Maybe Disclaimer:
English isn't my first language, this is also my first romance novel I write. I am happy to read any type of feedback you give me.
Good reading!
*
*
*
*
*
I work as a waitress at a newly opened cafe. Although it is new, the brand exists as a restaurant and has been serving customers for over 12 years.
Harbinger Cafe and Restaurant has a good reputation, a great selection of dishes and beverages, a great location, excellent service, lovely decoration, and great prices.
Their first restaurant was outside the city centre, but it managed to bring in customers from all over.
The newly opened Cafe is right in the city centre and its purpose is a declaration of war against other cafes in its vicinity.
I applied for the position of a cashier, but…
„Miss Telle… unfortunately for you, we have already filled the positions for cashier," Eric Ulari, the founder and owner of Harbinger, said.
My smile dropped and my fingertips went numb.
‚My 17th rejection… What must a girl do to get a job? Uni is expensive!'
„But," he said again, „we still need a few waiters. The pay is better and you get to keep all the tips. We also cover your insurance."
‚Why do most people pause like that?! Just say that from the start! Now I look like a baby!'
My polite smile reappeared on my face.
„H-How much is the salary?" I asked, almost stuttering with each word uttered.
„40 hours a week, Saturday and Sunday work possible… And considering that you are a university student with no prior experience…How does eighteen hundred a month sound, before taxes and without tips?"
‚E-E-Eighteen??!! Hello?'
„That sou- sounds good," I answered, stuttering like I had never used my tongue before.
‚Fuck!'
„Our new location opens in 2 weeks… We would like to have you work for a few days at our restaurant first to assess your capabilities. Then, if you pass the unofficial official test, we will show you around the new location and how you should go about doing certain things. Any questions?"
‚Yes!'
„No, not for now."
‚Curse my anxiety!'
I left the interview thinking about…
‚This old man's body! Curse him! Bald-headed, charismatic, kind-smiling, veiny-armed, and white-bearded womanizer!'
No, really. Curse him. He has no business being this good-looking and being built like a boxer whilst in his late forties.
I didn't know at the time, but Eric was single, always had been. No kids, no scandals, nothing of that nature.
I returned home happy that day.
‚My first job!'
***
About a month later…
„Susan!" I called out.
„Yeah?"
„I am taking a quick break."
„No you aren't, Essy!"
I took a break anyway.
I washed my sweaty hands and face. The heat was our only real issue.
When I grabbed a paper towel, I looked in the mirror to check if my hair and makeup were as they were supposed to be.
My dyed red hair was still the way it was supposed to be - tied into a high ponytail.
My mascara hadn't been smeared all over my face, and my eyeliner was still sharp as a knife.
‚Too sharp, maybe…'
The restrooms were located on the outer part of the building and weren't accessible from the inside, but coincidentally, the smoking area was just in front of the restroom entry.
I knelt down, supporting my back against a steel fence, and took out my pack of cigarettes.
„Hey, Andy! Is Eric here anywhere?" I asked in a not-so-subtle tone.
„Why do you wanna know?"
„He doesn't," I said, lighting the cigarette, „…like me smoking. That's why."
Andy didn't respond; he simply went to a table that hadn't been served yet.
„He is right there. Look straight ahead," a deep but strangely soothing voice called out from my right - the direction of the restrooms.
I looked straight ahead, only to see Eric being busy as always. But then I looked towards the voice and saw a man.
A tall man. A well-dressed man. A man I hadn't noticed standing just 8 feet away from me. A man looking at me with cold eyes and an even colder expression. Everything was great about him except for his disheveled brown hair and beard. He also looked annoyed, but pride tainted his face as well.
I didn't say anything. I couldn't, even.
‚He looks like…'
On the day of the opening, Eric had introduced us to his older, less handsome but many times more charismatic brother.
He looked fifty with a white beard and long white hair that was tied in a bun.
‚His eyes are always teary for some reason…'
Jason Ulari, Eric's senior by 4 years.
Eric was the brains, Jason the muscles without the muscles. You don't need muscles when you have an concealed-carry firearm's license.
Jason also smoked a lot.
Probably ten times the amount I smoked.
And this man who stood next to me looked eerily similar to Jason.
But before I could even say anything else, he turned around and walked towards the cafe's entrance.
„Esmeralda!"
‚Shit!'
„What did I tell you about smoking, huh? It's not good for you. Do you want to end up… Just get back to work, will you?" Eric said, not wasting a second more talking to me.
Eric was busy, so was Jason. The cafe's success was sudden and unexpected. Many things were still incomplete and many more required further permits from the city.
I leaned forward, transferring my weight to my legs, and stood up with enough motivation for the remaining…
‚4 hours to go…'
Running to one table, taking their order, running to the bakery to get another table's order, running back to serve what was ordered. Over and over again.
Until the man from before appeared.
He sat alone at a table intended for four people.
He wore black trousers which had a wide fit, a pair of white sneakers that looked elegant enough to go with more formal wear, a white polo shirt, and because it got windy, a black oversized jacket.
I walked closer instinctively to get his order, I noticed his change in demeanor. He didn't look annoyed or emotionless anymore. There was a satisfied expression on his face because…
‚He was at a barber! Oh! Ohhhh…' I took in the view of this gorgeous man.
He had cut his beard short and had it shaved under his chin, revealing his chiseled jawline. His medium-length hair was kept in a middle part and flowed flawlessly to the sides and to the back of his head. The part where his hair and beard met was also meticulously cut, allowing the hairs to blend together perfectly.
While eating him up with my eyes, I somehow ended up just a few feet away from him.
‚Curse this job! I have to talk to this… this… young, handsome, and probably rich man!'
„M-May I take you out?" I asked.
‚What?!'
„What?" He asked me, unsure if he had heard me right.
I still thank God that he was focusing his attention on his phone just a moment before.
He looked up at me, slight confusion tainting his perfectly straight demeanor.
„I asked for your order, Sir," I said, mentally crossing all my fingers that my attempt at gaslighting would succeed.
I mean, why wouldn't it?
‚In a situation such as this, the receiver of the information wasn't focused on the words spoken. The recip-' My thoughts were cut short, and so was my attempt at convincing myself.
„I am pretty sure you didn't say that…" He paused for a moment. „My order, right? Black tea and… uhm… something sweet. Maybe with caramel… We serve Lotus Cheesecake, no?"
‚We?'
„Yes, Sir. Perhaps you would like a serving?"
He nodded simply, diving back into his phone.
‚Arrogant prick!'
I turned around, walking back towards the pastry counter.
I crossed paths with Andy on the way and grabbed his shoulder.
„Hm?"
„Who is he? The guy sitting alone back there.." I asked, pointing in the man's general direction.
„Who?" He said. „Oh! Him? Look, I gotta go to our bakery down the street. I will tell you when I am back."
‚Motherfu… He doesn't want to tell me!'
I rolled my eyes in annoyance and grabbed a round serving of Lotus Cheesecake.
And when I returned to serve him his order,
Jason sat across from him.
„You need to train your waiters some more, dad," he said to Jason… his father.