The Waitress
1116 Words
The shrill sound of her alarm shattered the silence of the room.
Aliya groaned.
7:00 AM.
For several seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling.
Another day.
Another rejection waiting somewhere around the corner.
Another day of pretending she wasn't exhausted.
With a sigh, she reached over and silenced the alarm.
The room immediately fell quiet again.
Slowly, she sat up and grabbed her glasses from the bedside table.
The moment she put them on, the blurry world sharpened.
Unfortunately, so did reality.
Dragging herself out of bed, she shuffled into the bathroom and splashed cold water across her face.
Droplets slid down her skin as she lifted her head to stare at her reflection.
Dark circles.
Forced smile.
Tired eyes.
She barely recognized herself anymore.
"Just keep pushing."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Keep pushing."
The reflection didn't look convinced.
Neither was she.
After preparing a simple breakfast and getting ready for work, Aliya finally left her apartment.
The morning air was cool against her skin.
As she approached the roadside to hail a taxi, a strange feeling suddenly crept over her.
Being watched.
Her steps slowed.
Across the street stood a man in a black hoodie.
Completely still.
Watching her.
Something about him immediately felt wrong.
Aliya couldn't explain why.
The distance between them wasn't far.
Yet she couldn't see his face.
Only the unsettling sensation that his eyes were locked onto her.
The moment their gazes met he turned.
And walked away.
Aliya frowned.
A chill ran through her.
"What was that about?"
For a second she considered following him.
Then shook her head.
She had enough problems already.
The last thing she needed was to start chasing strangers.
She ignores it and heads off to work.
A few hours into her shift, a lady walks towards her.
“ The manager wants to see you.” She bluntly speaks and leaves.
Aliya goes deeper into the kitchen and enters an office.
Sitting at a desk was a middle age woman with brown hair.
“ You called for me ma.” Aliya speaks respectfully as she enters the room.
“ Yes Aliya, I'm gonna need a favour from you, I need you to work night shift tonight.” The Woman says.
“ Hmmm?”
“ I said I need you to work night shift, is something wrong with your ears?” The woman says.
“ But ma, according to what we agreed on I was only supposed to work on Morning or Afternoon shifts.” Aliya states.
“ If we were to do things on how it was previously agreed on no one would be making any progress.” The woman mentions.
“ But ma...”
“It’s not like you’ll be rushing home to a husband or some fancy office job.” The woman states.
Aliya was unsatisfied but she maintans her composure.
“ Ok ma.” She replies as she leaves the office.
And so, Aliya had to work till 10pm.
By 6pm there were alot of costumers to attend to so she was extremely busy.
By eight o'clock, the restaurant was packed.
Conversations filled the room.
Cutlery clinked.
Laughter echoed.
Then the entrance doors opened.
And the atmosphere shifted.
Not dramatically.
Not immediately.
Just enough.
Heads began turning.
One after another.
A tall man entered while pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair.
He wore a long grey coat over a black turtleneck.
A black mask concealed half his face.
Yet somehow he still drew attention.
The room seemed smaller around him.
His broad shoulders.
His commanding posture.
The quiet confidence in every step.
People looked.
Then quickly looked away.
Instinctively.
As if staring too long would be a mistake.
Three men followed behind him.
All dressed in black.
All carrying themselves like trained predators.
One stood out from the rest.
His hair was completely silver despite his imposing build.
The group moved through the restaurant with silent efficiency.
The tall man carefully positioned the wheelchair beside a table.
His movements were surprisingly gentle.
Almost protective.
The elderly woman smiled.
"Adrian, aren't you going to remove that mask?"
A hint of amusement entered her eyes.
Adrian sighed.
"Mother."
The single word carried the patience of a man who had clearly lost this argument many times before.
"You know how recognizable I am."
"Oh?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"So your poor mother doesn't deserve to see her son's face while having dinner?"
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I suggested we eat at home."
"I wanted fresh air."
"And now I want peace."
His mother laughed.
Adrian finally gave up.
With obvious reluctance, he removed the mask.
Several nearby women visibly froze.
Sharp jawline.
Dark hair.
Cold blue eyes.
A face that belonged on magazine covers.
The kind of face people remembered.
The kind of face that made first impressions dangerous.
Unfortunately for Adrian—
One particular waitress couldn't stop staring.
Aliya slowed.
Something about him felt familiar.
Not his face.
His eyes.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgettable.
For a strange moment, she felt as though she'd seen them before.
Somewhere.
Somehow.
Then Adrian looked directly at her.
Their gazes collided.
Aliya's heart skipped.
Only for a second.
Then she immediately looked away.
Embarrassed.
What was wrong with her?
“ I hope you are happy?” Adrian asks his mother.
“ Well, you don't plan on wearing those gloves to eat right?” Adrian's mum pushes.
“ Mother please.” Adrian mutters.
“ Fine Fine suit yourself.”
Adrian calls for the waiter.
Aliya quicky comes to attend to them.
“ Hmmmm? do I know this guy? he look... familiar.” Aliya thinks to herself as she sees Adrian.
Adrian notices her staring a bit too long.
“ Good Evening, what would you like to have?” Aliya asks hospitably.
Adrian and his mum make their orders and Aliya goes to fetch it.
After about two minutes Aliya bring their orders.
“ Enjoy” she says as she turns to leave while stealing one last glance at Adrian which Adrian notices again.
“ See how people are already recognizing me?” Adrian comments.
“ Oh please... I'm pretty sure she was just drawn to your cute little face.” Adrian's mum teases.
Adrian scoffs at the word cute.
“ I can swear I know that guy.” Aliya wonders before she is suddenly called to another table.
At the table sat two men and two ladies, like a double date.
Aliya gets there and greets them.
“Good Evening what would you like to...”
“ Aliya?” A lady sitting at the table speaks up
Aliya looks at them more intently.
“ s**t! ” Aliya mutters as she recognizes them.
- Writer
