My Oblivious Luna

Chapter 6: The Diner

Aella POV

A heavy yawn escapes my mouth as I sit up in bed, still exhausted from the events of the previous day. I stretch my arms out, proceeding to rub my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the sudden intrusion of light pouring in from behind the flimsy curtains of the hotel room. The bed frame creaks as I’m climbing off the mattress, stepping onto the pair of fuzzy complimentary slippers on the floor next to me. The only place I managed to find on this side of town was a family-owned bed and breakfast a couple blocks down from the diner. The place was a little run down and a bit pricey for its condition, but it was late and I really didn’t feel comfortable walking around the empty streets so late into the night.

As I head down the stairs and out the door, I look in both directions, confused as to which way I came last night. I go with my instinct and make a left, heading in the direction I think the diner is. I walk for what seemed like miles, not recognizing a single building around me.

I stop to ask for directions, but I’m waved off by the busy pedestrians, rushing off to get to their destinations on time. I find a nearby bench and take a seat, staring off into the distance, thinking about what is going to become of my life now that I’m free. I have to figure out where I’m from, find someone I know that can help me jog back some of my memories. As I'm lost in thought, a sleek Mercedes stops directly in front of me as the passenger window begins to slide down, revealing a familiar face boasting a huge smile.

“Hey there, girly! Do you need a ride?” Aliyah cheerfully sings.

I smile and nod. “I was actually heading to the diner. I must’ve turned in the wrong direction and got a little lost on the way.”

I climb into the back seat, looking around, admiring the interior of the vehicle. I notice the serious look on the driver’s face through the rearview mirror. He’s focused and doesn’t look up once from the road ahead. Looking into his eyes, I realize it’s the same man from the diner last night… I’d recognize those mesmerizing bluish-gray eyes anywhere. His hands are tightly gripped around the steering wheel as he proceeds to drive down the street, only turning once, reaching the parking lot of the diner.

Aliyah and I step out the car as she kisses the mans cheek, waving goodbye. I turn my head to the side, hiding my now red face. I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous, but why? He obviously has some kind of relationship with Aliyah. I don’t even know the man to be feeling jealousy like this. I shake the thought away and walk into the diner with Aliyah.

I insist on paying her back for the meal last night, with no success. She insisted it was no big deal and refused to take a single dollar from me.

“So Aliyah, I actually came here to ask if there was any job openings that I could apply for? I’m new in town and don’t really have things figured out yet.”

I smile awkwardly as I try to explain my predicament as simply as possible. She smiles back at me and, without saying a word, hands me a job application and a pen. My face lights up as I thank her and rush to fill out the application. I hand it back to her, and she walks off to another room, returning a couple minutes later with a woman who looks to be in her late thirties. She has short, blonde hair, with honey-colored brown eyes.

She eyes me as she walks over and extends her hand out to me. “Welcome to the team.”

I look at her wide-eyed and confused. No Interview? No call-back? Simply just hired on the spot? I don’t even have a proper resume, let alone any work experience. I get up and shake her hand, not daring to question it.

“Thank you so much!” I say almost too happily. “I can start as soon as you need me. I promise you won’t regret giving me this opportunity.”

I didn’t have much else to do, so I decided to hang around the diner getting to know my new coworkers. There weren’t many employees. Just Aliyah, the woman who hired me, who through conversation I learned her name is Victoria, and the head chef, Jackson. Around noon, Aliyah decided to teach me the ropes and actually put me to work. I waited on a couple of tables and helped behind the cash register. As the day comes to an end and the diner is much slower, I head over to Aliyah to thank her again for helping me, excitedly telling her that the tips were very generous in this diner. She tells me the people who come in are usually regulars and enjoy the service we provide so much, they just keep on coming back.

I look at the counter noticing the man from this morning, staring at his phone just like yesterday when he came into the diner. Aliyah looks in the same direction, turning to me with a wide smile. “Why don’t you go see if he needs anything before we head out?” I simply nod, feeling nervous as I head over to the end of the counter where the man sits, staring away at his phone. I clear my throat as I stand in front of him.

“Hi sir, is there anything I can get for you before we close the kitchen for the night?”

He slowly looks up, staring straight into my eyes, causing a slight gasp to escape my mouth. A smile escapes him after seeing my reaction, quickly fading as he proceeds to speak.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m so sorry. Where are my manners?” I say looking away, embarrassed. “My name is Aella. The pleasure is mine. So, is there anything I can get for you?

“Just a water, Aella.”

I have to hold another gasp from escaping my treacherous mouth as he says my name out loud... I walk away to bring him a cup of water, tripping over a broom in the process, spilling the liquid all over the man in the process.

Great. Just great.

He gets up startled and I rush over with a rag to dry him off. My hands trace over the 8 pack hiding under his dress shirt and I can’t stop the thoughts going through my head. I slowly look up, meeting the mans eyes. I notice the entertained look painted across his face, smirking as my hands run across his muscular body. I quickly back away, running back behind the counter, wanting to be anywhere except in the same room as him. I can’t help but feel this tingling sensation all through out my body, as if touching him set off some kind of fire within me. What is wrong with me. This is the last thing I need.