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Chapter 5
Buzz of the town
Raising my fingers up to my face I traced the dark purple bruise on my cheek bone. Ben really did a number on me.
Stepping away from the mirror I examined my face. There was dark circles under my eyes from the restless night. Ben kept me up till midnight than he passed out but I couldn't sleep. After he rapes me I usually can't.
Below my new bruise was a yellow spot where an old bruise was healing. When I was sixteen and Ben began beating me after my mom died he gave me a foundation to cover any bruising.
It worked, no one has ever seen them including Sarah. Grabbing the small bottle I applied it and almost instantly my face was clear except for the dark circles. It wasn't too bad before yesterday because I slept a couple hours but last night I was awake all night with Ben draped over me.
Sighing I pulled my hair up and walked out of the apartment. It was still dark out and Sarah was probably still asleep. Ms. Taylor would bring her to preK like everyday which means I won't see her till later this afternoon.
Pulling my coat tightly against my chest I walked the few blocks to the diner. Today was chilly and windy but it wasn't going to snow. This uniform was not warm but it fit the sixties theme.
As I approached the diner I could see Leroy sitting on one of the stools with the broom in his hand. Poor man looked so tired.
"Leroy go home." I ordered as I walked into the deserted diner
He snapped his head up his eyes red from the long night. I grabbed the broom from his hand and ushered him to the door.
"From now on I want you to leave at one. Whatever work you haven't done you leave for me." I said
That's two hours after closing giving him time to work but not to over do it. The elderly man smiled causing the corners of his mouth to crinkle.
"Thank you." he said a grateful look on his face before leaving
Peeling my coat off I swept and mopped the floor. He washed all the dishes but the stove tops were still dirty. Pulling my sleeves up I scrubbed the stains out and dirtied my uniform a little.
After cleaning the kitchen I wiped the counter, tables, booths and chairs. It was six when I had a few pots of coffee ready and the diner set for service.
When the bell rang above the door I pored Jason his coffee and placed it on the counter for him.
"Good morning cutie." a strange voice said
I turned to see two men sitting on the stools before me. One looked like he was in his late forties. He had dark olive skin, no hair but a thick gold moustache, and small dark blue eyes. He was a fat man with a large belly.
The man next to him was much younger, maybe the same age as me. He had a nice light tan, his dirty blonde hair was brushed back bringing out his piercing hazel eyes. This man was also fit.
The younger man flashed me a dazzling smile that must make all the girls melt. He leaned his forearm on the counter.
"I'm sorry I thought you were someone else. What can I get you?" I said
The younger one licked his lips letting his eyes run over me. "You for starters." he said his voice husky
My eyes widened. So he's one of those customers. The older man smacked him on the shoulder earning a dark look.
"I apologise for this idiot. We are the new cooks, Jason called us." the elderly man said
"Yes Mr. McTern said you'd be coming in today."
Both men raised a brow at me. I felt heat rush to my cheeks at the way they smiled at me. Grabbing the thick menu from behind me I handed them to the new cooks.
"This is everything we make, everything you need to know about the food we serve is in there."
The elderly man nodded his head and flipped through the papers. He was obviously impressed by the way he kept nodding. I'm glad he isn't criticising like Jason.
The younger one grabbed the cup of coffee I set for Jason. He made a face as he swallowed forcefully.
"Its bitter." he complained
"It's the way Mr. McTern likes it. Here." I said handing him a regular coffee
Satisfied he flashed me another pearly smile. No doubt he practiced that smile in the mirror. I handed the other man a cup as well.
"Thank you Gracie." the elderly man said
"Can I get you anything else Mr. .." I stopped realising I didn't know his name
"Tom Ruiz but call me Tom." he said sticking his hand out for me to shake
I shook it liking this man already. He reminded me of a kind father. Tom let go of my hand and pointed to the man sitting next to him.
"This moron is Liam Smith."
Liam grabbed my hand lifting it up to his mouth. He brushed his lips to my knuckles. I pulled my hand away feeling the heat rush up to my face.
Tom slapped him over the head. Liam rubbed the back of his head staring daggers at Tom.
"Ignore him Gracie, he is a hound dog with no limit."
Liam took a sip of his coffee his eyes gleaming mischievously. Flipping Liam's paper open I turned to today's menu. I turned the paper around to them.
"I set the pans up and cut some vegetables since today is our omelet special."
Tom leaned back a wide smile on his face revealing a set of slightly crooked teeth. Even Liam nodded his head seeming impressed. I didn't know whether that was a good thing or not.
Tom turned in his seat to check the diner out. This probably wasn't as big as the fancy restaurant he worked in before. Heck our kitchen was about the size of lunch wagon.
"You don't seem to have any business." Liam snorted
I narrowed my eyes at him. Leave it to Jason to get cooks who think just like him. "Believe me we get busy."
"I'll say." a deep gruff voice said
Jason swung the diner door open a small smile playing on his lips. Liam turned to him and stuck his hand out.
"If it isn't the king of darkness himself. How have you been you old crank?" he chuckled as they did that weird man handshake
Tom shook Jason's hand . "How have you been kid?"
"Same old." Jason answered simply
Even with these two Jason seems in a brighter mood. Was it me that caused him to get all moody?
Jason turned to me his smile vanishing. At the moment his cold eyes met mine I was reminded of yesterday's incident. He took me by surprise with his sudden flirting and knee buckling smile.
The way he looked at me yesterday with a small glimmer of a emotion I didn't know. Even the way he held my hands. My heart sped up at the memory of his hand on my cheek. I felt the same butterflies from yesterday.
He makes me feel so nervous around him and his touch was like fire on my skin.
"G-good morning Mr. McTern." I stuttered nervously looking down at my hands
Like I expected he grunted and turned his back to me.
"So this is the famous Pot'O Gold diner, it's a pretty little thing that's for sure." Tom said
Pouring Jason a new cup of coffee I set it down in front of him avoiding the arctic gaze he seems to always look at me with. What exactly have I done that made him hate me so much?
"And the diner isn't too shabby either." Liam chimed as I placed the mug down
"Liam please stop talking to me so provocatively." I said my cheeks burning with embarrassment
"Stop being a pervert." Tom hissed
Tom slapped him again this time his face serious. The corners of my mouth turned upwards, Tom is like the father I wish I had when I was growing up.
Jason snorted as he gulped a mouth full of coffee down. Twisting my fingers together I bit my lip trying rid my mind of images of Jason's hands on me.
What is wrong with me? I've never thought about a man like this.
"It seems Gracie likes the attention." Jason added coldly
Shocked I brought my eyes up to Jason's hard face. He was looking straight at me with this dark look in his eye. I've seemed that look in Ben's eyes. The look of anger and disgust.
Tears stung my eyes as I tried keeping myself in check.
"Excuse me." I croaked weakly
Tom looked at me with sympathetic eyes. Slipping out from behind the counter I sprinted to the table in the far left corner.
Why is this man getting to me?
Wiping the already clean table I could hear the men whispering. Willing my tears back I reset the sugar. Get a grip on yourself, I ordered.
So what if Jason hates my guts. He's just another man who is disgusted by my presences. Another Ben, I thought bitterly.
Standing up right I straightened my uniform and returned back behind the counter.
"... I thought being back in your hometown would lighten you up." Tom whispered
"Your a real ass you know that Jason." Liam said shaking his head
I cleared my throat just as Jason was going to speak. All the men turned to me with soft expressions, except Jason of course.
"Maybe you two should prepare since customers will be arriving soon." I said
Jason downed the rest of his coffee and turned for the office in the back. The white oak door slammed shut without a word.
"It was nice meeting you Gracie, hopefully we can be friends." Tom said standing up
I nodded, a small smile on my lips. Tom is a nice man and I'm sure he'd be a great friend.
"I'll be seeing you later cutie." Liam said with a wink
Tom grabbed him roughly by the arm and tugged him into the kitchen. Those two are definitely going to bring some laughs to my usual boring mornings.
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"Orders ready babe." Liam called out
As I grabbed the two plates of eggs benedict Liam bent over on the small window ledge.
"Liam please stop calling me that." I mumbled feeling uncomfortable under his predator eyes
He was like a wolf watching a gazelle. His hazel eyes glinted wickedly. "Sure toots."
Shaking my head I gave the customers their orders. All morning he has been calling me pet names and although he was just kidding around some people were staring.
Ben would definitely hear about this. I shuddered at the thought of my punishment.
A woman placed a forty on the counter and walked out. Grabbing the money I put it in the register satisfied with this mornings business.
Liam and Tom did an amazing job. There was only a handful of people in the diner.
"Hey Gracie." Jackie said as she barged into diner as usual
She tied her apron around her perfect waist. Jackie grabbed a notepad and pencil placing both in the pockets of her apron.
"More good looking girls. Damn I'm glad I left the city." Liam said as he came out to the diner
Jackie furrowed her brows and looked him over. "Who are you perv?"
"The new cook." I answered as I wiped the booths of crumbs
Liam bowed a small smirk playing on his lips. Jackie didn't seem impressed.
"We'll be working together sweet cheeks, maybe outside the diner too." he said raising a suggestive brow
Jackie placed her hands on her curvy hips and walked straight up to Liam not flinching like I would.
"Listen hear asshole. I'm not some delicate little flower who you can give sweet names to. In fact."
She jabbed him in the chest with her perfectly manicured finger.
"If you ever call me sweet cheeks again I'm going to crush those pebble like things you call balls." she threatened
I heard Tom roar into laughter in the kitchen hearing the whole conversation. Biting my lip I tried not laughing myself. Liam's eyes were wide with shock.
Yeah Jackie may look nice but if you piss her off she'll rip your head off.
With a triumphant smile she slipped behind the counter with Liam following her every move like a wolf.
"Let the games began pumpkin." he said his eyes glimmering excitedly
Something tells me those two are not going to get along. Liam blew a kiss to Jackie.
She flipped him the bird just as the bell above the door rang annoyingly. A tall blonde woman who looked like model came in with this ridiculously huge bag.
Her face was thick with make up. She was wearing a expensive looking red coat with a yellow helm that resembled gold.
"What are you doing here gold digger?" Jackie said sounding as annoyed as she looked
Claire flipped her long golden locks over her shoulder her dark red lips curling into a smile.
"Well hello to you too Jacklyn. It's none of your business but I'm here to see Jason."
Claire was the biggest sugar baby you could find. She will kiss the devil himself if he gave her money. She was known around town for being a gold digger but her beauty pageant looks always got her what she wanted.
"Before you try digging your dirty claws into my cousin I'm warning you that if you so much as touch him I'll rip that wig right off of your head."
Claire brought her hand up to her head smoothing the top out. Composing herself she turned her back to Jackie.
"You there goodie two shoes go call Jason." she ordered
"I'm sorry, Mr. McTern is busy right now." I answered
Her nose scrunched up as she gave me a dirty look. "Jason!!!!!" she screeched
My ears rung from her high pitched voice. She sure has a good set of lungs. The office door opened never less.
"Jason, darling." Claire squealed throwing herself into his arms
He caught her looking a bit confused. Jackie cursed under her breath. Claire was obviously after one thing. She pulled away but kept her hands on his shoulders.
"Oh baby I missed you." she lifted one long fake nail up to his jaw and trailed it down to his slightly exposed chest
"You never call or write. That's no way to treat me after the last time we were together. Didn't you have fun?" she said suggestively
Jason peeled her arms off of him his face never changing from that hard serious face he always has. I found myself awaiting his response.
"That was fun Claire but what are you doing here?"
His voice wasn't cold like a few hours ago when he was talking to me. Claire grabbed him by the front of his shirt.
"I heard you were back in town and thought we could relive the last time we were together."
"Skank." Jackie coughed
Claire rolled her eyes ignoring the comment. Twisting my fingers together I watched as Jason's face soften slightly. He's thinking about it, I thought sadly.
She leaned against his body and pressed a kiss to his neck. I felt my heart sink. Jason's arms tightened around her as she peppered kisses along his neck.
A lump rose in my throat, pushing it down I turned my back to them. My eyes closed briefly as I went onto the next booth to clean.
He was never mine besides he doesn't even like me as a person. It was just a silly crush from my side.
"Claire, no."
I turned to see Jason holding Claire an arms length away. She was obviously shocked because her mouth hung open and her eyes were wide.
"What we did was a long time ago and frankly I'm not interested." he said
"What?!" she screeched slapping his hands away
Jackie laughed out loud not caring that Claire was shooting daggers her way.
Jason shrugged not looking like he cared. "I was young and to be honest I would have done that with anyone in sight."
A few people in the diner snickered adding to her humiliation. I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle a laugh. Poor woman although she deserved it.
"Well you won't be doing that with me you no good hillbilly." she said angrily
"Thank god. You might be good to look at but hun your foreplay sucks."
Claire stomped her foot and let out a ear shattering screech. By now the diner was filled with laughter as Claire stomped out her face red as a tomato.
"You showed that ho bag." Jackie said
One side of Jason's mouth tipped up into a croaked smile. "Someone had to." he said
"Damn she wears more make up than Ronald McDonald." Liam said shivering in disgust
A small giggle escaped my lips at his comment. Jason turned to me the other side of his mouth lifting upwards.
My heart fluttered at the sight of his pearly white smile. It made his eyes glimmer happily making him look even more handsome if that were possible. I felt myself return the smile with a warm one of my own.
I felt myself being pulled into his mesmerising blue eyes that for once were soft with emotion. My face heated in embarrassment as I couldn't seem to pull my gaze from his.
"Can I get a refill?" a woman asked
Snapping out of my daze I poured her a new cup. The woman thanked me and went back to her newspaper.
Looking up I saw Jason still looking at me with the same glimmer of happiness in his eye.
"I'll just be getting back than." he said his voice gruff
Trying to keep the smile off my face I bit my lip.
"Okay, would you like something to eat?" I answered feeling a newfound boldness
"Yes please." he said as he took a seat on one of the vinyl stools
Turning to Liam I was going to give an order when he nodded and went back into the kitchen.
As I waited for Liam to bring Jason's order (which he probably knew) I felt the intense gaze from Jason. This time though I didn't mind the way he was watching me.
In fact I kind of liked it.
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~LovelyDove43~