Miranda, a dedicated young Mexican woman, faces a challenging situation when her ex-boyfriend attempts to embarrass her at work. Although concerned about the stability of her job, the hurt he caused pushes her to take a stand. Despite the risks, she decides to find a way to protect herself.
Miranda’s breakup with her ex had been public and distressing, leading her into a period of sadness. As an immigrant working hard to build a new life, she knew she had to keep her job to stay on her feet. But the challenges seemed never-ending. One day, after arriving late to her job at the restaurant, she explained the situation to her boss, Michael, in the kitchen.
“I’m really sorry for being late again, Michael. A lot has been happening… my boyfriend and I broke up, and everyone knows about it,” Miranda said softly.
“Miranda, your personal life is your business, but it becomes an issue if it affects your work. I need you here on time and ready to work. This is your final warning,” Michael said firmly.
Miranda promised to do better, but things got more difficult when she saw her ex, Colin, and his new girlfriend, Leslie, sitting at a table in the restaurant. She asked Michael if she could avoid serving them, but he refused, reminding her of the importance of professionalism.
“We all have our struggles, Miranda. We’re short-staffed, and I need you to do your job, not shy away,” Michael said, maintaining his focus on the work at hand.
With no other option, Miranda served Colin and Leslie, who were unkind and made hurtful remarks about her background.
“Look who we have here, Miranda, serving tables. I guess people from your background really do find their place in the service industry, huh?” Colin sneered.
Miranda forced a smile and asked if they were ready to order, doing her best to stay composed. Colin then deliberately dropped his fork, forcing Miranda to pick it up. As she did, Leslie laughed, drawing more unwanted attention from the other diners.
“Look at Miranda! She’s great at picking things up!”
Feeling humiliated, Miranda handed the fork back to Colin with trembling hands.
“Thanks,” Colin said, though his tone was insincere. “You’re a real team player.”
Determined to keep her composure, Miranda quickly brought their order—Mexican stew—hoping they would stop being unkind. But Colin complained that the stew wasn’t spicy enough and, in his frustration, accidentally spilled some of the food on the table, causing a mess.
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