At Mark's Candy 9:40am...
It was time for Mark's Candy happy hour and visitors were flocking in and out of the flashy restaurant in other to get some breakfast, coffee or a relaxing morning in one of Beverly Hills most valued restaurant. While people rushed from different parts of the area to eat the staff at Mark's Candy could not help but notice the odd increase in customer attendance. No one said a word but stared in awe "could this surely mean a raise in our salary?" Some of them thought.
Today was different from the other days Orva worked at the restaurant, it was full with way too much customers and they were joyfully chatting even buying more than they requested. Orva also noticed sales were booming faster which was strange at Mark's Candy.
"Rice pudding with beef for table eight." Orva handed a piece of paper to the attendant behind the counter then went to collect the remaining orders.
"Here is rice pudding with beef and extra beef sauce for table eight." Gabby collected a serving tray from the kitchen and passed it to Orva when she returned.
"Thanks, Gabby but when extra beef sauce?" Orva ask and collected the tray. She first adjusted her apron then balanced the tray on her palm.
"A good deed, trust me whoever ordered it will love it." He winked at her.
"I bet they will."
"Is it just me or did I just notice Mark's Candy is having more visitors than yesterday?" Gabby asked Orva.
"Yeah, I did notice. It is quite better than the few years back-- I don't care." Orva replied with an attitude Gabby was used to hearing. Everything about life seem to drain her mind including working twenty-four seven non-stop. Orva didn't want to care anymore, she could care less if the restaurant boom or blow up as long as she didn't have to get involved.
"You know what that means…" Gabby wriggled his eyebrows happily at Orva which she returned with a bored look. "High pay for this month. We all get an increase in our salaries!" Gabby tried to make Orva excited but it didn't work.
"Whatever." Orva gave a blunt reply and still contained the frustration building inside her system. It was really hard working day and night for someone and not receiving your deserved pay at the end of the month but everyone else gets theirs.
"Come on, get some spirits and cheer up Ovi, it's not that bad at least we get to have extra cash and maybe we can go see that new movie everyone's talking about." Gabby wriggled his eyebrows at Orva.
"I have orders to deliver." Orva gave a curt reply likewise ignoring Gabby's excitement to see the movie all the staff has been bragging about. She then took the tray containing a bowl of rice pudding and walked away to table eight.
An hour after serving numerous customers, Orva decided it was time to give herself a shift and a break. A little break shouldn't be a problem as long as Gabby had her covered as promised. Orva's breaks usually occur when Donald isn't in sight or around the restaurant, which was a good sign and grand opportunity. Orva dusted her apron clean as she prepared for the shift, but did a mild prayer internally that Donald never showed up the rest of the day, maybe then it could be her day off and some peace of mind by herself.
Orva walked up to Gabby behind the counter to inform him she will be having a minute break at the back and did not want to be disturbed even though the orders came from thirsty men wanting her attention. Before she finished talking to Gabby three men dressed in suit stepped inside the restaurant all looking taunting and dangerous. Each men carried a black briefcase with matching hats in their hands giving them a strong aura. Orva watched them as they walked to an empty table by the corner and sat quietly then one of them gestured for a waiter to take their order.
Orva knew she had to leave so, she quickly round the counter and dashed into the kitchen only to be stopped by one of the men calling her.
"Excuse me miss?" One said with a high tone making Orva cringe. Gabby noticed the man calling Orva and told her to meet them, leaving her with no choice but to take their orders.
"Excuse me-- Gabby I need to take my break, it is my break." Orva came back and hush whisper to him.
"I know but you can't keep a customer waiting, especially when they saw you." Gabby replied annoyingly. Orva had a deep frown with a malicious glare directed at the attendant, she promise to get back at him later when he least expect.
Orva paused for a second and began contemplating her choices. "Should I answer or should I not?" Almost instantly she got her answer when Donald stepped into the restaurant and looked in her direction. Orva stomped her foot angrily on the floor but didn't forget to mouth a few cuss words at Gabby which he returned with a goofy smile.
"Yes, may I know what you-- gentlemen want?" Orva walked up to the businessmen's table while grumbling internally at their appearances and how much she wanted to kill Gabby.
"Three cups of black coffee with the perfectly sliced cake." The blonde man in between them responded on the behalf of the other older men.
Orva raised an eyebrow at them. Mark's Candy doesn't sell pastry, or were they at the wrong shop? 'maybe I lost track of what we serve here.' she tells herself.
"We don't sell pastry here." She told them and they all looked at her with their eyebrows raised. Orva grew uncomfortable with their dominating taunting stares directed at her, she shifted from one foot to the other unable to come up with something to say.
"You don't?" One of the older men ask.
"No--" Orva started but was cut off by her uncle.
"Yes we do, don't mind her gentlemen she was just playing around." Donald gave the men a tight smile and touched Orva on the shoulder. He then lean closer to her ear and whisper in strong controlling tone. "Go get their order now."
"We don't have cakes." She whispered back to him.
"You will see it in the kitchen don't be late." With that been said, Donald let go of her shoulder and went to attend to the businessmen.
"But-"
Donald hummed in annoyance and waved his hands at her. It was a sign she should leave and get lost somewhere in the kitchen he didn't care. Orva was not just annoyed at her uncle's stupidity but the strange answer he gave her and the manner he used in addressing the businessmen. She was very suspicious of his nice talks because he conversed with her like she was human and existing which was very weird.
Orva left them feeling uneasy and weird. She approached Gabby on the counter taking hasty steps but also looking behind her. "You know I was going to kill you before but who are they?" She jerks her head towards the corner the men sat.
"Them?" Gabby frowned and Orva nods. "Ohh- they are some business partners and lawyers that Donald has some kind of deal with, I'm not sure exactly what they want but the old men should figure his business himself." Gabby answered as he cleaned the countertop, Orva was suspicious about those lawyers in suit something wasn't right with any of them or the orders they made.
"What kind of business did Donald do with them that made them come this early in the morning?" Orva asked.
"I don't know, but you better go serve them before Donald go nuts on you." Gabby advised.
"I know right. He is always a hulk in my face but now he is suddenly sweet, calm, welcoming and nice to me as if we were related." She exclaim.
"But you are--" Gabby stopped when Orva glared at him.
"He is still a horrible person remember that."
"Agreed, but we better hope it's not a prank or lie like the others." Gabby told her.
"It's definitely a lie." Orva argued.
"Fine, but be watching out girl, don't get surprised in the end."
"I watch mine you watch yours or I'll hit you from behind!" She faked a threat.
"Sorry barbie." Gabby faked an apology and Orva rolled her eyes. She went into the kitchen to get the coffee and cake but her thoughts kept getting in the way. Orva then pause from taking three coffee cups, she began thinking about what Gabby said and hoped he wasn't serious and the men never showed up again at the restaurant again.