Chapter 004 - Suitor
1108 Words
Loud music blares in the background. There is a play of lights all around the crowded room. Bodies bend and sway in the middle of the room while the DJ plays around with the music—which only heightens the excitement on the dance floor.
I dart between the chairs and tables to deliver the snacks that the guests ordered. Once everything is safe on their table, I return to the kitchen, massaging my ears as I look at the batch of new orders.
All my life, I have lived in the sleepy town of Sierra Madre so I am not used to this chaos. But I know that this pandemonium will be the thing that will feed us once we use up the money that alpha Rico had given us.
“Rhian.”
I whirl around to see Allistair just behind me, so close that I hit my back on the table.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Your shift will end soon. I will walk you to your house. You’re new in the neighborhood, right?” he asks.
“No need for the extra trouble. I can manage,” I say, sliding away from him.
I take the new set of orders and leave the kitchen. Allistair, or Alli, is the resident playboy chef of The Hurvitz. As per Cami, who is another server, he always hits on the new girl. They are from an agency so they’ve been a couple for a few months. Cami also said that she and Alli have already romped it off on the bed until they get bored with each other.
“Fries and nachos,” I say, placing the food on another guest's table. This particular group is rowdy. They rent a room for the night and all they did is kiss each other and dance in a s****l way—something that, I bet, will take time before I get used to.
I observe the group. Most of them are good-looking and are wearing clothes that only enhance their beauty. Compared to me, who’s used to wearing cheap pants and shirts, this group is in a different world than the one I live in.
I shake my head. Why am I comparing myself to these city girls and boys?
“Hey, are you listening? Do you need me to repeat the order?” a woman asks and I can’t help but notice that she’s wearing an off-shoulder, short skirt paired up with a wedge.
“It’s good, ma’am,” I say and proceed to repeat the order. The woman nods and I leave, sighing the instant I close the door of their rented room.
“I see that Alli is trying to court you,” Cami says, winking at me. “I must warn you though. Force him to use protection,” she adds.
“Thanks,” I say, despite it being a piece of unsolicited advice. Besides, I am not planning to give him the chance to do whatever she’s thinking.
I walk towards the kitchen again and she follows, “You’re from the province, right?”
I nod.
“Are you a virgin?”
I frown at her. Are city girls as blunt as this? Or just her?
“Oh, you are! Then, be careful that he won’t take a bite off of you. He’s the persistent type.”
“Thank you for the warning,” I say and open the door to the kitchen.
Alli is in front of the stove, but he glances at us and winks, then returns his focus on the food again. Cami nudges me and whispers, “Good luck.”
Stay safe, she means?
I sigh. I like to roll my eyes but I stop myself. I’m new here. I need to be careful not to be disliked during my first month of work.
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I write my sign-off on the timesheet. My biometrics data, for digital time in and time out, had not been processed so I have no choice but to do it manually. I sense when Alli stands beside me but I ignore him. Rather, I hold my shoulder bag tighter.
“You didn’t tell me you are about to leave,” he says.
“I am in a hurry,” I answer.
“Do you have a date with your boyfriend?”
“I don’t have one.”
I place the pen on its transparent cylinder case. But the instant I pull back, Alli holds my arm. “If you don’t have one, you can try me out.”
“I don’t have the time.”
Besides, once I get used to this job, I am planning to get another job. Probably, in the early morning until lunchtime. That way, aside from paying for our living expenses and Gerald’s schooling, I can also save up money to continue my education.
“That’s the excuse girls say if they don’t like the boys who are attempting to court them.” Then Alli leans closer to me and asks, “I don’t look good enough for you?”
I sigh. Without a choice, I study him. He’s tall by Filipino standards. Six feet and dark brown skin. There is a thin stubble on his chin and his body suggests that he’s been visiting the gym regularly. He also seems to like outdoor activities.
“Alli, you already know that you look good.”
He smiles like a kid as if being praised for something. “I still want your confirmation though.”
“So now that you got it, can I leave now?”
“Since we are both single right now, would you like to try a boyfriend and girlfriend type of relationship with me?” he asks again, too blunt for my liking.
I sigh again. I need patience. “Why should we do that just because we are both single?”
“Aren’t you lonely?”
“Why would I?”
“You are alone.”
I frown. “Being alone does not mean I am lonely. Besides, I am not really alone. I have a family.” As if realizing for the first time, I exclaim, “Are you lonely? You don’t have a family?”
Alli flinches. “My phone is vibrating. I will need to take this.”
I don’t hear any mobile phones vibrating though. “Aren’t you going to walk me home?”
“Next time. I need to attend to this,” he excuses himself and leaves, and I know that he’s just making an excuse. Really, do I have a talent for pushing potential suitors away?
- Writer
