Lacquered Tattoo

Chapter Three

A good hour or so have passed since I gave in to my loneliness and surrendered to the comfort of my new bed. For starters, it wasn’t that bad. The mattress was soft though I could use more pillows.

I wish I had brought my bear with me instead of having it shipped along with the rest of my stuff. I don’t care how childish it would seem for a young adult to still be attached to an old raggedy stuffed toy, I needed my bear.

I sat up and wiped my face, still a little bit dazed from being out of it for quite some time, taking a few seconds to actually wake up from a daymare.

Well, my stuff won’t arrange themselves, will they?

Slowly, I moved around the apartment to clean up. Halfway through, I was feeling better and put some music on. Nothing can make me feel grounded than a good indie playlist.

When I was satisfied with everything, I decided to watch a movie from my laptop. I only have a few on my hard drive since I have a Netflix and sss Prime subscription and could have my fill with so much, more than I could have watched in my lifetime. Though I still kept a few copies of my favorite films and series in handy, ones that I will not get tired of watching over and over again.

I chose my favorite feel-good comfort show and before I knew it, I was laughing my ass off about a running gag involving a slap bet and a duck printed tie.

My stomach begins to rumble by the third episode I was watching so I decided it was time to grab some food. I did saw a restaurant on the way here and I wasn’t really up to cooking right now. The jet lag was setting in and I just wanted a quick meal before retiring to bed.

Tomorrow, I’d rest some more and start to explore the area to see if there’s any job openings anywhere close to home. If I luckily find one, I’d waste no time and apply right away. I’d prefer somewhere near since to get to the school, I would have to take one bus ride. It would be too much if I have to spend on another transportation just for a part time job and I don’t think it would be worth it.

I washed my face before applying some moisturizer because the air outside would dry my face off if I wasn’t careful, swiped some lip balm on my lips quickly before putting it in a small bag I took out of my closet together with my wallet, phone and keys.

I put on my beanie and gloves, wore my boots, and took one last sweeping glance at my new place before stepping out and locking the door behind me.

The town was quiet and calm. Almost as if everyone was already asleep if not for the few people who were outside strolling, and a few cars that pass by now and then. I crossed the street and tried to the best of my ability to remember where I had seen that restaurant, facing this way and that, trying to mimic my position when I was in the car earlier on and which direction is which.

            I felt proud of myself when I spotted the bistro, eyeing the menu written on a blackboard aesthetically put outside, reading the Sunday special which is bannock and bacon.

Now bacon, I can’t resist.

The bell rang as I entered and was greeted with the mouth-watering smell of freshly cooked meat. It was hard to distinguish which meal the swirling blend of aroma belongs to, but it was making me salivate, nonetheless.

“Good evening, miss. How do you do?”

I turned to find the host smiling warmly at me.

Shit. I didn’t know if this place was fancy. Do I need a reservation?

The place wasn’t that huge, but it looked wonderful, and it reminds me of that bistro Linguini had at the end of Ratatouille, but I have no way of knowing if this was one of those restaurants which were unsuspiciously expensive and it just wasn’t obvious because of its humble structure, or if this is one of those places which served good food for a good price.

I hoped my anxiety wasn’t obvious in my voice as I face the awaiting host. “Hi. Good evening.”

Then I freaking bowed my head at him like the dufus that I was. He must have noticed my cringe but the professional that he is, he didn’t acknowledge it.

“Table for two?”

How more and more embarrassing this situation gets every second, I have no idea.

“Um, no. Actually, can I please just order a takeout?”

I said that even though in my head I knew that I should have stepped out. I didn’t even know if I could afford this place and even if I brought my entire savings with me, doesn’t mean I have to spend without care. Without having yet started on my job and earning salary month after month, I couldn’t just very well spend on things I couldn’t afford.

But it was too late now because I just conformed that I was about to order, and it was all due to my panic.

“Sure, miss. Please, right this way.”

He ushered me to a waiting area and gave me the menu. As soon as my butt hit the plush chair, I began to relax a bit.

“When you’ve decided what to order, please let me know.”

His voice was lower this time, different than the enthusiastic tone he had when he greeted me. It sounded more genuine, like he sensed my discomfort and wanted me to feel at ease.

I gave him a small smile and nodded my head. “I will. Thanks.”

He left me to peruse the menu, though it was just mainly to view other options. I was already set on trying out tonight’s special.

When I reached the end of the brochure, I sat up straight and looked over where the host was so I could order but I saw that he was busy catering to a couple who had just entered the premises.

Now I wished I’d brought my airpods with me so I wouldn’t just sit here idly. I mean, the classical music playing in the background wasn’t bad, I just wanted to listen to my playlist. Sighing, I craned my neck to scan the room for an available waiter.

One guy caught my eye just as he was finishing wiping a table and I gingerly raised my hand to motion him over. He nodded at me, pocketing the rag he was holding.

Unfortunately for him, when he swiveled to take the tray he was holding back in the kitchen, a young woman slammed into him. I quickly stood up and went to him, feeling it was somehow my fault that he had an accident.

“s**t,” I heard her say. Her chestnut hair was splayed on the floor, hand rubbing the side of her head.

I didn’t know who to help first but thank another server for coming in a second later, grasping his colleague’s arm and pulling him to his feet. The host entered the scene, crouching on the floor with me, eyeing the girl who had her eyes shut tight.

“Ma’am, are you alright?” His hands hesitated on her shoulders, unsure whether to touch her or not. I made it easy for him and carefully put my arms under her head to help her sit up.

“Ow,” she muttered. She might just be the same age as me, if not older. Her face painted beautifully with colorful eyeshadow and sharp eyeliner, contour defining her cheekbones, and lips full and lush with a muted color. And when she opened her eyes, they were a deep brown.

“I’m alright. Just a bit dazed,” she says, still rubbing her head.

“Call an ambulance,” ordered the host to another server.

The young woman clutched at the sleeve of his white uniform. “No! It’s fine. I’m alright, really.”