Please Don’t Remember Me - Chapter 5 Part 2. A Short Trip

“Seriously? How could you be so blind as to fall for such a man?”

“Yes, so I’ve decided to leave him and become independent.”

“Great! That’s right, you can’t hold on to him forever. A woman has to be strong. You have to leave that kind of man once and for all.”

“Yes! I’ve left him!”

“I like you! What’s your name?”

“It’s …… Lara.”

“Lara! That’s a cute name! It suits you. Nice to meet you, Lara. My name is Greta and I’m the owner of this restaurant.”

Clara regretted that she had chosen a different name, but it was too late. Greta tapped on Clara’s back with her thick hands and said.

“My husband and I live in the back of the shop. There’s an upstairs room available, you can live there. It’s small, but we’ve got the bare minimum of furniture, so you’ll be living there comfortably. Come on.”

“Yes.”

Clara followed Greta, carrying her bag. It was a good start for her, she had been offered a position in her first choice of restaurant. She thought her new life was going to be great.

They walked up the private staircase to a small door and found themselves in a studio with a small kitchen. It was more of an attic than an upstairs room, with a slanted ceiling next to a bay window and a simple bed underneath. There was also an old wardrobe and a table and chairs for one person.

“There is a kitchen, a shower room, you should be able to live here for the time being. The shop is closed every Wednesday. You don’t have to pay rent or utility bills. You don’t need to pay rent or utility bills, it doesn’t cost much if you’re on your own.”

“Thank you very much.”

“When can you start working?”

“As soon as I can, because I want to learn the job.”

“That’s good! Well, put your things away and come down the shop. After you’ve eaten breakfast, you’ll help me prepare the lunch menu.”

“Yes, ma’am! Right away!”

“I love it when you’re cheerful. Keep up the good work and I’ll see you in the shop.”

Greta handed Clara the key to her room and went downstairs with a thud. After Greta left, Clara put away in her wardrobe a few of her “street clothes”, which she felt comfortable wearing when she was out. When she looked out of the long, narrow window, she could see that the ground was far away from the attic. She saw people were walking in the streets with different directions and purposes. Clara liked the view from there.

After a while, she changed into a comfortable dress and went to the shop, Greta stared at her from top to bottom.

“What do you think you’re doing in such fancy clothes? Come here, I’ll lend you some clothes.”

Clara thought she had chosen the most worn and modest clothes she could find, but she was still far from being a commoner. She wondered if her mother and her had actually been out of place in the city.

“There it is.You can wear this as a uniform.”

“Thank you very much. Is this yours?”

“Are you being sarcastic? I wouldn’t even be able to fit one arm into that dress. It’s my daughter’s. She used to help me here until last month, when she went on maternity leave. She’s about to give birth, so I gave her a break. It’s a bit big, but you can wear it.”

“Yes, it’s all right. You have a daughter?”

“Yes, my only daughter. She got married and pregnant now, and I’ll be a grandmother in no time.”

Greta shook her head and laughed. Clara also laughed along with her. If she had married the Duke as planned, she would have been pregnant by now. Her sisters had a beautiful baby boy the year after they married.

“You must forget about that bad man and work hard. If you’re as beautiful as this, you’ll soon find a good man. But don’t get married right away because you have to make sure if he is the one first.”

Greta gave Clara a slap on the back. She didn’t know if she had let it show on her face but Greta gave her courage. She thought she didn’t need a man for a while. She just wanted to work and get used to the city.

“Well, let’s get you used to the taste of our food. Let’s have breakfast.”

Then, a large man came out of the kitchen with a plate in each hand. The breakfast on the counter was hot and steamy.

***