One
Melinda's POV
LOCATION: Los Angeles, America
TIME: 7:00 AM
"Melinda!"
"Wake up, we're getting late,"
I heard my mum call from the other side of the door. I groaned before standing up from the bed and headed towards the bathroom.
I walked out after a few minutes, dripping wet. I quickly got dressed and stepped out of the room. I saw my mother at the table with a sandwich in her hands. I walked up to her and hugged her from behind.
"Good morning mum,"
"Good morning sweetie, how was your night?" She asked,her face beaming with smiles
"It was great,"
I sat down and grabbed a sandwich from the plate in front of me.
"Where is dad?" I asked as I scanned my eyes around the room
"He left a few minutes ago to the restaurant, I decided to wait for you," she said.
I nodded and munched on my sandwich.
Few minutes later,I was done and we headed out to our restaurant
My family's restaurant, D Jones, is located in the heart of Los Angeles. It is a small restaurant which hardly meet up our needs but then my parents are contented
My biggest wish is to give them the world but I haven't even gotten a job.
It hurts…
"Melinda!"
My mom's voice broke me out of my reverie.
"Start cleaning"
Mom ordered and I nodded before proceeding to cleaning
"How are the sales going so far?"
I heard mom asked dad .
My dad sighed. I already knew what the answer would be before he even said it.
"Not looking good honey, not a single sale since I got here," he said.
My mum rubbed her forehead gently.
"Bills are piling up. If we don't pay the rent by the end of the month we will be evicted from our house," she lamented.
My dad moved closer to her and engulfed her in a hug
"We'll be fine honey," he said, reassuringly.
I stared at them with eyes full of love. I have always wondered how they were able to stick with each other even during tough times. I usually admire the love between them and wish to find true love one day.
I mentally reminded myself to make money first.
They were still in that position when a man in black suit walked into the restaurant.
"Oh look, we have a customer. I'll go get the order," I said and left.
The man looked mysterious from afar. As I walked closer to him, I was amazed by his physical appearance. He was tall and lean with broad shoulders.
I stared at him and when our gaze met,I averted
"Good morning sir, welcome to D Jones, what would you like to have?"
I asked with a smile plastered on my face.
"A cup of coffee please," he simply muttered
"Coming right up," I replied and left to get his order.
I skimp him one more glance. He sure is good looking but doesn't seem to be from around here.
He exudes a dangerous aura which makes me shudder a bit
I shrugged the thoughts off. We had just gotten a customer since we opened and I don't want to scare him away with my wild assumptions.
I prepared the coffee hurriedly. I occasionally peeped at the man and would see him darting his eyes around as if trying to take all the information about the restaurant in.
I still couldn't shake off the unease vibe emitting from the strange customer.
I took the coffee to him.
"Thank you" He said with a smile and I could swear I almost melted. My heart fluttered but I was quick to regain my composure
I got back to the counter and turned back,I realized he had left..that too without touching his coffee.
Strange.
I went to clear the table and saw that he left a hundred dollars.
"That's too much money for a cup of coffee"
I scoffed.
Rich people and their unnecessary showcasing of wealth
"Mel!!!"
A voice which I identified to belong to my best friend yelled and I flinched in shock. I wasn't expecting her to be back from Italy,not yet.
"Jeez Isa, are you trying to make me deaf?" I rolled my eyes.
Isabella rushed to me and gave me a tight hug.
"Well that's a great way to tell me you miss me huh," Isa said, still hugging me tight.
We disengaged from the hug and headed to the kitchen together.
"When did you get back from your trip? You didn't even call me," I whined.
"I wanted to give you a surprise," she laughed.
"Which turned out to be a fright " I chuckled.
"Yeah whatever. How have you been?" She asked.
"Doing great, business slow as always," I sighed.
"You'll be fine," She said and patted my shoulders gently.
"When did you get back?"
I asked and she let out a sigh.
"Yesterday. Dad made me come. He was been an ass as usual"
She huffed and we bursted into laughter.
Unlike me, Isabella has everything she could ever want, well except her freedom. Her parents are stinkingly rich but her father is way too overprotective and unbearable
Isabella darted her eyes around as if searching for something.
"Where are your parents? I haven't seen them around?"
She asked
I was interrupted by a loud thud coming from outside. We rushed out to see what was causing the commotion
"Give me my money now! I've had enough"
A strange,old man in his late forties yelled while my father tried calming him down
My mother's eyes glistened with tears and I hurriedly rushed to her.
"What's happening mom? Who's he?"
I inquired. Mom was quick to wipe her tears and with a smile,she turned to me.
"Go back in Mel,it's nothing"
And that was the most obvious lie I've ever heard.
"Talk to me mom" I demanded
With a sniff,she said
"He's the new owner of the restaurant"
My head rang at the bombshell.
"Mom?"
"We had to pay for your college bills. There was no option,so we should it"
"What the hell mom? Why are you just telling me this?"
I shivered at the realization that the restaurant might be going too
"Listen, I'm not in for all these family drama, I just need my money by the end of the month or you forget about this restaurant,"
The old fool who claimed to be the new owner of our restaurant yelled again.
I inhaled sharply trying to calm myself down.
"Sir, we will pay your money soon. Could you please leave now? As you can see we're having a serious family discussion" I said through gritted teeth.
The man stood up and stared daggers at me.
"Before the end of the month. That's all I'm giving you"
He said and walked out.
Isabella cleared her throat.
"Uhm.. I'm gonna go now" She stood up giving me the 'i'm sorry' look
"I'll see you later. Bye"
And with that,she scurried off.
I didn't know what to say so I just sat down and facepalmed myself.
"This restaurant has been our livelihood for decades now. It's the results of our dreams and hard work. Now someone is just going to snatch it away from us," I said softly.
My dad moved closer to me and gave me a hug.
"No one is going to take it away from us dear, I'll make sure of that," He reassured
I could see the uncertainty in his eyes but he is trying to stay strong for mum and I.
I stood up and walked to the window. I caught a glimpse of the strange man in black suit from earlier. What is he still doing here?
He seemed to notice that I was staring at him so he walked off casually.
What the hell..
