Breyson's P.O.V
"Goodmorning sir." She greeted me, I could already tell the sadness in her heart with just a mere looking at her. "What happened?!" I wondered.
"A sad morning to you Ms. Parkers. Are you being troubled? You don't seem fine, what is wrong?" I replied.
"Nothing in particular, quite the contrary. I'm good!" She emphasised with a smile on her face, a fake smile that anyone could tell.
"I see there's still a big gap between us?! I thought we bridged it already." I said to her with so much concern in my voice.
"I appreciate your concern sir but I don't mix personal problems with work, thanks really." She answered.
Alright, if you insist. "Did Nora provide you with the uniform?" I inquired.
"Yeah she did, I was going to change when I bumped into you." She replied trying hard to smile genuinely but it was all fake. I felt the need to comfort her but she couldn't open up to me, and that hurt so deeply.
"Okay then, go on, in case of anything, my office door is open to you, don't hesitate to reach out to me plus, Nora is also there, utilise her. She can also brief you." I informed her.
I watched her as she left, I couldn't stop myself from worrying about her.
Later after checking my schedule for the day, my phone vibrated indicating dad.
"You're welcome dad, our first business with them will be next month, the second week on Saturday. Trust me we will do our very best." I replied with so much amusement.
"I know son, I don't doubt that." Said Dad.
"Dad you should meet this amazing lady that played a huge roll in getting that contract!" I exclaimed.
"Amazing! Your view about her leaves quite a number of questions in my head! Well, let me drop by this evening before going back home. Is she one of your staffs? Last time I checked you had only six chefs, did you employ a new staff without my knowledge?!" Commanded Lucius Heights.
"Dad I'm not answering that, since you're coming this evening, you will tell by yourself. Meet her first. And about the job, the Italian dessert chef had issues on that day so I had to get a substitute. The results turned out great so I decided to include her on the team." I uttered.
"I also suggest we get her a car considering the distance between her home and the company, the distance is long and yet she will have to report early to work especially on busy days." I added.
"Well, I will have to come over and asses her first. However I think that's too much of a privilege for someone that has not even undergone probation. I know we've been giving them bonuses but a car?! That's quite alot!" He exclaimed.
"Dad ! Like I said, I'm not arguing with you concerning this matter. As for the car, she will have to get it in anyway possible even if it means taking it from my pay cheque!" I clearly stated that.
"I know you when you set your mind on something, until you set your fingers on it, you don't stop persuing. But let me get there first." He replied.
"Okay , see you soon boss!" I said with a smirk tone. Put the phone on my table and went through some files that Nora sent to my computer.
"Yes boss." Nora answered.
"You did an excellent work, I've checked the emails you sent to me. Keep it up!" I motivated her.
"Lunch is on me, just to show you how important you are to us." I added.
"Really! Like seriously?!" I could Sense the joy she got after hearing my offer.
"Yes, just call me when it's time and I'll be right there." I promised.
"Hey guys!" I said while walking through the kitchen. I know you guys are so busy right now but I'm not asking you for your hands. That was not even supposed to be a joke but everyone laughed out loud forcing me to join them. I felt a bit relieved after seeing Ms. Parkers smile. It felt as though someone just off-loaded a heavy stone from my shoulders.
"You're not really a good joker but you tried this time, 3/10." Said the steward.
"Okay , okay! I agree! Now get back to work but lend your ears to me. Next month August 26th we gonna have a massive function. Mark the date. I'll be updating you on all the necessary arrangements. However I want you all to coordinate with your head and see how we can successfully go about it. Remember it's not how much we will earn, but how contended our clients will be with our services. That's all!" I ended the briefing. "I said I wasn't asking for your hands but seems you all stopped chopping while I was speaking." I said with a smirk.
They all burst into laughters, Ms. Parkers too.
"And then you say I'm not a good joker!" I said in a cocky manner while putting my shirt collar right.
"3½/10!" The steward shouted while I got through the kitchen door. I shook my head to that.
"The boss is treating me on today's lunch!" I heard Nora whisper.
"Wow!That's so thoughtful of him! No, Wait! So I guess that means I'm having my first lunch at LA SCOOPERS' alone like a miserable street dog?! Right?!" Ms. Parkers asked with so much sadness in her voice.
"Oh! I didn't think about that!" I whispered to myself.
"Come on Belinda, I can talk to him, we can all have lunch together. The three of us. The boss is not what you think of him. He's actually a sweetheart. All we need is to inform him." Nora confessed. I smiled to that, to think that actually there's someone who knows the other side of me.
"I know that." Said Ms. Parkers. "I Know that?!" I wondered. Now that hit really deep.
"You do? But how? You've barely spent a day here? So how can you say that?" Nora asked with so much curiosity.
"No Nora , never mind! You two can go ahead. As for me, don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
That's when I decided to burge into their little chat and made it seem like I had just got there.
"Hey there, is everything good?!" I asked even though I already knew what the answer was.
"Well, nothing that you can't handle." Nora was right when she said that. After all I had just ears dropped their conversation.
"I will take up the lunch offer only if Belinda joins us." Nora gave me an automatum which I gladly accepted. All I wanted was for Ms. Parkers to loosen up a little and forget whatever was worrying her.
"I'll go pick my phone from the office." I said to them.
"See! I told you! He's not as bad as you think!" Nora whispered.
"I heard that!" I shouted. Well atleast for the second time! I whispered to myself while skipping the stairs.
Hours later....
"So did you love the lunch?!" I asked while wiping my hands. Placed the napkin down and took a glass of water.
"It was tasty, a few ingredients missed out but I suppose the chef is a professional, he managed to play with the few that he had and presented a good meal." Said Ms. Parkers.
"I don't know much about cooking but the food was super wow!" Nora added.
"No doubt, but again we should all agree that our meals are better than theirs. Right?" I asked.
"That's a hundred percent true!" Ms. Parkers replied.
"So Belinda what could be on your mind? You seem distant. What is bothering you?" Nora asked from the back seat soon as I started driving.
"Yes , Ms. Parkers talk to us." I added.
"Listen , I appreciate your concerns but my problems are none of your business. They are my burdens so quit it!" Ms. Parkers yelled with so much rage in her voice not to mention her eyes! I couldn't recognize the color of her eyes that moment! "Where did that come from?!" I wondered.
"Whoa! Listen woman! We are all here just to help you. We are trying hard not to let you die from depression!" I yelled back.
''Stop the car." She mummered.
"You're kidding, right?!" I asked.
"Stop the car!!!" She shouted.
I quickly stopped the car, before I could turn around to open the door for her, she was already out.
"You do know that you're only killing yourself slowly, right?!" I shouted. She had already walked a distance from us.
"If you don't speak up now, you might regret it later. Do you even realize how you're affecting us with your silent pain?!" I asked.
"Belinda please, let's help you! A problem shared is half solved. Depression kills faster than any deadly illness you've ever heard of!" I heard Nora shout from the back.
Ms. Parkers suddenly broke down on the side of road. I ran to get to her as Nora followed. I embraced her soon as I got to her.
"Belinda for God's sake! What is troubling you?! Speak up! Your silence is hurting me! It's torturing! More tormenting than a burden of guilt! What is it?!" I asked.
"My Aunt killed my parents! Is that what you want to hear?! Are you happy now?!" She yelled! Heavy tears rolling down her cute little face. She's even more beautiful! She should cry more often!
"Seriously Breyson! Is this really the time for your silly jokes?!" My inner voice whispered.
Authors note:
" She's even more beautiful! she should cry more often."
Tag that friend who cracks jokes even in the most serious moments! I know they do exist. Much respect to such friends!