DICE

[3] a

"What are you doing, Gala?!"

Gala doesn't dare to lift his face. Trembles run through his entire body, he can't contain it. It's the first time Mr. Kim has been this angry, using such a high tone. He knows he's returning with a messed-up bag and appearance. Gala is sure Mrs. Gennie has already contacted the restaurant, complaining about her lunch being a mess on the asphalt.

The strange woman's cane hits Gala's back twice. It stings a bit, but he ignores it. Gala apologizes repeatedly, but Mrs. Gennie's anger cannot be contained. Whether out of fear or unwillingness to engage further with the strange woman, the girl who had helped Gala earlier is already gone. She didn't even say goodbye or tell her name. Good Lord, Gala meant himself, who hadn't said thank you for the help given.

Gala returns, struggling, pushing his half-broken bike to his workplace. Apologizing to the angry woman feels pointless. Curses echo along the street, making Gala a free spectacle. His face is lowered between embarrassment and anger, but he can't express it. Who is he? Just a small being still given breath and the chance to eat for free by his provider.

As he enters his workspace through the back door, many await his return. He feels like he's being judged right then and there. Lisa and Daniel are absent. Gala feels they are both busy and choose to ignore the judgment for him now.

"Sorry, Mr. Kim. I didn't mean to do it," Gala murmurs. He still doesn't dare to lift his head. Call him a loser or a top-level coward, but what else can he do? Mr. Kim's gaze is too scary to face now. Not to mention the clear tone of displeasure from Luke's lips. And Hanry, the head chef.

"Stupid child," Hanry mutters. He immediately stops standing there and chooses to tidy up his work. He feels sorry, but Gala has really gone too far. How could he fall and ruin Mrs. Genie's important order?

It's clear that Mr. Kim is furious. The angry and strange woman is the first and most loyal customer who buys all the various dishes in this restaurant. She's extremely loyal and isn't shy about giving a lot of feedback when Mr. Kim was struggling. Hanry has heard that story enough times when Mr. Kim reminisced sadly about his past failures.

Hearing Hanry's words makes Gala lower his head even more. The pain he feels from being late for lunch, along with the exhaustion from the distance between Lot 5 and the restaurant, makes him sweat. The scorching sun isn't friendly at all today. His sweat pours down, soaking his uniform.

He hasn't even taken a sip of water to relieve his fatigue. He's pushed around and scolded. Gala's luck is just too much.

"You!" Mr. Kim points while panting heavily. He doesn't care if his heavily built body makes it hard for him to breathe, making his face redder. His head suddenly emits smoke. He's furious beyond measure. Good Lord! How can this kid be so careless?

Moreover, why did Marta ask him to help?

"Mr. Kim, I'm busy organizing orders. Why ask me? Gala has met Mrs. Gennie before, not me. Do I have to spend even more time looking for her address?"

Mr. Kim agrees with Marta's reason, which prevents him from spewing anger at his cashier. Since he received the call from Mrs. Gennie, he's been burning with anger. He really wants to crush Gala's body in his grasp.

There have been countless mistakes and negligence by Gala. Whether the kid is dense or his head is stuck in the slums, there's always something Gala does wrong and never resolves. Whose fault is it that he trusted this to the awkward one?

But... he's already twenty-five! Good Lord! Twenty-five years old and still so careless? What will become of this kid?

If Mr. Kim hadn't remembered the final warning before Gala truly lived alone fifteen years ago, he would have kicked him out since Gala lit the gas stove, almost causing a fire in his restaurant. That was Gala's third year working for him.

Good Lord!

"Forgive me," Gala has no power at all. He's just trying to stand even though his face is staring at the floor. Counting the passing seconds while suppressing hunger. His stomach hurts badly, maybe also because of the milk he drank this morning? Who knows. What's certain is that he's feeling more and more dizzy.

"What should I do?" Mr. Kim immediately wipes his fat face with equally fat hands. The fat between his fingers feels soft against his face.

"Just fire him," Luke says coldly. "There's no point in paying him, Mr. Kim. You're wasting your money. He's useless."

At these words, Gala looks up and challenges his conversational opponent. He can't accept it. His face heats up, and his chest rumbles loudly. His hands unconsciously clench, whitening at the knuckles. His fingernails have cut his palm from how tightly he's clenched. His teeth grind against each other, creating a loud grinding sound.

"What?" Luke sneers, his face increasingly disdainful. "Coward."

Gala has harbored a dislike for Luke for a long time. He doesn't openly confront him because it would undoubtedly cause trouble. But day by day, Gala's resentment grows sharper. He's constantly belittled and insulted, as if Gala doesn't belong around here.

The thick-haired young man had been actively avoiding Luke while working. He'd tune out Luke's blatant mockery, even when the other kitchen crew joined in to ridicule him. But not this time. He won't let Luke off the hook that easily.

"Get back to work! And Gala," Mr. Kim points, breaking Gala's reverie and extinguishing the fiery anger that had flared up earlier. Just like pouring water on a strong flame, the rage disappears without a trace. Gala quickly turns to Mr. Kim and bows his head again, resigned. Though occasionally, his eyes sneak a glance towards Luke, who's flashing his middle finger and that sly grin.

"Just once more, God, this is the last warning," Mr. Kim declares.

Gala swallows nervously. "If you mess up again, you're fired," Mr. Kim points sharply, his eyes still harboring anger. Not wanting to linger with Gala, Mr. Kim steps out. He still has many things to attend to, including replacing the food that Gala ruined. "Hanry, prepare the beef soup and mashed potatoes. Don't forget Mrs. Gennie's favorite dessert."

"Sure thing, Mr. Kim."

"Daniel," Mr. Kim calls quickly. "Daniel." Gala hears this as the last thing before Mr. Kim disappears behind the kitchen door. This makes Gala breathe out a relieved sigh several times.

It feels like a weight has been lifted off him, one that had been choking him since earlier, though he knows it's only temporary. He doesn't know when his carelessness will haunt him again. And when that happens, Gala's story will come to an end.

Where will he work? What will his everyday life be like?

"You!" Marta's sudden outburst startles Gala. The slightly pale-skinned girl shoots an angry glare at Gala. "How could you be so careless?!"