She Belongs to the Wolves

Working Woman

    "Dad.. I'm not exactly a little girl anymore. I'm 23 and I'm at work!" I grumbled at him, all he did was watch me with glittering blue eyes. He always seemed like he was full of sunlight and glitter and embarrassing moments. But I couldn't exactly tell off my dad at work for embarrassing me.

    "What? A dad can't be excited for his daughter. You'll always be my little girl. My little fox." Dad loved calling me his little fox because my hair shifted reds and browns like a wild fox... he also somehow thought I was just as cunning! "And I'll be needing an order of braised brussels sprouts with Chuck Steak, rare. You do know how I love to eat in honor of myself."  My dad's name was Chuck, and that was his favorite joke. "With the mashed potatoes. Brown gravy and extra salt and pepper on the taters." He grinned further at me. Though him ordering steak always left me nervous. It didn't matter the cut, our place was somehow always seeming expensive... and dad always tipped me well. I could try to refuse and I'd find it in a letter on my doorstep. He was determined. 

    "Coming right up."

    "Don't look at me like that. I know your mom and me weren't doing too well but a man can go out support his daughter and eat steak without that same daughter judging him for his spending." He knew me too well.

    "Thanks, Dad," I said the last bit quietly as I moved onto my next table - I couldn't treat him special. I had to treat him exactly as I did every one. For sake of tips though, everyone needed to think they were special. 

    "Hello what will you be having -" I was suddenly stopped short as I looked into the stunning blue eyes of the man sat at the table in front of me.

    "Kobe Steak. Rare, I saw it on the menu, I'll also be needed your best bottle of wine."  He paused and I swallowed. He smelled undeniably good. Somehow through everything else in this restaurant, all I could smell was this man. I knew it was him. He smelled like Pine Trees and Ocean Salt and some sort of deep musk and possible Rubber? Like tire rubber. I'm pretty sure the tiniest hint of a smirk hit the corner of his mouth as he continued. "With the Asparagus." His eyes were tracing up and down my body, I could feel it. As if he were undressing me with his eyes then and there.

    "Y-Yes. " I stammered, working to compose myself, "Yes Sir. That will be right out how would you like your steak?" He wasn't removing his eyes from me still - did this guy ever blink?

    "Blue Rare." He tilted his head at me. "with a side of you-" I flushed crimson red. And I wanted to say yes but I swallowed hard pulling every single bit of self-control I could manage against this feeling within me.

    "I'm sorry sir." He finally broke his eyes away from me, it almost seemed as if he was sincerely let down by me saying that. "Your food will be right out." I didn't know what else to say and so I rushed off to go let the kitchen know. I had a pattern. I would work quickly two tables always at a time let the kitchen know and then come out 2 more. The in and out and few visits always seemed to make my customers feel extra special. Milly was waiting around a corner. 

    "Aphrodite!" She exclaimed to me, "Who one earth was that you were talking to?"

    "My dad..?" She glared at me when I said that.

    "I know Chuck and his Chuck Steak I'm talking about the other one."

    "A customer. He ordered our most expensive steak. I still can't even believe we have Kobe beef." Milly was glaring at me now as if willing me to say more. I didn't have more to say except to the kitchen staff so I could bring Dad and Blue eyes his food and whoever else for the night.

    "Dad ordered the same -" Thank goodness the kitchen staff knew as I shouted above a Milly trying to interview me. "With a separate table wanting the Wagyu, rare, and our best wine. Asparagus."  

    "Gotcha Aphs." The head cook announced and I tried to spin on my heel to head out but Milly was quickly speaking. I hated that nickname though. Only he would use it. It's probably because we used to date before I worked here and after for a little while. Dad loved him. I realized I didn't. But he already helped me get this job and he seemed to be okay with me and it and no longer being us. Mom didn't care too much.

    "The way that man looked at you it was like he wanted to eat you!" I shrugged at her. "I don't know just be careful."

    "He's just a customer. Thanks though, Milly." She frowned and I headed out.

    "Miss." Blue eyes locked eyes with me again how I heard him startled me. I had more tables but I couldn't ignore anyone. I made my way to him.

    "Yes Sir."

    "I'd like to cover that man over there." He motioned towards my dad.

    "Uh-uhm, okay. I'll add it to your bill." He smiled. It was dazzling the way the edges of his eyes crinkled, he had reddish facial hair trimmed well and an almost sandy brown head of hair. I wouldn't call him brunette or blonde. It was hard to describe.

    "Tell him when he means to pay you. No need to worry about your tip either." I swallowed again but then I smiled and for some reason, my legs felt weak and all I wanted was for him to hold me. To breathe him in. It was the oddest feeling I had ever had over a stranger!

    "Okay, yes." I tried to flash my best smile back at him before I turned away. Onto my next set of tables. 

    Before I knew it I was taking out my dad's meal and the stranger with the blue eyes. 

    "Thanks kiddo." My dad said to me as I set down his food.

    "Do you need anything else?" I inquired,

    "How about you surprise me with a drink you know what Iike little fox." I nodded and walked off to bring the man his meal. The beef looked amazing, had perfect marbling, and absolutely cooked to perfection. The asparagus seemed particularly delightful too - and then I realized I forgot to ask him what sort of potato if any he wanted and I felt it in the pit of my stomach. 

    "I'm so sorry sir. I forgot to ask what other side you wanted." He looked at me with those dazzling eyes, his features perfect and his eyes bright. 

    "No worries. I wanted only the meat and asparagus... and my drink." I blushed, horribly again. I was never this off the ball.

    "Be right out with that sir." I hurried off and was back in a flash with the wine. Some sort of Screaming bird bottle that was a few grand.. another surprising item for us to have. Maybe I was too hard on this place it did seem with enough money the big ones came out and the big ones were quality.

    "Thank you miss..."

    "Aphrodite." I quietly said.

    "The goddess of beauty, procreation, love.. pleasure and passion." He was looking at me that way again. "Truly a fitting name for you, my-" He cut himself off suddenly and I felt another weird hitch in myself as I popped and poured his drink for him. 

    "Will that be all?"

    "Yes, thank you." He said and he began eating as I walked away.  I attended to my other guests. And then I noticed my dad was done.

    "Hello, are you finished?" I asked him.

    "Yes. Thank you, I can take the check now."

    "No need to, Dad. That man over there said he would cover your bill for you.. the tip to." My father seemed a little stunned.

    "Are you sure?"

    "I am sure dad," He nodded thoughtfully and shot a pointed glance at the man,

    "Okay. Thank you. Bye-bye, Aphrodite."

    "Bye, dad." He got up and left and I checked in on tables including the man who took my dad's bill he paid for it though I noticed he seemed to just be waiting. Maybe enjoying the ambiance of the restaurant I guessed or savoring his expensive meal and drink. Not like we could ask people to leave who were being perfectly fine if taking forever. 

    "Aphrodite."He said my name and I was stunned still for a moment before I made my way to him. All my other tables had left and the place was closed now."My bill, please." I nodded and came back with his bill. He popped his card in, it was a pure metal card it seemed or something with a wolf etched onto it. I almost saw his name. "Damien." He said suddenly, "My name is Damien." It felt like he read my mind. 

    "Thank you, Damien." I still felt crazy around him. A crazy longing that plagued me the whole night. I brought out the wrong sides, missed tables, and had Milly swoop in to save the day by telling me or taking a table. Flashing her smile and blinking her pretty eyes and making people melt no longer caring about waiting. When I returned with his card, the table was neatly ready to be cleared and he was standing. He was tall. He made me feel even shorter than I was. I saw him reach into his pocket and pull out a letter he left it on the table and he left. And I wanted to follow him. I wanted to know where he was going why he had to leave and that confused me even more. He was just another rich customer. They were rare. And they normally didn't go straight to the wine offering top but they came and they got their good cuts of meat or their surf and turf specials. I lifted up the card, collecting what I assumed was the weirdest tip ever.

    Aphrodite, your beauty has captured me. I shall wish to take you somewhere. Please, let me know. Call this number. Or let the wolf know. -Damien 

Along with the words in beautiful handwriting, was a tip double the price he paid for his meal. I was absolutely floored, a little surprised and very suspicious. Yet? I knew. I had to see him again. I didn't know what this let the wolf know business meant and I didn't care. He left a number. I would call. I deserved to do something crazy something totally out of the blue.