A Partner For The Rich Playboy

CLAIRE.

The old couple I served forty minutes ago smiled at me before leaving the restaurant and I smiled back. I waved cheerfully at them and glanced around the restaurant to check if the nice guy I'd served like an hour ago was still here,and sure he was still here but he didn't really take much of his food, as most of his attention was on his phone.

He has been coming here frequently and as luck would have it, I've been the one at his service most of the time. We've never had a real long conversation, I only smile at him(a smile he doesn't return) after exchanging brief pleasantries then I have the formal conversation I'm supposed to have with him afterwards.

He's obviously rich. I could see that from his attire,not always a business like attire, but come on,you know how much those shoes cost? Or his wrist watch? Or his phone? He looks simple and yet managed to show off some sophistication. He easily passed as the most handsome male here.

He looked up and our eyes met. Shit! He caught me staring, again. I smiled at him and waved,he didn't smile back as usual but at least I got a brief wave before he left. My eyes were glued to his back as he walked out smartly. Something I do all the time. There's nothing too special about him. He's tall, handsome and rich, those are things I've seen in a lot of guys, but I think my curious self just wanna know more about the guy who doesn't really smile.

There's a problem. How can I know more about him when all we do is exchange waves once in while and say a simple hi to each other,let's not forget he doesn't smile back at me. He looks like a cool guy living a simple life anyways, but is that really the case?

******

I typed away on my phone as I walked swiftly and exhaled. I don't want to be late to work today just the way I was late yesterday and the day before yesterday,the same thing is happening today again. My boss has been ranting and I've been doing what I'm not used to doing often,guess what that is? A

Giving apologies. Yeah, I apologise to her every damn time I get to work late.

She's gonna scream red liquids today just to scold me about my lateness and make screeching sounds strong enough to destroy my ears just to make her firing threats very solid.

I'm currently sending a text to my friend at work to cover up for me. I glanced up to flag down a cab but saw none passing by,they probably passed when my attention was on my phone. I glanced down back to my phone, expecting a reply from my friend,but none came.

I would've loved to give him a call,but he would not answer his calls because phone calls are prohibited during work hours. I sent him another text, hoping he'd check his phone this time around,then my head collided with something hard, something I immediately recognized as a guy's chest, I've had smashes on a lot and lot of guys solid chest than I can count.

In highschool,I was known as the girl who likes to kiss people's chest, especially guys' chest,and that happens because I don't always have my focus on where I'm heading to,it's either I'm typing away on my phone and nervously checking the time or I'm engrossed in a conversation with someone.

"Oh Fuck" I mumbled as my face met with the sturdy chest. I took two steps backwards and looked up at the guy.

He was really tall as I had to really look up to get a clear view of his face,then I realized he was someone I've seen before,he used to come to the restaurant I work in the past and then voom! He disappeared! I never saw him again since the last time I thought about the kind of life he has,if it's really the simple life everyone thinks it is, or another type of life entirely.

He exhaled as our eyes connected, but I couldn't see the usual slight friendliness in them. They were cold. Hard. Stony. I would've said a hi to him but his expression made me stop.

"Watch where you going, alright?" He said with a raspy voice and glanced at his phone.

I stood on the spot trying to understand what just happened.

Did we have issues in the past?

I looked at him again to meet his eyes just the way it used to sometimes ago, but this time,the coldness in his green eyes made the eye contact different from the one we had in the restaurant.

He walked past me without a word and left me standing speechlessly. I turned my body to stare at his back, temporarily forgetting my lateness to work. His manly figure was impressive but his character just now was nothing to write home about.

I shook my head and headed to my place of work.

*****

I managed to smile at the customers,even the impolite ones just because I'm trying to impress my boss. She'd warned me severally to make my lack of punctuality the last time it would be happening. I promised it would be the last time but deep down in me I wondered if I could stick to the promise as I have a lot of things I do everyday.

I barely had time to talk to my friend, Terry. He's a cook in the restaurant while I'm a waitress.

"What would you like to take sir?" I asked the man who arrived seconds ago, smiling sweetly at him.

I took his order. He's grumpy, but I still managed to serve him without declaring a war.

Thank God.

You see, I need to get awarded for my patience sometimes.

I quickly walked to another table, feeling my boss's hawk eyes on me as I walked around. She's expecting just a single mistake from me in my customer service, I know she is expecting that, but I won't give her that satisfaction.

As I came near a customer's table,I began to wonder why there are lots of people today at the restaurant. It looked like they wanted me to arrive here before rushing in.

"What would you like to take sir?" I asked after greeting and not getting a response,I'm used to that.

He had his eyes on his phone and when he looked up,I almost wanted to pluck his eyes out,but unfortunately for me and fortunately for the guy, I'm under my boss's watchful eyes. If I do something crazy,I would be the one getting my eyes plucked out instead, so I stretched my lips to form a smile against my wish.

This was the guy I met on my way here less than an hour ago,I think he's back to dining here again.

His green eyes softened a bit when we made eye contact,but the softness was gone as soon as it appeared,while my fake smile still remained on my face.

"What would....?"

"I heard you the first time" He cut me off rudely like I was the cause of his problems.

"You acted like you didn't hear me" I retorted sharply.

"Well you acted like I was deaf or something"

For fucks sake, Maybe you are.

I wanted to reply with the words above but swallowed the words, shutting my eyes and silently asking God for patience. I'm not in a good mood myself.

I took his order after he kept me waiting for minutes before finally leaving him alone with his problems.

All nice guys aren't really nice afterall.

RYAN.

The waitress left my table and I looked up and watched her walk to another table where her attention was needed. She got me torqued off than I already was and it took everything in me not to yell at her.

Deep down, I know she didn't intentionally trying to piss me off,she just doesn't know the right time to be friendly towards people sometimes.

My sister sent a text again. I quickly checked it, ignoring the growls in my stomach which signified hunger.

'What about Erika?'

I blew my cheeks out sluggishly. Erika is the girl for all, not the girl for one.

I typed a message back to my sister 'Erika? You want me to go for Erika? For real? Nah thank you'

I could imagine the vicious girl that happened to be my sister, laughing loudly at the dining table in the presence of my parents.

I finally brought my attention to the food on the table and started to eat slowly. I like to come here because they cook good food,it's got a nice, homey environment and no one knows me as the rich kid here. They only know me as a lover of this comfy place, not as a rich man's son.

I received another text,I stopped eating to read the message.

'Just make sure you get a good girlfriend or fiancee asap'

That was like an advice she was throwing at me but I don't know how to go about this.

You see, the issue isn't getting a girlfriend or a fiancee as lots of girls throw themselves at me left and right,but the issue is getting a 'good girl' that would go with the plan.

I exhaled and looked up,my eyes connected with the waitress again, It always does whenever I come here. After eye contact,she would smile and wave at me,but today,she rolled her eyes at me and turned her back to walk away.

I'm not surprised that actually happened after showing her a bit of my other side. I've met girls that gives me this sassy attitudes after being harsh towards them but they always come back to me. They just always do. The waitress is not gonna be an exemption, she'll come around soon.

To be honest,I didn't intend to be so hard on her,but I guess I couldn't help it as I was in a very bad mood and I'm still in that upset mood.

My eyes found hers again. She was obviously still mad at me,I could see the way her dark blue_gray eyes held so much firing anger. I boldly maintained eye contact with her until she was forced to look away.

My phone buzzed. What the hell is it this time around? I read the message from none other than my sister.

'They want you to come home. They wanna see you. They miss you'

I dropped my phone without sending back a reply,then chuckled bitterly to myself. They wanna see me so they can mock me about how I failed to be a responsible son, a son who's not worthy to be the CEO of the company? Nah.

I started to eat my food in a rush to take my mind off everything, except the simple things around me. I watched a mother feed her child some food,I watched some couples on double date laugh and enjoy their company,I watched a family of four chatting and eating happily like they had no problems in the world,while I eat alone dealing with my problems. Alone.

To someone like my brother,my problem is not a big deal, someone like my sister would pretend it's not a big deal,while I make it obvious that it's a big problem for me.

*****

The loud music plus the loud hype noise in the club,made me forget my problems. I had to come here for a distraction. The moment my friend invited me,I grabbed the invitation immediately without second thought.

The girl on my laps also enjoyed being around me and that's because she knew who I was,she knew there was money. I saw a guy approached her earlier but she showed no interest in the guy and came to me instead. I can't push her away,I needed her around me. She was the second girl I've had to keep me company today.

The first one was a sexy ginger. I had to let her go because she reminded me so much of my sister who was a fake red haired.

From the corner of my eyes,I sighted one of my friends,Dave rising to his feet to leave quietly,but my other lousy friend caught him and yelled dramatically.

"Heyyyyy where ya think ya going bud?"

"I have a meeting at nine tomorrow" Dave replied with a grin.

"Oh right! Mama's gon kill ya if ya don't get there on time hm?" My lousy friend mocked him.

Dave shook his head also grinning. "I really have to go Charles"

"You ain't going nowhere now. Just spend thirty more minutes and then you can leave"

Dave thought about what Charles said,scanned the club and when he got inviting smiles from some girls few meters away,he finally decided to stay.

We are all casanova I swear.

We drank and laughed again, having fun with the half naked girls around us. When thirty minutes was over, Dave stood up to leave,but Charles stopped him again.

"I invited some of my other friends,the more the merrier" he winked at Dave who was reluctant to stay.

"I have a hot friend coming tonight" Charles Informed juicily trying to make Dave stay.

"Dude I'm not gay,still into girls, but if by any chance I become gay, I'd take you as my boyfriend" Dave said and we all laughed.

"The hot friend I was talking about is a girl" Charles moved closer to him "Don't you need someone nice for a date on Friday?" Charles asked smirking.

Dave sat,his eyes lit up with interest "Really?"

Why do we all need a nice date?

Charles nodded at Dave, smirking proudly "You see, I'm a good friend. I arranged your date already"

I was really interested in the conversation as that reminded me of my problems. I needed someone also.

"You know I used to go to a normal highschool unlike you rich kids that attended expensive ones" Charles can be very blunt when he wants to be. He doesn't care who gets hurt in the process. "Well,she was my highschool friend. I was her senior but we were still friends and she's pretty cool"

"And here she comes" Charles announced.

We all looked towards the entrance direction and truly, the girl was hot. She was simply dressed in a tight crazy jeans and a small top with little or no makeup on her face. I squinted my eyes at her trying to remember where I knew her from, but as she got closer to the table,it clicked in immediately. I almost spit out my saliva. The waitress?

What the actual fuck?

CLAIRE.

I didn't want to be here in a lousy club perceiving different sweats and perfumes,but I'm here now,aren't I?

If I didn't tell Terry about Charles' invitation,I wouldn't be here. The moment he got to know about the invitation,he started convincing me to go. He listed different reasons why I shouldn't go home early and why I should just club tonight.

Terry knew Charles well since we all attended the same highschool and when Charles had specially sent a text asking if I would come tonight and I could bring friends if I wanted, I was reminded of his bad ways in highschool,always partying and still haven't changed.

When I entered the club with Terry behind me who had been reminding me that we're going straight to the VIP section in the club where Charles and his friends were having fun.

I looked kinda different from the other girls here in my simple high waist tight jeans and crop top. My dark brown hair was up in a ponytail and I had a shiny lip gloss on to coat my lips. I looked like the typical good girl I am among the other girls here.

My white sneakers allowed me to walk comfortably towards the table full of drinks... Charles' table.

I smiled as I noticed him even in the dim light. With the bright smile on his face,I knew he'd seen me before I did. I waved at him.

"Hey pretty gal" He called loudly. "You always like to wave, come on get in here baby" He rose to his feet and opened his arms wide for a hug. I hugged him smiling widely. I miss him.

"Look at ya! All grown up into a woman huh?" He compliments and chuckled. "I mean the last time I saw you,you looked like a little lady, but now,you look more matured"

Charles have also grown. His cheeks are a bit chubby than the last time I saw him, he's got neat and trimmed beards that fit his face perfectly and also brown locks to match with his light chocolatey complexion. He looks all fresh and good.

Terry greeted him with a friendly fist bump and those manly hugs, laughing with him.

"Look here,my friends. This is Dave here...."

I smiled at the Dave guy,who I must admit is looking very charming. He smiled back at me.

Aw. What an adorable smile.

"And....." Charles continued "...that bad guy over there...."

My ears suddenly stopped working as my gaze connected with the other guy Charles is about to introduce to me. He's the green eyed grumpy customer I attended to earlier today.

I furrowed my brows at him as we stared at each other. He had a half naked blonde on his thighs who I must admit is really hot and pretty.

I rolled my eyes at him and turned my face away from him.

"Do you guys know each other?" Charles asked looking confused.

"I don't even know his name" I said with a huff and sat on the comfy chair.

"Oooh. Okayyyy okay..." Charles commented teasingly.

My eyes involuntarily moved towards the green eyed guy again and I caught him staring at me. He didn't take his eyes off mine until I did.

Dickhead.

The Dave guy sat close to me and started a conversation with me.

"What's your name?"

"Claire" I answered over the loud music with a smile.

"Claire is a nice name" he compliments.

I blushed a little and thanked him. During the conversation with Dave,my eyes scanned the club to take in details about it. I rarely go to parties or go clubbing ever since I was in highschool,but whenever I find myself in one,I try to take in every single details my brain can manage to save.

I was subtly moving my eyes around,when they met with a pair of green ones. Soon,I found myself having a staring competition with him again while having a conversation with Dave.

I didn't blink,neither did he and this time I won the staring contest, thanks to the blonde on his laps who grabbed his face. I smirked, feeling victorious.

I saw that the blonde had grabbed his face for a kiss and twisted my lips irritatingly.

Ew. I'm sure that's how he gets kisses here and there from girls. They mean nothing to him.

I continued my conversation with Dave and before we knew it,we were already at the bar, ordering drinks every twenty minutes or so and laughing so loud. He's got good vibes that's hard to ignore.

Charles is somewhere in the club with girls and Terry is probably shoving his tongue down a girl's throat.

"So you mean you and Charles didn't get along at first?" Dave asked grinning.

I nodded affirmatively "We didn't. I thought he was cocky and he thought the same about me too"

He laughed and I laughed along with him. What I said wasn't very funny, was it? But I guess the drink we had was too much that we found everything hilarious.

"We became friends because I was non chalant about everything that concerns him"

We both laughed loudly again. Oh man,we need to stop drinking.

"I bet that hurt his ego" Dave said grinning from ear to ear.

"It definitely did"

We didn't laugh at my last sentence. We both realized we're behaving like someone on laughing pills and decided to control ourselves.

Dave's phone beeped. He instantly looked serious, his brows furrowing as he started to operate his phone. I heard a deep familiar voice beside me talking to the bartender. I turned myself towards the direction the voice had came from,then came face to face with Mr Green eyes.

I did what I've been doing to him all day which is rolling my eyes at him. The smirk he gave me told me he was expecting the eye roll.

Why did I think he was nice in the past? Is it because he returns my hand wave in the past? or because he looks good?

"You look very sassy while doing that,you know that right?" He asked pointing to my eyes.

"You don't need to tell me how I look Mister" I retorted.

"You need to know ma'am" He said with the same sharp tone I used.

"Claire" Dave's voice was so soft you'd barely hear him "I'm sorry I need to go now." Dave said rising from his bar stool.

He's leaving me alone with this green eyed dickhead? I glanced at Mr green eyes, and as usual, his eyes were fixated on me, watching me intently.

That does not feel good man. It's seriously starting to make me feel nervous.

Dave pocketed his hands, standing straight afront me. "I'll see you another day yeah?"

I nodded with a light smile and quickly scanned the club for any signs of Terry or Charles but found none.

"Do you uhmm....do you want me to drop you off?" Dave asked kindly.

I licked my lips and scanned the club again.

"Don't worry. I'll go home with Terry,I came with him" I said with my usual smile.

He nodded and I waved at him.

"Ryan" he nodded at the green eyed guy who did the same then he left the club hurriedly.

Ryan.

The name resounded in my ear repeatedly and that was when I knew his name.

Ryan.