The Heir's Redemption; Leonid Triumphs Over wealth

CHAPTER 6

Leonid brushed the thought away from his head, afterall he still had the time to take up another job at a restaurant as a waiter. He thought about Amelia, it would be better if she never heard about the thing that happened at the car wash. He was not sure she would believe he was telling the truth. Who would, when the watch was found on him.

He wanted to get a necklace for her as a gift, he had been saving up for it for a long time and he was hoping Amelia would love it. This was the second expensive gift he was giving her, she was going to love it. He smiled just by thinking about that, soon he was whistling and jogging down the street on the roadside.

Leonid pushed the door and walked in, he had asked for the job a few days ago but hadn't had the time to start. He glanced around and walked towards the staff. The restaurant was filled with classy people, you could tell by how expensive they were dressed. He got into the kitchen, staring around the place. A chubby chef was standing in front of a large table, spoon in hand and smiling sheepishly.

She glanced at him when he took a step forward. "Oh, Leonid, you are here. We thought you would never take this offer. Actually this job is best for a thrash like you, you are not waitering. Do the cleaning, really quick, the floor is getting dirty and the cleaners are away."

"Away?" Leonid asked, ignoring the insult in her sentence.

"Yes, they are away. Now Leo, do the cleaning and at the end you will get paid."

Leonid signed and walked to the opposite direction for the bucket and all the cleaning stuff he needed. The day had not been pleasant for Leonid, he had been insulted, framed and treated like trash.

After grabbing all the necessary things he needed, he walked out of that place. Grabbing an outfit on his way out, he walked over to the changing room and changed his clothes.

"Leonid, the floor needs to be cleaned as soon as possible." The chef called out. 

"Yes ma'am." He yelled back.

He pushed the bucket and began mopping. He had not expected to work at the restaurant as a cleaner but since he was here already. There was nothing he could do about it, besides he was the trash who needed money a lot. He was squeezing the mop on the squeezer when a fair lady walked in.

He raised his head to stare at her, she was putting on a really short waiter dress with a tray in her hand. He looked away from her and continued his cleaning. 

"Are you Leonid?" She questioned.

"Yeah?"

"The nagging chef said the kitchen is dirty." She said before leaving.

Nagging chef? Leonid tried not to smile, he had given her a name by calling her a chubby chef. 

'Nagging chubby chef sounds good.' He grinned as he picked up the bucket and left for the kitchen.

"One chicken lap!" 

"A yogurt please." 

Leonid could be seen carrying a tray and walking around. Dropping each of their orders on the table in front of them. He was done cleaning but the chubby chef won't let him go home. She suggested he stay and help her with the orders, he still remembered her words.

"At least having a handsome man around will attract the ladies, except that he is rotten poor."

Leonid had laughed at her words as he balanced the heavy tray on his arm. That was cash, coming in handy. He kept running around until he spotted a coat, he stopped in his tracks, trying to see the face of the woman. She turned around to stare at him, he immediately looked away, turned around and went back.

It was the same woman from the bakery who made a total fool out of him. His day was so bad already, he could not let her add more damage or he might snap at her. It wasn't going to be good because he was going to lose his job again. He can stand to.see that happen.

"Hey Leonid, going somewhere?" A high pitched voice caught him by surprise.

He spinned around to face the woman who spoke. It was the same woman from earlier who had called the chef a nagging chef. She was applying more makeup now and staring at him seductively.

"No, I just wanted to stay in here for a little bit."

"Hiding from someone?" She asked, stretching her neck to look out the door. "I don't see anyone to hide from."

"Why are you here?" 

"Me?" She glanced back at him. "I was hiding from that jerk, who is trying to win me back. I told him it's over but the guy keeps on pestering me. He stalks me and he is so creepy."

Leonid glanced away from her, not knowing what to say.

"Um…okay?"

"Help me beat him into a coma? You have really nice muscles."

Beat him to a coma? Leonid glared at her, his muscles were not even enough for defending himself. He cannot get into a fight with someone and get attacked again and all for a woman he knows nothing about. If it was Amelia, his wife, there's no big deal. 

"No thanks. I would love to use my muscles for something really important." 

"Then date me!" She yelled. "I will be important to you, it's going to be great…"

Leonid raised his hand and displayed his wedding ring. That cut off her words, her eyes widened as she saw the ring. Leonid smiled when he saw her reaction.

"I'm married, you can find someone else." Leonid stated. "If he keeps on stalking, call the cops, I'm no cop. I am just plain Leonid, trying to earn a living."

"You are unbelievable, turning down a girl like me." She snapped.

"I didn't just turn you down." Leonid said, grinning. "I rejected you." 

The woman glared at him, turning around as she walked out of the place. Slamming the door hard. Leonid laughed before checking his wristwatch, the shift was finally over. At least he could get the necklace he had always wanted to buy for his dear Amelia. 

After standing for what seemed like hours, even though it was only a few minutes. The chubby chef finally gave Leonid his paycheck, Leonid took it from her and headed to the jewelry store. He went to the counter and began going through the necklaces. He read the price tags as he walked past.

'$59''

'$60'

'$40.'

'$25'

'$120'

He groaned as he continued to check through, why was there none that matched his budget. The seller was staring at him with disgust as he walked past her. Being in his worn out jeans and old cargo shirts, he looked like a homeless person.

"Hey you!"  The seller called. "Did you miss your way or something? This is not a bakery, it's a jewelry store."

"I know." Leonid said, looking at her. "I came here on purpose."

"What's your budget?" A man chirped in.

"You're seriously asking for his budget." The seller yelled. "Have you gone crazy?"

"20 dollars…" Leonid answered, ignoring the woman.

The man stood up from where he sat, dipped his hand into his pocket and took out a necklace. Leonid was taken aback by what the man was to give to him. The man stretched his hand towards Leonid, offering the necklace to him. Leonid could swear that the necklace costs a fortune, why was the man giving him for $20? The woman had seemed to grow quiet, she was not saying a word and that even made Leonid more confused.

"I can't take this sir, I only have 20 dollars." Leonid said. "This necklace costs a fortune, I can't afford it."

"It's our daughter's, she won an award last year and won this necklace. She died in a car crash and did not live to wear the necklace. The necklace keeps on reminding me of her, I want to get rid of it. You can have it for free if you don't want to pay."

Leonid gulped in nothing in particular, "I still can't accept it sir."

The story was touching but accepting that was not great for him. Their daughter had won that, they should keep it for her memory.

"I insist boy, I can see the way you smile when walking past those necklaces. Your wife would love this one."

Leonid didn't want to waste anymore time, accepted the necklace and gave him 20 dollars. As he walked away from the jewelry store, he studied the necklace. Smiling sheepishly, the day hadn't been so bad afterall. He was sure Amelia was going to love the necklace, he felt so happy taking it home to her. He could have sold it off for a better price and kept the money but that beautiful soul deserved it for giving him support.