His Temptation: BOOK 1

5| ISABELA

Chapter 5

"Here's your card back. I just need a signature on the top copy for me and the bottom one is yours. Thank you guys for dining with us tonight!" The middle aged man just takes the receipts and card from my hand and doesn't say anything else. Ok, I guess I'll just go fuck myself. I wanted to roll my eyes, but kept my bright smile and straight posture and walked back behind the bar all while glancing back at the table I just left. I watched them write on the top receipt, grab their things, and leave. "Take care!" I shout from behind the bar.

Once again, they ignore me and continue walking. This time I do roll my eyes knowing they can't seem me and grab a small tray to clear off the dishes. I grab the receipt and ignore the urge to look at it as I walked back into the dishwashing area. I set the tray down and looked at the receipt.

"Five dollars...on a forty dollar bill... What. The. Fuck." I let out a heavy sigh and slip the receipt into my booklet. Another day another two dollars, or so my manager loves to say. Today was a slow morning at work on a Saturday morning, which was slightly unusual and when I did get tables, they were grouchy middled aged couples. It was currently two-thirty o'clock and I was the only server on until my co-worker, McKayla, came back from her break. Ugh.

I watch another car pull up and a smile lights up my face when I recognize my mothers' face through the windshield. She and my little brother step out from the car at the same time and walk towards the entrance. I quickly put down the glass I was polishing and went to greet them.

I hug her and my little brother as soon as they step through the door, "Mom, what are you doing here? I mean not that I'm not happy to see you."

"Well when you texted me that you were having a rough morning with customers, I thought I'd come eat." I swear God couldn't have given me a better mother and one as strong as her.

My father had cheated on my mom with her cousin when my little brother had barely turned a year old. My mother still showed up to family occasions and her cousin—knowing she'd be there—tried to push her buttons, but my mom being the badass she is, didn't fall for it. In fact, she dressed up in one of the nicest dresses and outfits she had making her look like an absolute boss bitch. It was great, seeing my fathers reaction whenever we'd show up and her cousin always getting pissy about how my father would look at my mom.

I spot another car pull into the parking lot, so I quickly bring my mom over to a table and get their drink order before going over to greet the next couple.

"Hello..." The word quickly dies on my tongue. In front of me was Johan and Gabriela. What the fuck?

"Uh, hello?" Professor Powell lightly pats the host podium stand, "Table for two, please." She holds up two fingers and loops her arm through Johan's. I force a smile and avoid Johan's stare that is burning through the side of my face and quickly take them to a table. Why is there a painful ache in my chest right now? It shouldn't hurt this bad seeing Johan and Gabriela together. Maybe they're just on a friendly lunch. But during the weekend?

I try to gulp through the lump in my throat and there are angry tears threatening to fall. Come on, Isabela. Stop it. I pulled myself together. God, I'm acting like I was in a relationship with the man. I take their drink orders and make my mom's and the professor's, dropping off my mom's and little brother's first before moving over to Johan and Gabriela. I went to walk away when Johan speaks.

"We'd like to order an appetizer, please." I clench my jaw, but quickly switch over to a positive face expression before turning around.

I smile, "Of course, what would you like?"

"The cheesy enchilada dip, please." I make eye contact with him and express my anger through my eyes. I'm pretty sure my smile now looked like I was clenching my teeth.

"Sounds good! Let me know if you guys have any questions about the menu." I turn and make my way towards the computer to ring it in. Gabriela and Johan were here chit-chatting for over an hour after they had finished their entrees. My mother had left a half hour before them and that was when I was ready to rip this bitch's hair out. I gave them no reaction though. Well not that Gabriela knew about what I wanted to do with Johan. Or did she?

I don't think she did, otherwise she would've been rude towards me. Unless she's a good actress. Okay, fuck, I needed to stop thinking about this. I heavily sigh and looked towards the clock.
3:45pm

Ok, 15 more minutes and then I can leave. I had already finished all the side work that needed to be done. Glasses and silverware were polished, I swept, vacuumed the carpet in the entrance, and wiped the glass on the door. Finally, four o'clock rolled around and McKayla came rushing in from the kitchen.

"Hey, I'm here. I'm so sorry, my son had an incident at school." She scrambles to put her apron back on.

"Hey, no worries." I smile at her and bump my hips with hers. She washes her hands hand in the small sink in the bar, "Was it busy?"

I chuckle and gesture towards the almost empty dining room, "It's pretty much been like this since you left."

McKayla raises her eyebrows in surprise, "Wow, okay. Maybe today won't be so bad then. Everything done?" She looks around.

"Yup, all side work done and everything. It's just the couple at the bar and the other couple, but they're all checked out." I untie my apron and neatly fold it and grabbed my purse and keys.

"Awesome! Have a good night!" She smiles and goes into the bathroom. I glance over at Johan and was surprised to see him already staring. Gabriela didn't seem to notice as she was looking out the window and blabbering about something.

I hold his gaze for a few more seconds before going into the kitchen and out the back door.

Johan Hansen can kiss my ass.

*

Later that night, I'm sprawled on the floor at Jackie's house. I told them about Johan and Gabriela coming into work and Jackie suggested going to her house. Her mom was on night shift, so we were able to talk.

"So, Johan and Barbie are hanging out outside of school huh." Jackie clicks her tongue before continuing, "Well, I'd say to try harder."

I raise an eyebrow, "Huh?"

Jackie sighs, "Think about it, Isa. He knows the game you're trying to put on and he's doing everything he can to stop himself from giving in. So, I think that's why he starting going on little dates with Powell." She has a point.

"I don't know, Jackie, to me it seems like they might actually be dating for real." Olevia says, nibbling on her nail.

"Well, who cares if they are." Jackie rolls her eyes, "I'm sticking with my theory that he's using Gabriela to make you stay away. I still think you should continue with your seduction. You need to show him what Isabela Gregory can do.''

"God, you're making me sound like a slut."

"Welllll..." Jackie starts, but I interrupt her.

"Okay, okay." I chuckle, "I sort of am." Jackie gives me a playful glare, "Okay! I am!"

"Damn right you are."

One thing for sure is that I' ve decided what my next move was gonna be and I can only hope that I don't chicken out. "Okay, I'm done talking about Johan. Let's go bake some cookies." We spend the rest of the night playing cards, watching movies, and baking.

***

See? I can't help it. I love this trio :)