My Sister's Fiancé Is My Ex-Lover

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER-PART 1

AMAYAH’S POV:

Amayah! You're running late for work!" I heard my mother's urgent voice echoing from downstairs. Today marked the beginning of my part-time job as a receptionist at the esteemed Delta Hotel in the City. The workday commenced promptly at six in the morning and concluded at two in the afternoon. However, my first appointment wasn't until three o'clock. Despite the demands of my busy schedule, I managed to strike a harmonious balance between work and school.

"I'm on my way, Mom!" I promptly replied, recognizing that my mother was the most remarkable person in my life. Throughout her journey, she exuded thoughtfulness and compassion. With that in mind, I rose from my bed and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. It was five fifteen in the morning, as indicated by my phone. Once I had prepared myself, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and descended the stairs to gather the rest of my belongings. Today held the promise of a highly productive first day at work, and I fervently hoped for a positive outcome. With a radiant smile, she handed me the lunch she had thoughtfully packed earlier. The privilege of having such an extraordinary mother ranked among the greatest blessings in my life.

"Be careful, Amayah, alright? Just keep me informed when you arrive at work." The innate wonder of my dear mother never failed to amaze me. Thanks to my part-time employment, managing my finances became considerably more manageable. My work allowed me to support myself and maintain a satisfactory standard of living.

"Yes, Mom!" I responded affectionately. How could I not consider her one of the most extraordinary individuals I've ever encountered? Being the youngest member of my family, I often found myself in awe of my sister, Amelia. She had been a successful model for years and had risen to become one of the biggest stars in the showbiz industry. It wasn't just her stunning beauty, but also her captivating allure that made her adored by everyone. While she relished in her popularity, I couldn't say I shared the same sentiment. I was a simple girl with a modest dream—to care for the sick and support my parents as they grew older.

"Mayah, let's go! What took you so long?" My brother Michael questioned, visibly annoyed, as he awaited my presence. He swiftly placed the helmet on my head and took my backpack from me.

I rolled my eyes and smirked, retorting, "Okay, okay!" He shook his head in disbelief, taking a moment to start his motorcycle.

"Hop on, Mayah, quickly," he urged. Though I wanted to voice my complaint, now was not the time. I obediently climbed on and wrapped my arms around my brother's waistline.

"Thanks, big bro!" I murmured, pressing my face against his back and embracing him tightly. I glanced towards the window and caught sight of my sister Amelia, who raised an eyebrow in surprise. Despite her dismissive attitude and turning away from me, I couldn't help but smile. Her treatment of me was nothing new; it had been that way for as long as I could remember. There was no apparent reason for her animosity. She chose to drop out of school and pursue her dream of becoming a model. A few minutes later, my brother pulled up at the employee entrance and parked his motorcycle.

With a wide smile on my lips, I stepped inside. The excitement of my first day on the job overwhelmed any nervousness I felt. I made my way straight to the Bundy clock to punch in and verify my time. Afterwards, I headed to the restroom to check my appearance in the mirror. I changed into my Chinese uniform and affixed my name tag to my upper chest. I reapplied my lip tint to maintain a perfect lip color, and my lashes appeared dark and long after a generous application of mascara. I popped my lips a few times to ensure they looked even.

In response to my warm greeting, our manager reciprocated with a welcoming smile, expressing her delight at having me on board. Despite feeling a bit anxious and experiencing sweaty palms, I managed to compose myself. I placed my backpack under the counter, ready to embark on my duties as part of the three-member team working at the restaurant. Alongside me, there were two servers responsible for attending to guests.

Anticipating a bustling breakfast rush due to the hotel's full occupancy, we eagerly awaited the arrival of guests. As they trickled in, I noticed a couple entering the restaurant, seeking assistance from one of the servers who promptly guided them to the balcony, offering a romantic setting. It was truly heartwarming. Amidst encoding their orders and maintaining efficient communication with our chef, I worked diligently to ensure prompt delivery of their requests. Our breakfast menu encompassed three categories: Filipino, American, and Intercontinental offerings.

The morning swiftly passed, and before I knew it, it was already ten o'clock. With nearly fifty guests to attend to, the restaurant was bustling with activity. Our servers had finished their breakfast, leaving me as the sole staff member on duty. Just as I began to adjust to the solitude, a new guest entered the premises.

"Good morning, sir!" I greeted him warmly, accompanied by a sweet smile. He was undeniably handsome, and his gaze turned towards me. Returning my greeting, he spoke softly in a resonant baritone voice. Opting for a seat near the glass window at the centre of the room, he aimed to savour the captivating view. I swiftly prepared a plate and a goblet, arranging them neatly on his table, before heading back to the counter to fetch the menu.

As the door swung open once again, my peripheral vision caught sight of a girl with long hair. Without directly looking at her, I extended a cheerful greeting, "Good morning, Ma'am!" However, as she stopped and turned to face me, a wave of shock swept through my heart. My eyes widened, and I instinctively covered my mouth with my hands. There was no denying it—she was not a girl. The person before me possessed long, straight hair cascading down their back, partially concealed by a bonnet atop their head. A sense of unease washed over me as I caught sight of their unsettling black eyes.

"I had no idea I was a woman until this moment!" I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. My body pulsated rapidly, and a sense of disbelief overwhelmed me. I attempted to hide in my panic, but my actions led to an unforeseen accident—I accidentally struck my forehead against the countertop.

"Ouch! Sh*t!" I exclaimed in pain. The gentle person swiftly rushed to my side, concerned, and checked my forehead. I could feel the gentle touch of his hand as it tenderly brushed against my swollen skin, sending an unexpected surge of electricity through my body.

"You're quite clumsy, aren't you?" he remarked with irritation. Why did he seem to be the one angry? My embarrassment grew as I realised the foolishness of my actions on my very first day of work. I frowned and averted my gaze, unable to meet his eyes. However, from what I could discern, his concern appeared genuine.

"It was completely unintentional!" I hissed at him, feeling a surge of defensiveness.

"Well, there's no doubt it was a foolish attempt to get my attention if that was your intention. After all, you did address me as 'Ma'am,' didn't you?" His words stung, and I cursed inwardly. There was no denying that this strikingly handsome man standing before me warranted some form of reprimand.

"My sincerest apologies, sir, for the mistake. It was a lapse in my attention. I had assumed, based on your long, glossy hair..." I nervously trailed off, and my voice tinged with anxiety. He smirked before turning his back and going to the guest seated nearby. So, they were acquainted. I found myself compelled to take the orders of other guests while suppressing the pain and swelling on my forehead. Ignoring the discomfort, I retrieved the menus from the shelves and walked towards the two handsome men seated across from us. My gaze was instinctively drawn to them.

"Hello again, here's our menu," I greeted him with a warm smile, my eyes lingering on his face. The bustling atmosphere of the restaurant seemed to fade into the background as our gazes locked. Unconsciously, I ignored the other man's presence, sensing an inexplicable connection with this stranger. However, I couldn't help but notice that the other man's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he shifted his attention away.

"Mayah, could you tell me the most popular dish on your breakfast menu?" His inquiry caught me off guard, and a mix of surprise and curiosity danced in my eyes. How did he know my name? My mind raced for an explanation until I followed his gaze downward, realising that my name tag proudly adorned my chest.