Completely Obsessed

CHAPTER EIGHT

Nairobi’s POV

My first week at The Crimson Table passed faster than I expected. The first few days had been difficult because everything was new to me—the uniform, the customers, the trays, the orders, and even the way everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing except me. I made a few small mistakes, received more than one scolding from Mr. Anderson, and spent most of my breaks trying to catch my breath.

Madison, Chloe, and Brianna weren't exactly friendly either. I had started to notice the little comments they made whenever I walked past them. Still, I tried not to let it bother me. I reminded myself that I was there to work, not to make friends. Every day, I became a little more comfortable with my responsibilities. I learned where everything was kept, how to carry several plates at once, how to speak to customers properly, and how to keep working even when my feet hurt. It wasn't easy, but I was slowly getting used to it. More importantly, I was earning my own money, and that was enough reason for me to keep going.

By the second week of my time at The Crimson Table, I had started to settle into the routine.The restaurant had become busier than usual because everyone was preparing for the gala that would take place tomorrow evening. The entire staff had been given extra tasks, and the normally organized dining area looked completely different. Tables were being moved around, chairs were being arranged, decorations were being carried from one side of the restaurant to another, and several employees were rushing back and forth with boxes in their arms. Even the kitchen seemed twice as busy.

I stood near one of the larger dining areas, carefully arranging the table settings. White tablecloths covered every table, and elegant plates and silverware had been placed neatly in front of each seat. Small decorative pieces were being positioned in the center of the tables, while several employees worked on hanging decorations around the room.

The gala was clearly going to be a big event.I adjusted one of the chairs and stepped back to check if everything was straight.

“Perfect,” I whispered to myself.Then I moved to the next table. As I worked, an odd feeling suddenly crept over me.

Someone was watching me. I paused for a moment and looked around the dining area. Employees were everywhere. Some were carrying boxes, others were cleaning, and a few were talking quietly while they worked. I couldn't see anyone staring at me. I turned toward the hallway. Nothing. I looked behind me. Still nothing. Maybe I was imagining it. I had been feeling tired lately, and with all the extra work, perhaps I was simply becoming paranoid. I shook my head and continued arranging the tables. Still, the feeling remained.

Every now and then, I felt as though someone's eyes were following me from somewhere I couldn't see.

I glanced around again, but there was no one obvious.

I decided not to think about it. There were more important things to do. I continued working until every table in my assigned area was properly arranged. Once I finished, I picked up the remaining supplies and carried them toward the storage area. I was about to put everything away when I heard someone behind me. “Nairobi.” I turned around. Chloe was standing there with a smile on her face. It wasn't a particularly warm smile. “Yeah?”

“Brianna and Madison need your help.” I frowned slightly. “With what?” Chloe pointed toward the other side of the restaurant. “They need someone to carry something.”

I looked at her. “Can't they carry it themselves?” Chloe laughed softly. “Well, apparently not.” She looked me up and down before adding, “You're the only one who can lift it anyway. You have those big arms.” For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I knew exactly what she was implying. My eyes dropped briefly toward my arms before I looked back at her. I could have said something. I could have asked her what was so funny. But I didn't want another problem. So I simply smiled. “Okay.” Chloe's smile widened. “Come on.”

I followed her across the dining area. As we walked, I tried not to think about her comment. I had heard comments like that before. I had spent years learning how to ignore them.

When we reached the back entrance, I saw Madison and Brianna standing beside a large trash bag. Madison pointed toward it. “There.” I looked at the bag. It was much larger than the regular trash bags we usually carried. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

“Take it to the dumpster,” Brianna said. I looked at the bag again. “Okay.” I grabbed it with both hands. It was heavier than I expected. “What did you guys put in here?” I asked, trying to lift it properly. “Food waste,” Madison answered.

I nodded. “Where's the dumpster?” Brianna pointed toward the back exit. “Just take it outside. It's near the service area.”

I adjusted my grip around the bag. “Okay.” I started walking.

Behind me, I heard the three girls exchange a few quiet words, but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

I didn't turn around. The bag was heavier than I expected, and I had to concentrate on keeping my balance.

As I approached the exit, I heard footsteps behind me.

I assumed they were following me to show me where to go.

I took another step. Then suddenly— A hard push struck my back. I lost my balance. “Wait—!” My foot slipped forward. The trash bag dropped from my hands as I fell.

Everything happened so quickly that I couldn't even react. I hit the ground with a heavy thud. The trash bag landed beneath me. There was a loud tearing sound. Riiiiip. For a moment, everything went silent. I stared at the floor. Then I realized what had happened. The bag had ripped open beneath me. Food waste spilled across the floor. Old vegetables. Leftover food. Used napkins. Bits of discarded food covered the area around me. And some of it was now underneath me.

I lay completely still. My mind seemed to stop working for a few seconds. I could hear someone laughing. Then— “Oh my gosh!” Brianna's voice. “Nairobi!” Madison sounded shocked.

“Are you okay?” Chloe quickly stepped closer. “Oh no! What happened?” Their voices sounded concerned. But something about it didn't feel genuine. I slowly lifted my head. The smell hit me immediately. I grimaced. My clothes were dirty, and my hands were covered in food waste. For several seconds, I simply stared at the mess. I couldn't understand why they had pushed me. Had they really done that on purpose? I looked at the three girls. They were standing in front of me, pretending to look worried.

Brianna covered her mouth. “I didn't mean for that to happen.”

Madison nodded quickly. “It was an accident.” Chloe crouched slightly. “Are you hurt?” I stared at her. Then I noticed something. The three of them were looking at each other. Just for a second. A small glance. A quick signal. Something passed between them. They knew. They knew exactly what they had done. My chest tightened. I could have confronted them. I could have asked why they pushed me. But instead, I slowly sat up. “I'm okay.” My voice sounded quieter than I expected. Chloe smiled. “Are you sure?” I nodded. “Yeah.” I forced a small smile.

“It's okay.” I didn't want to cry. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction. Before anyone could say anything else, footsteps approached from the hallway. “What is going on here?”

All four of us froze. Mr. Anderson stood at the entrance.

His eyes immediately fell on the food scattered across the floor. His expression darkened. “What happened?” Nobody answered immediately. Mr. Anderson looked from the spilled trash to the three girls and then to me. “Why is the floor covered in garbage?” Brianna spoke first. “It was an accident, sir.” “An accident?” “Yes, sir,” Madison quickly added. “We were just trying to help Nairobi.” Mr. Anderson frowned. “Help her?” Chloe nodded.

“She was carrying the trash bag and she lost her balance.”

I lowered my eyes. That wasn't what happened. But I didn't say anything. Mr. Anderson looked irritated. “Enough.” The three girls immediately went quiet. “I don't care whose fault it was right now. The gala is happening tommorow, and I don't have time for this.” He pointed toward the mess. “You three clean this up.” “But, sir—” “No excuses.” Brianna closed her mouth.

Mr. Anderson then looked at me. “Nairobi.” I looked up. “Yes, sir?” “Go Home and get cleaned up also change your clothes and be ready for tommorow evening gala .” I nodded. “Yes, sir." I carefully stood. My legs felt unsteady, but I managed to stay upright. I looked down at my ruined clothes one last time before walking toward the locker room to gwt my things.

I didn't see Mr. Anderson return to his office after ordering the girls to clean up.I didn't see the annoyed expressions on their faces.And I certainly didn't know that Valerian Hawthorn Moretti had been watching the restaurant's security camera feed from the monitor in his office.

The camera showed the back entrance and the service area.

He had seen everything.From the moment Chloe approached me. From the moment I picked up the trash bag. From the moment the three girls exchanged that knowing look. To the exact moment they pushed me. Valerian sat completely still behind his desk. His expression was unreadable. But his eyes were different.

Cold.

Dark.

Furious.

He had seen everything through the camera. He had seen the way they mocked me. He had seen the push. He had seen me fall into the garbage. And he had seen the three girls pretend it was an accident. His jaw tightened. One of his hands slowly curled into a fist. He didn't care about the spilled garbage. He didn't care about the ruined floor.

He cared about what had happened to me. For reasons he couldn't explain, seeing me treated that way had triggered something inside him that he hadn't felt in years.

Anger. Pure, controlled anger.The kind that made him want to make someone pay for crossing a line they shouldn't have crossed. His eyes remained fixed on the security monitor, where the three girls were still cleaning the mess.

Brianna.

Madison.

Chloe.

They had no idea he had been watching them through the camera. They had no idea he had witnessed everything.

And they certainly had no idea who they had just angered.

Valerian's expression hardened. For one terrifying moment, a single thought crossed his mind. He wanted to k*ll someone.

He took a slow breath, forcing himself to regain control.

Not here.

Not now.

But this wasn't over.

Not even close.

His gaze shifted toward the hallway visible on another part of the monitor, where I had disappeared. Nairobi. He didn't understand why seeing me hurt had affected him so deeply.

He didn't understand why his anger felt so personal. All he knew was that he hated what he had just witnessed.

And he wasn't going to forget it. Not this time.