My everything

Chapter nineteen - Keeping my territory

Abby's POV:

Three weeks have passed since I got the job. I have to say that Luke and I are doing great. The work is fun, especially when I have to keep the girls from my boyfriend. I swear they come only because of him. Luckily, I am here to save the day. I am trying to be polite as much as possible. It's not that hard. Let's say that sometimes girls can get on my nerves. My boyfriend only stays far away and laughs at me all the time. I mean, as if this is funny. Maybe it is, but he can't rub it in my face. Apart from this, the job is good, and I like it. That's why I will get my first paycheck soon. Hopefully, the money will be enough to pay for my studies, at least for the first year. I know I have to work a lot more to be able to pay for all four years, but this will happen with time. For now, I want to focus on my job and boyfriend. After all, when the university year starts, I should quit. That means I will see him only when he gets home. It's not something I like. Well, I know how much he wants this. I don't mean this job, but to work. I'm glad that Luke has found something that makes him happy. If he doesn't want to study, that's ok. His parents probably still can't accept this, but no one cares. As I see it, they won't call to check on him. Only Sam does it. He called during one of our lunch breaks. That was his free day. He said he might come home after a few months. He's not sure. It's visible that he doesn't like this job. He can change it but will get paid less. Luke and I will get way less money than him. I mean, being a doctor is a well-paid job. Also, it takes a lot of responsibility. I am not capable of doing it. That's why I chose to study something else. It's something I like. Also, I can get a good amount of money for it. I hope that this job will help me pay for my studies. I don't want to ask Luke to pay for them.

I woke up and looked next to me. Believe it or not, I feel like I'm in paradise. Luke and I understand each other very well. Most of our arguments are silly, and after five minutes, everything is fine. I can't stay mad at him for a long time. I haven't heard from my parents since graduation. Well, only my mom came. I have no idea what my dad is doing. Since I moved out, he doesn't want to call me. I know he still doesn't like my boyfriend, but I won't break up with him. Dad can get this idea out of his head.

I checked the time on my phone. It was still early. I was thinking about making breakfast, but it meant I had to wake him up. Luke has wrapped his hand around my stomach. Usually, I am the one snuggling, but I like it when he does it. I'm glad that we are so close to each other. Not every couple is lucky to have what I do. Our relationship is not perfect, but for me, it is. I looked at my cute sleeping boyfriend once again. I carefully removed his hand and put a pillow under it. Then I went to make breakfast. When I was ready, I walked back to see him checking his phone.

- Breakfast is ready.

- I don't want to eat.

- Why? What happened?

- You know.

- No, I don't. That's why I am asking. Will you tell me what the problem is?

- You are guilty.

- Of what?

- Leaving me to wake up alone.

- Now I get it. I'm sorry, but I was hungry. Won't you try my food?

- I won't eat anything made from you. It's probably poised.

- Yes, it is. I want you to fall asleep forever, so I can never let you go. - I said, sarcastically

- See?

- Don't be a drama queen and eat. Otherwise, we'll get late for work.

- I will eat after you apologize.

- What?

- What you heard.

- Ok, I'm sorry for leaving you to wake up alone. I promise I will never do this again. Will you eat now?

- Yes. - Luke said and kissed me

- I can't deal with you.

- Without me, your life will be boring.

- I agree here.

After breakfast, Luke and I went to work. Lance was already waiting for us. We were about to start the usual when the owner appeared. I have a bad feeling about this day.

- I'm glad to see you on time.

- They always come on time, sir. - Lance said

- That's good. Today I will be here to see what you two are doing. Don't stress yourselves. Do what you are usually doing. Ignore me.

- I can try, but I will probably fail. - I said

- Hey, we fail together. - Luke said

- No one will fail. You two are doing amazingly. - Lance said

The first customers came, and we started working as usual. There was no big reservation today. The one on my first day is still fresh in my head. We did very well that day. I mean, none of us has worked before. It's not something that hard. I still pay attention to every order. After all, I don't want to mix them up. Around 12:30 pm, a couple walked in. I looked up and was left speechless. What are my parents doing here? Well, they don't know that I am working here. We never talked about this. I can make Lance take them, but I won't. I have to face them. Also, this will be a formal conversation. I am only a waitress, nothing else.

- I will take them.

- Are you sure? If you want, I can go. - Luke said

- Thanks, but I have to face them one day.

- Good luck.

- Thank you.

I went to grab two menus, a pen, and my small notebook. I took a deep breath before I walked up to them. Everything is formal. I better keep this in mind. I went to their table and left the menus.

- Abby?

- Do you need a drink while you are choosing the meals?

- What are you doing here? - mom asked

- Isn't it obvious?

- I never thought you would do it so early.

- It looks like she ran out of money. - dad said

- No. I have a lot of them. There is another reason why I do it, but I don't plan on telling you.

- I see your boyfriend is here too.

- Is this why you work here? - my mom asked, chuckling

- I have to keep my territory.

- Ok, I want mushroom soup with vegetables. Also, a bottle of water. - dad said

- What about you, miss?

- Bring me a Cesar salad.

- Do you want a drink?

- No, thanks.

- Ok, I will be back soon. - I said and left

- You did great. - Luke said

- I wanted to yell at him, but here is not the place.

- Do you know these people? - the owner asked

- These are my parents. We have some problems.

- I see.

I gave my dad his water and went back to my place. Meanwhile, some girls walked in. I had to bring an order, so Luke took care of them. These girls better step back, or I'll step in, and they won't like it. My boyfriend wrote their orders and went to the cooks. I looked at him, and he only chuckled. It's not funny. He knows that I have a problem with this. It's called a fear of someone stealing your boyfriend. He better keep it professional. Later, I served my parents the food.

My boyfriend wanted to take the new customers. The girls' food was ready. I put it on my tray and walked up to them. One of them looked at me. I put the food on the table and was about to walk away when she stopped me.

- Excuse me.

- Yes.

- Where is my waiter?

- I am here.

- No, I mean the boy. I want him to serve me.

- He is over there busy with other customers. Can I do something for you?

- Yes. Bring him here.

- I'm sorry, but he is busy.

- I don't care.

- Look, I can do the same things as him. Let me know what you want, and I'll do it.

- I want him here.

- He can't come!

- I want to speak with your boss.

- What? Why?

- Because you are rude. Don't you know that the customer is always right?

- But I.

- Bring him now.

- Ok, I will tell him to come.

Mom gave me a sorry look, but I ignored it. I walked to the owner and told him a short version of the story. He told me to stay here and take on new customers. He will deal with her. An old couple walked in, and I went to their tables with menus.

- Hello. Here are your menus. Do you want a drink while you are choosing your meal?

- Can you bring me a glass of water, please?

- Yes, sure. What about you, sir?

- Do you have cinnamon buns?

- Yes, we do. You can check them on the desserts page.

- Ok, I want three.

- No problem.

- Bring him only one. The doctor forbade him to eat so much sugar.

- Ok, it will be only one.

- I want meatballs in white sauce.

- No problem, miss.

- I want chicken soup with two slices of bread.

- Ok, anything else?

- No, that's it for now.

- The problem with the girls is solved. - Luke said, whispering

- Thanks. I will bring the food soon. - I said and left

Luke and I were talking while the food was cooking. Later, he went to take the bill from the girls. I served the food. I don't trust them. I'm sure they are up to something. From the corner of my eye, I saw how she gave him a note. I bet this is her phone number. The worst thing is that the owner is here today. As a bonus, my parents too. I'm having a great day so far. Now I will show them what I can do. I walked to their table with a fake excuse.

- Luke. The owner is calling you.

- Ok, I'll go. Will you finish here?

- Yes, sure. - I said, smirking at the girls

- Not you again.

- Do you want something else? If not, you can leave.

- I planned to leave a generous tip, but you won't get anything.

- I receive plenty of tips every day. I don't need your money.

- Take this and leave.

- Ok, but before I do that. - I said, opening the case with the bill and ripping the phone number

- What the heck?

- There is something called keeping your territory. If you don't step back, I'll step in, and you won't like it.

- This is the worst service ever.

- Thank you, sweetie. You can leave now.

- Remember my words. That is not the end. - the girl said, and both with her friend left

- I think it is. - I mumbled to myself

I took the tray from Lance, put everything from the table on it, and cleaned their mess. After that, I came back to my place. Luke was looking at me with crossed arms. That means I am in trouble.

- What?

- The owner wants to see me.

- I'm sorry.

- Abby, we have talked about this. Keep it calm, or you will lose your job.

- I can't. Don't you see it? It's bugging me on the inside. I'm sorry for reacting this way. I can't help it.

- Look, I understand you. Try not to mind it so much.

- Whatever. I have work to do.

- Abby.

- Not now. - I said and left to take the new customers

Until the end of the work day, we didn't talk. I want to clear my head and focus on my work. The thing is that I needed a distraction. Otherwise, I will keep thinking about this. We finished as usual. At 10 pm, the restaurant close. The owner said both Luke and I did a great job today. I guess he didn't want to mention the little incident from my side. That way is better. I want to forget it. When we were ready here, we walked home. I walked to my room and laid on the bed. I might sleep here today. I don't want us to argue more about this. It's enough what happened today. Luke sat on the bed and made me look at him. I tried to look away, but he didn't let me.

- Are you still mad at me?

- I'm not mad at you.

- Are you sure? You have been avoiding me the whole afternoon. Look, I'm sorry for what I said to you. You have to understand that I care about you. That's why I want you to be careful. I like working with you. I want to enjoy it as long as I can. When you go to university, you will quit your job.

- That is not the first time when this is happening.

- I know, and I'm sorry. I will do whatever you say. I can't change the way I look.

- Unfortunately.

- What do you mean?

- If you looked uglier, the girls weren't going to come.

- You want me to look ugly. Why? I thought you liked me this way.

- I do, but as you can see, I'm not the only one. - I said, and he chuckled

- I don't know how to do that, but I promise to try.

- It's ok. I'm proud to have such a good-looking boyfriend.

- So, you are not mad at me?

- I told you that I wasn't. You don't need to ask me the same thing ten thousand times.

- All I want is to make sure everything is clear. You know that us arguing is not something I like.

- I know.

- Can we go to bed now? I am tired.

- You can go if you want.

- Won't you come with me?

- I want to clear my head.

- I am ready to sleep everywhere as long as I am with you.

- I want to be alone for a while.

- Why are you proving that your dad is right?

- What?

- If the fault is not mine, why are you distancing from me?

- It's not that.

- Then?

- Ok, I will come.

- Thank you. Otherwise, I would've missed you.

- Not only you.

- See?

- Ok, ok. Let's go to bed.

- I can't wait for that. - Luke said, chuckling

Today was one of my worst days. I know it won't get better. I haven't told Luke what makes me upset. It's to see other girls talking with him. He is not a cheater, but I don't trust them. Honestly, I feel insecure about myself. He talks with pretty girls. Compared to them, I look ugly. I feel like they are laughing at me all the time. I know my boyfriend loves me, but I can't help it. Sometimes, I feel like I will start crying and run away. If I don't want to get fired, I should be calm. I will work only for the summer, so it's better to behave. Luke won't mind, but my boss will. I hope things will get easier for me. I don't want to act like this anymore.