The Faded Rose

Hayley "A customer is creating a scene." Jade cries out as soon as she walks into the kitchen. "The woman wants a dish that we don't make," She continues, her eyebrows furrowing, her hands on her hips. "Is refusing to order anything else and is being a pain in the ass. I really don't know what to do." Jade exclaims, pinching her nose in frustration. This is the downside of owning a restaurant. Some customers can be very unpleasant. They think that having money gives them the license to mistreat the servers. Looking down upon those who do not belong to their high class society, walking all over the less fortunate with no care in the world, no empathy whatsoever. Sighing. "I'll take care of it, Which table?" I ask Jade as I remove my apron. "Table Five," she sighs as she opens the kitchen door. With no further delay, I walk out with Jade hot on my heels. Treading past the customers, side stepping the waiters as they rush back and forth from one table to another, we make our way towards table five. On approaching the table, I recognise Lisa Hadley. Not long ago had she started working in movies and dramas before she rose to stardom. And in an industry with such a high competition, it is commendable. But like most other actresses, she is known to be arrogant and downright rude, at least according to the tabloids. I hear her shouting at one of the servers while he kept on apologising for no fault of his. This isn't going to be easy. I sigh again. Customers at the neighbouring tables are sneaking glances at her, some annoyed and some awestruck with their mouth hanging open, and eyes about to pop out from their socket. I doubt they even realise that. If it were any other situation, I would have laughed out loud. But not today. Weekends are the days when the restaurant is packed with people, it is the most tiring day of the week however it does give me a sense of accomplishment. A satisfaction like no other. But occurrence like this does manage to dampen my mood and today was no different. Sighing, I stride towards the drama queen, with my poker face on. She is wearing an alluring red dress having sequence all over, fitting her like a second skin. Beautiful blonde hair and ocean blue eyes that compliments her diamond face. She is like one of those women who make heads turn wherever they go. Now I can see why men want to date her and how she leaves a long list of heartbreaks behind her. She is really beautiful.  Jade quickly steps forward and interrupts Ms. Hadley's screaming match. Quickly introducing me, in case she starts shouting again. "This is Hayley Preston, owner of this restaurant." Ms. Hadley's eyes trail from top to bottom taking me in. Scoffing, "whatever," she flips her blonde hair to the back. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at her childish antics. Is she what? Five?  Planting a smile on my face, greeting her, "Good evening Ma'am! I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. How may I help you?"  "Why the f**k do you not have Lobster Frittata?" She shrieks in her high pitched voice. "Ma'am we do not serve that dish here. Is there something else on the menu that I can get you? If you may, I can suggest some very delicious dishes, some of them being our speciality," I ask hoping to pacify her. "No I want this dish only. It's my favourite and you will make it for me." She orders, her eyebrows raised and her lips pulled up in a sneer, treating us as if we were slaves at her beck and call   Ughhh really lady? Reality check? The world doesn't revolve around you,' is what I want to say. "That is not possible ma'am. I request you to order something from the menu," Is what I say instead. My mentor Mr. Mathews and head chef at my restaurant always says that no matter how rude the customer is being, as a host we have to be polite and deal with their complaints patiently.  "It will be on the house," I added, promising her, not wanting to lock horns with her and more importantly wanting her to have a good time here in the restaurant. Customer satisfaction is one of my principal goals. Anyone should not leave this place unsatisfied but sometimes achieving this goal becomes almost impossible and today is one of those days I suppose. Plus with the fan following she has, any negative comment from her could negatively impact the restaurant. Many dreams and aspirations including of those who work here depends on the successful running of this place.  "You dare refuse me? Tell your chef to prepare it for me right now," she quirks her perfectly made eyebrows, her voice rising another pitch. I am sure I will go deaf if she says another word in that shrill, high pitched, annoying voice of hers. I was about to politely ask her to leave the restaurant when I hear a deep voice that sent a shiver down my spine. "That's enough Lisa. Leave." His tone was quiet and calm, similar to the calm before the storm. The words were harsh, cold, hinting at some kind of warning, a threat even. My eyes flittered towards the man making my jaw almost drop. Keyword almost. A very handsome man sat at the table in front of me. A man who I hadn't noticed until now, given that I was focused on the irksome, infuriating, self-obsessed woman, also known as Lisa Hadley. He had an alluring pair of grey eyes, like stormy clouds, swirling with determination and vigor. His nose was slender, a prominent jaw curved gracefully around and the strength of his neck showed in the twining cords of muscles that shaped his entire body. He belonged to the runway in Milan or Paris. His three piece suit and gelled back hair gave him a look of elegance. He radiated an aura of power. I stood there frozen unable to take my eyes away from him. Snap out of it, I thought to myself. "But Nick..." Lisa Hadley whimpered, her tail surprisingly tucked between her legs. "Leave." This time the warning clear in his voice. His tone now dark and authoritative. Glowering at her, making her visibly gulp. My eyes went back to Ms. b***h as she stormed away. I would have felt bad for her if she wasn't well such a b***h. I found myself looking back at the man, curiosity plaguing my mind. There is something about him, something awfully familiar. I just can't point out what. "Thank you," I sincerely thank the mysterious man who could send Lisa Hadley away without breaking a sweat. Shrugging nonchalantly in response. As grey orbs pierce into mine for a fleeting moment, the intensity in them seemed to pull me in.  "Umm Is there anything I can get you?" I ask, wanting to distract him or myself, I am not so sure. "A Tagliolini and Romanee conti " He answers, in his thick, deep voice sending another shiver down my spine. His eyes now focused on the menu. Nodding my head, I quickly note it down and bolt towards the kitchen. Handing over the order to the chef, I quickly head into my office closing the door behind me. 'What the f*****g hell was that? You are not some teenager reacting like this to a hot male specimen.' I tell myself. Closing my eyes, I take deep breaths in, trying to calm my pounding heart. Distracting myself by going over some paperwork and bills. Not realising how much time had passed when I hear a knock on the door. "Come in," I call out. Jade walks in, "All the work is done, all the customers have left except one. The staff has left too." She looks at me, her forehead scrunching in concern, "You must be tired. You had to deal with that evil witch today." She scrunches up her face in disgust as if tasting something bad. "Do you want me to lock up for you?" Jade asks.  She got the tired part right but the reason wrong. My fatigue has nothing to do with Lisa Hadley but has everything to do with the mysterious man that came with her. Shaking my head slightly, I stand up.  Checking the time, I notice it is late. "No, I will do it. You must be tired too and you have a family to get back to. You should go, I am fine, it's already very late," I tell her honestly. Her mouth opens and closes, ready to protest. "I really am fine. Don't worry," I assure her, not giving her a chance to fight me on this. Patting her shoulder in reassurance and giving her a small smile, I walk out of my office.  While going to the kitchen, I see a silhouette on table five. The last remaining customer is none other than, to my luck, the mysterious man. Sighing, I walk into the kitchen to check if everything was in place. All the employees had left. I was about to lock the kitchen when I notice the garbage bags sitting in the corner. Jade must have forgotten to throw them. I pick them up and walk out of the back door which opens up in the alleyway. I am dumping the garbage bag in the bins when I notice a group of guys with beer bottles in their hands. Seeing me, they look at each other, then back at me. They smirk and whistle as they walk towards me. I quicken my pace. I am almost done when I see that they have closed the distance faster than I had thought. One of the three boys lifts his hands and is about to grab me when another hand holds his wrist tightly, then shoving it to his side with sheer force making the boy wince in pain. An arm goes around my waist. I look up to see the mysterious man. I see him glaring at those boys. His jaws clenched. "Back off," He threatens in a low, menacing tone, a threat of a worse outcome clear in his voice if the boys continued with what they had been planning. The glare sending a chill down my bones. "Chill dude. No harm done," Another boy says as they slowly back away with their hands in the air. As soon as they are at a good distance away from us or rather good distance away from my knight in shining armour, 'note the sarcasm', they quickly turn around and scurry away. Picking up the last garbage bag and dumping it inside the bin, the brooding stranger pulls me inside the restaurant, closing the door behind us. "Are you okay? He asks in a smooth yet sensual voice making me gulp. Not trusting myself to answer. I nod my head. Seemingly satisfied with my response, he gives me a firm nod and turns around walking away in a confident stride. Staring at his back as he disappears from my sight, not being able to look away until I can't see him anymore. When suddenly a thought strikes me. "What the hell was he even doing in the kitchen?" I think out loud.  I guess I wasn't getting my answer anytime soon. Conjuring up all the possible reasons but failing miserably, I lock up the restaurant and drive home with only one thing in my mind. Will I ever see him again? ****** Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think of it. Don't forget to vote and comment, it keeps me motivated ;) Thanks SGnGigi