Chapter 1 Trouble at table ten

Vivienne POV

"How dare you steal huh...you are pathetic. I raised you, but you stole from us!" A loud yell erupted throughout the place, causing an uproar as countless people rushed out of their room to see what was happening. It frequently happens that people steal. The matrons got upset, then trouble came. The sight was sickening even to the adults who stood in corners watching with their faces half-covered.

"flog her until she bleeds!" another female voice roared, causing even those standing away to flinch from fear. They were scared to even get close to their opinions.

"No...please...stop it...sobs...hiccups...I...didn't do it" A small cry echoed out throughout the open space and into the darkest of night, it would have been better if she was heard, unfortunately, the beatings got even severe.

"She dares to steal, she dares to waste my money...flog her!"

"No!"

"Come on Vivid...sleeping during working hours...this is impossible" I was jerked back to reality by the slamming of a tray on the counter I was leaning on and like a confused person I slowly lifted my head to look around, lost and confused and yes, I was at work.

Damn it!

"Here... tables three and six are waiting"Cassy shoved a few orders in my hands and walked away, heading back outside. I sighed as I scanned the small white papers in my hand and knew I had to work. I must have been so tired that I fell asleep during work, but who would blame me when I spent the entire day training like a maniac back at school?

"Thanks...what else can I get for you?"I said as I served our customers who ordered plates full of ribs, some children's food, and other delicacies our restaurant and bar had to offer. The bald man shook his head and waved me off as if I were nothing.

"Who served this? Who served this, tell me!" While trying to walk away, I heard a woman yelling, I quickly grew alert and glanced at table seven and a woman was on her feet shouting. Two of us rushed to her, hoping nothing went wrong.

"Madam...any problem?"I was the first to reach there and asked her, hoping she would lower her voice and not attract the attention of others having their meal.

"This isn't what I ordered...at least I ordered eight pieces of chicken, but I can only see five!" The lady yelled again, shoving the place full of grilled chicken in my face so that I had to back away from her. She seemed angry, but we were used to such people.

"This drink is hot...I asked for a cold drink...but you are pathetic!" she shouted at me, fisted the front of my shirt and started shaking me violently. People around started watching and Casey, my co-worker, rushed to my aid.

"M-madam, please let go of her.whatever it is I'll fix it" Casey tried to pry the lady out of me. The fat looking lady was yelling, and I had to admit she was too powerful that with just the simple way she was shaking me, I felt dizzy as I finally moved away from her grip.

"Stop it...whatever it was... I'll compensate you...please take a seat, and I'll bring your original order, and you don't have to pay'' I said while I tried to wipe the cola off my face which had gone down my chest and I felt sticky as I frowned. The lady was overreacting.

"Good...fire this little witch, she's incompetent" As expected, the fat woman with messy brown hair and wearing an oversized dress with trousers inside and a large brown cotton sweater on top. I wanted to protest, at least tell Casey the lady was trying to steal from us, but Cassy just nodded at me to leave, and I did.

"Ugh" I groaned in frustration, feeling irritated with my job. I was having a bad day as well as a bad night. Normally having customers tip you would make everyone happy even if we are insulted, but people were too greedy to give a decent tip.

It felt like never before, I was too exhausted by the time we finally stopped taking orders and all the people were served when I sat at the cashier's counter watching people have their meals. My mind wandered off, thinking about that basketball final tournament I had the next day. That was the reason I had to do a lot of heavy training all day, but now I had to work

"Hey...I'm leaving now...make sure you close and turn on the fire alarm" The window appeared in front of me, and I was startled but soon frowned, she was ready but how

"Cassy...I thought"

"You thought I'm the one closing...Nah...do it since I covered for you yesterday...and trouble at table ten, the customer needs more beers and be nice he seems extra loaded with cash," she said nonchalantly, but I was utterly confused, not forgetting to wink at me, money or no money I had to go home early.

"It is nearly 11 PM...I have school tomorrow, I can't do this," I had to refuse. I only had five minutes until my shift ended, hence why was Casey doing this to me when she knew I was a student who needed to get enough rest?

"I have a date Vivie please just handle him...I asked him if I could pack his beers to go, but he didn't want...Nate is already waiting for me outside" She grabbed my hands and said in the most sincere way possible with puppy eyes, I knew she just wanted to go out with her tattooed boyfriend who rode a crazy bad boy bike and since she did me a favor.

"Okay fine" I finally gave in, and she squealed in happiness and gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek before she elegantly walked away.

I was doomed as I looked up counting the people still eating, and they were more like five for six; hence I took my notepad and made my way to table ten. It was on the other side of the restaurant, and the customers who normally took the table were quite unusual. Some never talked or answered when asked a question, and they always ordered more liquor, not food, hence with a sigh, I made my way there adjusting my small skirt which was a uniform and a sleeveless tuck in a white shirt. The skirt was too short that I had to wear black tights inside for the sake of decency. Immediately I arrived at table ten, well, I was shocked to see so many empty beer bottles, a man was sitting with his head bowed and holding a bottle of alcohol, his black hair was messy and his white sleeved shirt was all wrinkled up and sleeves folded to his elbows showing his strong-looking arms. I was confused as I dodged some bottles which were scattered on the floor as well as broken pieces. He seemed drunk.

"S-sir...sir...please we are about to close"I walked close to him and hesitantly before I could tap him on the shoulder since he looked to be asleep "Sir...sir please it's getting late...sir" I tried tapping him on the shoulder which was all muscular and hard unfortunately he didn't move an inch, my eyes narrowed, and I walked closer to him but kept distant. A small frown appeared on my face as I prepared to lift his head. He grabbed my hand in his rough cold hand and pulled me to him so fast that I gasped and fell on the training and my hand moved to his back to secure my balance.

"T-they're all liars" the so-called man muttered in a deep small voice which could barely be heard, and my eyes widened not sure what to do because I was sitting in his lap with his arms wrapped around my waist. His head rested on my shoulder and I could feel his hot breath brushing on my skin.