Home For My Soul

125|Stop the Problem

The restaurant is open at ten, so there are no customers in the dining room yet. But the commotion in the kitchen can attract the attention of people if not immediately handled. As soon as the security opened the kitchen door, the woman's shrill voice deafened my ears.

“Dark immigrants like you don't deserve to work here! I've done the right thing by firing you, because you dare to refute the orders of superiors!” his yell.

“Pak Husada,” said a chef, attracting the attention of everyone.

Everyone in the room looked up and saluted me. Except for one person who immediately approached me with a serious face. I knew this woman was a disaster once she became assistant manager without passing the selection.

“Theo, you have to report that person to the police. He's already breached the contract! I fired him yesterday because he's a criminal!” report Clara.

“Pak Husada,” my error.

“What?”

“When you speak in a working capacity, you must respect me as a superior here. Or do you want to dispute the superior's orders?” my challenge.

Realizing the mistake he made, he closed his lips. He had just scolded the employees on the grounds that he had denied it, then he should be an example by not opposing me in front of them. “Pak Husada.”

“What's the fuss?” ask me indifferently.

He pointed towards the chef he had been angry with. “I've fired him, but he dared to come again and challenge me.”

“Why did you fire him?”

“Do you not know? He's an illegal immigrant. This restaurant can get into big trouble if caught hiring people who break the law.”

“Carlos is not an illegal immigrant. She was born and grew up here.” I glanced at the man who was the subject of the conversation.

“It does not make him automatically become an American, Theo.” I looked at him hearing that last word. “Ah, I mean, Mr. Husada. He has a criminal record. He stole once and I'm sure he'll do it again here. It could be that he had already stolen expensive cookware and sold it. Your security needs to be replaced who knows they're working together.”

“He stole because his mother was sick. Ten-year-olds can't work. So, survival is not a crime.” Thanks to Daisy for getting all that info.

“The thief is a thief. He'll definitely do it again. I fired him for you. This restaurant needs workers who are free from criminal records.”

“Be careful, Miss Willis. I don't accept racist employees here. They've gone through a long and strict selection process, who knows you don't know.” I deliberately offended the way he got his position subtly.

“Carlos and the two colleagues you fired have been working here for over a year. They never make trouble. You've only been here a few months, how can you know more about how they work than I do?

“One more thing,” I said quickly, seeing him trying to interrupt. “I'm not a Native American either. Are you going to accuse me of being an illegal immigrant or that label you just stick to the head of a person whose level is below yours?

“If you can't cooperate with everyone who is here, you can get out anytime you want.” I opened my eyes to everyone. “You get paid by the hour, so this is the last time I see you guys just silent, not working.”

They were stunned for a moment, then hurried to their respective posts. I glanced at the manager standing by my side who from just now was silent. Such a small matter could not be dealt with. He who accepts all these employees, why is he also the one who is easily shaken by new people?

Returning to the room, Papa called and told them the date of their arrival as well as the name of the hotel we were staying at. I tagged the calendar on my phone so as not to forget that important day. I need to report this to Amarilis.

Seeing her look seriously thought on that night, I was surprised to find out why. What is not easy to believe is his own friend who did the fatal recklessness. I can understand his grief. If the value is worse than the previous semester, then the scholarship in the next semester is threatened to be canceled.

How could his best friend do this to him? Three days is enough time to check for errors and correct them. Why was it that until a week had passed, he was silent about the task? Poor Amarilis. He studied hard every day. I was his witness.

I promised her grades would be fine, so I kept it. I asked my bodyguards to check every CCTV recording of their activities during the discussion. The easy thing they get. I watched it myself and observed their movements.

“Good morning, Professor Bateman. Revise my thesis I have submitted for a long time.”

“I'm kidding. You're always serious.” He pointed to the chair in front of him. “So, what can I help you with?”

“I want to show you something.” I took out my tablet.

He watched the video I had cut, so he could focus on the important part only. He could see the campus emblem on the screen, so he checked it directly into the security section if he did not believe the edit video.

Amarylis spoke with five of her discussion groups. There was a date and time that the incident took place. An easy solution. Rather than fighting, this is better. Seeing him nod, then smile, I waited for his response patiently.

“This girl is your lover?” He smiled meaningfully. I didn't answer. “Ah, yes. There should be no discussion of personal matters. Okay. I'll list the value to which it belongs.”

“Professor won't ask first to his group friends?”

“I don't like being lied to, so I don't want him to lie to me twice,” he replied casually.

“Thank you, Professor.”

“No, I'm the one who thanked. This girl is lucky to have a good boyfriend.” He handed me my tablet.

“No, I'm the lucky one,” my error. She laughs.

I didn't go straight from college, but looked around. Financing the lives of three additional men in a foreign land is not easy, so I only hired Daisy and one male colleague to look after Amarylis.

It seems like it's time they used sophisticated tools to escort my future wife. The situation is calm, but it could be that race sentiment will be sticking out again this year. Clara's attitude towards the chef in our restaurant is only a small example. Nora's actions are a big thing.

He knew Amaryllis was not financing his own college, but was willing to work on it. Lecturers are usually quite critical in addressing issues like this. I don't know why he doesn't care so much about Amaryllis. Is it because he is not a person?

Seeing my women gathering with their friends on the campus terrace, I noticed the way they interacted. The bastard was still staring at him. How could Amarilis not know any of her group mates liked her?

Just talking for a moment, Amaryllis stood up from her seat. Only Nora was after him. I glanced at Daisy. She nodded and followed my future wife. Had enough of what happened, I went back to the restaurant.

It was peaceful, but I remained vigilant. As long as Clara's here, I can't calm down. Previously, he fired employees just because of their race. I don't know what the next behavior is.

In order to maintain a good relationship between Mr. Willis and my papa, I accepted his lunch invitation. I went to the destination hotel by taxi and was lucky to be within close proximity of the restaurant. So, I don't have to wrestle for long in traffic.

The waiter drove me, but his friend called. I know where the room is, so I don't mind going alone. I noticed the dining room number I passed by, then arrived at the number in question.

“I'll be careful. Papa don't worry so.” Clara's voice came from inside.

Why is he here too? Father and son are the same. I think this invitation is just between me and Mr. Willis. No, I don't think her daughter is eating with us. Didn't Papa tell him about my status?

“Be careful? Theo knows what you're doing and he suspects you're racist. I don't care if you get fired, but don't let my relationship with Azarya be broken. He's a very important colleague to me,” Mr. Willis said seriously.

“This is important to me too, Pa. If he and I get married, won't you also benefit?” said the woman in a persuasive tone. “I promise nothing bad will happen with that restaurant. I just want Theo to run into trouble and ask for my help. Only then will he realize that he needs me.”

Bizarrely. The man admitted himself that his relationship and Papa were good, but why did he not know my situation now? Is it possible that Papa kept that a secret from her?