Genius In An Apron.
812 Words
Aliya approached the table slowly.
Only one table separated them from Adrian’s.
Too close.
She could feel it even without looking.
Eyes were on her.
“Good evening, what would you like to...”
“Aliya?”
The voice cut through her words instantly.
Her hand froze mid-air.
Slowly, she looked up at the one who had just called her name.
Recognition hit before she even fully saw their faces.
“…Shit.”
The word slipped out under her breath.
A low ripple of laughter followed.
“Aliya Bennet?” one of the men repeated, grinning.
“No, no, no.” A woman leaned forward, smiling sharply.
“It’s Aliya Vanessa Bennet, remember?”
Laughter exploded at the table.
Except for one.
Aaron.
He sat still, confused, watching her carefully.
“Stacy, stop that.” Aaron said quietly.
“It’s just a joke,” Stacy replied, shrugging. “Why are you acting like she died or something?”
Aliya stood there.
Perfect posture.
Controlled expression.
But inside—
Something tightened.
Old memories.
Old faces.
Old expectations she never lived up to.
“Aliya,” Aaron said again, softer now. “What are you doing here?”
His eyes dropped briefly.
“To the apron.”
The silence that followed was louder than their laughter.
Christopher leaned back in his chair.
“Wow. Is that really you? Serving tables now?”
Another burst of laughter.
Aliya didn’t react.
Not yet.
Aaron exhaled sharply.
“This is not necessary. We can talk later.”
“Talk later?” Stacy tilted her head. “Why? We’re just catching up with an old classmate.”
“Right?” Christopher added smoothly. “Family reunion.”
Aaron frowned. “What are you doing?”
Christopher ignored him and waved a waiter over.
“Call your manager.”
The waiter hesitated.
Then left.
Aliya’s fingers tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Control.
A few minutes later
The manager arrived.
“Yes? Is there a problem?”
Christopher smiled.
“Not a problem. A request.”
He leaned back casually.
“We just want to catch up with an old coursemate.”
He gestured at Aliya.
“And she says she’s busy.”
The manager looked at Aliya.
Then at the table.
Then made a decision too quickly.
“Well… she is on duty.”
Christopher sighed.
“$100 for every two minutes.”
The manager blinked.
“Sir, we are understaffed”
“$200.”
Cash hit the table.
Instantly.
Cleanly.
The manager’s hesitation disappeared.
A smile spread across her face.
She collected the money.
Removed Aliya’s apron.
“Enjoy your time.”
And walked away.
Aliya didn’t stop her.
She didn’t speak.
But her eyes darkened slightly.
Aaron stood up immediately.
“Let’s go, Aliya.”
Christopher’s smile faded.
“And where do you think you’re taking her?”
“I’m taking her out of this humiliation.”
“We paid for her time,” Christopher said smoothly. “Sit down.”
Aaron clenched his jaw.
“Are you hearing yourself?”
“I’m hearing profit.”
Silence.
Aliya finally spoke.
“Sit down, Aaron.”
Aaron turned sharply. “Aliya”
“It’s fine.”
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
She sat down beside him.
Christopher smiled again.
“Good girl.”
A waiter poured wine.
He pushed the glass toward her.
Aliya took it.
All eyes stayed on her.
Even from the next table
Adrian’s gaze lingered for half a second longer than necessary.
His mother noticed.
“Oh?”
But he didn’t respond.
Aliya drank.
Exhaled softly.
Then smiled.
Not warmly.
Not kindly.
Something sharper.
“Sad.”
The table went quiet.
She adjusted her glasses slowly.
“You know,” she continued, voice light, “I’m really proud of you all.”
Stacy smiled. “Of course you are”
“Especially you, Stacy.”
The smile vanished slightly.
Aliya tilted her head.
“I always thought you wouldn’t make it anywhere with how… empty your skull is.”
The air shifted.
Aaron blinked.
Christopher’s grin faded.
Stacy froze.
Aliya continued smoothly.
“You retook courses even after graduation, right?”
A pause.
“Oh wait.”
Her lips curved slightly.
“I suppose it doesn’t matter now.”
She leaned in just a little.
“Considering how you sell yourself online now.”
Stacy’s face drained of color.
Aaron snapped his head toward her. “What?”
Christopher frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Aliya took another slow sip of wine.
Then smiled faintly.
“Nothing.”
A beat.
Then she added gently:
“Just catching up.”
Silence dropped like a weight.
And from the distance
A pair of cold blue eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time that evening…
Adrian Black was actually watching.
Now Aliya slowly turns her look to the other two who shiver at her gaze.
- Writer
