𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 || 𝘽𝙭𝘽 || 14+

𝔻𝕒𝕪 - 𝟛

I sped through the doors of the restaurant and crashed into, who I'm assuming to be, David.
He landed on the ground dropping the plates he was carrying.
"I am so sorry!" I yell instantly bending down to help him up.
He looks up and smiles at me.
I freeze. "U-Uh...I can explain..." I stammer.
"David," Luke shouts standing up. "Could you clean this mess for me?"
David appears within seconds. "Yes, sir!"
Luke grabs my wrist in a death hold. "You're coming with me."
"Yeah, yeah, okay," I say defeated. I trail behind him without saying a word.
He drags me into the back room and closes the door behind us. "Do you have any idea of what happened during rush hour today?" He yells.
"For the hundredth time, I'm sorry!" I give in.
"Sorry? You're sorry? You know David almost quit today?"
"What? Why?"
"When he finished his morning shift and realized you weren't here, he stayed until you were suppose to arrive."
"Did he not know this place turns to hell during lunch?"
"He's new, Kay! He thought he could handle it!"
...He's pissed...he never calls me Kay...
"Lucas John Matthews, I promise I'll make it up to you."
He places his hand on his forehead and inhales deeply.
I've known him long enough to know that
he usually does this to prevent himself from losing it. "Listen," I begin grabbing his shoulders, "I'm going to go get my apron, then work until I pass out."
He stares at me blankly.
"You should head to the lounge and relax, alright?"
He doesn't respond.
"Alright?" I repeat louder.
He slowly begins to nod. "...Alright...Okay...Alright."
I give him a light shake, release him,
then watch him head into the break room. I pass the chefs and grab my apron, then reentered the main section. David had just finished cleaning the floors.
"Hey David, thanks a million for covering for me," I say patting him on the back.
"Oh, don't mention it," he replies avoiding my gaze.
"Whoa, whoa," I call grabbing him. "I know you're probably really upset with me, and I'm really sorry."
"It's fine."
"...Are you sure?"
He finally looks up to meet my stare. He's practically beaming. "...Please fulfill your duties. Never leave me alone on shifts during lunch."
"Yeah, sorry about-"
"And if you are going to be late," he continues, "Never feel shy to drop me a message, or give me a call." He reaches into his apron pocket and pulls out a slip of paper. His phone number is on it. He slips past me and heads into the kitchen.
I stand stunned before remembering I have work to do. I quickly go to the front and lead people to their tables. I also answer phone calls for subsequent reservations, and wait on tables. I've never been this alert during a shift before. I was twice as efficient and didn't lag once. Towards the end of the night Luke finally resurfaced.
"Hey," he says groggily.
"Hey," I reply continuing to count the money. "David left along with the rest of the staff. It's almost time to lock up."
He nods. After moments of silence, he speaks up, "You seem different today."
"Really? How so?"
"You're more focused. You're also counting the money with ease. You usually screw up at least ten times."
"Extreme guilt can change a man." "That, and a greats night sleep."
I froze. "Y-You really think so?"
"You did sleep in all the way till noon. I'm guessing your neighbor didn't bring anyone over last night."
"...I kinda yelled at him to stop, so his date ended up leaving..."
"Oh! You finally got to meet him! How did that go? He had to have been pissed."
"...I-I just got him to not have sex with anyone, alright?" I finish slamming the cash register shut. I turn to him and hand him the money. "Now put this in the safe!"
"Okay, okay! Calm down!" He takes the money and heads back to the lounge.
As soon as he turns the corner I sigh with relief.
Dear God, that was close!
When I wipe a single beat of sweat off my brow he returns.
"You need a ride home?" He offers.
"I can walk you know."
"Yeah, but you've been on your feet all day and worked pretty hard."
I think about it for a second. "Only if I get to drive. I still feel like you need to relax a bit."
He tosses me his keys and goes to wait for me by his car. I lock the restaurant's doors and unlock his car. Once inside I buckle up and head straight for my apartment. I get there in under three minutes and park in the front. Luke is barely awake.
I shake him gently, waking him up. "Are you spending the night?"
He shakes his head. "I can't. I have to open shop tomorrow."
"I'll do it. You can sleep in tomorrow. How does that sound?"
"...You do owe me one, don't you?" He laughs.
"Absolutely. Now come on." I get out and open his door. I hand him his keys, and escort him inside. When we reach the lobby his phone rings. He reads the caller ID.
"Who is it?"
He shrugs answering it. "I'll meet you up there."
I nod, then step up the stairs to my left. I stop on the top floor and listen.
Silence.
I smile hugely and walk to my door. I hear the door to my right open before I can even stick m keys into the door. I jump back startled. Christian was standing at his door way with his arms folded. He still looked as attractive as he did the other day.
"H-How are yo-"
"Where have you been?" He asks stepping over to me.
I cock my head to the side slightly. "Huh?"
"I've been waiting for you to get back since 1 A.M. You're three hours late."
"...I had to count the profits-"
"So you don't usually do that?"
I turn my whole body towards him. "Is there a reason for this round of 20 questions?"
"Yeah, I'm ti-"
"Sorry about that!" Luke exclaims coming out of the elevator. He stops and stares at us. "Hello."
I charge over to him and grab his wrist, then finally open my door. "I'll talk to you later, alright?" I say to Christian, pushing Luke inside. "I have to make sure this guy gets some coffee in his system."
"Oh," Luke begins, "So that's who's been hosting the parti-"
"Luke, shut up!" I yell slamming the door behind us. I press my ear against my door and listen intently. I hear his door close soon afterward and exhale in relief. When I remove my ear from my door I turn to look straight into Luke's eyes. I give him a weak smile.
"Spill." ...Damn.
-Christian's P.O.V-
I sigh heavily.
I''m so tired. Thanks to Roses, I woke up in the afternoon. I never wake up in the afternoon. I've been up all day.
It's not like I didn't try to go back to sleep. I was just...not tired. I was actually even refreshed. I sat at my table with a cup of coffee and finished a book. I didn't feel sluggish or anything. When being awake actually caught up with me, I was tired as hell. It was really shocking because it was only around 9. I'm usually up by then preparing to head out. In an attempt to go to sleep, I headed
to The Usual Club and swept my eyes over the crowd.
Rebecca was her name, and she was going to be my company tonight. I chatted her up, bought her some drinks, then brought her back to my place. We didn't waste anytime and got right into it. Once we were three rounds in I fell on top of her. She shook me causing my eyes to open. She glared at me and asked if I was really falling asleep. I politely questioned if we could lay down for a second. She was compliant for about ten minutes. In that time I was able to close my eyes, but I couldn't fucking sleep. She tried to go for it again, but I stopped her saying I was too tired. She made a huge fuss and slapped me before walking out.
I rest my hand on my forehead and groan at today's prior events. I have been up ever since then. Waiting. Trying to figure out what happened.
Roses is finally back, but his friend is keeping him busy.
Damn...Why didn't it work?
I sit up and look over to the right side of my bed.
...Maybe that's because...
I grab my jacket and put on my shoes. I leave my house and head back to the club. I scan the area once more. This time I lock my eyes on a tall guy with chocolate brown hair. His name turns out to be Todd. We talk for awhile, and he slowly begins to see where I am going with the conversation. I grab his hand and take him to my car, then lead him up to my apartment.
We are half way through when I hear footsteps approach Rose's door. I stop.
"What's wrong?" Todd asks looking up at me.
I quickly pull out then get up on my side. "You need to go."
"Huh?"
"Leave," I repeat.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" He screams standing up. He throws on his clothes and storms towards my door. I put on my sweats and follow close behind him. He enters the hallway, and in that very moment so does Roses and his friend.
Todd continues to march angrily down the stairs, while Roses and his pal stare at me.
"Well, well, well," his friend begins. "Luke," Roses stops him.
"Hey," I yell at Roses. "Come here." He stays in place.
His accomplice slowly makes his way for the elevator.
"Luke?" Roses says baffled.
"Sorry dude, I'm way tired. If I don't get home now, I'll never get there." He gets on the elevator. "Besides, it's way too loud here. I'll see you around."
The elevator closes, and I return my gaze to him. "Now."