Chapter 405 - Can we talk (14)

10 May, LY Store, City Y

The young girl looked directly at Lexi and said "Why are you doing this. Fancy people like you do not help people like me."

"No, these are not fancy, they are a couple of years old. I just want to help. I am a single parent, and I know what my young son goes through trying to pick something for me with the help of his uncles. I just want to help you."

The girl and her friend both looked to Lexi, still confused. Before she could speak, she heard from across the room "Shut up you b*tch." How dare staff speak like that in her store. There are customers here and while they may not spend much, they deserve the same treatment as customers who spend thousands, tens of thousands or more.

Lexi, looked back and said, "Have a look around and find a couple of things, and I will help you choose something for your mother."

The young girl shook her head and looked at the price tag on the two scarfs before placing one down and saying "Thank you, but this is all I can afford. There are others that mum would like, but I cannot afford them."

Before Lexi could respond, she heard Karen say "Enough. There are customers here, and you want to argue with someone from headquarters simply because you have been asked something. You are…"

"You do not have the power to do anything. You are just some minor persons sent from the brand and have no ability to do anything. The manager is in control."

Seeing the sneer on the staff member who spoke, Lexi had it. The stories they had were wrong. The question would be was it a problem from the store management down or was it that the staff were the problem. The staff member had no idea though who she was fighting, and who she was. She had been sceptical when Karen pushed her to come, but Lexi realised that she should have not doubted Karen's reasons for her to come.

While watching and listening, Lexi picked up the scarf that the young girl had put down, plus another couple, before following her to the counter. The girl paused just before reaching the counter and said to her friend "Do they not realise how lucky they are to work somewhere like this. You remember how hard I found it to get the job in the supermarket…"

"Not just you. I hated my parents for making me get a part-time job, but they were right. I thought because they had plenty of money, I did not need to work to earn anything, but they were right. I realised that things are not just given to me because I want them." There was a slight pause "Are you sure that you do not want to borrow money to buy that scarf that you liked more for your mum?"

"No. As I have said, I hate owing money or taking charity. Mum told me that you must earn what you get. Maybe that is how she got me to agree to take the scholarship to school because I thought it was charity. But…"

"You are the best student in the year. You deserve the best education you can get. And, despite what all our classmates say, you are the best and I am lucky to have a friend like you."

The two girls turned and hugged each other. With there being silence, Lexi moved in and said "I heard you say you have after school jobs. Do you mind me asking where you work?"

The young girl buying the scarf said, "We work in a restaurant in the complex as waitresses." Pointing over to where Karen was giving a dressing down to the retail staff she continued "They do not realise how lucky they are, to work in a place like this. We walk past time and time again and see that they are wearing clothes from here and just serve customers when they walk in. But last week when I came in just because I asked to see scarfs they turned and walked away. I almost went somewhere else, but Mum says the story behind the bran's creator inspires her so I wanted to get something from here."

Lexi turned slightly and watched Karen for a couple of seconds before turning back and saying "Sounds like your mother likes to…"

Before she could continue, she heard from Karen "That it is, you are all fired. You have a attitude that does nothing for the brand, and your upline mangers cannot be bothered dealing with anyone from headquarters. This is not what this business is about. I watch you ignore a customer, who is waiting to be served yet you fawned over a customer who brought nothing. You all are wearing new release items which have not been sold in this store. You, and your managers have two options. Get out now and even when we determine how much you have taken we will not pursue criminal charges or stay, demand your notice and we will pursue you criminally once a proper forensic analysis is undertaken."

"You cannot do that," shouted the staff member.

"Yes, I can," came the measured response from Karen.

Lexi turned and quietly said to the girls "Please stay, I have something to ask you in a few minutes."

Watching out of the corner of her eye to see that the young girls remained, Lexi moved over and interrupted saying "She does, but even if she did not, I do. Forget about the options you are fired with immediate effect."

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