CHAPTER FOUR - *DREAMS AND DILEMMAS

The next two hours were a whirlwind of taking orders, serving tables, and trying to sneak glances at her presentation notes whenever she had a free moment. By the time her shift ended, Anna was exhausted, but she knew she couldn't rest yet. She raced across campus to her Business of Hospitality class, arriving with just minutes to spare. As she caught her breath, she overheard two classmates talking. "I heard Professor Adams is in a terrible mood today," one whispered. "Apparently, he ripped apart the last presenter." Anna felt a flutter of panic in her stomach. She had worked hard on this presentation, but with the pop quiz and surprise shift, she hadn't had time to practice as much as she'd hoped. "Anna Petrovic," Professor Adams called. "You're up." Taking a deep breath, Anna made her way to the front of the class. She fumbled slightly as she set up her laptop, acutely aware of Professor Adams' stern gaze. "Um, good afternoon," she began, her voice shaky. "Today, I'll be presenting my business plan for a farm-to-table restaurant concept." As she spoke, Anna felt herself relaxing into the material. This was her passion, after all. She had spent countless hours researching and refining her ideas. Despite her lack of practice, the words flowed naturally. When she finished, there was a moment of silence. Then, to her surprise, Professor Adams nodded approvingly. "Well done, Ms. Petrovic," he said. "Your passion for the subject is evident, and your research is thorough. I look forward to seeing how you develop this concept further." Relief and pride washed over Anna as she returned to her seat. She had done it. Despite all the obstacles, she had managed to pull off a successful presentation. As Anna approached her apartment that evening, she could hear music and laughter from inside. She frowned, fumbling for her keys. When she opened the door, she was met with a scene of chaos. The small living room was packed with people, most of whom Anna didn't recognize. Red plastic cups littered every surface, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and smoke. "Anna!" her roommate Jenna's voice called out over the noise. "You're home early!" Anna stood in the doorway, stunned. "Jenna, what is all this?" Jenna giggled, swaying slightly as she made her way over. "It's a party, silly! Come on, loosen up a little!" "Loosen up?" Anna repeated incredulously. "Jenna, I have a huge exam tomorrow. I need to study!" Jenna rolled her eyes. "You're always studying. Live a little!" Anna felt her temper rising. "This is my home too, Jenna. You can't just throw a party without asking me, especially not on a weeknight!" "Oh, come on," Jenna pouted. "Don't be such a buzzkill." "A buzzkill?" Anna's voice rose. "I'm trying to build a future for myself. I can't afford to party all the time like you do!" The music suddenly cut out, and Anna realized everyone was staring at them. Jenna's face hardened. "Well, if you're going to be like that, maybe you should just leave." Anna stood there for a moment, torn between anger and disbelief. Finally, she turned on her heel and walked out, slamming the door behind her. She found herself wandering towards the campus café, one of the few places still open at this hour. As she pushed open the door, the warm aroma of coffee enveloped her, calming her frayed nerves slightly. "Anna?" a familiar voice called out. She turned to see Dr. Green, her culinary history professor, sitting at a corner table. "Dr. Green," Anna greeted him, managing a small smile. "Working late?" He chuckled, gesturing to the stack of papers in front of him. "The joys of grading never end. Care to join me?" Grateful for the invitation, Anna sat down across from him. Dr. Green studied her face for a moment. "You look troubled, Anna. Is everything alright?" The concern in his voice broke through Anna's defenses. Before she knew it, she was pouring out the whole story – the difficult customers at work, her roommate's thoughtless party, the constant struggle to balance her studies and her job. Dr. Green listened attentively, nodding in understanding. When Anna finished, he leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Anna, do you know why I became a professor?" he asked. Caught off guard by the question, Anna shook her head. "I spent twenty years as a chef," he continued. "I worked my way up from dishwasher to executive chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant. And every step of the way, I faced challenges not unlike what you're experiencing now." Anna's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? But you're so successful now." Dr. Green smiled. "Success doesn't come easy, Anna. It's built on a foundation of hard work, perseverance, and yes, sometimes sacrifice. What you're going through now – the long hours, the difficult customers, the challenges of balancing work and study – these are all preparing you for the future you want to build." "But sometimes it feels like too much," Anna admitted. "Like I'm missing out on the college experience." "The college experience is different for everyone," Dr. Green replied. "Your dedication now will pay off in ways you can't even imagine yet. But remember, it's also important to take care of yourself. Finding balance is key." Anna nodded, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "Thank you, Dr. Green. I really needed to hear that." "You're welcome, Anna," he said warmly. "And remember, my door is always open if you need to talk." As Anna left the café, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges she faced weren't obstacles, but stepping stones to her dreams. When she returned to her apartment, the party had wound down. A few stragglers were passed out on the couch, and the floor was littered with cups and debris. For a moment, Anna felt the anger from earlier resurface. But then she took a deep breath, remembering Dr. Green's words about balance and perseverance. "One mess at a time," she murmured, grabbing a trash bag. As she cleaned, Anna found herself planning out her study schedule for the next day. By the time she finished, the apartment was tidy, and she had a clear plan of action for her exam preparation. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the windows of Ivory Tower, Anna arrived for her evening shift. The restaurant was already buzzing with activity, the clinking of glasses and murmur of conversation creating a pleasant ambiance. "Evening, everyone," Anna called out cheerfully as she entered the kitchen. "Hey, Anna!" replied Sarah, the head chef. "Ready for another busy night?" Anna nodded, tying her apron with practiced ease. "Always. What's on the menu tonight?" As Sarah ran through the specials, Anna mentally prepared herself for the evening ahead. She loved the energy of the restaurant, the way each night brought new challenges and experiences. The first few hours of her shift passed smoothly. Anna moved from table to table with grace, her warm smile and attentive service earning her appreciative nods from satisfied patrons. "How is everything?" she asked a couple celebrating their anniversary. The woman beamed. "It's perfect, thank you. The wine pairing suggestion was excellent." Anna was about to respond when the restaurant's atmosphere suddenly shifted. A hush fell over the dining room, followed by a wave of excited whispers. Curious, Anna turned towards the entrance and felt her heart skip a beat. There, framed by the doorway, stood Erik Fairchild. The billionaire's presence seemed to fill the entire room, his charisma palpable even from a distance. He was flanked by a group of equally glamorous friends, their designer clothes and confident demeanors marking them as members of the elite.