As Clara moved through the restaurant, her gaze kept drifting toward the entrance. She searched for Mitchell, trying not to let the nagging worry show on her face. The idea that he might not show up made her chest tighten.
In the kitchen, she focused on preparing a guest's order, yet her thoughts kept circling back to him. She didn’t notice as the pan began to smoke.
"Clara! The food’s burning!" Bryan’s voice cut through her thoughts, his tone sharp but quiet. He glanced around, ensuring nobody else noticed. Most of the female staff at Savron held Clara in disdain—jealousy simmered whenever influential men noticed her. If they knew she’d nearly burned a dish due to daydreaming, they'd seize the chance to report her to the head chef, who wouldn't hesitate to hand down a penalty.
"Clara,
