Chapter 4:The Weight She Carries
467 Words
Melanie balanced the tray carefully in her hands as she stepped out of the kitchen.
The aroma of freshly prepared lobster and warm risotto filled the air, but she barely noticed it.
For a brief second, her thoughts drifted.
Her mother’s pale face flashed in her mind—weak, fragile, hooked to machines that never stopped beeping. The unpaid bills. The rising costs. The silence from home that never felt like peace anymore.
She blinked quickly.
Not now.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the tray handle.
“Careful,” one of the chefs called after her. “Don’t keep Mr. Voss waiting.”
She didn’t reply. She just nodded and continued walking.
The restaurant felt louder tonight. Faster. As if everyone was trying to outrun something they couldn’t see.
Or maybe… someone.
She stopped outside the private dining room.
One breath in.
One knock.
“Come in.”
That voice again.
Low. Controlled. Certain.
She pushed the door open.
The room was exactly as she
left it —quiet, expensive, untouched by noise or chaos. Adrian Voss sat at the head of the table, still surrounded by documents, as if even dinner could not interrupt his world.
The two businessmen were already
seated, speaking in lower tones than before.
Melanie stepped forward.
“Your meals, sir.”
She moved carefully, placing each dish in front of the correct person. The lobster. The risotto. The asparagus. Every movement precise, practiced.
Finally, she set down the chilled bottle of champagne and some water .
One of the businessmen gave a satisfied nod.
“Perfect.”
Adrian didn’t respond.
Not immediately.
Then his gaze lifted.
It landed on her.
Just briefly.
But it was enough to make her pause for half a second before continuing.
She finished serving, then stepped back slightly.
“Enjoy your meal, sir.”
She turned to leave.
“wait.”
The voice stopped her instantly.
Melanie froze.
Her grip tightened slightly on the tray.
She turned back slowly.
“Yes, sir?”
Adrian leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable.
“Make sure no one interrupts this table.”
Silence.
The request wasn’t loud.
But it carried weight.
Melanie nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
A pause.
Then he looked away again, as if the matter had already been settled.
“You may go.”
Outside the room, Melanie exhaled quietly.
Her body was still standing,working...but her mind was already elsewhere.
Hospital fees.
Bills .
Medicine.
Everything piling up faster than she
could earn .
She straightened up, forcing herself back herself into focus .
No matter how difficult the night became
No matter how many intimidating guest she had to serve ....
she had only one goal
To work harder ,pay her mother's hospital bills and one day finally breathe in peace again.
- Writer
