Deep

17:♠♠♠♠♠♠♠

"I'm here." I texted Vera as soon as I entered Lucy's restaurant and bar.

She had insisted that I text her as soon as I arrived at my new workplace. Since she had no classes today, she had asked to join me but I refused her. She was allowed to be caring and worry about me throughout, but not going as far as accompanying me to my workplace as if I was a child. I headed to where a group of waiters and waitresses were. It was only 3:30 which meant my shift was yet to start.

"Hey." I greeted after silently clearing my throat a couple of times.

A girl, probably eighteen years old turned around and smiled at me. "Hey. Are you a customer? You should be waiting at your table and not here ma'am. But since you are already here, can I write down your order and bring it to you? I won't take long, that I promise."

My mouth curved into a smile. "I'm a new employee here."

She gave me a once over, not in a rude way and the corners of her light blue eyes crinkled. "Oh, you must be starting the next shift then?"

I nodded. " Okay. Let me first speak to my partner and I'll take you to the changing room to pick a uniform?"

I nodded again as I watched her walk towards another girl who wore the same uniform as hers. So, this is what I'll be wearing. I thought as I looked at the white blouse and the black knee length skirt they wore.

I looked to my left and saw where the bar was. It was dimly light and I could here some music playing. Even though both the restaurant and bar were owned by the same person, they neither shared the entrance nor the exit. Each one had it's own. That was a good move by the architect or the owner of the place since the restaurant was a place where families came to have their dinner or lunch and it wouldn't do the children any  good to see old men staggering around drunk.

"Let's go?" The girl asked and I followed her to one of the rooms at the back of the restaurant.

"So, we have so many sizes here and as you can see, we all wear the same white and black uniforms like ninety percent of the restaurants in the world. All you'll have to do is choose what fits you best and you can meet me at the counter?" She finished and left.

My eyes followed her as she closed the door and I couldn't believe how she could talk for that long without having a break. Didn't she run out of air?

I tried on some few clothes and settled for a medium sized blouse and a knee length skirt. I had carried with me some black doll shoes and I couldn't wait to write on this new page.

*****

"Steph." A seventeen year old boy whose name was Scott called me.

"Yes." I turned around to face him. He was wearing his working clothes but unlike us, the guys wore red t-shirts, black pants and black ties.

"You are needed at table 8." He pointed to where it was and after grabbing a piece of paper and a pen I walked to the said table. Only when I reached there did I notice who it was.

Noel.

I came to an abrupt stop. What was he doing here? Was he alone? My eyes scanned through the busy restaurant at 8:00pm and I saw no presence of the man I  was looking for. Should I turn around before he sees me? I thought and before I could do so, Noel looked up and saw me.

I froze and I saw his do it too. He was surprised as I was. Why did he have to be here among all the restaurants in the whole city? Why?

Then, his eyes slid down my body, scrutinising my uniform. I saw his forehead crease in confusing but when he looked up he smiled at me, the Noel smile way and waved his hand for me to come over.

I could have turned around and request anyone else to come get his order but I couldn't. I have only started working here today and I wouldn't take advantage of the owner's kindness to hire me and I asking other people to do my work.

I took a step forward and walked towards him. But I couldn't stop myself from wondering whether Dean was here too? Were they meeting here?

"No need to be scared, I did not bring SWAT, FBI, DCI or CIA along with me Stephanie." He joked when he saw me scan the restaurant.

I smiled at him. Noel was not the enemy here." What is your order Noel?"

"No greetings?" He playfully asked.

I rolled my eyes. "How have you been Noel?"

He sneered. "What an attitude. I don't  want your greetings."

I smiled. There was something about Noel that always made me smile."Okay. What's your order then?" I placed my  pen on the paper ready to write it down.

"You."

I raised an eyebrow."Excuse me?"

"You."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm giving my order right now. You know, ordering you." He pointed at me.

"Are you joking?" I questioned. "If you don't tell me what you want I'll walk out and ask someone else to serve you."

"I'm not joking." His lips twitched. "you asked me what I was ordering and I'm ordering you to sit down."

"I can't, I have other people to serve." There were still some customers who were waiting for their orders to be delivered.

"I'll pay the owner triple of what I could have used today. Now sit down."

"I hate you." I said to him as I followed his command.

"Oh, don't lie. I know you love me." He stated, giving me a broad smile that showed his completely white teeth.

"I don't."  I denied.

"You do.Now to something serious. Why haven't I seen you around in the office?" He asked, his eyes making contact with mine.

Unable to maintain the contact, my eyes fell on the table. "Can't you see what I'm wearing? Don't play dumb Noel."

"Stephanie." He called and I looked at his tender eyes."You are the only one that has lasted so long. Why did you leave? I asked Dean but he didn't say anything."

Of course he couldn't tell you anything.

"I just couldn't take it?"

"Was it that bad?" He asked, his face strangely cool.

I noded."It was, for me."

He glanced sideways, unconsciously picking at the piece of paper laying on the table."Don't be quick to judge him Stephanie."

"What?" How could he ask me not to judge someone that had hurt me so much? Someone that made me cry as hard as I did that day.

"It's not my story to tell." He said, avoiding my piercing gaze.

Why did he have to be like this when talking about Dean? Was there something I didn't know about my ex boss?

"You are the only PA I've gotten close to Steph. Please come back." He pleaded.

"What is your order Noel?" I asked, changing the topic. I was not comfortable talking about Dean, if he was going to act the way he did each time I asked a question.

"Steph."

"Noel." I insisted.

"I'll just have coffee, with milk and sugar." He gave in.

"I'll bring it shortly." I stood up and picked the paper and pen from the table."Please don't tell Dean you saw me here."

"I can't promise."

"Noel, for me. I've never asked you of anything. Please grant me this." I pleaded. I didn't want to see the CEO again.

"Okay. I won't." He murmured under his breath but I still heard it.

"Thank you so much."

He smiled. "Welcome Steph."

*****
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