Miranda, a diligent young Mexican woman, faces difficulty when her former partner attempts to make her feel inferior at work.
Miranda feels compelled to take action despite her fear of losing her career because of the suffering her ex has caused her. She discovers a method to hold him accountable for his behavior, even if it could cost her her job.
Due to the public nature of her breakup with her ex, Miranda experienced despair.
Attempting to establish a new life in her new nation, she was aware that she needed to continue working in order to support herself. But it felt as though her issues would never go away. She had to explain the situation to her supervisor, Michael, in the restaurant kitchen after she arrived late for work one more time.
“I apologize profusely, Michael, for being late once more. Many things have been going on. My boyfriend and I broke up, and everyone is aware of it,” Miranda muttered.
“Miranda, I don’t care what goes on in your life as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work. That’s my concern. You must arrive on time and be prepared to work. This is the last warning you have,” Michael stated gravely.
Miranda promised herself that she would, but when she saw Colin, her ex-boyfriend, and Leslie at a restaurant table, things became more difficult. Michael declined her request to avoid serving them, emphasizing the need to maintain a professional demeanor.
“Miranda, we all have difficult situations to handle.” Michael continued, not even glancing at her, “I need you to do your job, not run away. We’re short on people.”
Miranda was forced to serve Colin and Leslie despite their rudeness and cruel insults about her origins.
“Look who we have here, Miranda, serving tables. I guess people from your background really do find their calling in the service industry, huh?” Colin said it in a nasty way.
Trying to hide her discomfort, Miranda forced a grin and asked if they were ready to order.
Colin purposefully dropped his fork at that moment, requiring Miranda to pick it up.
Leslie applauded and laughed aloud as Miranda did it. “Take a look at Miranda! She is adept at gathering objects!”
Miranda felt even worse because now she was the center of attention for everyone. She returned the fork to Colin, her hand barely steady. Colin said, “Thanks,” but it was obvious he didn’t mean it. “You’re such a team player.”
Miranda tried to stay calm and quickly brought their order, Mexican stew, hoping they would stop being mean. But Colin said the stew wasn’t spicy enough and made a mess by flipping his plate. The mess got all over Miranda’s clothes.
“It’s okay,” she murmured as she cleaned up, attempting not to seem upset. But Leslie continued to chuckle, drawing attention from others. The amount of attention Miranda was receiving completely destroyed her attempts to summon strength and confidence.
The tears that were starting to rise up in her eyes were too much for her to contain. She was so angry that she broke down in tears and had to go to the kitchen and hide in a corner.
A voice caught her attention as she started crying uncontrollably. It stated, “Take this here.”
When Miranda looked up, she saw that Chef Robert was carrying a dishtowel. She knew him to be a good man who looked out for all of his coworkers. As she took the towel, something about his presence made her cry even more.
“Look, Miranda, you underestimate your strength. I don’t mean to pry into your personal affairs. Your spirit is far greater than the obstacles you must overcome.”
With a sniffle, Miranda confided in Chef Robert, realizing she needed someone to talk to. And he listened politely as she related her early days with Colin and the moment that destroyed everything for her. Colin really wanted to go out to a party with her on that occasion, but she was preoccupied with her homework.
Leslie, Miranda, and Colin were roommates in college.
She had informed him, “Colin, I really should study.” “My grades aren’t looking too good.”
Colin, though, shook his head, not taking no for an answer from her. “Maria, hurry up. You work really hard and are intelligent. A night away won’t do any harm. Would you kindly accompany me?”
Miranda found herself unable to move. Although she knew she should be studying, she preferred the notion of hanging out with Colin. “I’ll give it some thought. At last, she said to him, I’ll tell you tonight.”
Miranda returned to her room feeling both excited and a little anxious after they shared a kiss and Colin assured her that the night will be enjoyable. She was halted as soon as she went in by her roommate, Leslie.
Miranda, what’s going on? You appear to be really content. “And from where did those flowers originate?” she enquired. Had Miranda realized the female was actually a wolf disguised as a sheep?
“That’s Colin. I like him a lot, and he’s been incredibly sweet. I’m anxious about my exams, but he invited me to a party.”
“You have to have fun with life too, Miranda. Exams shouldn’t cause you to miss out!” stated Leslie. “Come on, this is the time to have fun!”
“Les, I really need to study.”
“You’re a smart cookie, Miranda. Taking one night off won’t mess up your future. Have fun at the party with Colin. Trust me, and GO!”
Reassured that a single evening wouldn’t interfere with her studies, Miranda chose to accept Colin’s invitation and gave him a call. “Colin, I’ll be there. Since you see significance in this evening, I do too,” she remarked.
However, Miranda felt a little uncomfortable as she entered the boisterous bar where the celebration was being held that evening. Upon noticing, Colin gave her a drink and said, “Please take this. It will improve your mood.”
Miranda was unable to refuse. She felt so liberated and enjoyed the music and dancing as the booze took hold of her, making her forget all of her troubles.
Miranda woke up the following morning in an unfamiliar place, her clothing strewn over the floor. She was afraid that when she woke up, she would be in her pants, surrounded by other insignificantly covered young men and women who were also sleeping off.
A shiver went down her spine as she recalled fragments of the night she spent with Colin. Fearing for her reputation, she made a hasty decision to hail a cab so she could return to her student residence.
Everyone at the college was staring at her and muttering behind her back. Miranda was clueless as to why.
She desperately wanted to chat with Leslie since she was feeling depressed and alone, but Leslie wasn’t there. Leslie and Colin did not return her calls. Subsequently, she received a call from the college dean, who expressed her displeasure over several embarrassing images and videos and threatened to expel her.
After being saddened, Miranda went to look for Colin. However, he was with Leslie when she found him, and they were both laughing crazily.
“Look who’s here,” Colin mockingly said with a sarcastic tone. “Miranda, came running back to me? Did you think I could solve your small issue?”
Leslie’s grin was just as mocking. “Oh, Miranda, did you really think Colin was interested in you? It was all a bet,” she revealed. “Two weeks. That’s all it took for him to get you to play the fool. And now, look at you, practically begging for his help.”
As she listened to them make fun of her, Miranda felt incredibly sad and isolated. She was aware that they had deceived her and that she had lost a great deal, but she also felt a glimmer of will to get past this.
Following her disclosure of the events leading up to her employment as a waiter at this establishment, Miranda made the decision to exact revenge on Colin and Leslie. “Robert, please assist me. Just once, please make their dish really spicy,” she inquired.
Robert hesitated, apprehensive about the restaurant’s reputation, but Miranda insisted. She said, “I really need this.” “Please, do this for once?”
Though Robert didn’t want to, he couldn’t help but feel that Leslie and Colin should have a taste of their own medicine at some point. “All right, Miranda. However, let’s maintain a modest profile,” he advised.
While preparing a hot sauce, Miranda did not consider the consequences of her scheme being discovered. All she cared about was getting even. “Make use of this,” she urged, passing Robert a napkin drenched in sauce.
Leslie made fun of her once more when Colin and Leslie had their food. Is this hot or spicy? “This is the Mexican stew you referred to as SPICY?” she scoffed.
As Colin cleaned his mouth with the napkin, the potent spice hit him. His breathing grew shallow and urgent, and his complexion turned a deep crimson, as if the spice itself had slapped him.
Leslie patted Colin’s back and told him to try to breathe. But as patrons at the restaurant started ogling her and laughing, Leslie’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment. She understood that she had been cruel to Leslie, and now that she and Colin were in trouble, others were laughing at her.
She burst out, unable to endure the humiliation. “This is intolerable! We’re done!” and hurried off.
With a faint smile on her lips, Miranda silently took in the spectacle. She recalled how they had tricked her into believing they would have a blissful marriage. Apparently, destiny had other plans.
Michael calmly intervened after Colin, obviously in agony, angrily declared that Miranda ought to be fired because she had “messed with his dish.” After tasting the dish, he saw no issues. “Sir, this food is excellent. There’s nothing wrong with it,” he said, pointing to the napkin smeared with spicy food but carefully hiding it.
Miranda has also been a member of our team for a while. He adopted Miranda’s stance and remarked, “She wouldn’t intentionally ruin a dinner. Thanking her boss silently for his assistance, Miranda exchanged a gaze of understanding at that time.”
Colin searched the room for an ally, but he could see none. The other patrons stood by and watched while Leslie was gone.
Then, Michael gave Colin some friendly advice. “You know, Colin, sometimes the heat comes not from the food but from how we act towards others. Maybe think about that, okay?”
Colin was stunned, and Miranda had a sigh of relief. She had learned how empathy and understanding brought people together and had discovered a clever and powerful method to advocate for herself.
It demonstrated to her that friends are there for you even in difficult circumstances when Michael decided to defend her and teach Colin the value of modesty and deference.
