Testimony POV,
2024.

As we entered the cafeteria, I ordered  strawberry pizza and a cup of milkshake while Alma ordered cupcakes and a bottle of chilled lemonade.

“Come, join us,” Hilda and Mabel chimed. They were the other ladies that joined yesterday. I barely spoke to them, they look to be in their mid thirties, but they whispered in each other’s ears and chuckled like children. I wanted to avoid them when Alma replied.

“Fine.” She joined their table, so did I.

We sat facing each other. Usually, I would eat alone, even at home. Here, it was a different story. Most of the customers paired up in twos or fours. I checked my mobile phone for the first time that day. It had a broken screen, and it messes up once in a while, but it’s still my most adored asset. Scrolling through, his eyes dropped in disappointment as I held back the hurtful feeling. Not to show my emotions.

“It seems on one remembered me.” I mentally grieved.

It was my first time leaving home, and no one called or texted me since yesterday. I failed my mum’s contact. It rang, but she didn’t reply. Others were chatting while eating. I couldn’t wrap my head around anything, let alone my fingers. My lips down pressed a smile as I thought about home. How I read this news from the Internet and snuck out of home. Every decision I took, I took it on my own. Yet, no one cares. This shouldn’t bother me, but it did. I don’t know why now. My heart trembled once I felt a warm hand over mine. I turned to meet Alma as she tightened the grip of her hand on mine.

“Are you alright?” The crow’s feet wrinkles around her narrowed eyes increased. “You seem disturbed.”

“No, I’m fine.” My voice protested at once, drawing Hilda and Mabel’s attention to us.

“Really?” The corners of her lips folded back and up into a genuine smile. “You haven’t touched your food.”

Watching Alma, her pupil rolled towards my plate and she nodded her head as if she knew me for long.

“Um...” I tried no reply but went gazed for a moment.

The corners of her lips folded back and up into a genuine smile. There was no reason to shed a tear in such a warm person. I faked a smile and tore a piece from the strawberry pizza to eat. I guess I lost appetite.

“Have you checked the assignment?” Hilda mouthed. “Atlas posted it on the group chat.”

“How do I do this? I didn’t join the class yesterday.”

“Oh, that’s true. You should meet Atlas to give you the brief.”

“Weren’t you here yesterday? I heard that you were the first student to attend class.”

“Really?” I blushed.

“You remind me a lot of my daughter, Karen.” Alma replied, my blush with hers. “She was a shy little thing.”

“Awn... That’s sweet.” I replied her with curiosity. “Where is she now?”

Alma let out a sigh before explaining. Her voice shivered as she fought back the tears.

“Karen passed away five years ago.” Her eyes bored into the food, but she gave a quick smirk. As if smiling, but it wasn’t funny. “She had a chronic kidney tumor. I was borrowing loans and selling all my possessions just to save her but, who am I to change her fate? I lost my job after she passed away and couldn’t pay back. A lot happened, but I’m fine now.”

“Sorry for the loss.” Hilda cut in before I could. “I think the boss has an eye for you, Tes.”

My face twisted as I gave her a dirty look. Hilda winced and softly chuckled. Don’t tell me you didn’t know.

I shot her a sharp look before responding. “What are you talking about?”

“From what I remember, Mr. Echo offered to give you extra training yesterday. Have you given him a reply yet?”

Yes, I met him, and we discussed. I still don’t see how this concerns you. If I get extra training from the boss or not. We came here differently, didn’t we? It’s not as if you're a mother or something.

“Whatever!” she let out a laugh and hissed hatefully.

“I can read through the both of you, so I know he has an eye for you. Maybe you’re going through the special training already.”

“It’s still none of your business!” My voice shot at her.

Irritated, I pulled out of my seat when Alma grabbed my wrist. “Sit down.... Please.”

She offered with a calm tone, and I sat.

“Look ladies, you don’t have to be rude. It’s unfair to bring up such odd words in such a place as this.” Her blonde eyebrows lifted while scolding them. “We all came here for this training and to gain experience in the business world. It might be a joke to you, but to me, I’ve put my life savings on this.” Her forehead puckered as she shot a glance at me. “Can you give me the brief about yesterday’s lecture?” Alma inquired. “There’s no time on our side.”

“Yes, we’ll need the brief too.” Mabel muttered. Her head hung low, with darting eyes and sewn lips.

Hilda shot a glare, and her, lowered her head to meet Mabel and whispered. “I told you I’ll help you with that. What else do you need?”

Mabel's fist clenched as she gave her friend a pair of dark squinted eyes. “It’s not as if you studied business administration, so cut the crab!” Then she faced me. I only started jotting this morning. Please help me with the assignment. He said we should be brief and precise.

“I thought you recorded him yesterday!” Hilda shot at her

She blew out her checks, rubbing her eyes. “No, I didn’t.” Mabel confessed, filling her hams u dear her chest as if pestered.

Hilda’s lowered brows plastered on her red face, but she didn’t leave.

The corners of her Alma’s crinkled as she blushed watching the three of us. “Come on, girls! It’s kind of noisy in here. Let’s go back to the lecture hall.”

Looking back at Hilda, her eyes popped open as she signalled at Mabel that they leave, but Mabel rolled her eyes adamantly, giving her an i-don’t-care attitude. She gasped for air and followed us behind.

Once we stepped into the lecture hall, my eyes met with the two tall men from earlier. One who had a navy blue velvet blazer and red tie and black Oxford shoes. His hair, a shiny black, was parted to the side and slicked back with gel. The other hand is a long light brown coat on, black trouser and black Chelsea boots. His rocky blonde hair crowned his hair gracefully. Though the windows of the lecture hall were always locked, I could see them from where they sat. Their eyes met mine when I stepped in, and I wondered why. The look of recognition on their faces made it obvious that they were discussing me. But I didn’t pay attention.

I sat with Alma, Hilda and Mabel at the end of the hall as we started the assignment.

“The program started with 13 participants and Mr. Easton Echo, the CEO of Echo Companies, coordinated it. His first lecture was on the brief about business management.” I told Alma. She jotted down my words nodding for me to continue.

“California is a tremendously diverse state. As a result, it is one of the best states for opening a restaurant. Despite the requirement of multiple licenses for your restaurant’s food and alcohol operations, the potential for incredible profits exists. Keep in mind that you can open a single business yourself or choose to operate a franchise. We are going to have 12 different restaurants in the busiest places in California. Places like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, etc.”

“He mentioned other places. Is it necessary we add those places?” Mabel raised.

“Sure, if you remember.” I told her.

“I think you’re too fast. Can you dictate at a slower pace?” Hilda asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll write yours for you if you like. That way, it won’t be the in the same wordings.”

“Wow! Thank you.” Hilda blushed, holding her red cheeks.

“You’re too nice.” Mabel commented.

Unable to hold the joke, my head bent downwards with crinkled eyes and nose. “Ideas are meant to be shared. Perhaps this is more like a team work.” I told her.

Alma read through what she wrote and snapped her fingers.

“We only have two hours left. We need to edit it and save it in a Microsoft document before sending it to him via email. His email is on the group chat.” She showed me her phone screen, and I read the last message Atlas sent.

“Okay, let’s continue.” I cleared my throat. “Mr Easton talked about the importance of building a successful restaurant in California because that is his target for now. These includes, Market research.”

“Market research?” Alma repeated after me.

“Yes, that was where he started today’s lecture. I told her. “Market research is thoroughly researching your target market and demographics to understand what type of restaurant would be most successful in the area. Next is a business plan.”

“Business plan.” Mabel tilted her head. “Excuse me, I need to listen to the audio I recorded just now.” She scrolled through her phone and fixed her earbuds into her ears. Her eyes narrowed with an exasperated sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s kind of noisy in the background. I can barely understand him.”

“But the class was silent all through.” I brought up. Why can’t you get anything?"

“Uh... Is it my phone or something? Where did the distortion come from?” She moaned with pressed lips.

“Don’t worry, Mabel. Let’s continue.” I suggested, while Alma and Mabel concentrate. “Business plan creates a comprehensive business plan that details your restaurant concept, target market, financial projections, and marketing strategy.”

Later on, the guys strolled in from the cafeteria. Atlas created a group just like ours. They held their books and phones. Atlas had a laptop. He googled for a website that explained the topics better. It confused many about what Mr. Easton really wanted. He requested for the brief of his lecture, but some just wanted to impress him. They were planning to print a soft copy alongside. Three others guys came to sit by our side in the back row. One tall guy on a yellow button mock neck sweater and blue jeans that hugged his masculine figure sat right next to me. He had charming brown eyes, and a tan, freckled, angular face.

“What’s your name again?” He asked when I took a pause.

“Testimony.” I replied, facing him.

“Yes, Tes. Nice to meet you. Call me Ilyas.” He introduced himself with and handshake. “Ilyas Ali”

“Nice to meet you, too.” I replied his handshake briefly.

“You seem familiar with this. What do you study?” Another asked.

“Business administration.” I told him.

“No wonder. This training should be a cup of tea for you.” He chimed, his gaze fixed on mine.

“It’s still tough, you know. I have a lot to learn.”

“I have a diploma in economics, too. What about you?”

“I have two masters. One in accounting and administration and the other in Finance Management. I’m envious of you.”

“What about him?” I asked, pointing to Ilyas.

“He is a communication student in his final year.”

“Wow, who would give thought? What are you guys doing here?” Mabel interrupted, chuckling hard at the idea. “I studied English and Linguistics.” She told us. “But I’m running a degree programme on business management in Oxford.”

“Do you study business administration too?” I questioned the third guy, who was red-haired and had a bulldoggish face. His features reminded me a lot about Ed Sheeran. Especially with his blue-grey eyes.

“No, I studied chemistry.” Delan fretted. “My parents forced me to attend this training because I needed the job.”

“What?”

“Hilda is a nurse as well.” Mabel sighed. It’s a good thing they brought people from different fields but I think they might consider since its Restaurant related business.

How does nursing and chemistry relate to that?" Alma hissed. These people are not fools. Instead of rejecting, they accepted the trainees.

“I heard Atlas is a nutritionist.” Delan added. “And two other guys following him studied business administration. We are here for the same goal. Get a job and earn a living, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, sure.” I complemented. “That’s good. So, have you guys done your assignments?”

“No, not yet. What was why we came to join you?” Ilyas rubbed his head, watching me with convincing eyes.

“You’ll have to come up with something.” I told him and his friends. Then, I continued with Mabel and Alma. They took a seat and started cooking up some ideas. I helped Hilda write a brief of the lecture that consumed two full pages of her notebook. She typed it on her phone and the class continued. I haven’t even worked on mine.

It was a long lecture between 4:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m. one of the two men who visited lectured us for an hour and told us. Mr. Easton strolled out while the guest addressed us.

“Echo’s company guarantees a job to every participant, regardless of their experience level. And this training is enough for you if you’re smart to run a restaurant. I, Mr. Black Omen and Mr. Rook Grimwood are close associates of the Echo company. We publicized this training just a week ago because only a few are called. And only the wise will grab this opportunity.”

Then Mr. Easton entered the training hall and silently walked up to his executive chair.

“I will leave you with President Easton.” Mr. Black said. “This training might be harsh on most of you, but I want you all to take advantage of this opportunity.” He faced Mr. Easton, and they briefly made a curtsey before stepping out.

I wondered if they stayed in the company or booked a room in a five-star hotel nearby.

The minute they left, Mr. Easton sat upright in his chair. “We’ve learned enough for today. Now, submit your assignments.”

“Sir, we’ve forwarded it to your mail,” Atlas replied with respect to the entire class.

“Good, then come before the class, one after another, to explain what you’ve written. You should lecture us on what you’ve gained so far.” He summoned. “Be snappy so we can round up before midnight.”

My poor stomach grumbled while contracting into a tight ball. I knew that I was hungry, but now I felt starvation. I should just take an excuse and leave. I heart fluttered as I checked the screen of my broken phone. It was 11:30 p.m. on the dot. Where on earth would I get dinner? I skipped lunch today....

I haven’t written mine, let alone submit. A wave of acid welled up from their belly as Atlas stepped out.

Atlas, with shaking hands, stepped to the front of the class. “Yesterday, we started with an introduction starting from Mr. Easton Echo.” He began reading from his printed document.

As I watched the disappointment on Mr. Easton’s face, my chest tightened so much that breathing became difficult. I googled something’s on my phone and started drafting something to read.

About to read the next page, Mr. Easton's hand rose, signalling him to stop. “How many pages are there?”

“25.” Atlas replied. “There are 25 more pages.”

“What was the assignment about again? Didn’t I make it clear that you should make it brief? How long will it we wait if everyone writes such a long piece? I don’t have time, guys! Next!” He called.

Ilyas, who sat next to him, was about to stand when he pointed me out.

I tapped my chest, blinking at him twice. “You mean me?”

“Yes, you, Tes. Make your presentation snappy.” He added.