My Sister's Fiancé Is My Ex-Lover

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER PART 2

AMAYAH’s POV:

Embarrassment tinged my cheeks as I fought to maintain composure. To add insult to injury, a sudden burst of laughter erupted from the man beside him, an unwelcome intrusion to the moment. I mustered all my strength to conceal my annoyance, turning my gaze away from the source of the disruption.

With determination, I composed myself and mustered a firm tone. "Would you mind if I took your order, sir?" I asked, my voice laced with subtle authority, hoping to regain control of the situation. Yet, his eyes met mine with a mischievous smirk, provoking a mix of irritation and intrigue within me. His playful demeanour grated on my nerves, but I resolved to maintain professionalism despite my growing unease.

"I want to order bacon, scrambled eggs, garlic rice, and banana. What would be the best beverage for me, Ms Mayah?" The man's sarcastic remark hit me like a jolt, my internal monologue responding with a hint of exasperation. What on earth did he expect me to know about his drink preferences? I silently chided myself for the lapse in patience, maintaining a composed exterior.

Summoning my professionalism, I replied curtly, "I can make you some hot chocolate, sir," determined to swiftly conclude the ordering process and distance myself from the table. His agreement to the suggestion and the subsequent broad smile only fueled my determination to ignore his behaviour. Though my heart betrayed me with an irregular rhythm, a mix of nervousness and inexplicable attraction, I pushed it aside, focusing on the task.

"Very well, hot chocolate it is," he acquiesced, his eyes gleaming with amusement. My gaze swept past him, feigning indifference to his demeanour as I forced a polite nod. The erratic beat of my heart seemed to intensify, a testament to his effect on me.

"And for you, sir?" I turned my attention to the other man, suppressing the flurry of emotions swirling within me. "I would like to have the American breakfast, Mayah," he replied smoothly, listing off his preferences. Bacon, a sunny-side-up egg, watermelon, and coffee were his choices. Swiftly noting down the order on my slip, I excused myself from the table, eager to escape the tantalising tension that hung in the air.

Heading towards the kitchen, I passed on the order slip to the diligent kitchen staff, their efficiency mirroring my desire for a swift resolution. As I brewed the coffee and prepared the hot chocolate, the fragrant aroma filled the air, intertwining with my fluttering thoughts. With the tray in hand, I returned to the table, my professional demeanour firmly intact. Placing their orders before them, I offered a genuine smile, hoping to conceal the inner turmoil that threatened to unravel me.

"Hello again, sirs; here is your coffee, and for you, sir, is your hot chocolate," I said, my voice betraying a slight tremor that I fought hard to conceal. My palms grew damp with nervousness, but I maintained a steady composure, determined not to let it show. The weight of his request lingered in the air, and I could feel my heart racing as I awaited his response.

His words hung in the silence, anticipation building between us. "I'd really appreciate it if you could share your phone number with me," he finally said, his tone filled with a mix of charm and curiosity. My mind went blank, my tongue seemingly tied in knots. A mixture of emotions swirled within me, and I struggled to find my voice for a moment.

A warm smile spread across my face, masking my inner turmoil. "I'm sorry, sir, but I believe it would be unprofessional for me to share my phone number. However, if there's anything else I can assist you with, please don't hesitate to let me know," I replied, mustering all the professionalism I could muster. Ignoring his question, I excused myself from the table, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings of the bustling restaurant.

As the morning progressed, the demands of my duties at the counter intensified. Utensils, glasses, goblets, and plates occupied my attention as I swiftly cleared away remnants of the breakfast rush. Despite the whirlwind of activity, the encounter with the two gentlemen lingered in the back of my mind, their presence leaving an indelible mark on my thoughts.

Standing at the counter, engaged in the task of serving another guest their hot chocolate, I was momentarily caught off guard by an unexpected compliment. "I love the taste of your hot chocolate!" the guest exclaimed, the words striking a chord deep within me. A rush of warmth flooded my cheeks, my knees turning weak as if they were made of jelly. The genuine appreciation in the guest's voice fueled a mixture of delight and self-consciousness, leaving me momentarily flustered.

"Uhm, thank you, sir, and please do come again! I appreciate your kind words," I managed to reply, my voice carrying a tinge of bashfulness. Even as the words left my lips, I couldn't shake off the slight discomfort that lingered. A gentle chuckle escaped his lips as he walked away, leaving me to exhale a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.

Gradually, the rhythm of the restaurant reclaimed its hold on me, the familiar sounds and bustling atmosphere soothing my frayed nerves. My heart found its steadiness once more, the intense moment gradually dissipating into the background as I focused on the tasks at hand. Life returned to its usual pace, though a lingering sense of anticipation and curiosity remained, whispering of the possibility of future encounters and the unknown paths they might lead me down.

The ringing of the phone jolted me out of my thoughts, momentarily distracting me from the enigma that occupied my mind. With a deep breath, I swiftly picked up the receiver, my voice laced with professional courtesy. "Hello, I am Mayah. How may I be of assistance to you today?" I awaited a response, but all I could hear were faint breathing sounds emanating from the other end of the line. A strange sense of anticipation mixed with unease washed over me, causing my heart to race and my hand to tremble involuntarily. The silence on the other end only heightened my nervousness, leaving me on edge.

"He—hello?" I tentatively uttered, hoping for a reply. Yet, the line remained eerily quiet, devoid of any discernible response. With a mixture of frustration and apprehension, I made the decision to end the call, gently replacing the receiver in its rightful place. Little did I know that this particular incident was just the beginning of a series of unexpected encounters.

Moments later, the phone rang again, interrupting the flow of my duties as I assisted our servers in dispatching orders. Engrossed in the bustling activity around me, I could not respond immediately. The ringing ceased, only to start anew a minute later. I hurriedly reached for the phone, striving to maintain my composed demeanour.

"Hello, I am Mayah. How may I assist you today?" I answered, a hint of impatience seeping into my voice. Once again, all I could hear was the sound of heavy breathing on the other end. Annoyance prickled at my nerves, the persistent presence of this prankster irritating me to no end. I had little tolerance for such frivolity, particularly when I was occupied with attending to our guests and supporting our servers. The line between irritation and concern blurred in my mind, and I was unsure of the caller's intentions.

"Hello, Sir/Ma'am; please let me know how I can help you. Please stop making fun of me. We are fully booked, and I am busy right now," I firmly responded, my irritation seeping into my words. It was essential to assert my boundaries, not allowing myself to be toyed with by anonymous pranksters.

"Uhm, sorry, can I please order room service, Mayah?" The voice at the other end of the line sent a shiver down my spine, instantly recognizable as the arrogant man from earlier. A mix of surprise and intrigue coursed through me as I struggled to maintain my professional demeanour.

"Of course, sir. What can I get you? May I kindly ask for your room number and name?" I inquired, my curiosity tinged with a desire to know his name finally. The thought of engaging in a flirty exchange with him danced at the edges of my mind, momentarily tempting me to step outside the realm of professionalism. However, I reined in my emotions, maintaining a polite and composed tone.

I heard him chortle softly, a hint of amusement colouring his voice as he proceeded to order his lunch from the room service menu. As our conversation continued, I couldn't help but wonder what twists and turns this peculiar connection would take, silently hoping that amidst the playful banter and clandestine exchanges, a deeper understanding would emerge, revealing the true nature of our connection.

Maintaining my professional composure, I replied politely but firmly, "I'm sorry, Sir Kalex, but I cannot provide my personal contact information. However, if there's anything else I can assist you with regarding your order or any other inquiries, please let me know."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, followed by a sigh. "Understood, Mayah. I appreciate your professionalism. Please proceed with the order as discussed, and thank you for your assistance."

"Thank you for your understanding, Sir Kalex. Your order will be delivered within the estimated time frame. We hope you enjoy your meal. Have a pleasant day," I concluded, ending the call with relief and intrigue. The persistent request for my number left me curious about the man on the other end of the line.