausing their argument. They then looked back at each other in confusion before a look of recognition appeared on their faces. 

“Oh that,” Megan said realising what I meant. 

Mike then spoke up. “I know you just started working here and I don’t mean to scare you but The Garden House chain isn’t performing as well as it used to.” 

“Really?” I asked in disbelief. 

“Yeah, business has slowly been dwindling.” She said in a low voice. 

“But isn’t the restaurant doing fine and I mean it has a decent amount of customers everyday?,” I asked them. 

“Sure it’s doing relatively well, but there used to be far more customers in the past. There was even a strict reservation and no walk–in policy because it was just that busy. 

Josh then looked up from his phone. “Yeah and the reservation list would be weeks in advance. Basically, business is slowly dwindling.” He sad to me. 

“Yeah ask Josh he’s one of the ancient ones he was here when the the previous owners 

were still in control.” Mike said. 

“Ancient?” Josh said to Mike a offended by the comment. 

Yeah I heard after the original owner sold the company to the new owners, it hasn’t been the same,” Megan whispered. 

“It’s true though,” Josh whispered. “The restaurant has changed since the change in 

owner.” 

I remembered I had found out who the new owners of The Garden House were. I had 

asked the manager. 

Apparently, the owner was the Carrington company. I was surprised when I found out. I never expected to hear of the Carringtons again… 

But it made sense they were practically the champions of restaurant industry, completely dominating it. They owned multiple successful fast food chains and restaurants in the country as well as internationally. I thought of the other restaurants I had applied to, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them were also under the Carrington company. 

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