"Yes. Friends are supposed to help each other not destroy one another. Why didn't he own up earlier when the boss asked?" Another chimed in.

Zayn snickered quietly. Were they deaf when Mike claimed to be responsible for the offense earlier? To think of it, it was Mike that spoke first earlier.

No one forced him to speak. Why does it suddenly feel like this Mike in person is a hypocrite!?

"It's only fair for Zayn to give his own share of the monthly salary to Mike as compensation," Someone suggested. Others including Noor nodded in agreement.

Zayn couldn't help chuckling. Such counterfeit sympathetic comments from his colleagues really makes his stomach churn in disgust.

He was about to refute their words when Mike suddenly came to the little circle they formed round him.

"Stop blaming Zayn okay? It was my choice to make and I was indeed at fault. I do not appreciate people poking their noses in my business, especially those that speak without filter."

His words stunned the staff. Everyone could feel the last statement was particularly directed at Noor. He was, after all, the one that started all these.

Even so, some of them felt the words were simply too harsh because Noor was only trying to defend him like a good friend.

"Mike, Noor was only trying to help out a roomie in need here. There's no reason to misunderstand his good intentions and shun him harshly," someone protested.

"Yes... You should direct all these negative behaviors to Zayn instead. He is always getting into trouble and always manages to drag you along," Another agreed.

Mike smiled bitterly. "If Noor really had good intentions, he wouldn't have snitched in the first place. He had no right to inform the boss that Zayn went out for a delivery when I should be one handling the delivery. Just as he had no right to bring out my personal issues because we share the same room."

Noor's hands clenched in anger. Infuriated, he exploded,"I was only trying to assist you here. Don't blame me for turning a blind eye when the camp caretaker throws you out. You knew you were owing the rent bills for the previous month yet you went ahead and got yourself into another debt for someone that isn't worth it."

Their colleagues looked at each other and whispered their words once again, pointing at Zayn.

One even said,"Now I get why people say a person can be bad luck in someone else's life."

A cold glint entered Zayn's eyes when he heard this because the person speaking wasn't particularly silent. This is the second time in a row that he has been referred to as bad luck.

First, it was at Dahlia's company and now the restaurant.

"You claim to live in the same room right? You share the same bills every month in that camp right? Why didn't your good intentions prompt you to settle your roomie's part of rent bills for the previous month?"

Okay... No one saw this coming... All eyes fixed on Zayn when he said this. People that were whispering before went silent. They thought of his words and found out that it really did sound logical.

Their accusing gazes were directed to Noor. The latter wasn't at all pleased at how swiftly Zayn turned tables. He was momentarily at a loss for words.

Mike sneered at this and simply turned around to leave but how could Noor just let the matter die down like that?

"You also used to live with him. Don't tell me, during the time you lived with him, you were the only one paying the bills. If not, why don't you go along with that person's suggestion and do away with your own share of your monthly salary?"

He slyly changed everyone's attention back to the suggestion they were discussing earlier.

Mike felt annoyed. How could Noor suggest such a thing? He himself had found Zayn struggling in the streets and had taken him in, assisted him in getting a job.

When the latter suddenly decided to move out of the camp room they shared together two years ago, he didn't question his decision even though he was worried. He is the only one truly aware of Zayn's poor financial situation.

Now that they don't stay together anymore and he isn't aware of what Zayn is going through, how dare they request the latter to give away his hard-earned salary?

But before he could say anything, Zayn shrugged,"Fine."

His short answer stunned the crowd as they weren't expecting to accept it easily. They looked at him suspiciously.

"You agreed to give away your salary in front of everyone so you can't back out even if you want to," someone warned.

Zayn nodded with a lazy smile. Why argue with them when he could end the discussion right there with a single word?

With nothing else to say, the crowd slowly dispersed, each man heading to his job. People were beginning to walk into the restaurant anyway.

It remained just Zayn, Noor and Mike. Noor gave Zayn a stink eye and stormed off angrily.

With no one else around, Mike could finally speak,"I won't accept the money. I hope you only said yes and you are not really planning to give me."

Zayn laughed and headed to the kitchen with Mike following behind him. "Of course, I mean it. I got us into this mess and I'll fix it."

"But—"

He didn't let Mike complete his statement before cutting him off. "Mike, what's wrong? What's with not paying your rent? We received our salaries early last month so why didn't you pay your bills?"

Mike gritted his teeth. He didn't want to tell anyone before, especially Zayn.

But left with no other choice, he quietly responded,"My mother is sick. I had to send a large portion of the money I earned last month to her and by the time I settled her bills, there was barely anything left to pay mine."

Zayn wore his apron silently. He looked at Mike and asked,"How is her health now?"

"Better than before but she still needs to purchase some really expensive meds. At this rate, I might have to ransack the camp room and search for whatever valuables I can sell."

"No... You won't do that. You have me. Why didn't you tell me?" He sounded a bit upset as he looked at the order he was to prepare.

Mike rubbed his face. "It's not that I didn't want to inform you. I just didn't want to bother you. You have your own life and problems to face too... I can't keep running to you everytime."

"How much do you need exactly?"

Mike hesitated at answering this question. He gave Zayn a pointed look. "About 6000 dirhams would do. When the money gets exchanged, it will probably not be enough but at least I'll be able to help out."

Zayn looked up from the non-stick pan he was using. He gave Mike a reassuring smile. "I'll get the money for you. Just consider it a token of my appreciation."

Mike was dumbfounded. He raised his fingers to give off six figures. "Dude, it's six thousand dirhams we are talking about here. That's like three months' salary. How do you intend to get that within a month... No, just two weeks away? Don't try anything funny."

"You worry too much," Zayn replied cheekily, his hands moving swiftly to stir the veggies in the pan. "I promised you and I'll surely get it for you."

Mike didn't look convinced and wanted to protest but someone suddenly called for his attention outside. A customer had ordered a delivery service.

He looked at Zayn hesitantly but in the end, had to leave. As he rushed out, he didn't notice that someone was standing at the other side of the counter Zayn was cooking.

The person was pretending to be chopping onions while in fact, he was eavesdropping. You guessed right. The person is Noor.

He sniggered lowly. "Six thousand dirhams in two weeks... What a dream! When the time comes, I'll remind you of your sanguine words and rub it in your face confidently."

****

It was already getting late and an employee was wiping off the last used table. But still yet, the remaining employees like Zayn who were already through with their jobs weren't allowed to leave.

They had already changed out of their uniforms and were waiting in a line to inform their boss that they already completed their jobs.

Yep... There's this sick rule in the restaurant that none of the staff can leave without informing the boss and receiving permission to be dismissed.

But the boss was taking too much time leaving his office and none of them were allowed to go in because he has a visitor.

A visitor every single one of them dread. Once she comes to the restaurant, their lives will temporarily become hell.

"I wonder how long that witch is gonna keep pestering her father. I'm willing to bet that she's here for nothing else but money," A waitress whispered to her colleague.

Their august visitor is Mr Mikhail's daughter, Mira Mikhail.