Chef Jake looked at Eva, a brow arched. Then, his eyes moved down to the resume she had submitted.
"No experience serving customers?" He asked, and Eva nodded without hesitation. "Why should we hire you when there are more experienced people?"
"I am a people person," she reasoned. "And, I may not have any experience yet, but there's always a first time. Even those 'more experienced' people started out as I am now. They had a first time, too."
Chef Jake's eyes narrowed, and she shifted in her seat, cleared her throat, and tried again.
"I am a fast learner. If given the chance, I know I will do well," she said, her expression serious.
The chef looked at her in silence, and his eyes trailed down her hands. He would have mistaken her for some spoiled rich girl wanting to have fun and rebel against her family, if not those hands. They are rough and callous. A sheltered person could never have hands like those.
He shifted his position, leaning his back on the chair, and then he asked, "Why do you want to work here?"
Eva took a moment to think, and after a few seconds, she breathed, "There's no grand reason. I just want a job I can be proud of. Something I chose to do myself."
She just wanted something that wasn't a club or a bar where she'll only encounter drunk men and women acting as if every day was their last. A place that didn't smell like alcohol, cigarettes, blood, and sometimes, especially now, sex.
Sweet Savor was exactly that.
It was also a day job, something to keep her busy during the day and prevent her from losing herself in thoughts that led her nowhere.
"Something normal for myself," she muttered under her breath. Her hands clenching on her lap.
"Something normal?" Jake asked, frowning. He didn't understand why she said that, but her expression told him there was more to it than meets the eye.
Eva froze only now, realizing that she had spoken aloud.
"It's fine," Jake said, waving his hand. "Everyone has their own problems. You are no different."
Eva avoided his gaze for a while, and an awkward silence settled.
"You can start today," the chef said after clearing his throat to dispel the awkwardness. "Holly will show what to do."
Eva's head lifted so fast it almost hurt her neck. "Really?" She asked, unable to believe he would hire her.
"Congratulations Evangeline, you have the 'normal' job you wanted," he said.
Eva looked away, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"I will be keeping an eye on you," Jake warned. "If I notice anything that's suspicious about you, you can kiss this job goodbye."
"Yes, thank you," Eva said, smiling.
****
Far from Empire City, the sun was setting when a plane touched down, and its passengers came out one after another. Among them was Smith.
The moment he walked through the exit, a man approached him.
"Welcome back to Small Ville, Sir," the man said.
Smith hummed in acknowledgment.
They reached the car and drove off the airport grounds. The ride was silent and lasted over an hour before it branched off the main road and another twenty minutes before it came to a stop in front of a bungalow.
The building was well maintained, the lawned perfectly mowered and the garden taken care of as well, but not a single soul could be seen around safe for the Smith and the driver.
Smith scanned the place, his expression devoid of emotion. The darkening day made the silence louder.
He stepped out of the car, his shoes crunching softly against the gravel.
The driver remained behind the wheel.
Smith's eyes moved across the empty lawn again. The house lights were on, yet the curtains didn't move.
"You can go," Smith said.
The man quickly nodded and drove away, leaving Smith alone with the quiet house.
For a few seconds, nothing happened, and then the front door slowly creaked open.
"Smith," a woman called, her voice warm.
She stepped out of the house, and Smith approached her.
"You didn't tell me you were coming," the woman said, a small frown settling between her brows. "Melody isn't here today."
She swung her arms around him, embracing him.
He returned her hug by wrapping his hands around her.
"It's fine just knowing she is alright," Smith replied.
They pulled apart, and she led him by the hand inside.
"It is such a shame," she said with a sigh. "I will call her and tell her that…."
"Margaret," Smith called, stopping her before she said or did anything else. "Don't," he said, and she frowned. "I won't stay for long."
Margaret let go of his hand and locked the door. "Do you still feel guilty?" she asked knowingly.
Smith didn't reply.
She pressed her lips into a thin line, hands on her hips.
"It's not your fault everything happened the way it did," she said after a sigh. "Just tell her the truth, and all of this will be settled."
"I didn't come here for that," Smith said, and she glared at him. "It's not the right time yet."
"Then why are you here?" Margaret asked, almost snapping. "I know you didn't come here because you miss your sister."
He sighed, massaging his temples.
Margaret was talking as if she wasn't the sister in question. "I came this far, and I'm not even allowed to sit?" he asked, raising a brow.
She pursed her lips."You said you were leaving."
"I can at least sit down for a minute before I leave," he argued.
"Fine," Margaret relented and led him to the living room. Once they were seated, she asked, "I heard you wore your mask again yesterday, and now everyone is running to Empire City, looking for you, but you're here. Why?"
"I needed the distraction," he answered. "Jacob is starting to suspect Melody is alive and that she might be here," he leaned back, his head resting on the couch and he closed his eyes, then he added, "He's not the only one searching. The Frost's daughter is still searching, too."
"Diana Frost?" Margaret asked, her face brightening up.
He looked at her through half closed eyes when he heard the excitement in her voice. "Don't do anything funny, please."
"Fine. I won't tell Melody," she said standing.
She walked into the kitchen and came back shortly with a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. She placed the table in front of him.
"There's leftover spaghetti I made this evening. I thought Melody will come back but she said he won't." she said.
Smith opened his eyes and looked at her.
"I just made it. It's still hot."
He sat up and pulled the plate towards himself.
"Did you come to make sure they haven't found her?" She asked, sitting back down.
"They found her," Smith replied. "I want to make sure the information hasn't reached Jacob yet."