*RING RING*
I shut my eyes really tight, trying hard to ignore my 6 A.M. alarm going off right beside my head.
"UGH! Fine, you win! I'm getting up!" I shuffled around in my bed until I was right by the alarm clock. I pushed the off button and made my way into the bathroom to prepare myself for another day of my miserable job.
-Allow me to give you a visual of Emmalyn's background. She's a 21 year old college student who attends Penn State. She's working hard to become a psychiatrist and lives in a low society apartment (that's really all she can afford, college is expensive) with loud neighbors that also attend Penn. She works as a head waitress at one of the top restaurants in the area.-
I glance one more time in the mirror to make sure my collar is straight and my hair isn't falling out of place and I lock down my apartment down for another long 10 hour shift.
I always take the train to work because the parking around this place really sucks, especially downtown near the restaurant. Besides, the way traffic is set up around here the train is the better alternative to being late. As head waitress, my boss would see being late as lazy and I just couldn't risk my job. I also save gas for my car! Sorry if I'm rambling, I get really antsy on the train that's usually so packed to where breathing is a struggle.
The train stops at my division to get off so I exit the train and walk about 10 minutes to where the restaurant is located. I walk inside and clock in at exactly 7:59 A.M. which is cutting it close to being late but I wasn't actually late. I make my way around to the waitress area to start brewing tea and making sure the salad prep is done. The cooks are in the kitchen doing their own thing before we open up for the day and I wait for my best friend, Lanie, to come and clock in.
Me and Lanie applied to work here at the same time around a year ago and I'm so thankful boss man hired us both. Lanie and I went to high school together, we grew up together. If it weren't for this job, we probably wouldn't be close. After graduation, Lanie's dad got sick so she decided to not take up college and to get a full time job to help her family pay for her father's treatments and medical bills. I really do admire her for being such a strong, independent lady.
"HEY! Earth to Emmalyn!" Lanie shouted right behind me as I pulled myself out of my own thoughts.
"Hey Lanie. I'm sorry, I was just all off in another world," I went over to give her a squeeze.
She pulls away from my grip, "So, I have great news," I could tell by the light in her eyes it was something really good.
She paused and just looked at me, "Well speak woman! Tell me!" I say with a giggle.
"Dad's in remission. They really think he's cured."
I hugged Lanie so tightly, "I'm so glad to hear that! Tell him I said I'm really happy he's doing well."
"I sure will. So what do we need to do around this place? We open in about 20 minutes," Lanie asked as she looked down at her watch.
"Well, we could probably go through and wipe down the tables and sweep one good time," I suggested.
We both grabbed some table cleaner and a broom and kept ourselves busy until time for the open sign to appear and the restaurant to contain busy bodies in and out.
The restaurant is usually busy on Friday's so I expected nothing less than to bust my tail from open to close. As my shift drew close to an end, Lanie came up to me with a frown. "Do you think I could leave a little early?" She asked. I glanced at her sections and noticed she had emptied her tables. "Sure," I said with a grin. "You're the best," Lanie smiled as she gave me a hug.
As she went to return her apron and to clock out, a tan, muscular man walked in and sat right in Lanie's section. He had on a business suit but sunglasses covered his eyes. Lanie looked at my with a tiresome look on her face. "Hey, you go ahead. I got it," I told her reassuringly. Lanie hurried out of the door and I confidently walked towards the handsome customer.
"Hi. I am Emmalyn and I will be your server this evening. What can I start you off to drink?"
The mysterious guy slowly took his shades off and glanced up at me with his bare face. His jaw line was to die for. His eyes were as blue as the ocean, both in which I could get lost in. He looked as if he hadn't shaved in a few weeks but it suited him.
"Uh, miss?" The stranger had to pull me away from my thoughts again. "I am so sorry!" I tried to gather myself, "what was that drink again?" I coughed and tried to regain my posture. "I'll take a beer." He smirked. I wasn't sure if he was joking or what but I replied, "Alright but I'll need to see your ID." He started to grin, "if you wanted my name, all you had to do was ask."
I wasn't sure who this man was but everything about him made me melt. I'm glad I asked for his ID now so I could get a name with his flawless face.
He took his ID out of his pocket and handed it to me. I glanced over it, "Oh wow," I said. I literally almost fainted. How could I be so silly to not know who this man was! It had to be the lack of shaving. I handed him back his ID, "I am so sorry Mr. Carver. How silly of me to not to notice it was you!" I knew I had let nothing but nervous giggles escaped my throat. He stuffed his ID back into his pocket, "You can call me Harrison. I would prefer you do at least."
I shook my head in obedience, "Yes, of course, Mr- uh sorry, Harrison. I'll be right back with your beer, sir." Before I could turn my back he caught my wrist, "and please, no calling me sir either. I'm sure we're about the same age." He let go of his grip and I nodded then hurried myself to the kitchen.
I am so freaking out right now! I've got to go see Lanie after work to tell her everything! I can't believe I'm having a conversation with THE Harrison Carver. Okay, okay, let me regain myself.. again.
I grab a beer from the fridge and walk back over to Harrison's table. I set it carefully in front of him, "Are you meeting anyone or dining alone?" He glanced me up and down again and caused my cheeks to burn so badly I just knew they were red. "Actually, I'm meeting a client. They should be here in no time," he grinned at me again. He probably thought I was just another crazy female who worshipped him. That wasn't the case at all. I knew I kept going from his lips back to his eyes but I couldn't help myself. "Alright, well when I see your client come take his or her seat, I'll be right over with another menu." I smiled and walked away. I had to get some fresh air.
I decided after spending 15 minutes outside the back of the restaurant to go and check on Harrison to see if his client arrived. I turned the corner to look at his table and indeed the client did arrive. The client was a petite, blond-headed female with the whitest smile you'd ever seen. I was self conscious over some girl I'd only spent 2 seconds observing. Not to mention a little envious.
I stride over to the table to give his client a menu. I smile at her, "what can I get for you to drink madam?" She glanced up at me with a disgusted look, "I'll just take a lemon water." I shake my head and turn to leave, "Oh and girl," I turn around to the blond (who obviously is lacking in the manner department) "can you make sure no seeds get in my glass?" I do a little smile and walk off. As I fix her water, part of me really wants to FILL her cup full of seeds but I decided playing nice was the best alternative. I didn't want Harrison thinking anything negative about me.
I bring her glass back and take their orders. I take their menus and put them up on my way back to the kitchen. After I put their order in, I couldn't help but to want to ease drop but I knew it wasn't the right think to do. "BUT," I thought (kind of) out loud, "the table behind them does need to be cleaned off and wiped down." I'm so glad I'm clever.
I take off to the booth in the corner with my cleaning supplies. I cleaned the side that's closest to Harrison first. "Look, Dani," I overhear Harrison saying, "I know this isn't easy. I know you're married and that's why this can't work." I heard Dani (finally blondie has a name) take a deep breath in, "Harrison, I want this so bad though, I just can't help myself." I was so busy wiping away and trying to listen I didn't realize the cook was dinging the bell to indicate the completion of the food.
"Uh, waitress?" Harrison catches my attention, "I think our food is done." I feel like a complete idiot. "I'm right on it," I hurry away and return very quickly with their food. "You guys enjoy. Let me know if you need anything." I smile and walk back to the table I was "cleaning". They didn't talk much after they got their food but right as I was about to pack up my cleaning stuff I hear Dani say, "Harrison, I get it. I'm sorry I've been hard headed. You're right, this won't work because I am married." Silence followed until Harrison spoke up, "I'm sorry Dani. I don't do the cheating scene. It's been fun." I wasn't sure what was going on but I took my things and started headed back.
As I walked by their table, Harrison looked up and smiled. "Can I get out check?" He asked. I pulled it out of my apron and handed it to them, "You guys have a safe night," and then I walked away very quickly.
I went to clean off Harrison's table before I could clock out and on the table I found a business card that Harrison had wrote his personal number on and a message that I was assuming was for me, "Emmalyn, there's something about you. Please contact me. Sincerely, Harrison." I glanced at this card for at least 10 minutes not sure of what was even meant by this message.
I took the dishes to the back and went to clock out. On my way to the door, I stopped by the register to collect my tip money from the night. Ivan (he runs the register) handed me my earnings from the night. Within these earnings was a single $100 bill attached with the same exact card left on the table. I glanced up to Ivan and thanked him quickly so I could leave.
As I was walking to the train I decided to call Lanie. Luckily she answered, "Hey Lanie, I was wondering if I could take a rest at your place tonight. I have something big to talk to you about." She excitedly agreed and I took the train to her apartment. I just couldn't stop thinking about Harrison Carver and what in the world he wanted with me.