Someone saves her

“Hey!”

Marcus whirled around to find Sal making his way towards him, and Marcus blinked in surprise when he went right past Ashley and up to him.

“You wanna explain yourself?” Sal asked, and Marcus looked confused.

“E-Excuse me?”

“What kind of manager yells at his employee like that in front of customers, especially when she’s clearly in a horrible situation already?” Marcus only looked more confused.

“H-Horrible situation? But she-“

“If you had stopped to actually listen to her, you’d understand that she isn’t doing this intentionally, but has instead gone through quite a lot today, and yet here you are shouting at her like she’s a child!”

“Sir-“

“No, I’ve had enough. Do you know how many complaints I’ve received about you?” Sal asked, staring right into his eyes. “It’s been quite a lot.”

“But I just…I’m just doing my job…”

“And you’re lousy at it. You aren’t supposed to be giving write ups for every little thing people do wrong. You’re supposed to encourage them to do better and help make them more productive a better way. And…” He leaned in, “you’re supposed to LISTEN to them.”

“I…uh…I-I’ll do better, I swear,” Marcus said, visibly shaking, but Sal shook his head.

“No, you won’t. You’re fired. Go to your office, get your stuff, and leave.”

“But sir…!”

“Do you want me to add ‘stripped an employee in front of customers’ to your reason of termination?” Sal threatened, and Marcus went pale. He glanced back at Ashley, who was trying to hide herself behind Sal, then back at Sal. He gulped, turned, and rushed away. Sal let out a sigh as he turned to Ashley, and quickly removed his vest and shirt right then and there, handing them over.

“Sorry I couldn’t get back sooner,” he said before glancing around. “All of you, disperse before I call security to kick you out.”

Most scattered, but some tried to stay, to which Sal glared at them as he led Ashley to the back.

“M-My pants…they’re in his office…” Ashley said quietly, and Sal swore.

He led her to the office, glaring at any employee that looked their way. Ashley felt herself calming down a bit at his presence and help.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Of course,” he said, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

They managed to get Ashley’s ruined pants back just as Marcus was leaving the office with a box of stuff, and Sal allowed her to keep the shirt and even go home early. She was thankful, and showed it by continuously thanking him over and over, unsure what would’ve happened if she’d gone with Marcus to his office, and somewhat scared of what could’ve transpired. Still, she quickly rushed out and got back to her car, ready to head home and end the day.

And she was not looking forward to explain to her father why she was home early.

For once, she hoped he simply wasn’t going to be home.