When Martin, the proprietor of a wealthy restaurant, observed that a young dishwasher frequently entered the locker area, he became suspicious of the young person. Because he was under the impression that she was stealing, he humiliated her in front of everyone and took her bag, only to later come to regret his decision when he realized what was contained within it.
When it came to life, Martin Price was the kind of man who believed he had everything under control. He was in his early forties and had amassed a fortune from the operation of one of the most well-known restaurants in the city. He went through life with the self-assurance of someone who was certain that the world would bend to his will. His staff mumbled other remarks when he came by, describing him as bald, full of himself, and full of potbelly. He wanted to think of himself as charming and sharp-witted, but they said other things.
Martin was averse to their hushed talks.
His perception was that he still possessed the same allure that he had when he was in his twenties. To him, age was nothing more than a number, and he did not let it prevent him from flirtatiously winking at waiters or providing sluggish compliments to young women who worked beneath him. Although he did not engage in flirting on a regular basis, he did make the most of any opportunities that came his way.
It was instantly noticeable to Martin that a new dishwasher by the name of Lila Benson had joined the staff.
The twenty-year-old Lila had a graceful and unassuming appearance that managed to attract attention even if she did not make an effort to do so. It had been a little more than a month since she had started working at the restaurant, and her hard work and speed had earned her the admiration of her fellow employees. She was a widow, which was a recent tragedy that she was hiding behind her gentle smile.
She had tied the knot with Aaron, the man she had loved since high school and who had been her entire world. However, just a few short months before she gave birth to their baby, he had passed away due to an unexpected illness. As Lila was struggling to pay her rent on her own, she happened to notice a sign that read “We’re Hiring” displayed in the window of the restaurant on a rainy afternoon. On the very following day, she was found in Martin’s kitchen, where she was cleaning dishes.
At an early stage, her coworkers cautioned her about the boss’s tendency to wander his eyes.
One of the waiters murmured, “That man believes that his bank account makes him irresistible,” as she moved about the table. There is no need for him to be kind to you if he is being good to you. It appears that he is fishing.
Lila did not seem to care about it. Not only was she not there to make new acquaintances, but she was also not there to have any kind of romantic interest in her. “I am aware of my limits,” she stated in a brief manner.
She was successful in avoiding any direct interactions with Martin for a period of many weeks, with the exception of polite greetings. But on a particular evening, following a particularly hectic shift, she found herself in the dining area by herself, meticulously cleaning a table before walking back home.
During that moment, he obstructed her route.
“Do you have any idea why I decided to hire you, Miss Benson?” he inquired while removing a rose from a vase that was close.
Lila adjusted her posture, apprehensive. The answer is no, sir. Please accept my apologies, but I have to leave right now—”
Martin stepped closer and interrupted, “Don’t call me sir,” as he approached. Give me the name Martin.
Her stomach became less loose. She was able to detect the indistinct scent of the cologne that he wore, which was slightly overpowering, as if he had just reapplied it.
He offered the rose to her and remarked, “The moment I laid eyes on you, I was completely enthralled by you.” “That smile of yours has the potential to illuminate the entire city. At some point, we ought to set out for a weekend getaway… a resort, champagne, and shopping are all included. You have earned the very best.”
A step back was taken by Lila. “Sir, I am come to work,” I said. It is all that. I hold both my job and the individuals I work with in high regard. Although I am grateful for the offer, I am not interested in taking it. Before he could say anything else, she managed to get past him.
As he stood there, Martin felt ashamed. In years, no one had ever rejected him with such a directness. He no longer considered Lila to be merely a dishwasher; rather, he regarded her as a challenge. And there was no way he was going to lose.
His annoyance began to develop into an obsession over the course of the following several days.
Then he became aware of something. Lila had begun traveling to her place of employment with a large canvas bag. It was something that she brought into the staff locker room on a daily basis, and she went back to it multiple times throughout her shift. Martin’s thoughts immediately went to the worst possible conclusion: he was stealing. After some convincing, he came to the conclusion that she was stealing leftovers and possibly even supplies from his restaurant.
He kept a careful check on her for over a week, scheduling her visits to the locker room and keeping a close eye on her. The more he suspected, the more he came to the conclusion that he would expose her in the act in public.
In the afternoon of a Thursday, the opportunity presented itself. Even though the lunch rush had subsided, there were still a few tables that were filled. After informing her coworkers that she needed to conduct errands, Lila left her place of employment early that day. With her hefty bag thrown over her shoulder, she made her way toward the entrance of the building.
Please don’t move from that position, Miss Benson! The room was rocked by the sound of Martin’s voice.
All of the heads turned.
“What did you bring with you today?” He made a demand. Is it theft of food? Commodities for cleaning? Is it leftovers from my customers? The accusation was loud and clear in his voice. “You are finished with this. It’s over for you.”
Lila became ice cold. Her heartbeat pulsed loudly in her ears. The only sound that could be heard in the dining area was the quiet clinking of cutlery coming from a table that was adjacent.
“I haven’t taken anything,” she answered, her voice shaking slightly the entire time. Just my lunch box and a change of clothes are all that I have with me.
Martin took a step forward and grabbed the bag from her shoulder before she had the chance to attempt to stop him. He was taken aback by the magnitude of it.
In the process of bringing the bag onto a table, he made the announcement, “Let’s see what you’re hiding.” Curiosity was buzzing among the staff members as they gathered around. A small number of patrons shifted their seats and leaned forward.
Martin removed the zipper from the bag and brought out… a cozy blanket that was folded. Then, a barely audible sound emerged.
“Maa… maa…”
Suddenly, the blanket moved.
Martin gradually unfolded the fabric to show a tiny newborn girl, her wide brown eyes staring up at him. The crowd reacted with gasps as he revealed the baby girl. With her little hands waving in the air, she let out a short coo that was asked in a questioning manner.
His chest became more constricted.
Someone murmured, “That’s… that’s a baby,” he or she said.
“She is my daughter,” Lila stated issuing a swift statement as she moved forward. “Please, I am able to understand.”
While she was telling her story, her voice was trembling. She was left without a family member nearby after Aaron’s passing, and she had no one to keep the infant while she worked. She was unable to find a daycare that did not either have a waiting list that lasted for months or would cost her more than she made in a week.
With tears welling up in her eyes, she admitted, “I couldn’t leave her alone at home.” I bring her here as a result. She is kept in the bag, which is located in the staff room, so that she can remain warm and quiet. When I am able to, I check on her… Ensure that she is healthy, feed her, and change her diaper. She is not even close to the kitchen or the preparation of food. There was nothing that I was stealing. Just trying to keep my job and make sure she was safe was all I was doing.
Martin was speechless for a considerable amount of time. When he looked down at the infant, he noticed that the infant was now looking up at him with a satisfied curiosity.
There was a striking resemblance between her appearance and that of his own daughter, whom he had lost in a car accident many years before, along with his wife. The teeny-tiny socks he had held in his palm and the way his wife’s laughing used to fill their flat were among the memories that began to flood back into his mind. As well as the utterly deafening silence that prevailed in the aftermath of the disaster, a silence that had never truly vanished.
Something within him suffered a fracture. At that very moment, in front of both the workers and the customers, Martin’s eyes began to well up with tears.
“I… ” “I’m sorry, Lila,” he whispered, his breath catching in his throat. Many years ago, I was bereaved of both my wife and my child. At first, I believed that I had buried that hurt, but seeing her… He gave the child a quick glance. It is because of my loneliness that I have become someone who I am not proud of. It was my belief that money could purchase anything, including affection. I made a mistake.”
The unexpected vulnerability in his tone caused Lila to blink, as she was taken aback by it.
The next thing that Martin said was, “I’m sorry for accusing you.” “And for the manner in which I have dealt with you. I would appreciate it if you could take the following month off so that you may spend time with your daughter. When the time comes for you to return, your work will be waiting for you here, and it will pay you twice as much. sufficient for you to be able to hire a babysitter if you so desire.”
It was clear that Lila’s lips were shaking. “Thank you very much… “I am grateful for that.”
Martin returned the infant to her in a kind manner, his hands remaining on the blanket for a brief while that gave the impression that he was hesitant to let go.
Lila experienced a peculiar mixture of relief and disbelief as she was leaving the restaurant before she left. In addition to expressing his regret, Martin Price, the haughty employer who had cornered her just a few days before, had revealed a facet of himself that she had not previously believed existed.
It was another thing to consider whether or not he would actually change. After all, old habits are difficult to break. Following that day, he began to refrain from making overtures toward the female employees of the restaurant; yet, he did not completely give up flirting with strangers outside the establishment.
In spite of this, something within him had changed. Furthermore, for Lila, that was plenty. A pair of innocent eyes could be as small as a pair of eyes, yet it could be as powerful as a pair of eyes. She knew now that even individuals who appeared to be hardened by pride or bitterness could be split open by something simple.
