There were a few things one had to put up with.
Some, regardless of how hard you tried, you just couldn't go on doing such.
The chatters coming from every corner of the outlying room, itched at me so well, I could swear I was a minute less to venting.
But, "never forget to wear that soft expression, with ever-beaming eyes" So, Adams would say, in his rounds of warnings and instructions which he was sure to mete to each one of us.
With an aching mind, and so much as an hesitant heart, I had snatched the uniform assigned to me off the rack, throwing it on in a snap.
The cargo pants and black shirt didn't do so much in helping matters at all.
Attested by Mrs. Jilly, she wanted all her workers to look smart. But I could tell you we only looked like a bunch of failed soldiers.
Perhaps we were, after all, we marched to and fro the cafeteria, receiving orders from people who would care less to ask how your day was going. The ones who would spit curses every now and then, if you made a mistake as much as bringing their coffee without a serviette. Or the ones who would yell that their coffee lacked enough cream.
"Are you alright?"
That voice had jolted me at once, figure turning around to behold the form of Allison stood by the doorway.
Arms rested on her waist, with eyes peering at every bit of my profile.
"You look a mess" She stated.
"I am a mess, Allison" I saw the grin that tugged on her lips, but in a second, it had disappeared. Perhaps she caught onto the dour tone.
A sigh soon left her lips, with sympathy held in that gaze.
Her arms had at once reached forward to hold mine, but the bellow of my name by Adams, pushed me off my feet, proceeding into the space of the cafeteria.
"Lucks!"
I heard the cheer-filled voice of Allison trail after my figure, while I pulled out the space.
It was only 10:00 a.m, yet the number of people gathered at Jilly's on such fine Wednesday morning, had me wondering if there was something to the occasion.
In just an hour of the day having begun, and we already were hit with orders we barely could find ourselves fetching.
Whatever did Adams mean by Jilly understands the hard work we all go through, and would make sure to see to it.
As lovely as Mrs Jilly was, I knew the lady to skip her utterances, acting so much otherwise. I only hoped she would keep to her words this time, and not have us turning in our resignation letters.
But I knew so well that would be hard doing on my own part.
Jilly was family. It's been three years now of me working at the cafeteria. Three years since I turned an adult, and stupidly believed I could start taking responsibilities.
Three years of me wishing pride hadn't gotten the best of me, and I had just kept at home, at least, working from there.
"Hey!"
That voice snapped my gaze to the incoming figure, with eyes shot out worried, Adams had that pocket file held in his hands, scrutiny on it.
"Why are the customers yet to be attended to?" He followed at once.
"I just got in, Adams"
"It's 10:00 a.m!" He snapped. "Why are you just coming in now?"
"It's nothing" I brushed it off at once, turning to leave, but his words had called me back in a snap.
"It's Wednesday!" He stated, eyes skimming me up to down.
"Why are you in Thursday's uniform?"
I caught onto the tantrum that was edging at his voice, but I knew Adams so well, he was better comported than the rest of us.
Now, in as much as he'd love having a show of command every now and then, his nature always preceded whatever act he put up. He just would end up pouring a sigh, grabbing his head out of exhaustion.
"I had a run-in with a dog"
"You can tell how the rest of the story goes"
His eyes gaped on at me, lips parted widely opened.
He had turned around taking a second to give a very long exhale, and soon enough, he spun to me, hands rested on my shoulders.
"Get to Table seven. You're needed"
I didn't bother waiting to hear him utter any other word, I had pulled to the table at the end of the room, the same phrase I had gotten so used to uttering, soon pouring out my lips.
"Welcome to Jilly's. Can I take your order?"
I was met with hazel eyes peering on at me, the sound of her little laughs bouncing into my ears. The silence that came in left me peering on at that profile, with curiosity edging at me. For a second I was left wondering why such face wasn't completed with a beaming smile, instead, that expression remained blank, eyes shifting to the menu held in my hands.
"I'd like an Americano, please"
Her voice was just as silky as expected, with dark wavy hair bouncing at every slight movement she gave.
"And her?"
For a moment, she paused, gaze only watching my eyes beholding hers, the bewilderment rested in that longing scrutiny, and at once she spun to the figure at her side, their voices barely audible.
"A cup of mocha"
Those hazel eyes had soon turned to me, watching as my pen, took to work.
"I'll be with you in a minute"
And with that, Figure had spun around making my way out the area, returning to the counter to have Louis get the orders prepared.
"It's seldom we get blessed with such pretties, don't you think?" His gaze was fixed on that table which I had just returned from, with eyes skipping to my figure, that smug grin rested on his lips.
"One Americano and a Mocha, Louis. We haven't got all the time in the world"
"What's the deal, Zac?" His eyes were narrowed at my form, hands busy with the coffee machine.
"You chose being gloomy today?"
"I need the beans, Caroline!" He yelled to the back, soon turning to me, questioning eyes onlooking my profile.
"What's there to be merry about, Louis?"
"Life! Come on!" Followed his response.
"Last night made me see the true beauty of life"
"That warm skin held close to mine, nothing matches that, Zac. I tell you"
"You should get yourself a girl. That's what's having you down" He was ready to begin yet another round of his endless talks.
"Sarah had you broken"
"No one had me broken" My eyes had shifted off him at once, mind trying to battle memories of the past month. Memories of my short-lived happiness.
"She wrecked you"
"Alright, can we get this going or what?"
"Come on, Zac. It's only gonna hurt when you refuse to talk about it"
"Not really, Louis"
"The only thing hurting me at the moment are your rabbles"
"Oh come off it, amigo. You adore my company"
"I adore peace" Followed my voice immediately.
"Peace and the company of—
His words were found hanging in his throat, as his gaze remained fixed on something behind me, and only when that utterance was emitted had I recognized the voice, which I only had gotten familiar with, minutes ago.
"Excuse me"
I spun around to those same hazel eyes, gaze soon meeting hers.
Coming to behold her stood in all of her glory, was more than enough, I tell you.
That russet-colored dress clinging to her body, did enough in accentuating her curves, if I wasn't found working, I might be spared enough chance to adore all that came with this figure.
There was something that clung to her, such grace she exhumed. Those slender legs, pushing her form forward, as she came stood right before me.
"How long does it take to get two cups of coffee?"
"We've been awaiting our order for the past five minutes, we might as well skip breakfast at this point"
"Oh, it will be with you shortly" I heard Louis call from behind the counter, with his figure soon running to and fro, perhaps to appease the already agitated lady.
The sound of his voice yelling for Caroline was all I caught onto, while he proceeded away.
I had found myself peering on at this profile stood before me, taking in the distress in that gaze.
"Goodness, one can't have things done properly? There are a number of workers here for Christ's sake"
That voice poured out stressed.
"It wasn't that long I took your order" Those words had poured out without warning, eyes onlooking the soft ones away.
"Excuse me?"
"You don't expect us to return with your order in half a second of you placing it, wouldn't that be scary?"
"Are you trying to lecture me here?"
"However you'd term it, Miss" I called at once.
"But if you want a perfectly brewed coffee, then you should be ready to wait for as long as it would take. For we wouldn't be there to spare any listen to your complaints if any little thing goes wrong with your coffee"
"We stick to accuracy, and less of speed"
I watched that soft gaze, soon rushed with infuriation, eyes never shifting off mine.
"Who the hell are you?" Those words were low, yet so heavy.
"Ma'am, the day only started" My gaze remained intent in hers, breaths pouring out low.
"Now, in as much I'd hate to receive orders from nagging fellows, I've got bills to pay" I came meeting her eyes "Consider comporting yourself, we've got waiting customers after you"
"And do keep it down" My voice made sure to remain low, gaze never shifting off hers, watching the scowl that tugged on those rosy lips.
Despite the rage that shot out her eyes, she somehow managed to remain as ravishing as I had first beheld, mascara lifted lashes blinking profusely at me, with hazel eyes boring into my profile.
"I need to speak to your manager"
"He's busy, Miss"
"Get me your manager!"
That bellow that poured out the lady's lips, had soon snatched the attention of all sat in the space, with gazes directed at the two forms centered in the cafeteria— My form and hers, our gazes made no move of leaving each other's.
I caught the rest of the waiters pausing whatever it was they were doing, attention directed at her figure which did so well in creating a scene in the ever calm cafeteria of Jilly's.
"Ma'am, Please"
A voice had called from behind, with the form of Adams coming into view.
"We can settle this amicably" He spoke.
"I insist to speak to your manager" Followed her voice, arms crossed over her chest, eyes squaring his.
"Adams, Please. If she wishes to talk to the manager, then let her do so"
I caught the silence that broke in at my utterance, with eyes shifting from the form of the lady to that of Adams.
"I am the Manager" Adams stated, pulling his hands out for a handshake, but she had slapped it off at once, figure inching closer to his.
Of course, what is there to expect from such elegant stranger, who was sure to having heads turn, a pretty face she bore, yet I couldn't say so much of that character.
"I believe Jilly's is known for its excellent service" That silky voice poured out low. "Why then do you have this Muppet, out here to ruin what has taken years to build?"
"Muppet" The scoff left my lips, eyes beholding hers.
"The name's Zac" I had shot out a hand to her, offering it, but her brows only pulled up in a wrinkle, gaze skimming every bit of me.
"I don't think I'd forget a presence like yours if you'd ever been here before. Correct me if I'm wrong, this is your first time here, Miss" Adams called in a mellow tone.
"Of course it is, and perhaps the last" She followed at once.
"I mean, I was referred here by a friend who wouldn't let me hear the end of how great the coffee here is" She took a pause turning to the young lady who was already on her way to her, the incoming form pulling up beside her figure.
"That would be me" The other emitted.
"If I'd known what madness laid at this corner, I wouldn't have stepped foot in here" Followed that silky voice.
"Please ma'am, do not let one little mistake ruin your day"
"Perhaps we can make up for it" Adams followed, I just could tell the remorse in that tone, the man trying so hard to rid whatever this whole thing was.
I mean, it was nothing to be honest, just a lady trying to spark something of something minor which was to be overlooked.
"And how would you do that?" Her eyes peered at his form.
"Zachary will have another coffee ready for you"
"I have orders waiting, Adams" I followed at once, refusing to have any other banter coming.
"Oh please, I'd rather take my leave, than stay here and accept insults from a cocky wimp"
"Cocky?"
She never ceased to amaze me with those words.
"You're the one who strutted in here, expecting everyone to kiss her feet and throw a serenade, yet, you term the fellow who would rather be anywhere but serving bratty rich kids who don't know their place, cocky?"
"Veracity sure is dead" I chuckled.
My utterance had slapped that frown onto her face at once, eyes boring every bit of my profile.
"Zac" I heard Adams pronounce in a low voice, his arms tapping at mine softly.
"You're a wanker, you know that" She began
"I've been called worse"
"Let's leave, Heather" The lady beside her called, tugging onto her arms.
Heather?
Heather.
I suddenly got pulled back to that space which I had found myself in Seven nights ago.
That appealing profile, those eyes, how I had longed to behold them yet again, except this time they were carried by this stranger who had walked into the shop.
"Trust me, you'll regret your manners" I heard the voice...
Scrutiny lingered on that profile, watching with keen eyes until she was farther out of sight.
"What was that?" Adams had spun to me at once, voice raised.
"Oh Please, Adams"
My breath was low, exhaustion hinged at my tone.
"We should at least be spared days to address infuriating customers the way we like"
"I'm human too, you know"
"As much as I know, we've lost a customer Zac" He uttered after me.
"Not just any customer" A voice out of nowhere called, with the figure of Allison drawing closer to us.
"That was Heather Wagner" She stated.
"Wagner?" The eyes of Adams had doubled in size, voice taking a raise in pitch.
"As In Wagner, Tom Wagner?"
"Yeah, that's the one" She sighed. "And the lady who was just in here was his daughter?"
"Who's Wagner? And why should we be impressed?" I called at once, turning to the two, wanting to stay better informed of whatever it was they spoke of.
"He's an oil Magnate, Zac. A tycoon in a pool of billionaires. America's own Public figure"
"Have you been living under a rock?"
"Some of us have more pressing issues to worry about, Allison" I had spun around, barely sparing a listen to what she went on about.
"Has the caretaker been bothering you?" The redhead followed, her voice trailing after me.
"The man won't give me a break" I let out.
"I mean, the rent isn't due till two weeks, yet, he has made certain he won't have me breathe, not until I've paid up"
"And trust me, this is the only time It is being delayed"
"Oh Zac" Her hands went caressing my face, soft eyes peering into my gaze.
"I feel sorry for all you're going through"
"Don't be" I puffed a breath "I was the one who chose to be the rogue son by leaving home"
"A stupid decision to make considering the fact that I chose to ignore going to college" I added.
"Oh leave schooling for those who care about it"
Classic Allison!
"You know our pay wouldn't be delayed if Mr. Peter hadn't undertaken some changes in the cafeteria" She followed.
"Adams has assured us not to worry. We'll all receive our pay soon" She called stroking my arms softly.
"How soon though? Cause I can remember that was the same thing said in the meeting three weeks ago, still we're yet to get paid"
"It will be fine, trust me"
Her arms remained over mine, eyes lingering in my gaze, with the silence soon befalling us.
"I should return to work" I called at once, pulling away, while her eyes followed my withdrawing form, watching as I proceeded out the area.