I was working late when a group of men came into the cafe. They placed a huge order, so I asked them to be patient as most of the staff had left. 20 minutes in, one of them screamed, “Hurry up, or I’ll get you FIRED for being a terrible waitress!” I froze when he slammed his fist on the counter, making the coffee machine rattle.

My heart hammered against my ribs, and I could feel the flush rising in my cheeks, but I kept my composure. I had been working double shifts all week, trying to save up for my final semester of nursing school, and the thought of losing this job was terrifying. “Sir, I’m doing the best I can,” I replied, my voice slightly shaky but firm.

“I’m the only one here right now, and I want to make sure your order is right. We don’t want any mistakes, do we?”

The man, who looked like the leader of the group—big, expensively dressed, and clearly used to getting his way—just sneered. “We don’t care about your excuses, girl.

We care about speed. This is a business meeting, and you’re wasting our time. Now, where are the lattes?” His friends, equally imposing in their tailored suits, chuckled uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact.

It felt like a power play, designed to intimidate me into rushing and making errors. I took a deep breath, counting to three in my head. I had seen this kind of behavior before; it often came from people who felt entitled.

I forced a small, professional smile. “They’re just coming right up, sir. I’m adding the finishing touches now.” I quickly whipped up the remaining four lattes, focusing intently on the foam art, trying to ignore the constant, aggressive tapping of the man’s fingers on the counter.

Every movement I made felt scrutinized, amplified by the silent, empty cafe. As I placed the tray on the counter, the rude man grabbed his cup without a thank you. He took a large gulp, frowned, and then glared at me.

“This is lukewarm, and the sugar is all wrong,” he complained loudly, making his friends look even more awkward. “You really are incompetent. I told you to hurry, not ruin the drinks!” He pushed the cup back, splashing a little coffee over the counter’s edge.

My patience was wearing thin, but I reminded myself of the tuition bill. “I apologize, sir,” I said, wiping the spill quickly. “I can remake it immediately for you.” I picked up the cup, trying to sound as unbothered as possible.