In the dim light of dawn, Teresa stirred, her temples throbbing with a relentless headache. The previous night had been a restless torment, a sleepless battle against the haunting memories of what had transpired at work between her and her boss's son, Andrea. The unsettling events replayed in her mind like a vivid nightmare, and the cruel taunts of her colleagues added to her torment. She had tossed and turned, wrestling with her thoughts until exhaustion finally granted her a fitful slumber in the early hours of morning.
"ughhh" she said as she became very reluctant to abandon her bed, after a night filled with restlessness and tossing. She moved through her customary routine, each action deliberate yet tinged with the lingering headache that had plagued her since dawn.
The comforting ritual of a soothing bath, meticulous teeth-brushing, and the careful donning of her work uniform proceeded as usual. However, today, the cheerful hum of the radio remained silenced, its absence reflecting the weight of her headache.
With her hair secured in a tidy bun, she delved into the day's menu, determined to prepare herself mentally for the tasks that lay ahead at the restaurant. Each step in her morning routine served as a quiet testament to her dedication, despite the persistent discomfort in her head. Teresa's determination to avoid being late for work propelled her into a brisk descent to the kitchen. There, a comforting sight greeted her – her mother diligently preparing dinner. A warm smile broke across her face as she greeted her mother, a moment of shared connection in their bustling morning routine.
Without missing a beat, she grabbed three slices of bread and swiftly spread a generous layer of peanut butter between them, a hasty yet satisfying breakfast.
Mama is papa still sleeping" she asked she devoured the bread in her mouth
"yes" her mother's affirmative response prompted Teresa to declare her intention to head off to work promptly, her sense of urgency palpable.
With a brief but heartfelt farewell from her mother, Teresa darted out of the kitchen, leaving her mom with a mixture of concern and worry. The sight of her daughter having only three slices of bread, especially after going without dinner the previous night, tugged at her maternal heartstrings.
***************
Teresa's hurried journey to the bus stop ended with her boarding a bus, her thoughts consumed by the anticipation of the day ahead. The gamut of customers she'd encountered over the years flashed through her mind – from the eccentric to the generous souls who never failed to tip her as the best waitress. Yet, a shadow loomed in her thoughts, the relentless presence of Andrea, her boss's son, a tormentor she was determined to evade.
As the bus came to a halt, Teresa disembarked and hurried into the familiar haven of the restaurant. "Good morning everyone" she smiled as her arrival was met with warm greetings and surprised smiles, with the head chef remarking on her unusually early presence. Teresa responded with a cheerful smile, affirming her punctuality.
In the kitchen, she set about her tasks, determined to make the most of her early start. It was here that she encountered her boss
"good morning ma'am" Tessa smiled as she greeted her boss
"good morning sweetheart" Mrs. Anderson replied gratefully. Mrs. Anderson's kind response provided a glimmer of comfort in an otherwise unpredictable day.
As the restaurant's opening hour approached, Teresa retrieved her neatly folded apron from her bag and cinched it around her slender waist. With a warm smile gracing her face, she stationed herself by the entrance, ready to welcome patrons at a moment's notice.
In less than twenty minutes, the restaurant buzzed to life as hungry customers streamed in, filling the establishment with a lively atmosphere. Teresa sprung into action, deftly taking orders and ensuring every guest felt attended to.
Among the patrons, she encountered a man seated at one of the VIP tables.
"Good morning sir, can I take your order" she said with a genuine smile, she diligently jotted down his order. The man reciprocated with a smile and a simple thank you. Teresa acknowledged his request and gracefully retreated to the kitchen.
Handing over the order to Jane, she watched as the process of food preparation began.
"can I get you any drink as you wait for you food sir" she said as she approached the man's table, offering her assistance while he waited, he requested a glass of cold water. Teresa acknowledged with a polite "I'll be right back with your water" teresa smiled as she swiftly fulfilled his request.
After a brief absence, she reappeared with the glass of water, presenting it with a smile. As they conversed, the man was assured that his meal would be ready in fifteen minutes.
When the time came, Jane signaled Teresa with a bell, and she collected the perfectly plated meal onto a tray.
"Thank you young lady" the man expressed his gratitude upon delivery the delivery of his meal.Teresa responded with a bow and assured him of her continued availability should he require anything else.
As the man concluded his meal,
"young lady" he summoned Teresa to clear his table, "what's your name"
"my name is Teresa"
"Teresa, your services were splendid. I've never been so relaxed and free in a restaurant, thank you" he smiled as he brought out some token from his wallet to appreciate her for her excellent service with a generous $20 tip. Teresa smiled and thanked the man continuously. In return, the man continued to commend her and shower her with praises.
With a final farewell, Teresa whisked away the used plates to the bustling kitchen, her heart warmed by the appreciation of yet another satisfied customer.
*****************
Teresa weaved through the bustling restaurant, tending to every customer's needs without pause. Her heart swelled with pride at the generous tips she had received and the smiles she had brought to people's faces.
As she momentarily stood at her post, waiting for the next order or request, her keen eyes caught sight of a man in his 50s. He discreetly carried a small dog hidden beneath his coat, well aware that the restaurant's strict policy forbade pets.
The man settled into a seat and allowed his furry companion to peek out from under his coat. Teresa couldn't ignore the breach of the rules. She approached the man politely, trying to uphold the restaurant's standards.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but pets aren't allowed in here. Could you please let me take care of your dog in the designated pet area?" she asked.
The man's response was far from cooperative. "Get lost, I don't want to leave my Lulu out there alone," he retorted defiantly.
Teresa understood the implications. She knew her job was at stake. She tried again, her voice tinged with urgency. "I understand your concern, sir, but the restaurant's policy is strict. I could lose my job over this. Please, hand him over."
The man remained obstinate. "No, I won't," he declared firmly, his gaze unyielding.
Teresa stepped back, assessing the situation. This restaurant was known for its exclusivity and high standards. She glanced at the man, noting his well-dressed appearance and demeanor that suggested wealth.
Drawing on her instincts, Teresa approached the man once more, this time adopting a hushed tone. "Sir, please don't force me to involve the security. It's crucial to maintain the restaurant's reputation."
The man's frustration flared, but he eventually acquiesced. He reluctantly tied his dog outside in the designated pet area before returning to his seat, now demanding his lunch with rudeness in his tone.
"get me some egg cream and coffee regular"
"okay I'll be right back sir" smiled as he glared at her.
Teresa hurried towards the kitchen
"we have an order for egg cream and coffee regular"
"okay, Tessa go over to coffee machine and make him a regular coffee. while I make the egg cream, it would be ready in 8 minutes." said Gomez the head chef.
"on it" Teresa rushed over to the machine
*******
"here's your coffee sir, the egg cream would be ready in less than 8 minutes"
"that long?" he frowned
"it would be ready soon" she smiled
*DING*
The sound of the bell from the kitchen rang and it signaled Teresa that the meal is ready. she rushed over to get it while maintaining her composure.
"here you go sir"
"finally" he growled
"where are my cronuts? I told you I wanted cronuts too" he asked aggressively
"no you didn't, you only asked for regular coffee and egg cream" Teresa corrected him
"what are you trying to say now? I'm a liar right" he yelled
"I'm really sorry sir, I'll get you your cronuts" Teresa said as she rushed to the kitchen again.
With each interaction with Teresa, his tone grows increasingly rude and condescending. He snaps his fingers to get Teresa's attention, dismisses her with curt gestures, and raises his voice to voice his dissatisfaction, regardless of how minor the issue may be.Teresa does her best to maintain her composure. She offers polite responses and attempts to rectify any concerns, even when his complaints seem unreasonable. Despite her efforts, a flicker of discomfort passes through her eyes each time she walks away from the table.Teresa's colleagues in the restaurant exchange uneasy glances, empathizing with Teresa as she navigates the challenging encounter. The restaurant staff watches closely, ready to intervene if the rudeness escalates into something more disruptive.Through it all, Teresa remained calm until he left.
"phewww, that was really tiring" Teresa said out loud as she began to clear the table
"and that his why you should rest" she her boss, Mrs Anderson.
"ohhh ma'am I didn't know you were behind me"
"I liked the way you maintained your composure with that man"
Teresa bowed her head and smiled.
"you should rest now, I see you haven't used your break yet. Go and relax, I'll tell Sandra to take over"
"okay ma'am" Teresa smiled
*****************
As Teresa was wrapping up her day's work, the gentle chime of the restaurant's doorbell reached her ears. Abandoning her tasks in the kitchen, she hurried to the entrance to attend to the unexpected guest.
Stepping into the dining area, she was met with the sight of a striking young man, his chestnut hair perfectly complementing his tall and slender figure. His presence was magnetic, neither too thin nor too bulky. His captivating eyes locked onto Teresa's, ensnaring her gaze in an irresistible hold.
Teresa found herself momentarily lost in the vision of what it might feel like to lean against his broad chest, the contours of his well-built, muscular frame beckoning her imagination. Their shared eye contact held an unspoken connection, one that seemed to bridge the gap between them.
Before either of them could say a word, "ah-ehmm" the intrusion of a cough from Jane brought them back to reality.