CHAPTER 6: JOB ON THE WEEKEND

Rhianna woke up early Saturday morning. It is her first day of working in the fast-food chain in downtown area during weekends.

Nanny Maria prepared scramble eggs, fried rice and ham for breakfast as she sat in front of the dining table.

"Good morning nanny." Rhianna greeted her with a smile on her lips.

"Good morning, my lady. Are you sure you want to do this?" Nanny Maria doubtfully asked.

She nodded while eating, chewing here and there. "Just feel at ease that I can do this okay. I want to start from the lowest."

Really, time is so fast. She should accept the truth. Nanny Maria shook her head. She was thinking this girl is not a child anymore. She can decide what to do with her life.

"Okay, okay but just call Butler Bert if you want to fetch after work."

"No need, I will be enjoying this job. I will do like everybody else. I will call if I need something okay."

Right after her breakfast, Rhianna rushed to the bus stop. She might be late for work if she will walk like a princess.

She arrived at the Coffee Angels around 10 minutes before eight in the morning. The store has two-story building with computer and library.

She saw the manager in that store in the counter area as she stepped in.

"Good morning manager! I am Rhianna Yang. I am here to report to you for my first day of work." She smiled as she watched the manager looked up.

The manager recognized her. "Come to the office." The manager said as she followed her.

The Manager's office was located at the second floor. Hidden staircase only employees allowed entering.

"Mr. Liu gave me brief information of you. That this is what you wanted to do for a starter. However, you are still in high school. Mr. Liu told me that you will work only on weekends. I will not treat you special. I will treat you as one of us. So, for now, I will let your colleagues to teach you the basic. Okay?"

She bowed. "Thank you, Manager. That would be nice of you."

Cindy handed Rhianna a handbook. It a handbook for her to know what their jobs all about. She opened the handbook and read the basic descriptions of their job duties and tasks being a BARISTA.

◾They will prepare or serve specialty coffee, tea or other beverages.

◾Serving food such as baked goods, sandwiches, donuts and others kind of food offered in their store.

◾Cleaning service, seating areas or sanitize work areas, utensils or other equipment.

◾Check temperatures of freezers, refrigerators, or heating equipment to ensure proper functioning.

◾Describe menu items to customers or suggest products that might appeal to them.

◾Order, receive, or stock supplies or retail products.

◾Provide customers with product details, such as coffee blend or preparation descriptions.

◾Receive and process customer payments.

◾Serve prepared foods such as muffins, biscotti or bagels.

◾Stock customer service stations with paper products or beverage preparation items.

◾Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.

◾Take out garbage.

◾Weigh, grind, or pack coffee beans for customers.

◾Wrap, label, or date food items for sale.

Create signs to advertise store products or events.

◾Demonstrate the use of retail equipment, such as espresso machines.

◾Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salad.

◾Set up or restock product displays.

◾Slice fruits, vegetables, desserts, or meats for use in food service.

Rhianna knew all written on the book. Mr. Liu gave her the copy before; she was very much familiar to it. The whole day working was something she is proud.

It was quite tiring but satisfactory feeling she felt after serving customers with her sweet smile. Looking at it, her co-workers were working hard to earn for a living. She was blessed enough to have a life she has now.

She made good impressions to the manager and to her co-workers on her first day. She was sure she loves this job.

Her shift ended.

Another day again tomorrow, learning to earn your own money is a guarantee you will go far beyond your imaginations.

She said goodbyes to her manager and to her co-workers. She headed home, riding a bus with a smile.

After very busy weekends, back to her life as regular student during weekdays. Rhianna's life very tied up with schedules.

Sophie came earlier that morning; she persists to fetch her everyday going to school. She parked her car outside the gate. She walked inside; she saw Butler Bert at the garden.

"Good morning Butler Bert." Sophie greeted him then walked straight inside the house.

Rhianna was already at the dining table eating her breakfast. She sat down as soon as she enters the house. "Good morning Nanny Maria."

Nanny Maria gave Sophie some plate to her. She even serves her orange juice too.

Nowadays, young people do not usually like drinking hot milk or coffee in the morning. They preferred orange juice in the morning and light breakfast. They are very conscious about their figures.

After breakfast, they were on the way to school. They were singing inside the car. Sophie turned on the music and their favorite song played. That was their moment every time they were together.

They arrived at the school ground earlier than their usually time. As they stepped out from the car, students were murmuring something. Both of them looked at each other. They seem blinded with what they were talking about a while ago.

Henna just got out with her brother Henley. She called their names. "Rhianna, Sophie waits for me."

They turned around and stopped. "Henna, what are they buzzing about? What's happening today?" Sophie confusedly asked.

"Ah, maybe the results of our Prelim exams were out today that is why they were kind of… you know what I mean." Henna explained.

It is sure that the Registrar Office filled with students. Everybody was searching his or her ranks. Henna got the chance to be near the post. She found her name, which ranked as number 20. She did not stop there. She also looks up the names of her two best friends.

Henna screamed so loud that everyone around the bulletin board got her attention. She walked to her friends. "Oh my gosh, Rhianna you ranked as the second top in this school. I cannot believe you were this smart. Sophie you are in top 10 too. I am gladly proud of you to be your friend both of you."

Everyone gazed at Rhianna. She just stood up without saying another word.

Sophie Liu answered Henna. "Of course, she is totally smart girl since she was a baby." Rhianna could not help laughing with jokes her best friend Sophie was telling Henna.

They left the Registrar Office and proceeds to their classroom. Students were still looking at her and some were congratulated her.

Ocean Huang saw Rhianna smiling as they passed his classroom. She is always happy every time he sees her everywhere. He glanced secretly at her when no one is looking. He does not know why he always did that.

Ever since that afternoon, he got this strange feeling that he cannot describe it. He mesmerized by her looks even it is simple and nerdy. He like the way she is.

He keeps it for himself with this feeling because he does not want to make trouble for Rhianna.

One time, he dropped by at the Coffee Angels in uptown area for a takeout coffee. He saw her wearing the same uniform with the staffs working in that shop. Rhianna did not see him because she was busy cleaning tables and other thing.

When he found out that she works there during weekends, he keeps his distance by not seen by her. She is still looking pretty in his eyes.

If they know what he was doing, he is sure that his friends will tease him nonstop.

After he saw his rank this morning, he smiled when he saw the second rank belongs to a new student. Yeah, the new student from the Q City, Rhianna is rank next to him. Being the top two in Senior high is something they did not expect. She may look like nerdy but a brainy one.