His Love Interest

Brittany's POV

"Happy birthday, baby. And happy three years anniversary to us," my voice rang out excitedly through the phone.

"Thank you. Happy anniversary," my boyfriend of three years replied from the other end.

I blushed hard as I continued wrapping the gift I got him. We always had to celebrate his birthday and our anniversary together. Oh, how I always looked forward to this day. I never had enough but I always tried to get the best gift for him.

"Will you be home this evening? I want to come over," I said.

"You... You... Want to come over? No... No," he stuttered. "I thought you had an evening shift."

"Yes but I want to see you first." I was already done wrapping and packaging the gift in a gift bag.

"You don't have to. Let's meet tomorrow, okay? I don't want to stress you." He said.

"Alright then," I replied even though I had no plans to cancel meeting him this evening.It would be even better to make it a surprise. I disconnected the call then I took a quick last glance at the mirror, hoping that he would be satisfied with the surprise.

As I arrived at his place, I met cars parked outside and people standing at the doorway. I smiled at them and walked in confidently. So, apparently Chris hosted a party without my knowledge. I wonder if he also planned it as a surprise but I doubted because he already dismissed me for the evening.

The jamming of music and the chatter from the crowd made me very uncomfortable. I wasn't used to having a lot of people around me - the more reason why I didn't know any of his friends.

Dialing his number and sending multiple texts which was left unanswered, my mind wandered to the various places he could be that warranted him to ignore me.

"Ooh! The birthday boy is here," shouted a loud voice behind me. Everyone's attention turned to the door as they all started chanting a birthday song.

I tried to steal a view over the obstructing heads and when I finally did, I regretted instantly. Chris was in the middle of the crowd, smiling to the birthday song with his arm wrapped around a woman's waist.

It was just his arm wrapped around a woman's waist but she wasn't any woman. She was Debbie, his long-time crush from college.

I watched quietly, shaking off the thought that there was something else involved but I still felt uneasy. My suspicion was confirmed at the end of the birthday song when Chris, my own boyfriend I had broken all odds for made an announcement that shattered my thoughts.

"Thank you everyone for making it to my party. I haven't hosted a party for a very long time so I would use this opportunity to celebrate my birthday and my six months anniversary with Debbie."

What was happening? I couldn't believe my ears.

In the midst of my confusion, Chris gazed at Debbie with a kind of affection that I had never gotten from him. Finally, he grabbed her by the waist and kissed her deeply.

Squeals of delight, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd while I was left speechless. I couldn't believe this last minute betrayal by someone I had planned the future with.

Finally getting myself together, I pushed my way through the crowd until I got to the middle where my boyfriend was kissing another woman like his life depended on it.

"Happy anniversary, Chris," I said in a low voice he could hear. And just like a bee sting, he released Debbie and faced me in shock.

"Happy birthday too," I added and handed him the gift bag which he collected reluctantly.

"What're you doing here?" He asked.

"For how long, Chris? How long were you going to keep this from me?" I asked the probing question. He was speechless and only stared at me while Debbie rolled her eyes. This time, everyone's attention was on us.

"You could have just told me it was over. That you didn't want this relationship anymore instead of leading me on. For the past months I had been trying to fix this sham of a relationship, I didn't know you were busy rekindling with your lover." I scoffed, biting on my lips. "I just can't believe this."

"I wanted to break up with you after today," he said.

"Really? You kept me for six months while loving another woman and you have the guts to tell me this," I said, my voice breaking down.

"We..." He was saying before Debbie cut in.

"You really don't have to explain yourself to her. Her time is over and I'm here now."

I looked at her with disdain before facing Chris. "Tell me one last time, Chris. Do you still love me and why are you doing this?"

I was hanging onto one last hope.

He cast a glance at Debbie as if seeking her validation before replying me. "I stopped loving you, Brittany. I thought maybe... Being with you would make me forget about Debbie but it worked for a little time not until we crossed paths again. Besides, you've never even allowed me to touch you. How do you think the relationship is supposed to work?"

"But you...you said were going to wait. I told you all that I passed through and my reasons for that and you didn't even argue about it. You said you were going to wait," I said as tears welled up in my eyes.

"I couldn't wait!" He raised his voice. "You can keep your self for another unfortunate man. I don't really care anymore. I've been waiting to tell you this..."

He brought down his face to my level. "I'm tired. I still can't believe how I was able to put up with your silly lovey-dovey attitude for these past months. I guess it's over now.

"I just remembered how you would split your pay to spend on me and also on your struggling miserable family." Jace said and I couldn't take it anymore.

I raised my hand and landed a heavy slap on his face. "Don't you ever refer to my family as miserable just because I gave you a peek into my life. This is the last time you'll ever hear from me. We're done."

He was left in shock as I left him and walked out of the door. If there was anything that could bring out my protective instinct, it was my family and I didn't tolerate anyone talking down on them.

I wiped the tears that lingered on my eyelids as I walked down the street to my night shift at the restaurant.

Brittany's POV

Walking into the restaurant, I met Luke, the manager who always had a smile on his face but this time I wasn't able to reciprocate it. I walked past him and into the inner room to change into the working uniform.

After dressing up, I brought my face closer to the mirror and dabbed at the dry patches of tears with a handkerchief. I wasn't going to allow this disturbance of a night be a distraction from work. Chris had to be gone and wiped out from my thoughts.

I forced a smile, walking into the restaurant to start my shift. The endless orders, serving and apologies deviated me from every thought about my break up tonight. I could finally use this work to my advantage.

I was done serving and retired to the counter awaiting a new order. My mind kept drifting back to the incident. I saw the signs, thinking it was just a minor issue and putting in all efforts to make it work while Chris already had everything planned out.

I couldn't wait to crawl into my bed and forget this day ever happened.

The sound of the door swinging open distracted me from my train of thoughts. A tall, dark haired man wearing a perfectly tailored suit walked in, his presence commanding attention. His piercing grey eyes scanned the room like he was in search of something. He was just an epitome of perfection.

A gorgeous woman clung to his arms, her elegance and radiance complementing his perfection.

It was so difficult to take my gaze off them. My eyes followed them as they found a table not so far from where I stood at the counter. I wondered how people could be so breathtaking living a soft life and then there's me...struggling for life.

"You're needed at that table now." I heard Luke's voice behind me. I was so engrossed in my admiration having no idea that Luke had been standing behind me. I was flushed by the thought that he had caught me staring.

Hurriedly exiting the counter with the menu, I walked confidently to the table.

"Good evening, welcome to Eleganza," I greeted while they both stared at each other ignoring me.

"What may I offer you?" I asked, a soft smile displayed on my face.

The man shot a quick glance at me before shifting his gaze back to the lady. Just a close glimpse of his charming eyes was of great fascination to me.

Uncomfortably standing and watching them stare hard at each other while the woman blushed, I pinched myself several times trying not to get impatient. They just acted like I wasn't present.

"Uhm... What may I offer you?" I repeated.

"We'll have whatever you want," he said to her, ignoring me.

"Oh! Alright," she replied, her face flushing red. "Let's have wine for a start," she said, finally looking up at me.

"Okay," I replied and walked out, almost furious. My impatience was a great flaw I had always tried to hide with a smile and excellent service but it seemed to be boiling over tonight.

I grabbed the bottle of wine and wine glasses, placing them on a tray then carried it to their table. Carefully, dropping the wine glasses in front of them, I opened the bottle of wine then poured for the lady.

This couple must be the strangest I had ever served. They seemed to be in a staring competition, as they only said few words to each other. Maybe it was their first time out together on a date.

What was even my business in their dating life?

I was pouring into the man's wine glass when he stretched his hand towards the woman and held her softly, still staring hard.

"Oh Ethan! I'm nervous," the woman said.

"You don't have to be. It feels great to finally spend time with you," he replied.

I scoffed inwardly because Chris just made me realize that all men were scum. I was so sure that this man was only playing with the woman. I was plunged again into devastating thoughts that I didn't know I had shifted my hand, spilling wine on the man.

"What the...?" He bellowed then I realized myself.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry. It was a mistake," I apologized.

"Seriously?" He queried. His fine features had been quickly replaced with something unrecognizable.

"Sorry, Ethan." The woman joined in the apology.

I wondered what would come out of this. It was so stupid of me to lose focus.

"I'm sincerely sorry," I apologized again. "Please let me take you to the restroom."

"Restroom indeed. What explanation do you have for this?" He snapped.

"Nothing sir. I just..." I swallowed, running short of words. There was actually no acceptable explanation for my lost focus during their conversation. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to cut it. There's actually no excuse for being clumsy," he continued barking. "I don't know why I have to breathe the same air with so many incompetent women."

Incompetent! I pretended not to have heard that. This man seemed to be getting on my nerves.

"I'm sorry," I said one more time and decided it was going to be the last.

"You can just order a new suit or we can as well have dinner at your place," the woman suggested, attempting to soothe the tension.

"I don't want to hear that," he barked while the woman retreated immediately, biting her lips. This time, everyone's eyes were on us. "And you? You're just going to stand there and apologize?"

"I... I don't know what else I'm supposed to do," I replied.

"You drenched me instead of serving me," he said, his voice low but firm. "I just want you to know that you're a mere waitress. The insults, the disrespect - this is what you're paid for."

I knew I shouldn't let it get to me but his arrogance had struck a nerve. My initial admiration of him immediately turned to disgust. His attitude was stinking and so were his looks.

My impatience boiled over and I was forced to speak out my mind.

"Wait, wait. Hold on. I'm not going to stand here and watch you insult me. Your status shouldn't give you the right to belittle people. I'm a woman, deserving of respect. If you think you can belittle others, not me, okay?" I retorted, making sure the words sunk in. "I apologized. I even offered to take you to the restroom. What else would you have me do?"

"You don't even know who I am," he said.

"And I don't care 'cause it doesn't put food on my table," I replied in a loud voice, prompting murmurs from other customers.

"Really?" He smirked. "Let's bet on that."

"Do your worst," I snarled and walked out.

"That was unnecessary..." I heard the woman's voice receding in the distance as I walked to the counter. I had even forgotten her presence during our banter.

I wasn't going to let any man intimidate me again. Not Chris and not this arrogant man.

Brittany's POV

It was so infuriating that people of his status would talk down on others just because they think they had made it to a great position.

I stomped my feet hardly on the floor, folding my arms as I glared at him from the counter. Luke was already talking to him, maybe begging on my behalf. I couldn't hear their conversation but from the man's facial expressions, he seemed not to agree with Luke.

I cared less about that knowing that I had given him a great piece of my mind and was satisfied. He just chose to ruin the day I was already struggling to scale through. I would never forget him and Chris for making this day memorable.

Standing up, he stomped out of the restaurant as the woman followed him. Good riddance! He ruined my day and I ruined his dinner. It was a lose - lose situation.

"Follow me, please," Luke said in a low voice when he got to me.

I nodded and followed him into his office. He sat on his chair and I also sat as I looked at him, wondering what the outcome of my action would be.

I watched him write and sign on a paper which he put into an envelope before handing to me.

"What's this?" I asked, taking the envelope. He didn't reply so I opened it and brought out the paper, reading its content.

No way! It was a dismissal letter.

"No no no. Why?" I asked, my head was already disoriented.

"You're fired, Brittany," Luke stated.

"I...I thought this was going to be a suspension or something but being fired? That's a lot. Besides, you saw what happened. Yeah, I know it was my fault but I apologized. I even offered to help him."

"You shouldn't have insulted him," he said.

"I didn't do that. He did and I only made him understand that it wasn't everyone he could talk down on," I explained.

"The customer is always right," he said.

"Not when he talks down on my dignity," I said, not having any of the excuses.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Luke, please. I'm just two months into this job and haven't earned enough," I pleaded, hoping he could change his mind. "You've always applauded me for my efforts and punctuality. I promise to do even more. Please just give me back this job."

"Your case is not in my power. Mr. Ethan's company funds this restaurant and he is the one who gave orders to fire you."

My shoulders dropped as realization dawned on me. I should have taken back my words when I told him to do his worst.

"Oh! I didn't know that," I said, gravely.

Lost for words, I put the letter back into the envelope and slowly stood up. Tears flooded my eyes but I didn't let them wet my cheeks.

"I have a sick mother," I said to no one in particular as the tears finally fell which I wiped off immediately with my hands.

"I'm sorry, Brittany. I also don't want to lose my job." He sympathized with me.

"It's fine," I replied with a weak smile and walked out of the office.

Where would I start from? I thought it was a dream come true when I got this job but the dream crashed before I could even realize it. My outspoken nature had complicated my situation.

Grabbing my bag from the inner room, I quietly walked out of the restaurant. As I got out of Eleganza, I met a sleek black Rolls Royce parked in front of it. Mr. Ethan, the man who made me lose my job was standing, facing the car while ranting at the woman he came with and the bodyguard.

This was his personality and there was nothing he could do about it. I wondered who hurt him so bad that he would want to vent his frustrations on others. That was none of my business, anyway. He had a terrible attitude problem.

I made to walk past them but it wouldn't hurt giving him one last honest opinion, right? There was nothing to lose this time.

Everyone deserved to have their own taste of medicine. I was glad I poured out my anger on Chris and not cry like a teenage girl having her first heartbreak. This was my first but I accepted it as a punishment for being a stupid sucker for love.

The same way I was going to pour out my anger on this man who thought he had it all.