Third Person's POV
Today started like any normal day for Sasuke, dropping Sarada off at school and going to work, but it wasn't going to stay that way for long. While Sasuke is at his desk looking at possible birthday gifts for Sarada, his boss calls him into his office. "Uchiha, can I speak with you for a moment?"
"I'm sorry to say this, Sasuke, but I have to let you go. It is not personal, it's completely budgetary..." Sasuke can't hear the rest of what his boss was telling him. All he can hear is a ringing. All he thinks about is Sarada. 'What am I gonna do? How am I gonna take care of Sarada? Why? Why is this happening to me? Why now? Why?' "Sasuke?" He looks up to his boss's eyes, which show pity. He is sorry to do this to him. "I am really sorry. I am willing to give you a great review for your next job and a severance pay. Please have your desk cleared out by the end of the day."
Sasuke doesn't move. He is still trying to comprehend what just happened. "Sasuke?" Sasuke's head moves back down. His eyes are still in shock. "Sasuke please leave." He finally escapes the trance he was in, gets up, and slams the door behind him. Sasuke doesn't waste any time in leaving. He grabs a box and places all of his things in it; A photo of him and Sarada, a mug, charger, and a few other supplies.
Sasuke wants to shout. He wants to tell his boss to go to hell, but nothing seems to come out of his mouth. As Sasuke walks to the door with his box in his hands, his boss is there with his hand out signalling for a handshake. Sasuke just walks out.
The first thing Sasuke does when he gets out of his old office building is go home and dump the box in his room. He then goes to Lakeside to pick up Sarada early. "Papa, what are you doing here?"
"I thought you and I should go out for lunch as a special early birthday present." Sarada's face glows when he tells her this.
"Really Papa?!" Sasuke nods.
"And we can order dessert after too." Sarada can't help thinking that this is the best day. Getting out of school early, going out for lunch, and getting dessert, all things that she doesn't get to do. However, to Sasuke, this is an awful day. He decides to do this so he can give her an amazing day, because tomorrow and the days after that, aren't gonna be good unless he can get another job.
Sasuke lets Sarada pick the restaurant, and she chooses a place called Davis's Coffee Shop. Neither of them have ever been there. When you enter the restaurant you are greeted with a brown counter. On it are coffee makers and a cash register. Behind the counter on the wall is the menu with all the types of coffees and deserts available. Next to the counter along the wall is a display of many desserts, ready to be eaten. to the right of the counter the floor becomes a dark green carpet and that is where all the tables are. Along the walls of the restaurant in that area there is one long coach instead of chairs. All the windows are filled with multiple flowers, and the tables have flowers too. In the corner there is a hallway with a sign that says bathrooms. The whole place gives you a comforting feeling.
The man behind the counter gives them a small fake smile and asks "Hello, how can I help you two?" The man has very pale skin that looks white, and has dark short hair.
"We would like a table."
The man grabs two menus and walks out from the counter. "Follow me." Sarada and Sasuke walk behind the man and take their seats."A waitress will be out in a minute." The man then leaves after placing the menus down.
"So, what do you think about this place, Sarada?"
Sarada looks around the restaurant with her thumb and pointer finger on her chin as if she was thinking. "I like it."
A woman dressed in a black skirt, with a white button up short sleeved shirt that was being covered by a black button up vest then goes to their table holding a pad. "Hello, I am Sakura and I will be your waitress. What would you guys like for a drink?" The woman looks like she is in her early twenties, she has big emerald eyes, and pink, almost bob-like short hair that has a headband through it. 'She's kinda cute' Sasuke thought.
"I will have water, what would you like Sarada?"
"Lemonade please."
Sakura gets ready to write down their order, but she can't find a pencil. The pencil is behind her ear but she doesn't notice, however Sasuke does. Sasuke lifts his arm and points to his ear hoping she would get what he means. Sakura touches her ear and grabs the pencil. "Thanks. Do you guys need some more time or are you ready to order food?"
"We will need time."
"Okay, let me know when you are," and just like that, Sakura walks away from the table dropping the fake smile on her face.
After about an hour Sasuke and Sarada are looking at the desserts on the display figuring out which one to get. Sasuke already paid for their lunch and gave a good enough tip for Sakura. Sarada stares endlessly at the desserts, unable to make a decision. Sakura was behind the counter waiting for the little girl to make a decision. Her mind is in another place. All she can think about was the conversation she had with Gaara yesterday.
Gaara: I think we should break up.
Sakura froze. Her worst fears were coming true. It was over. Sakura dialed Gaara's number and waited for him to pick up. It was unlikely because it was the middle of the day so he would be at work, but she needed to speak with him. The phone rang for a bit and then it stopped. "Hello," said the voice on the other end of the call.
"Gaara! I saw your text and I want to talk about this! Please, this is just a misunderstanding!"
"Sakura, listen. I like you. A lot. Hell I love you. And I have loved being with you, but, I think you and I want two different things out of this relationship. And when you said that thing about marriage, it made me realize that."
"No no no Gaara you misunderstood. I wasn't saying I want to get married now-"
"But you do want to get married?"
Sakura bit her lip. "Someday," she said as quietly as possible.
"That's the problem, Sakura. I don't want to get married. It's not because of you, I just don't want that. I don't want marriage, kids..."
"You don't want kids?"
"No, do you?"
Tears started to fall down Sakura's cheeks. Trying her best not to burst out in tears, she said, "Yes."
"Well that might be a problem. Look Sakura, I'm not gonna change my mind about this. If you are willing to just stay the way we are, then we can stay together, but if you want something more, then we probably should not stay together."
Sakura quickly says, "I will think about it," and hangs up. She couldn't hold back her tears anymore.
"Miss?" A little voice brings her back to reality. Sarada is looking directly at her. "I would like that shortcake please." Sakura pulls out a paper box and starts to fold it. As she does this Sasuke notices a little sign on the counter. 'Help Wanted, Waiter or Waitress.' Sakura finishes folding the box and takes the shortcake out of the display and places it in the box.
"That will be $4.72," she says, handing the box to Sarada. Sasuke pulls out his wallet and gives her a $5 bill.
"You're hiring?" he asks.
"Yep. Full time, no prior experience needed. You interested?" Sarada gives Sasuke a concerning look. If Sasuke answers truthfully Sarada will realize that he lost his job, and that is the last thing Sasuke wants Sarada to know. Atleast until he gets another job.
"No. I know a friend who might be interested." Sasuke uses this as a cover story for now.
"Oh, well let that friend know. He is your change. Have a nice day."
Sasuke and Sarada walk out of the restaurant hand in hand. Sasuke stops walking and looks back at the restaurant to memorize the name. Sure being a waiter would be a step down, but he is desperate. A lot of things have been out of Sasuke's hand recently, but one thing he can guarantee is that he will be back, and he will get that job.