PROMISE ME (OSCAR DIAZ x OC)

Chapter Nineteen (Alana)

Chapter Nineteen

Alana

March

"Alana! You got order number 48?" Dwayne called out but I was zoned out looking at everyone else who was sitting at the restaurant. Anyone who was walking by, then suddenly it hit me that I'm work and I need to pay attention.

"Oh." I cleared my throat and swallowed hard. "Sorry," I handed him the baskets of food that Caesar had just put onto the counter. "Here."

He looked at me confused. "Everything okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, yeah- why wouldn't everything be okay?"

My gaze followed to Caesar who was oblivious to everything that was going on at home. A broken truce and Ruby going completely off the fucking rails. I wasn't safe anymore because of Ruby running his fucking mouth and running the damn streets. Caesar wasn't safe because well... It all is sort of his fault to begin with.

Dwayne could see right through me like I was made of glass. He crossed his arms and raised a brow at me after giving 48 their order. "Alana... I've known you almost your whole life. You've worked for me since you were what.. 15? That's three years of us being in this confined kitchen space together. I know when you're upset and I know when something is wrong. You can talk to me. This space may be tight but it's a safe space."

My eyes shifted from Dwayne to Caesar and back to Dwayne.

"You're worried about him?" Dwayne asked.

I nodded as I started restocking sauce cups by the register. Sweat dripping down my spine from the nerves that were shaking inside of me. "He doesn't know what happened a few weeks ago."

"Jamal tried to warn him about Ruby... He didn't believe him. Still doesn't. Thinks Ruby is still into science and math and getting good grades and creating computer programs." Dwayne shook his head. "Caesar refuses to see Ruby for what he is now."

"Mami and Papi didn't believe me and Oscar either when we told them. Until Sunday dinner when Ruby skipped church and showed up high out of his mind and told Mami to shut up and stop nagging him in front of everyone. Papi didn't even lift a finger before Oscar swooped in and threw Ruby outside. I thought he was going to kill him."

Dwayne whistled and shook his head with a look of fear in his eyes. "I'd be more afraid of your Mother if I'm being honest."

I laughed and nodded. "Oh trust me... Mario and I got yelled at for Ruby's actions. Then Oscar got yelled at too. I never saw him scared before but Mami brings out fear in everyone when she's mad. I think she even yelled at Mrs. Ruiz's dog later that night too."

A boy in a dark green hoodie rolled up to the window and looked around as he bit his nails. "Aye," He called out to me and I turned around and glared at him.

"Can I help you?"

"You Spooky's girl?" He nodded with a narrow glare.

I looked to Dwayne who stood behind me and shook his head.

I had to lie.

"No. Who the fuck is that?" I asked.

The boy laughed. "Caesar working here?"

I shook my head and shrugged. "No one by that name works here."

"Tell that punk ass if we catch him he's catching smoke for you, your bitch ass brother, and your pussy boyfriend. Got it, bitch?" He spit at the ground then threw a bunch of napkins on the floor as if that's supposed to intimidate me.