Chapter 3

Claire glared at Marie which was the very first time she reacted so strongly in front of anyone in the company. The latter looked surprised at her reaction and suddenly frowned.

"What are you looking at?" she spat at Claire's face with anger.

Silence was the only reply given to her by the former. It gave her a sense of superiority because the janitress never talked back to her. She was just a meek bitch after all, still licking her feet and could only glare at her master.

"What? You want me to fire you?"

This time Claire did not stay quiet anymore.

"I'm not your employee, you old hag." she said calmly.

Marie fumed. She was so stunned that she didn't even know how to retort. Claire spoke once more to deliver a devastating blow.

"What? Want me to sue for sexual harassment? I think you have forgotten what you tried to do to me, months ago."

The employees around them started whispering and murmuring at the tea she spilled on everyone. Some of them were trying to guess where the wild accusation came from.

"What are you talking about? D-Do you even have evidence?!" Marie's voice shook.

"I do. Wanna bet?" she said with a devious grin.

Marie's face paled and she staggered back. She looked so affected that it seemed like the accusation was true. Everyone was flabbergasted.

What the hell was going on?

As if on cue the elevator opened and Claire hopped in. Although she lied about the evidence and it was sad that she couldn't hold Marie accountable for her actions, she felt satisfied that she managed to expose the hag. Though, she doubted they would truly believe her. It's not like they like Marie anyways. They despise her as much as Claire does.

The cold wind blew and Clare felt it against her cheeks. She was now outside the company, feeling the peacefulness enveloping her mind. The frustrations finally dissipated and she was now moving to the next step of her life. Free from bitterness and hardships. 

She stood in front of the tall company she had worked in for four years. Her feelings were a little complicated. She didn't know if she loved or hated the company. It was because it was the company that accepted her. Though in the lowest position, she was still unqualified for the job. She started here and accumulated experience and hardships to become stronger. It was her training ground. 

She drew a deep breath and raised her head to peek at the skyscraper's highest floor. 

"Greenlight Company... I am forever grateful. Goodbye." she whispered to herself and turned her back.

A farewell that was a sign that her life was changing for the better. 

She couldn't wait to go home. 

'Clare's Fried Chicken Resto… Here I come! '

*************

Tick tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

Eyes glued to the wall clock, Clare had nothing on her face but a blank expression.

'So it's been a week... Everything still feels like a dream. Did I just... quit working those jobs? Am I really opening my own business?'

Her eyes rolled as she thought of how busy she was preparing for her restaurant's opening.

A fried chicken resto..

Well, she couldn't think of anything else to sell than fried chicken.

It was thanks to those fast food restaurants she used to worked at. They gave her an idea on how to manage and make good fried chicken. It'll be a waste to not use that knowledge to her advantage.

Moreover, the business she was going to establish wasn't a big one so it shouldn't be that hard. What's important is that it was stable to earn enough for the family.

She was sure that her fried chicken resto would be a success. Why wouldn't it be?

There were only a few establishments that were open near their location.

Furthermore, there were a lot of stores and restaurants closing around the area which she just noticed recently.

Wasn't that suspicious, though? After all, who would close their businesses that don't seem to go bankrupt anytime soon?

Of all the people, weren't they supposed to know that? The businesses were flourishing here so she was sure that her store would survive.

Shw thought of asking around, if there was a situation she wasn't well aware of...

But her being busy all the time, resigning from her multiple jobs and handling the necessary papers to register her business, as well as the transfer of the deed of the whole building to her name, made it impossible for her to do so.

'Speaking of the deed...'

A face of an old man smiling kindly at her, appeared in her mind.

Mr. Bowe, the building's past owner.

Placing the rag she used to wipe the windows, she fished out an outdated phone from the pocket of her apron. The phone reflected how intense Claire's activities might have been for it to have a lot of scratches and cracks. Others who might see these would think that the phone was unusable.

Miraculously, it still works but there were some black spots on the screen.

Claire was hesitant if it should be replaced with a new one.

She couldn't seem to let it go just yet because it holds so much sentimental value to her.

Swiping her screen to unlock, she dialed Mr. Bowe's number. Glee filled her as she was excited to tell him about her plans. He was one of the few people whom she held a great respect for and whom she trusted.

A few seconds later, the old man picked up the call. Contrary to her expectations, his tone was rather tense. Like he was anticipating something he didn't like. 

"Hello?"

"Mr. Bowe! It's me, Clare. I—" she said but she was immediately cut off.

"Oh...M-Ms. C-Clare... Haha. Hi. How are you? "

Clare looked at the caller ID and wondered if she was talking to the 'all-smiles' Mr. Bowe. She didn't know why but it seemed like he sounded a little off. There was something different by the way he spoke... was it... hesitation?