Chapter one
The air in the restaurant where I worked was thick with feelings and emotions that made me regret coming to work on Valentine's Day, but as I took the last order for my shift, I let out a sign of relief. It seemed everyone was caught up in the valentine mood of flowers, cute kisses and bleeding hearts; all I wanted to do now is to cuddle under my covers and relax. I couldn't wait to get home and find out the reason why Jake my long time boyfriend refused to reply any of my messages.
I was looking for something to get the lovely dove feeling off my mind and concentrate on the few minutes I had left in the restaurant that was mainly patronized by accomplished and extremely arrogant people. I could not wait to have my boyfriend all to myself. Speaking of extremely arrogant customers there was a customer who always had my full attention whenever he visited.
I couldn't tell maybe it was because of his cold demeanor that made my heart flutter whenever I took his orders, or the way his appearance commanded an unusual respect, whenever he stepped into the restaurant. Or simply because no matter now hard I try, he never notice or acknowledge my presence.
There was something unnatural about his smooth pale face, glossy black hair and red lips that looked intimidating. There was a time I heard a bunch of rich young girls probably of my age placing their bets that he would probably be gay. 'All that body wasted' one said. He was always in black sharp suit, white shirt and red necktie. The first time I saw him I admitted that men in black suit can be extremely hot.
I held my breath as I noticed him walk in, towards his reserved table with light measured steps that was thick with authority, but my heart fell as I noticed the tall red-head clinging on his arm.
"Who is she?" Claire my best friend who was also a waitress asked and I shrugged.
Tearing my eyes away from him reluctantly I stared at the red-head beside him. Words couldn't describe how beautiful she looked in her short tight red dress, she was tan and exotic, and as she sat down the top of her exposed breast bounced lightly. I rolled my eyes as they started their intimate discussion.
"I think you owe me five bucks." I said to my African-American friend.
Claire looked at me and grinned. "Fine, you won. He isn't gay."
I went over to ask for his order, since he always had that table reserved every evening, and I was in charge of taking orders of customers at the left side. Trying my best to stay calm and failing miserably, I stuttered as I asked for his orders and still he refused to look my way, like he always do, instead his gaze was fixed on the red-head beside him.
What can a girl do to get attention here?
"W-what would you like to order sir?" I asked trying to make my voice sound cute.
"Two glasses of the best white wine you have. Do you want anything else?" he asked the redhead and she shook her head. "That's all" he said without looking at me. The woman looked up and smiled. And I hurried off to get his order. As I moved two paces away I miscalculated and tripped over an out stretched leg that was put there on purpose. I lost balance and fell on my chest and almost every head turned to look at me.
Damn, it hurt. Unknown warm hands circled my waist from behind and raised me, and I winced as my bruised ankle hurt. Curse my stupid heels, now I would have to limp all the way home.
"Are you okay?" the man who helped me up asked and I nodded.
Claire was at my side in an instant fussing over me. Out of curiosity I looked over my shoulders to see the green-eyed man obviously doing something that was much better than a clumsy waitress on his iPad with his thumb swiping away on the screen.
Am I that ugly? Is that why he didn't notice me? Maybe I smell bad. Pretty waitress would find tips under the table of those they serve, but I hardly find one. I have a boyfriend who loves me for me and I should be grateful. Maybe my inability to attract men was because I was not pretty and I lacked the charm other female had.
I signed up for work immediately my partner arrived and went to change from the smart waitress suit to my turtle-neck sweater and blue faded jeans trousers.
Walking out of the restaurant with my half of my dignity was dream come true for me. Eight thirty in the evening. It was late, though I won't have a hard time finding a taxi to take me home. Strange enough on lovers' day I received no sweet messages, no gift nor presents from my boyfriend. I need to find out what's really eating him.
A black limousine pulled up in front of me and I watched with keen interest as the male occupant in the front got down and walked with calculated steps toward me with a smile on his face. "Hello." The man said softly, eyes assessing me.
"Hi."
"Are you heading this way Miss Young?"
I froze with shock. How did he know my name? I tried to study his face in the dark to see if he was anybody I knew, but no, he didn't seem familiar.
"No." I lied. There is so much safety in not taking off with complete strangers, no matter how polished their cars looked.
"I don't think you would make it home early limping like that, after the fall at the restaurant." He sounded desperate, so he is from the restaurant.
"How do you know my name? Who are you?" he grinned in the dark as I asked.
'I am Stephen Jordan and I work for Blake Presley of crystal foods.'
Oh this is news. "So what do you want?"
"My boss request I take you home Miss Young.' He said softly
I shook my head lightly, why should his 'boss' bother? Except he wanted me to have a one night stand with him, I didn't even know anything about him.
'Thanks, but no. I have someone coming to pickme." I lied.
He put his hands in his pocket and brought out a white envelop which I wavered to collect. "Miss Young, the boss wants you to have this, you must collect it."
I took it from him and he grinned before walking back slowly, as he got in the limo it pulled away. I called a taxi almost immediately feeling a little happy, even tough I couldn't place the source of my excitement. I held the white envelop to my chest like a child, trying to unravel the mystery. Whoever it was had made me the happiest woman in the world today. It felt creepy to have a stranger know my name.
Things was cozy when I got home, my elder brother was sitting with his girl in the living room, my seventeen year old younger sister was chatting with her boyfriend so I was left alone in my world. Damn. where is my boyfriend when I need him.
I limped all the way, dragging myself up the stairs. My bed was warm and welcoming and I was temped to sleep immediately, but I brought out my nokia express music and dialed Jake's cell phone number. It kept ringing but he didn't pick up. I tried to calm myself down but I failed miserably. I hoped he is not involved in any form of accident, because it is so unusual for him to ignore my calls.
Claire called me later that night as I prepared for bed. "Hi sugar, hope you made it home?" she asked.
"Yeah, I did but my ankle still hurt."
I decided not to tell her about my encounter with the mysterious creepy man. "I'm about to go to bed Claire. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, sugar. Sweet dreams." She replied and hung up.
I opened the small white envelop and pulled out a white paper. It was a letter addressed to me written in a neat and fine hand written.
Dear Miss Young. Sorry about the accident, that would have been preventable if you were fully focused. However I hope your ankle doesn't hurt as much. I would like to see you tomorrow at the address written below.
'Fully focused!' who the hell do you think you are?
I held my breath as I read the words slowly, it didn't convey much. It was signed by a man named Presley. The boss or whatever he was, wanted me to meet him at crystal foods headquarter. What for? Curiosity killed the cat and I didn't want to die, at least not now. I visit the headquarters tomorrow and meet the boss and find out whatever he wants from me.
I relaxed on my bed, closed my eyes and let nature take over trying to take my mind off the embarrassing scene at the restaurant.