"Early Closing Today: Staff Event. Thank you for understanding!"
Just like what the note said, the grocery store closed early that afternoon.
It was all of a sudden. Gray had planned it earlier with Marcus and Joel.
After the long weeks of cleanup, reform, and recovery, he figured everyone deserved a little breather. Besides, they had a new manager now.
It was just right to celebrate it with the employees.
The sky outside was still bright when the lights dimd and the doors of the store were closed and locked. However, at the back of it, the energy was different.
The usual noise from the custors was now replaced by chatter and laughter from employees.
The staff room had been cleaned and rearranged just for the night. The tables were placed next to each other, lining the wall. It was topped with trays of hot food, takeout boxes from well-known fast food, and plastic cups next to bottles of soda and juice.
Gray stood near the side with a paper plate in his hand. He was watching the people with a smile on his face.
The employees were socializing freely with one another. Joking, swapping stories, so even pulling out chairs and sitting shoulder to shoulder with staff they barely used to talk to in the past.
There was also loud pop music in the background, filling the room with noise and hype.
While Gray was on the side, Joel was in the center. He was surprised by how the employees welcod him. It was too overwhelming.
A few of the more talkative employees had already pulled him into a circle and were asking about his favorite food, his favorite color, and the food he liked. They had too many questions, but he answered each one.
He knew that they were just trying to get to know him.
"It was nice, isn’t it?" Marcus asked from the side. "It seems like your employees are now accepting Joel as their manager."
"Yup." Gray chuckled. "It’s nice." He sipped on his drink slowly as he continued to observe everything.
Honestly, for Gray, it felt surreal.
A few weeks ago, this place was cold. Cautious. Bitter, even.
He rembered how everyone’s eyes avoided each other. How silent the break room used to be—tension hanging in the air every ti soone stepped in or out.
There was no joking, no music, no chatter. Just worn-out employees doing what they had to do to survive the day and earn.
But now...
"Sir Gray!"
He turned slightly as one of the stock boys waved him over with a plate in hand.
"Co and eat more, sir! You haven’t tried the pancit yet!"
"Yup, yup. I’ll get there," Gray smiled, waving back lightly. "Don’t worry, but save so!"
The boy grinned and returned to his group, already digging into his second plate of food.
Gray looked back toward the center of the room. Joel was still being hounded with questions, though now, soone had handed him a drink too.
The room was just filled with positive energy. People ca and went from conversations. So grabbed more food, while others sat in the hallway with their legs stretched out, quietly chatting.
They were free and happy.
’Happy...’ That word landed slowly in Gray’s chest.
They were happy.
And he was... too.
Gray had never imagined himself being in charge of a business like this. When Jonathan first handed the ownership to him, it felt like so kind of strange dream he’d wake up from.
He had no background in running stores. No corporate title. Just himself, his instincts, and the system.
So, for him, this wasn’t just a celebration.
This was proof.
Proof that things were changing. That all his efforts ant sothing.
That he was doing okay.
"Sir Gray."
Joel walked up beside him after he escaped from the crowd. He was holding a soda in one hand and a plate in the other. His shirt was wrinkled now, but he looked happier than Gray had ever seen him.
"I just wanted to say... thank you again."
"You’ve said that like five tis already." Gray turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
"I know, Sir." Joel laughed sheepishly. "But I ant it every ti."
Gray smiled. "Well. I ant it too, when I said you earned it."
Joel scratched the back of his neck, his eyes scanning the room.
"It looks like they’re a good team," he murmured. "The staff, I an. They’re very friendly." He chuckled and shook his head. "I’m not used to that."
Gray chuckled at it.
"Did you know that they weren’t always like this?" Gray said softly.
Joel looked back at him.
Gray’s eyes moved across the room again, thoughtful.
"There was a ti not long ago when people didn’t talk to each other."
He let out a small breath.
"But now... look at them."
Joel followed his gaze. He saw soone laughing so hard they had to lean forward and hold their stomach. He saw one of the new hires and the cashiers sharing a plate of fries.
"I want to protect this," Gray said, almost to himself. "This version of them."
Joel didn’t reply. He just nodded.
"I’ll do everything I can to make that happen, Sir," he said a second later. "If I’m part of this team now... then I’ll protect it too."
Gray turned back toward him, smiling softly.
"I’m looking forward to that then."
"That—"
"Sir Gray! Sir Joel! Eat more! There’s still plenty here!"
Before Joel could say sothing, a loud shout ca from the other side of the room. It was followed by a round of laughter and cheers.
"Yes, Sir Gray! You should eat! You’re the one who bought us food!"
"Yes, yes!"
"Go eat, Sir!"
Gray blinked once, then laughed. He turned slightly, raising his voice. "Alright, alright! You don’t have to yell, I’m coming!"
With that, he stepped away from the wall and made his way back toward the center of the room.
As Gray walked in, one of the employees imdiately handed him a plate. Another offered him a chair right in the middle. A cup of juice was passed to his hand before he even sat down.
"Try this, Sir. The spaghetti’s actually really good!"
"This one’s a pizza, Sir Gray. You’ll like it."
"How about chicken, Sir? What part do you want?"
"You guys are spoiling ." Gray laughed again.
"Of course, Sir. You’re the best!"
"Give more food to Sir Gray!"
"Sir, do you want cake?"
"How about soda?"
Gray just accepted everything they gave as he smiled and thanked everyone.
For once, Gray didn’t have to say anything.
Because the happiness in the room said it all.
’This is all I could wish for.’
===
A/N:
This is the end of Volu 1.
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