Two days had passed since the emotional confrontation at Garbi's restaurant. The mood had changed.
The tension that once hung in the air was gone. No more side glares, no more whispered complaints. The staff had finally become one team.
Anastasia sat in her tiny office, going through the restaurant's inventory list when a knock echoed softly on her door.
"Come in," she said, without lifting her eyes from the notepad in her hand.
Irene stepped in, holding a file tightly to her chest. Her eyes looked a little red, like she'd been holding back tears.
"Irene," Anastasia greeted warmly, flashing a calm smile. "How are you today?"
"I'm okay," Irene replied quietly. "I just wanted to thank you again... for everything. You didn't have to speak for me. I was rude to you, mean even, and still, you helped me."
Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes.
Anastasia set the notepad aside and leaned forward slightly.
"For how long will you keep saying that?" she asked gently.
