Beneath His Lies

Yvonne nearly dropped the tray in her hands when the restaurant manager called her name for the third time in less than ten minutes. “Yes sir,” she answered nervously. “‘Make sure you don’t mix those orders up. The customer on table four is allergic to fish, so her meal was prepared without it.” “I understand, sir. I won’t forget,” she replied shakily. She repeated the instructions under her breath: “Table four. No fish. Table ten gets the seafood pasta.” It was her first day on the job, and she was determined to make a good impression. This waitress job happened to be the highest paying job she had ever gotten. It offered just enough to cover her father’s hospital bills and some other expenses in the house. In fact, she had already made plans for every single dime of the money even though she had not received it yet. She took a deep breath as she walked into the restaurant area, greeted by a fresh tropical scent. She still hadn’t gotten over how exquisite the restaurant looked. Expensive paintings on the wall, different variations of lighting and chandeliers hanging from the roof, perfectly crafted furniture that complemented the ambience of the restaurant. Soft, gentle music played in the background as the live band was setting up for the night. “Hello ma’am, here is your order,” Yvonne said with a big smile as she dropped a tray on table four. The customer glanced up from her phone and muttered, ‘thank you’. “Would there be anything else, ma’am?” Yvonne asked almost immediately, as if she was programmed to. She had undergone an intensive three-day training on how to interact with customers. It was a high-end restaurant, and they had a lot of important customers coming in regularly. She was determined to do her very best. “No dear," the customer responded. Yvonne left and went to serve another table. She was just finishing up from there when Barry walked into the restaurant. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored brown suit. He was tall, broad-shouldered and undeniably attractive. There was something commanding about him that immediately drew attention. His face was stiff and expressionless. He spoke to a staff member and was directed to a table. His cologne lingered after him as he walked. The manager signaled Yvonne to go take his order. She walked over to his table feeling more nervous than before. She rehearsed what she was going to say in her mind before she got to the table. He was already looking through the menu by the time she got to his table. “Hello sir, good evening. My name is Yvonne, and I’ll be your server for tonight. What would you like to have?” She said with a smile on her face. Barry looked up briefly from the menu and Yvonne immediately noticed the intricate details of his face. The expressionless face he came in with now carried traces of exhaustion and worry. Amidst that, she noticed his tired brown eyes and sharp jawline. He looked younger than the other customers Yvonne had seen so far, and it made her wonder what kind of work made someone that young so successful. She assumed that everyone that came into the restaurant was doing very well for themselves because it was not just any ordinary restaurant but the best of the best. “Get me boiled potatoes and chicken sauce.” Yvonne felt a bit startled by his voice. Deep and commanding, the type that would make people say ‘yes sir’ and run around to carry out his orders. “Noted. Would you like a drink to go with it?’ Yvonne asked as she wrote down his order in her notebook. Barry glanced through the menu again, narrowing his eyes as though carefully considering his options. After a long period of silence, he finally answered and said “Water and a bottle of red wine” “Would that be all, sir?” Yvonne asked as she wrote it down. “The wine should be served now.” “Understood sir” she said as she took her leave. Shortly after, she was back with a bottle of wine and a glass cup. She was pouring out the wine for him when his phone rang, and he stood up to take the call. He moved to a quiet corner of the restaurant and Yvonne stood still watching him, confused about whether to take her leave or not. If she was to go through the training she had received from the restaurant manager, she was not meant to leave a table unless the customer had dismissed her. From where she stood, Yvonne could see the tension in Barry’s expression as he listened to the call. She remained there awkwardly for a while before remembering that she hadn’t completed his order. As she walked towards the kitchen, she noticed that Barry was pacing about with clenched fists. She could tell that the phone conversation was a very unpleasant one, and it made her feel uncomfortable. “His presence is intimidating enough, I don’t need him to be in a bad mood,” she muttered to herself. She headed to the kitchen to pick up his order and by the time she was out, Barry had returned to his seat. Feeling a bit relieved, she went to serve his meal and then hurried on to clear some other tables. A while passed and Yvonne went on a bathroom break. She picked up her phone and called her mum. It had only beeped once when her mum picked up. “Hi Sunshine, how’s your first day going?” “Mama, I think I’m doing pretty good. It’s nerve-wracking, but I’m getting used to it.” “Of course you are. Somehow, you always end up being good at whatever you do. You’re just like your father” Yvonne smiled shyly as she heard those words. Her father was her role model. The person she respected and admired the most. Hearing those words from her mum made her feel good. Her dad was the reason she was working so hard in the first place. Ever since the accident damaged his leg, he hadn’t been able to do much for the family. As the firstborn, she knew she had to take on the responsibility. “Thanks mum. How is dad doing anyway?” Before her mum could answer, she heard a loud noise coming from the restaurant area. “Yvonne, what’s that noise?” “I don’t know mama. It’s coming from the restaurant. I’ll have to go check. I guess I’ll talk to you later, ma.” “Alright my love, goodluck.” Keeping her phone away, she hurried back into the restaurant area. She bumped into a waiter and asked him what the noise was about. “There she is. She’s the one.” Barry’s voice echoed before Yvonne’s colleague could even answer. She looked back and saw that he was pointing in her direction. Still confused about what was going on, she looked sideways, trying to see who he was referring to. “You! That petite lady over there. She must’ve been the one that took my wallet.” At that point, Yvonne realised Barry was talking about her. “Yvonne, please come over here,” the manager called. She hadn't even noticed that he was standing next to Barry. Dumbfounded, she rushed over to his table. The restaurant was now full and everyone was looking in her direction. “You called me, sir.” “Did you serve this table, Yvonne?” “Yes sir I-—“ “You see, that proves it. She must’ve taken it. My wallet was right here on the table. I must’ve left it there when I stood up to answer a phone call. When did you start hiring thieves here?” “I beg your pardon sir?” Yvonne said, her voice shaky. “I’m sorry but you must be mistaken. There was no wallet on the table and even if there was, I would never take anything that isn’t mine. Perhaps you forgot to bring it with you,” she said firmly this time. Barry let out a cold laugh. One that sent chills into the atmosphere. Yvonne couldn’t believe what was happening and desperately hoped it would just be a prank or a little misunderstanding. She could feel the cold stares of customers piercing deep into her. “Look at this thief over here. Why can’t you just try to live honestly. I would’ve even tipped you a generous amount on my way out but no, you decided to steal my wallet. I’ve had a long day and I needed to clear my head. The moment I stood up, you used the opportunity to steal my wallet, didn’t you? Is this the kind of experience you offer at this restaurant? I definitely didn’t bargain for such an experience.” “Yvonne,” the manager called out. “Sir, it’s not true,” Yvonne said desperately.” I didn’t take anything. I swear it. “Yvonne—“ “Sir, this job is very important to me. Why would I do anything to jeopardize it?” “This is just a disgrace. I don’t have time for this. I’m never stepping foot here again,” Barry said with a frown. “No sir, please calm down. I will handle it,” the manager said. “The cameras…the security cameras. The restaurant has them, right? You can check them. You’ll see that I didn’t take anything”. Yvonne said desperately, a flicker of hope appearing in her eyes. “Yvonne,” the manager called firmly for the third time. She stopped talking immediately. “Will you please listen to me?” “Okay, sir… sorry.” The manager signed, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. “We have never experienced something like this here before, and it’s strange that it happened on your first day. We’ll carry out an investigation, but for now… I’ll have to let you go. Yvonne stared at him in disbelief. ”You’re fired.” Yvonne froze. Her chest tightening as humiliation burned through her body. Around her, whispers spread across the restaurant like wildfire. Trying to hold back her tears, she turned towards Barry and said, “Congratulations. I finally understand why people hate the rich and powerful.” Barry said nothing. But for the first time that evening, something about her words unsettled him.