Training the Orphan

Vanessa

I played by a similar strategy when I first started designing at thirteen. I started small by designing my own clothes. My family was supportive enough to let me design their clothes. Dad was happy but pissed when he found out how expensive certain materials were. My customers stretched to Javian, Kevin, and all my friends at school. After which I designed clothes for the school pageant.

Everyone loved my designs. Local stores asked to sell some, more parents ordered clothes. One thing led to another and I went to France for a summer to showcase my designs in fashion week. Now, I was designing outfits for celebrities. Most times we learned more when we move in stages. We all had to sit up, then creep, then stand, then walk, before we could run. No one skipped several steps. No one.

Still, I kept my opinion to myself. Kevin was already having a hard time, he didn't need me adding more to his stress.

"I wanted the restaurant to be done by graduation," Kevin confessed. "Dad's coming and I wanted it to be a surprise. I am responsible. I can open a f*****g new business without his help. If I can't do this, then how am I supposed to take over for him?"

"Dude?" Javian swallowed what he had in his mouth. "Of course, you can. You opened this restaurant and look how it turned out? It's one of the best. So, you have a few setbacks, that's cool. The contractor is working hard. Leo is there with them. The restaurant will be ready. You just need to have faith in your men and keep your s**t together. Depression looks weird on you."

Spoken like a true businessman.

Kevin nodded with a chuckle. " f**k you, man. I'm not depressed. I have my s**t together."

Javian returned the smile. " Yeah, right."

We managed to finish eating our main dish and ordered dessert.

Before the waitress returned with our orders, I stood. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to the ladies' room."

When I attempted to go through the door, Kevin stopped me with, "We have a private bathroom." He pointed behind him to a red door.

Of course, he would think to attach a bathroom to this room.

I arched my brow. "I did say the ladies' room. No doubt you didn't have me in mind when you were building this place."

Both men frowned. I exited the room before any of them could say something sweet.

It was not that I was upset with them for moving on with their lives. I left them to pursue my dreams. Sure, they should pursue their own. Somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling of being left out.

I wandered past the customer's area and through doors marked in bold with STAFF ONLY. Instead of going down the passageway to the kitchen, I turned right to the employees' lounge.

Kevin was a knucklehead when he built this place. He furnished an entire space for his employees. They were given a place they would relax. The lounge consisted of a coffee maker and an espresso machine, a long leather couch, two coffee tables, a table for four, a fridge, a food warmer, and a microwave. They got a changing room. It consisted of thirty lockers, six shower stations: three for females and three for males. Not to mention, there was a resting room. It occupied two bunk beds and a small study table.

When Kevin sent me pictures of the place before the opening, I popped the question of why. His lousy reply was that he wanted to be comfortable wherever he worked. Therefore, he made sure his employees were comfortable too.

Kevin was crazy, but his little plan worked. His employees were loyal and hardworking. Never once had there been complaints from customers. This restaurant was everyone's to-go place. Kevin had won various awards for the restaurant. He was right. Happy employees kept customers happy. Satisfied customers made a business successful.

Before I got to the lounge, I got stopped by a blonde bar attendant.

"Miss, you can't be around here." She smiled. For a second, it almost seemed genuine. "I can help. Are you looking for the bathroom?"

Sure. The only reason a customer could be in the employees' section was if she was searching for the bathroom. Wonderful.

This was the moment where I should have given the poor girl some information. But where was the fun in that?

I glanced at her name tag. "Look, Queeny. What kind of name is Queeny?"

The bartender chuckled. An expression I didn't expect. "Queeny is my serving name." The response was polite.

So, weird.

"Okay," I turned my back to her. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm good."

I walked away, but the female sprinted and blocked me from going further.

The smile was back. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but you're not permitted to be around here. I can help you with whatever you need if you'll let me."

I shook my head. "I need to find someone and I don't need your help because the employee's lounge is right there. I can get who I want by myself."

"I get where you're coming from, but as much as I would love to let you be, it's against the rules. So, would you please let me help?" Her voice was still chirpy and a smile was on her lips.

Now, I did hate Kevin. Where did he get these people from?

"Thank you, but—"

Kevin cut off my statement with, "Queeny, I can take it from here."

She nodded. "Yes, Sir." And, went into the direction I was heading.

"What are you doing?" Kevin whispered in my ear.

I turned around to face him. "That girl is amazing. I was playing the bad customer. She handled the situation well. You should give her a raise."

Kevin snickered. "I already did. She got promoted to be the bar manager. Now, I'm making twice as much as I used to. Plus, she's hot."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You are the worst."

He kissed my forehead. "What are you doing here?"

There was no way I could lie when his green eyes were twinkling. Plus, I didn't have to, he figured me out even before he asked the question.

Therefore, I sighed. "You already know."

He shook his head at me. "You are unbelievable. Javian said no."

Javian was good at businesses. He was no good at picking the right woman.

"I know," I agreed. "But, it wouldn't hurt to keep her on stand-by just in case we don't find anyone else. You like her. I like her. Javian will like her. He just doesn't know it yet."

Kevin raked his fingers through his hair. I pouted for his approval. He released an exasperated sigh. This was an indication of my victory. Using the opportunity before he changed his mind, I spun around, grabbed his arm, and dragged him with me to the lounge.

Despite the employees occupying the space, the lounge was clean. There was nothing thrown on the floor or the counters. These employees were either tidy people or Queeny blabbered that the boss was coming.

"Hi, everyone," Kevin greeted with a smile. "This is my close friend Vanessa."

The few workers waved at me. I didn't wave back. It was nice to play the bad guy. If they thought I was a b***h, they would leave me alone.

I almost laughed aloud. What a mystery it would be for a nice guy like Kevin to have two asshole friends. It would make him look like an even better person.

"Does anyone know where Kate and her friend are?" I asked.

"If you're taking Nat, then they are on the front, serving," a brunette on the couch offered.

I clapped. "Good. Can someone get her friend?"

A guy, who was at the sink, offered his help. "I can do it. Should I bring Kate too?"

Kevin smiled at the guy. "That won't be necessary."

He nodded, dried his hand, and left the room. I turned out the door after him. What I was going to say to the waitress should be done in private.

"Javian is going to kill us," Kevin whined. He often made that assumption when he did something wrong. In the end, Javian reacted the opposite of what he thought.

I patted him on the chest. "Don't be a wuss."

He narrowed his eyes at me. I laughed at how adorable he looked.

Just then the waitress came strolling down the passageway. Kevin and I walked up to meet her.

"I like you," I admitted to her. "I can take you places you only dream of going. Yes, Javian is an asshole. Everyone knows that. I'm sure you did before you came to us. He is who he is. You are who you are. Don't make because of pride you make the wrong decision. We won't be available all week, but we can meet you on Friday."

"In the morning, at ten am at the cafe down the street," Kevin added.

He and Javian loved that cafe shop. The two men had been telling me about the place for years. I couldn't wait to indulge in their pastries and coffee.

"If you decide that you want to learn something and earn while at it, you can meet us there," I said. "If you don't, that's okay."

I flashed her a bright smile and kissed her cheeks. She was a little stiff but I didn't care. She would get used to it.

I released her and grabbed the lover boy, who was checking out the waitress, and dragged him with me.