I was busy walking towards the underground train station to board a train that would take me to the restaurant. At this time when I have lost one of my jobs I ain't much bothered about convenience or comfort rather I am going for the cheapest! I was still on the pedestrian walkway when suddenly a sharp loud sound burst through the air beside me that startled me completely as I feared the worse but I felt a lot relieved when I turned around and saw that it was just a horn from a vehicle that had substantially slowed down it's speed to the point it was practically crawling beside me. Almost like it was following me.
Huh, why will a car be following me??
I was about to take to my heels in panic as I thought I was about to be abducted, robbed or even worse but just then.
"Hey Amelia it's me!"
I heard a rather familiar voice say and that caused me to pend my plans of running away for the moment as I turned around, observing the vehicle and my surroundings cautiously. The car's window glass came winding down and a good looking man popped out his head.
"It's me," he said with a friendly smile and my face brightened up the moment I recognized him, which was instantly.
"Mr Patrick!" I called out excitedly.
Mr Patrick happened to be my neighbor. He is the nicest person you can ever find as he is always ready to help out even without being asked. I couldn't begin to count how many times he had helped us with some plumbing and electricity issues in the house just to name a few and his help isn't only extended to my family and I alone he also helps other neighbors as well that's why everyone in the neighborhood knows and loves him. Though he isn't married but I use to address him as Mister because I respect him a lot as if he is my elder brother though he has always maintained I address him by his first name alone b however I always find it difficult to obey. Like I said earlier I respect him a lot and he is actually my senior being 25 years of age.
"I have told you not to add Mister to my name," he said, in a scolding but friendly manner and I just smiled.
"Sorry Mr Patrick," I said, unintentionally and he shook his head in amazement.
"Anyways. Off to work already?" He asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Is it not too early? This is only 4 pm, you normally leave for the restaurant by 5 pm," he said which is true.
He is always so observant, never missing a thing.
"Yeah I closed early from the hotel today and I am kinda bored at home so I just thought I should resume earlier than usual in the restaurant today to keep myself busy," I said, not wanting to tell him the main reason, which being I was sacked from my day job at the hotel.
I know he is my friend and a good person but I don't think it's everyone that needs to know I got fired.
"Oh I understand. So come on in let me drop you off," he said, offering me a ride.
"Oh no don't bother yourself, I am actually going to the rail station to board a train," I said.
"A train? No, no, no, no. That's not convenient at all. Let me drop you off. It's no bother at all," he insisted.
If that it was another day I would have maintained my stand and rejected his offer but at this moment free transportation is gold!
"Alright," I accepted, then got into the car happily....
It was fun riding with him as Patrick knows how to hold a conversation and he is funny too, not always funny but sometimes. Very much balance though he gives off this responsible, composed aura most of the time and I like that about him as it makes me feel safe and relaxed in his presence.
"Thanks for the ride," I said to him as he came to a stop at the front of the restaurant.
"It's nothing. Have a nice day, Amelia" he said with a friendly smile which I returned.
"You too," I said, then got out of his car.
"Bye bye Mr Patrick," I waved him goodbye as he drove off. Then I turned around and started advancing towards the restaurant building.
It's a moderate size building, nothing. extravagant or flashy as it's just a small family owned restaurant run by Mr Ken, his wife and their two daughters plus me. In fact they live in the restaurant in the back compartment. They ain't the richest family but they are always happy. You can tell they love what they are doing. They are also very friendly. My time working with them has been peaceful, so far at least…
"Good evening Mr. Ken and Mrs. Ken," I announced myself when I got into the building and saw the whole family cleaning up the place.
"Amelia," they called out in surprise and Mr. Ken glanced at his wrist watch.
"Is there anything happening today? Why did you resume this early?" He asked.
"Free transport!" I said and they all looked confused.
"The thing is my neighbor was heading this way so I thought it would be wise if I followed him in his car hence saving some money," I further explained and that brought smiles to their beautiful faces.
"Always the clever one," Mrs. Ken said and I smiled half-heartedly.
I don't think she would think I am so clever if I had told her I had slapped the billionaire, Liam, causing him to get me fired. Well I don't plan on telling any of them.
"Let me help you with that Mrs. Ken," I said walking towards her, where she was cleaning one of the tables with a dry towel.
"Thank you, my child," she said, handing over the towel to me.
I know my job here is exclusively to wait tables but since I arrived super early it's only appropriate I join in the cleaning of the restaurant as well and it's one way to keep myself busy as the restaurant doesn't open until 6 pm and this is just 4:35 pm. I still have more than an hour to go…
After I was done with the cleaning I was busy changing, putting on my waiting apron in the changing room when Jane, the youngest of Mr Ken's daughters, being 15 years old, came to meet me.
"The man that dropped you off early is he your boyfriend? He is cute," she said in a low but excited manner.
"He is cute, true but he isn't my boyfriend. He is my neighbor," I clarified with a smile.
"Oh okay," she sounded disappointed.
"Why don't you be his girlfriend? Don't you like him?" She asked and her questions were quite startling.
"I..I don't know. We are just neighbors plus I don't think he sees me in that light and I don't think I do as well," I answered truthfully.
We were still talking on that matter when her elder sister, Susan came into the changing room looking super excited like she had just won a lottery. Hope she doesn't want to ask me about Patrick also.
"You wouldn't believe who is here at the restaurant!" The excitement could be clearly heard in her voice.
"We already have a customer? But the restaurant doesn't open until 6," I said more to myself.
"Who is it?" Jane asked curiously.
"Guess!"
I have never seen Susan this excited before. As the older sister being 21 she always acts maturely and doesn't talk much but she is practically jumping up and down in excitement like a little child and it's causing me to wonder who is this special person that has come to the restaurant today.
Her sister Jane kept trying to guess the mystery person but all her guesses proved wrong.
"I don't have any other names to say. Tell me who it is?" She said, sounding a bit frustrated.
"It's Liam!" She said and it felt like a bullet penetrated through my chest at the mention of that name.
Liam Henderson, here at the restaurant?? That can't be possible.
"Liam? Like the super cute Liam Henderson??" Jane said with dilated pupils.
"Yes!"
"That's a lie! You are lying! You want to prank me, right?"
Jane seemed to not want to believe and I don't blame her as it sounds so unbelievable. What is a billionaire looking for in a low class area and in a lowly family diner?
As for me? I was also praying and hoping it was indeed a prank by her elder sister Susan, but I have never known her to be one to play pranks.
"If you don't believe it, go and check for yourself. He is seated right there at the middle table," Susan said with a serious tone and her sister immediately dashed out of the changing room to go confirm for herself.
"Is Liam really here?" I asked my voice barely audible and she nodded happily.
"Yes! I couldn't believe my eyes when he walked in!" she said and at that moment I felt like a dead corpse.
Susan was still busy talking but I wasn't really hearing anything she was saying as I was in a state of complete disorientation and the room had suddenly become so small in my eyes. It felt like the walls were shrinking towards me.
What is he doing here? This can't be a coincidence. He must have found out I work here and came. Does he want to get me fired here as well? So many negative thoughts were running through my mind causing my head to spin and my heart to race. ..
I felt a sudden jerk on my shoulder which was accompanied by the continuous mention of my name and that brought me out of my troubled thoughts.
"Amelia…"
It was Susan and she had this concerned look in her eyes the way she stared at me.
"Are you alright? I have been talking to you since but it seemed you were in another dimension. What's wrong?" She said and I tried to shake off the worries away from my head.
"I am fine. I am just surprised Liam is here. That's all," I said and a smile formed on her face.
"You are one of his fans right? Let me let you in on a secret. So am I too," she said the last part in a childish giggle.
Fan? I am no fan of that idiot! I am just scared and worried that I am about to lose something dear to me again because of him. My job!!
"Come let's go see him. I promise you he looks even cuter in person," Susan said and before I could say anything she dragged me by the hand..
A part of me was still wishing all this was a prank but that hope was completely killed and crushed when I stepped into the dining area and I saw Mr and Mrs Ken alongside Jane starstruck in the presences of a man whose face I couldn't see as they were sort of obstructing my view with their bodies but from part of his dressing I could see I can tell he swims in wealth as he is putting on an expensive, designer black coat that blended perfectly well with his cream pants. He had his legs crossed where he sat like a boss, flaunting his designer's brown leather shoes.
"We are so honored to have you here in our humble restaurant, Sir. What would you like us to offer you? Anything you want at all. it's on the house," Mr Ken, who was older than my father, was bowing down to the young man, treating him like he was some demigod.
At that very moment his face came to view as our eyes met. Liam! It is really him and on sighting me his cheeks curved into a wicked smile.