The next couple of days went by and everything was settled for Ivy. She got used to working at the restaurant and made some new regular customer friends. Because work has gotten Ivy busy all day and night, she couldnt get enough sleep. On some nights, she stays up because she has insomnia every other day.

So she stayed up all night working on a painting for the restaurant. She took inspiration from her other paintings and painted something she hasn’t painted before. Till morning hit, Ivy fell asleep after she finished the painting at 4AM. After finished with painting the picture, she went downstairs and placed the painting onto the bar counter where it looks pretty. She went to bed and slept till morning.

When Ivy woke up that morning at 10AM, she felt light headed and a fever was coming. So she wanted to sleep for a couple of minutes before waking up again.

After minutes of sleeping, Ivy finally woke up and felt even worse than before. She wanted to get some fresh air before returning back to the apartment studio to rest again. She didn't want to tell anyone about her fever or sickness. Ivy quickly got dressed into something warm and headed downstairs to let the guys know that she's going out for a little while.

Ben, Jason, and William had came to the restaurant that morning to work but didn't see Ivy come down from upstairs at around 11PM and they were worried for her. When Charlie came out of the kitchen to check up on the guys, William told Charlie about Ivy not coming down from upstairs to work.

William (*calls Charlie's name as he walks out of the kitchen) : Charlie.
Charlie (*asks as walking to the bar counter) : what ?
William : have you seen Ivy this morning ?
Ben : yeah, we havent seen her all morning.
Jason (*asks) : did something happen to her ?
Charlie : i dont know. i didnt see her this morning when she got up either.
William : maybe you should go check up on her.
Charlie : i'll be right back.

With Charlie saying that, Ivy came downstairs dressed into her warm clothes outside of her work uniform. The guys looked up from their jobs to look at Ivy.

Charlie (*says quietly to the others) : never mind then.
William (*asks Ivy as he notices her dressed up) : where are you going Ivy ?
Ivy : i need some fresh air. i'll be right back.
Charlie (*asks Ivy) : it has to be now ?
Ivy (*says calmly) : yes.

Ivy barely took a step towards the door and Charlie realizes the painting on the bar counter. He then questions the guys and Ivy who was standing there. The more someone talked, the more Ivy had a bigger headache. She knew by the way Charlie asks everyone that she was going to get in trouble with him.

Charlie (*asks Jason, Ben, Charlie, and even Ivy) : what is it ? (*pointing at the painting)
William : a painting, can't you see Charlie ?
Charlie : i know what it is but what is it doing here ?
Charlie (*asks everyone angrily) : who put this here ?
[Everyone in silence]
Charlie (*raises his voice) : WELL???
Ivy (*says calmly) : i did.
Charlie : let me guess, you painted it. right ?
Ivy : yes, i did.
Charlie : what makes you think i’ll let you put it up and like it ?
Jason : relax Charlie. it’s just a painting, it could be taken down.
Charlie : i clearly told everyone that if you want to put something up
Charlie : then you must get me and Will's okay on it.
Ivy (*asks Charlie) : so since when did we have to get your permission on everything ?
Charlie (*says as looking at Ivy with an attitude) : everytime.
Charlie : and you got a problem with that ?
Ivy (*gets angry & says) : i don't know how a person like you can be so selfish Charlie.
Ben (*stops Ivy from talking) : Ivy, don't.
Ivy : no. someone has to tell him the truth about himself and i plan to do so.
Ivy : and you know what ? i don’t care.
Charlie : it will cost you everything.
Ivy : you're so careless and cold hearted.
Ivy : you don't care about anyone else besides yourself.
Ivy (*asks) : how can you even live with yourself ?
Ivy : everyone here has worked hard and yet you don't appreciate the hard that's put into.
Ivy : i have never heard you say one who proud you are of our hard work.
Ivy (*asks) : what does it take for you to say it ?
Ivy : i think i know the reason why nobody has been able to stand up to you.
Ivy : is because their scared of you and what you can do to them. am i right ?
Charlie : and what about you ?
Charlie : you've been moving city to city trying to find a place to live.
Charlie : and of all the places, you choose the big apple New York City. why is that ?
Charlie : i think i know why because
Charlie : you think you can make it big out here with your paintings.
Charlie : and you are hoping to be famous here. do you want to know what else ?
Charlie : you will never make it here because nobody will see your paintings as something.
Charlie : it’s just a work of shit.

Ivy looks at Charlie holding back her tears from what he just said and becomes extremely angry at him but she continues to be strong and says......

Ivy (*says) : i can't believe you just said that to me.
Ivy : you don't know what hard work is about.
Ivy : you don't know what hardships I've been through so
Ivy : don’t act like you know shit about me.
Ivy : in my entire life, I've never had a boss so careless like you.
Ivy : i rather kill myself than stay and work for you.
Charlie : well, you made it easier now. your fired.
Ivy : i see how it is now Charlie.

Ivy took a step towards the door but Charlie stopped her by saying....

Charlie : take the picture with you.

Ivy took the picture she painted and walked out of the restaurant. She walked to Central Park and to the bridge to look at it. She was watching people around her and taking in air. She wanted that fresh air and she got it. Ivy was so happy that she got out of that place and didn't want to deal with anything. Since it was the first week of December, it was snowing and beautifully outside with all of the snow falling. As she was standing there, she took a look at the picture she painted and a tear dropped down her face.

While back at the restaurant, Ben and Jason stood there talking to William and Charlie.

Ben : it looks like Ivy was sick.
Charlie (*asks Ben) : how did you know ?
Ben : she had a pale face and it looks like she was sweating from a fever or something.
Jason : and she normally has make up on.
William (*tells Charlie) : that's right.

Ben and Jason went back to their jobs elsewhere. William stood there with Charlie talking about Ivy. William stood there with his arms crossed looking straight at Charlie making him question.

Charlie : what ?
William (*asks) : why is it that every time a girl gets involved, you get all bossy and mean ?
William (*asks) : what is it with you ?
Charlie : she started it.
Charlie : if she didn't say those things about me then she would've stayed.
Charlie : and none of this would happen Will.
William : Ivy is different.
Charlie : how so ?
William : she’s dedicated and loves her job here. did you have to push it ?
William : you pushed it way too far.
William (*asks) : what don't you like about her ? you obviously hate her so much.
William (*asks) : what is it Charlie ?
Charlie : she just……….
William (*asks) : just what ?
Charlie : she reminds me so much of someone we know.
William (*asks) : mom ?
Charlie : yeah, exactly.
Charlie : mom and Ivy have so much in common and i can't let that go.
Charlie : that's why every time i look at Ivy, i think of mom.
William (*asks) : is that why you two fight most of the time ?
William (*continues asking) : is because you two can’t set each other's differences ?
Charlie : we can’t ever come to an agreement on anything.
William : that’s why we sit down and set rules for everything.
William : Charlie. i know you've let go of a lot of people in your life but Ivy isn't one of them.
William : i know that for sure. Ivy isn't one of those people you've met in the past.
William : she wont hurt you if you don't hurt her.
William : please. don't let her get away, you've come so far. the both of you.
William : go after her and get her back here.

Charlie came to a realization and runs out of the restaurant to look for Ivy. He went everywhere looking for her and couldn't find her anywhere.

Notes