Binding Vows

CHAPTER 2

Thursday came around as quickly as the weekend passed. I’m not sure how I survived the week. It was a blur of tables, rush hours and endless serving,and with the weight of the orphanage shutting down and Eddy’s health, I was ready to crash in. My shift was over and I headed into the locker room to change and clock out when lily came in to tell me Martin wanted to see me.

“Am I in trouble?” I ask. She only shrugs.

“Martin” I say knocking before gently opening the door at the sound of his voice.

“Sloane, done for the night?” he asks gruffly.

“Yeah, I was just clocking out” he nods.

“Sophie won’t be at work tomorrow, she says something came up, I’d like you to fill in as hostess for her. Just for tomorrow.”

A breath of relief leaves my lips before I panic a bit. I’ve never been the hostess before and I won’t want to flop it.

“Sir I don’t think…” he cuts me off.

“Yes you can, save me the drama, just welcome people, lead them to their seats and show them the menu. That’s all.”

I gulp “yes sir”.

“Good, now be early tomorrow, no excuses.”

I nod and leave his office.

I came in very early and shocked everyone, including Martin, who only nodded in commendation. I was given a new outfit and told to tie my hair into a neat bun.

I turned the open sign, and not long after, patrons started coming in. I continued for the next five hours with a ten-minute break in between. It was almost time for Eddy to be here. The lunch rush hour came and passed with still no sign of him. That old man was going to be the death of me. My legs were aching, and if I didn’t sit, I would collapse.

“Sloane,” Lily called, “come take a break.”

I smile. “You don’t have to tell me twice.

Just then, I heard the restaurant door open with a ring, indicating a customer. What’s one more, I guess?

“Welcome to Sunrise Bistro…” I turn, and my words hang in my throat. Standing before me was the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. Dark brown hair that I want to run my fingers through, a well-defined jawline that could cut through iron, and plump lips. He had this dark energy about him, wearing a suit that might as well buy this restaurant, making him stand well out of place in this cheap establishment. He looked like something a god had sculpted, or a god himself. I gulp and gather myself again. “Please follow me.”

I looked around for a free table, but the only one available was Eddy’s, and he would be here any moment. I was about to ask him if he could wait, but as if sensing what I was about to do, Martin burst out of his office.

“Welcome, sir,” he says, leading him to Eddy’s seat

“But that’s…” I say, but he gives me a glare that makes me keep quiet

“Please sit. What can we get you?”

He removes his shade then, and I stare into the bluest eyes. So deep, like the colour of the ocean, captivating, drawing me into its depths.

He speaks, and it’s deep, alluring, and powerful, making my knees go weak.

“I request a waitress.”

“Sure, sure, Lily!” Martin says, gesturing her over.

“No,” he stuns Martin, who in turn furrows his brows in confusion

“Sloane, get me Sloane”.

I blink. “Me?”

At that, he fully looks at me, his eyes narrowing infinitesimally, which sets me on edge.

“That’s fine!” Martin claps, “Don’t flop this,” he whispers harshly before leaving.

I sigh, leaving to get my notepad.

“What can I get you, sir?” he relaxes in his seat, scrutinizing me, which makes me uncomfortable.

“What’s the chef’s specialty?”

I give him a list of everything Ralph has prepared. He orders the last thing on the menu. Garlic bread, roasted vegetables, and steak.

“Alright, would that be all?”

He nods, and I turn to leave.

“What’s so special about you?”

“What?” I whirl around, confused. I didn’t hear him right

“You heard me,” he leans forward, studying me with his eyes. “What’s so special about you?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand, sir,” I say, my arms weakly folded in front of me

He breathes in deeply, his jaw ticking in either frustration or annoyance, I have no idea.

“Just get me my food,” he says in dismissal, waving his hands.

I grit my teeth to keep myself from saying something that’ll get me in trouble. I don’t know this man, but the air around him feels deadly.

Seven minutes later, I’m bringing his food to his table. He eyes it with disdain before taking his fork to start eating. I turn to leave.

“Sit,” he says.

“What?”

“I’m starting to think you have a hearing problem.”

“I’m starting to think you have a mannerism problem,” I say before realisation makes me clamp my mouth shut.

A wicked smirk graces his lips, and I start to apologise.

“Please, sit.” I have a feeling he won’t ask nicely next time, so I do as he says.

He cuts a piece of the steak with such precision, I fear it could be a warning. Lily and the rest look on, worry etched on their faces.

“How long have you been working here?”

I was about to say something I probably will regret, but he beats me to it

“Give a smartass reply and I’ll make sure today’s your last day here.” I audibly clamp my mouth shut.

“About five years,” I say

“And when did you start working?”

“Since I turned eighteen”

His head bobs, as if doing a mental calculation.

“What about college? What is your degree?”

My face flushed in embarrassment.

“I don’t know why you’re asking these questions, and I don’t like it either”.

He only nods

“No degree, fascinating!” he chuckles darkly. My face goes red.

“Have we met before?” I ask. It’s the only logical explanation to why he’s behaving like this.

“Trust me, I leave a lasting impression, you can’t forget meeting someone like me”.

Arrogant much. I say that in my head, though. He would cut my tongue off if it leaves my lips.

“Then if you’re done interrogating me, I’d like to get back to work.”

“No need, I’m done. I’d like my check now.”

I glare at him with as much ferociousness as the glare of a puppy to a wolf.

“You’re an odd thing,” he says before leaving, and I swear it became warmer.

“Creep,” I hear Lily say before I take his bill. He left a hundred-dollar tip.