Chapter 33
The back I want to cling to
Sena couldn’t stop the overwhelming urge to cling to someone’s kindness and cry.
Seeing the tears welling up at the corners of her eyes, the cook widened his eyes in surprise.
The restaurant wasn’t very busy, and the kitchen had nothing to do.
Sena, who had been assigned to help in the kitchen that day, stood frozen in place, apron on as usual.
“What happened? Were you discriminated against again?”
She shook her head vigorously, denying it.
Then he tilted his head and asked again, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“Roasso… I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do.”
Even though she knew the future would be far more difficult, she felt helpless and weak.
Inside, a voice scolded her: How can you be so timid now?
Facing that, Sena turned to another part of herself and admitted, in despair, that there was nothing she could do in her current state.
Roasso looked puzzled. Based on her recent behavior, he thought she might need a long break.
He knew how hard the girl had been working to save for her own home.
He remembered asking her why she willingly took on so much overtime, and that had been her answer.
Even though she was still young, she was human.
Everyone has limits.
Her spirit could be exhausted from overwork, leaving her unable to cope.
If that were the case, a long rest would be necessary.
A month, maybe two.
Taking that long off would not please the hotel.
Depending on the circumstances, they might even fire her and hire someone new.
With that in mind, Roasso considered a proposal.
“Explain it to me clearly. I might be able to help.”
“It’s impossible… I can’t.”
Impossible.
She was just a colleague, and an immigrant girl at that.
There could be no one to help someone like her.
In this country, she had to manage on her own.
Sena had convinced herself of that.
Roasso brought a chair into the kitchen and gestured for her to sit.
He poured freshly squeezed fruit juice into a glass and handed it to her.
When she took a sip, she said something strange:
“Is it… a bit sour?”
“Huh? It’s sweet. Have you been working so hard that your taste buds are off?”
“…Working hard?”
“Yes. If you work too much, something in your body will go wrong. Taste might change, you might get ringing in your ears, dizziness, or even internal organ issues, requiring a long rest.”
“Are you saying that’s me?”
“That’s what I think… isn’t it?”
Sena’s eyes fell to the juice.
She stared silently at the bottom of the glass.
It seemed this wasn’t just ordinary fatigue.
Every man and woman has their own special circumstances.
Usually, women are put in tougher situations.
Roasso realized that this situation might be better handled by a female employee.
He removed his white chef’s hat, revealing his short black hair.
Sitting on the chair with his legs crossed, he looked toward the hall, wondering who could handle this.
In the bar hall, there were three female hotel employees, including the waitresses.
However, none of them were suitable—each was a local and looked upon immigrants with a critical eye.
They often spoke harshly, so they weren’t the right choice.
If his late wife were still alive, she could have comforted her at home, but that was clearly not an option.
“If you don’t talk to me properly here and now, I’ll have to report this to the manager. Are you okay with that?”
Sena shook her silver ponytail vigorously and whispered, Please, don’t.
He shrugged, signaling that she should talk.
“I feel unwell… something like that, but it’s not just that.”
“Do you realize something is wrong with your body?”
Sena shook her head again.
Furrowing her brows and tightening her lips, she seemed to be holding back what she wanted to say. That’s what Roasso sensed.
