CHAPTER TWO
(Izzie's POV)
The day finally came. I woke up really early to prepare for work. Work! It is my first day, and I'm both nervous and excited. Typically, you'll see people being late on their first day at work...but not me. I mean, why the hell will you be late?--I have already got all my chores done freshen up and on my way to the bus stop. Although the bus is running a little late today, it's still fine because I had a lot of time to spare.
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I stood in front of the restaurant...looking up at the big sign "Brooks Restaurant, welcome your new member," I said as a broad smile curled up my lips. Entering the place, I was immediately struck by many things -the elegant arrangement of tables and chairs, the sweet aroma of delicious food, the well-dressed waiters and the overall decor itself...
I kept walking, stunned by what I was seeing. I've never been to a fancy restaurant before--this was a first. I mean this place is amazing... still lost in my thoughts I heard a man chuckled behind me..." Excuse me miss, You're not allowed in there". I turned and saw a man, probably in his 30s, staring down at me--"ohh I wasn't snooping around… "I was looking for the manager" I said with a smile.
"Are you perhaps the new hire?" he raised his eyebrow. "Yes"--I nodded..." Then you must be Miss Miller"--he stretched his hand towards me." I'm Clark, the manager" his lips curled up to a smile. I immediately received his hand and shook it." Nice to meet you sir." I gave him a warm smile back.
Then he showed me around the place and gave me instructions about what I was supposed to do. You know the basics, deliver checks and collect payments, keep tables clean and tidy at all times. Soon after, I was asked to meet one of the waitresses for my uniform.
--"Abigail?" I called out the name Mr. Clark told me as I saw her by one of the empty tables.
She turned to look at me --"whoa!"--" I mean hi". I hurriedly smiled at her, praying she didn't hear what I just said. She looked at me confused, her eyes wondering as if trying to see if I was speaking to her. " Hello" she said, lifting a brow. She was a gorgeous girl, her long brown hair that is pulled back from her face into a braid that snakes along the side of her neck and scales down her chest and a bright blue eye that complemented her whole look.
"I'm Izzie...the new hirer" I said, sheepishly smiling at her. "Ahh" she softened her gaze and gave me a warm smile. "I'm Abigali" she extended her hands forward and I took it. " I start today, and I was asked to get my uniform from you"..." Yeah, come with me." She gestured for me to follow her.
I walked behind Abigali, taking in my surroundings as she led me to what seemed like a locker room. She opened one of the lockers and took out the uniform. It was a white shirt, champagne-colored skirt and a small bow tie. " Here take this" she handed me the uniform. " Go in there and get changed. "We need to get to work," she stated, pointing towards the changing room. I took the dress from her and gave her a slight smile as I walked into the changing room.
The uniform fitted perfectly, although the skirt is a little short as it's barely reaching my knees. I adjusted the bow tie and walked out of the room--Abigali was still standing there waiting for me to come out." Sweet" she grinned as she saw me come out of the room..." You look nice girl, I think the uniform was made just for you" she winked at me with the broad smile still on her face. " You think so?" ---"uh-huh" she nodded gently. "Thank you" I shyly looked away--a slight blush rose to my face.
" Look at you, blushing," she muttered. " So I'm sure you know the basics already," she asked..." Yes" I nodded--"The manager has already told me the things I'm expected to do" I assured her. " Okay good, but if you have any questions or struggling...i'm right here okay?" ..." Okay" I smiled and she returned it. "Good. "Now c'mon let's get to work" she tugged her hand in mine and led us out of the locker room.
The day went by quickly. The job wasn't that hard--I did make a few mistakes with some customers, but I had Abigali there to help me. She was an angel so sweet and kind-hearted. She introduced me to the other waiters too, and they all seemed nice. It was almost eight o-clock -we were closing very soon and the thought of going home and running a hot bath made me feel nice. I was still lost in my thoughts when I heard a commotion coming from one of the tables.
A customer was busy yelling at the waitress--It was Abigail. I couldn't hear what was going on... All I could see was her kneeing in front of the customer and frantically apologizing--"What the hell!" I muttered, pissed by what i was looking at. How dare they treat her like that?! I couldn't bear it and nobody even stepped in to help. They all just stood there and watched them.
I just couldn't take this anymore. I walked angrily towards the scene--my eyes met with those of the customer... He was a young man in his mid or late 20s. His features were distinctive. His dark hair fell across his forehead and his sharp, piercing blue eyes seemed to take in everything around him. His gaze shifted from Abigali, who was still on her knees and landed on mine--for a moment I froze.
His eyes darkened as he took me in--his stare--cold and intimidating made my breath hitch. I felt a sense of familiarity in his stare...there was something about him--I can't. "Abigail!" I quickly turned my gaze away from him and towards Abigali. I leaned down to help her up, but she refused. "Izzie, no! "Don't interfere in this" she said, pushing me aside. "What do you mean?"-- I looked at her stunned.
"This guy is treating you badly, and you keep apologizing. Even if you've made a mistake, it shouldn't be up to this" I argued. " No Izzie, I have done something wrong, and I need to apologize, so don't try to butt in". She turned back to him and kept pleading for his forgiveness. And he was just sitting there glaring at her with no hint of remorse in his expression. "How can you be this cruel?" I said, facing him.
Abigail suddenly got up and tried to shut me up. " Shhh Izzie, don't you know who he is?" she tried covering my mouth. " I don't know, and I don't care" I declared--" s**t, apologizes for her behavior sir, she's new and doesn't know a thing" she said bowing repeatedly at him. Why is she behaving like this? I mean even if he's rich --because he looked pretty wealthy. It doesn't give him the right to treat people like crap though.
" New, huh?" he said--an evil smirk tucked up his lip as he got up from his seat. " So, you're new and daring" he said --his hand tucked in his pocket as he eyed me. " Yeah and you're a rude f****d up guy" I sneered. Abigail gasped, hitting me on the back. " Seriously, don't you know who he is?" She whispered enough for me to hear. " I don't give a f**k about who he is," I said out loud.
" He's Mr. Brooks, CEO of Brooks Enterprise. The Boss" she squeezed my hand. "The what?" It was then that I knew I had messed up...