Chapter 1 A Bad Day

A phone buzzed under the counter and Rhia Bloomberg picked it up. It was a text, she tap-opened the message and read it. Disappointment flickered across her face.

“Hey, don't get caught.” A feminine voice said, approaching the counter.

“I'm careful.” she returned the phone back to its former position.

“You don't seem happy, bad news?”

“Yeah, I'm about to be dead soon.”

“Stop saying that Rhia”

“My parents want to meet this weekend.”

“I mean that's a good thing, right? At least they're interested in you.”

“I wouldn't view it that way.” She blew a raspberry. “Remember I haven't told them I lost my job and I'm working here.”

“But you have to tell them soon.”

“I'm trying, Emmeline. You know, I'm not their favorite. It's not going to be easy. They will be disappointed.”

“I was really hoping I’dl get a call or text from the company I applied to be an assistant in but instead I got this. What am I going to do now?”

“Lose no hope, you still have until the weekend before the dinner. Surely they will reach out to you before then”

“Thank you, I'm hopeful but just too scared my parents will find out Jay and I broke up and I left his company to work here before I have something decent to present to them.”

“You did the right thing. Jay was an ass who didn't deserve you.” Emmeline assured her.

“My parents won't understand. He has always been a sweetheart to and before them.”

“Being a waitress ain't that bad. It's just for the main time. They should understand.”

“I wished it was that easy.” Rhia let out a sigh of frustration.

“I'll —”

“I don't pay you to gossip. Go over there and serve tables. That's what you're being paid for, cheap rats.” A voice boomed out and cast fear upon them.

“Sorry, Manager Dimmy.” Those words rolled out both their mouths simultaneously. Their hearts were in their throats. They knew the boss meant business - he was known for being a hard taskmaster, and he didn't have space for any sort of tolerance. It didn't matter to him whether they had something to do or not. He just wanted them to be busy.

As the day wore on, an order was initiated. Rhia carefully carried the drinks and seafood platter over to the customer as he had requested for himself and his friend, however, disaster struck. Just as she was about to place the meal on his table, the customer's hand due to excessive talking and demonstration state hit the drink, causing both the drinks and platter to spill all over himself and a bit of its content on Rhia. The customer began to shout, this attracted the patrons attention and Rhia was mortified. She could feel the hot liquid seeping through her clothes, and she knew she was in trouble. All she could do was apologize but the customer didn't care.

“Who is your manager? What kind of clumsy animals does he employ here?” The customer roared.

Here comes the rampage boss. “I'm sorry, sir. I'll handle it from here. Your order is on the house tonight.”

“Now, you're talking because I was not going to pay for that.” The customer smiled at Manager Dimmy and then wandered his eyes at Rhia who was standing there like a terrified cat, “make sure she gets the treatment she deserves.”

Manger Dimmy turned to Rhia, “I pay you to work not to cause me problems, you dumb ass!”

“Sorry, Sir” Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Now clean this up. It's your mess.”

Instantly, Rhia bent down to handle her mess, a hand grabbed hers and she turned and looked up to see a handsome man standing above her.

“Let me help you,” he said, his voice soft and kind.

He pulled her to her feet, his eyes never leaving hers. In that moment, she felt a spark of electricity pass through her body. It was as if the air around them was charged with a force she couldn't explain. Her heart began to race, and she felt a flutter in her stomach. For a moment, everything else seemed to fade away, and all she could see was him. The look in his eyes told her that he felt it too. They were connected, bonded by something more than words could express. Then, reality came crashing back as her boss' voice cut through the silence.

He cleared his throat. “What's going on there?” he demanded, his eyes flashing.

Rhia's heart sank as she saw the look on the boss' face. She knew she was in trouble now. “I-I'm so sorry, sir,” she stammered, still holding the handsome man’s hand. “This gentleman was just helping me —”

“Enough!” the boss barked. “Get back to work, both of you.” He referred to Emmeline as well who had run to rescue a friend in need.

Rhia and the handsome man exchanged a glance, their eyes full of unspoken words. Then, reluctantly, they released each other's hands and she went back to her respective tasks.

“How about we talk over there.” He pointed to the counter and the boss agreed.

“Is she also a cleaner?” He asked as he sat down.

“No.” Manager Dimmy replied nonchalantly.

“Then why does she have to clean up the mess? Isn't that the cleaner's job?”

“Gentlemen, whosoever you are, you don't come here and tell me what to do. This is my kingdom.”

“Then manage it well.”

“What do you mean? I won't just let you insult me.”

“But you will let your customers bully and abuse your workers?”

“I can't favor the worker over my customers. This is how I pay my bills. I'm sure you understand.”

“I recorded everything that just happened in here,” he referred to his phone as he spoke. “How about I submit this to the police and you guys can talk about how abusive you are to your workers or we negotiate a deal.” His tone was serious and determined.

“No, it hasn't gotten to that. I'll do anything. Please, this business is important to me. I have to feed my family with it.” Manager Dimmy was already shaking. He was scared.

“And your workers are not? Listen, man, they are also part of the reason your business is up and running. How about you start treating your workers well?”

“Sure. That's very easy. I will do just that.”

“Then we have a deal.”

“Of course.”

“I might not be here but I'll be watching.” He zoomed off.