Chapter 20: Fancied holding their heads

Back at work, Gemma and I barely had a break with the steady influx of customers. I did not mind it as long as I would not run into Nathan today or any other day if that was possible. Last Monday, he came in with his group. Thankfully, Andrea covered for me, giving me the opportunity to avoid him.

I went for a long break, deciding to hide at the back of the diner, and then making sure that he was gone by the time I came back inside. When Gemma took her break, she found me slumping down the stairs while staring at the dilapidated dumpster across from us.

"Why do you look like you just got dump?" Gemma immediately handed me a coffee with a freshly baked muffin. I sipped on my coffee, but just held the muffin in my hand, unable to eat anything. "Aren't you supposed to be serving your customers?"

"Ssshhh… I have a terrible headache, so I just took a break. Don't tell Mr. Wilson or I would get an earful. Besides Andrea agreed to cover for me for a while." I knew I was lying to my teeth when I said that to Gemma, but I could not explain to her what was going on without telling her the whole story. I guessed I was not ready to tell her everything.

She placed her hand on my forehead, feeling it as if I was coming up with something. "Well, I don't think you have a fever." She finally concluded. "If you want medicine for that headache, I think I have some in my bag."

"No. I think it's starting to get better. Just a few more minutes, I will be fine." I assured her by drinking the coffee and taking a bite of the muffin. It seemed to satisfy her, so she started to change the topic to something else.

"Better get back to work soon, before Mr. Wilson noticed," Gemma warned me before she returned to her own work. She was right. I needed to get back inside. I just hope he was long gone.

Why was I hiding from Nathan? Because I finally decided to choose Daniel. I might not feel the overwhelming passion with his kiss, but he was the safer choice. I felt I could truly trust him never to break my heart.

Unlike Nathan, who only wanted the thrill of the chase, and after he was done with me. I bet he would never have difficulty dumping me afterward. He was the type of man who did not do relationships and especially commitment.

Fortunately, when I got back, he and his company had left. I thank Andrea for covering for me and I went back to my work in peace. The following day, he was a no-show, so I finally relaxed, thinking that he might have finally given up.

Today, I was hoping that the same thing would happen. That Nathan would not come again in the diner for a while. I was busy taking the orders of a couple who just finished their jog when I saw Mr. Wilson beckoning me. I quickly approached him after giving Emmy the orders.

"I need you to take care of Mr. Hayes' table. He specifically asks for you. Remember he is an important customer so be extra nice." He said with a little warning. I did not notice him came into the diner, or I might have found an excuse to hide from him. Now, it was too late. I had no excuse.

When I spotted him on the far end of the diner with several of his companions, my earlier anxiousness was easily replaced with indignation. Well, I was generally nice, avoiding conflict as much as I could, but I could be a bitch too. Right now, I was baffled by Nathan's plan when he specifically asked that I should serve them.

"I'm on it. Don't worry I'll be on my best behavior." I assured Mr. Wilson with a wink. He just shook his head with a grin. He had seen what I was capable of, but he also knew that I was reasonable. I could be professional, just as long as Nathan behaved himself.

As I approached Nathan's table, I saw that Ms. Carter was present, thus, making me conclude of Mr. Wilson's concern. The other man seemed familiar, but he had his back turned to me. Suddenly, I had a bad feeling about this.

Slowly I approached their table, suspicious of Nathan and his intentions. "Good morning, what are we having today?" I asked with a cheerful smile, completely avoiding looking in his direction. They stopped their discussion and focused their attention on me.

The man beside me, who I already recognized as soon as I was near, was the first to greet me. "Hi, Scarlet. Double Espresso for me." Daniel told me as he grinned happily upon seeing me.

"Hi!" I smiled at him, and then take note of the others' order too. I could not afford to chitchat with Daniel since I was here to work and not socialize.

Finally, I looked at Mr. Hayes and waited. He glanced at me with a blank look. He ordered his usual without giving away in his expression whatever he was thinking. At least, Ms. Carter was in a good mood. She did not pay me much attention, which was thoroughly fine by me.

After serving them, I took a break at the back, not waiting for Gemma, since she was still busy in the kitchen when I passed by. I asked again Andrea to take over for me. I really needed to thank Andrea properly. She had been a big help this past week.

I knew Mr. Wilson would not be pleased that I left my station if ever he found out, but I could not stand to wait and see what would happen next. With Nathan, I believed I would always be second-guessing his plans.

I let out a loud growl to release my frustration as soon as I was outside the backdoor. I sat down on the steps, putting my elbows on my knees, my hand on my chin, and I stared at the wall in front of me. What were they doing in the same room? I mused to myself.

I fancied holding their heads in my hand and banging it together.

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