Chapter 1
1307 Words
Waiting tables. It was not Cass' ideal job but it paid the bills. Having lost her parents to a car accident a few years back, and spent her trust fund – which was intended for her studies – in an attempt to save her younger brother from leukemia, she had no choice but to be a waitress.
Really, it wasn't that bad a job. It could get stressful at rush hours, but other than that, she managed.
That day, her shift started at 6 pm and she was right on time, as always. She found her colleague and good friend Alexia overly excited for some reason.
“What's got you so bubbly?” She asked, genuinely intrigued.
“Sweetie please, the eye candy that's sitting at your 2...” she trailed off and let out a dreamy sigh.
Cass turned in the direction her friend indicated and found herself staring at a fine specimen. Strong jaw, chiseled features worthy of a Greek god, and a million-dollar smile, the cocktail was almost too much for her. Soon enough, she found herself staring into a pair of bright hazel eyes. She quickly averted her gaze, wishing she wouldn't blush at being caught checking the guy out.
As fate would have it, the Greek god and his friends were sitting in her section. And that meant a second opportunity to check him out without embarrassing herself.
As she headed their way to take their order, she could feel her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. She couldn't understand what all her excitement was about. She had a boyfriend already. And not just any boyfriend; he was the leader of a notorious gang. If he ever were to find out she openly checked out a stranger, he'd have a fit, that's for sure.
Nevertheless, the nearer she got to the table, the more excited she grew. She willed herself not to stutter and succeeded in taking their order without making a fool out of herself.
Cass had to admit that all three occupants of the table were beautiful. Hell, even the small sleeping baby was a sight to behold.
“Damn, you're lucky, girl. How was his voice?” Alexia gave her a light shove when she reached her.
“Shush! They're gonna hear you,” Cass whisper-yelled, blushing to the roots of her hair.
She was no longer a teenager, so why was she always blushing so much?
“It’' your blushing that's betraying you,” her friend told her teasingly. “So, his voice?”
Knowing Alexia, she wouldn't shut up unless she got the information she wanted.
“He has a deep baritone voice,” Cass all but whispered, “and a British accent.”
“A British accent?” Her friend squealed, making Cass face-palm in dismay.
“Can you be any louder?” She sighed, heading to another table.
“Sorry,” Alexia stuck out her tongue, showing how little she cared about being heard.
Cass simply shook her head at her friend's antics.
When the foreigner's order was ready, Cass took it to them on barely steady feet. She couldn't understand what was it that had her so disturbed. She had seen her fair share of good looking guys before, but never had she been so affected by the mere sight of one. She was so affected, in fact, that she almost dropped his plate.
If it hadn't been for his quick reflexes, she would have spilled the meal on the table and possibly on him. Their hands touched for a brief moment, and she could have sworn her skin tingled on contact. Her core throbbed at the proximity of such a fine hulk and her cheeks took on a red tint.
She apologized for the inconvenience and made a quick retreat, confused as she was about what had just happened.
Soon enough, rush hour struck and she no longer had the time to think about the small incident or the tingles she felt. When it was half past 7, a small group entered and she sighed at the sight.
It was Andrew and his friends. Her boyfriend often dropped by the restaurant she worked at, but that day she felt like he shouldn't have come. He was a troublemaker when at his best behavior, and she longed for a peaceful evening.
They had argued in the morning, which meant he had probably come to make amends, and she wasn't sure she was in a forgiving mood.
As always, he sat in her section, and she practically dragged her feet to his table.
“What's it gonna be tonight, sir?”
She was not about to forgive his harsh words just because he showed up.
“Don't be like that, sweetheart,” he told her with a rueful smile, his dark brown eyes apologetic.
“Don't call me sweetheart,” she bit out through clenched teeth. She had never liked the endearment in his mouth for some reason.
He grabbed her hand and tried to make her sit in his lap, “Don't be angry at me,” he whispered against her ear, making her shiver.
“Let go of me,” she bit out, blushing at the attention she was getting from the customers.
“Oh, sweetheart, don't be like that.”
Again with that damned endearment. Why couldn't he understand that she hated it?
“Let me go!” She whisper-yelled, making her boyfriend grimace briefly. He was too used to getting his way. Well, not tonight! She thought angrily.
“Kindly release her,” she started at the deep voice that sounded from behind her.
The Greek god had come to her rescue. Only he shouldn't have. Her boyfriend was a gang leader. He would beat him into a pulp without an ounce of regret.
“You trying to pick a fight, buddy?” Were Andrew's menacing words as his face settled into a scowl and his eyes glared daggers at the foreigner.
“Please sir, return to your seat,” Cass advised wisely, not wanting the Greek god to be hurt.
“Please miss, don't let him manhandle you,” was his drawled retort.
“He's my boyfriend,” she told him as if that explained everything.
“Then all the more reason not to put up with it,” came the foreigner's response as he put a reassuring hand on Cass' shoulder.
“You, buddy, are digging your own grave,” Andrew rose to his feet so he could shove the man away from his girlfriend.
Only the shove seemed to have no affect at all.
“Am I?” Came the taunting response.
Cass could picture the foreigner beaten to a bloody mess and she didn't like it, but he didn't look like he was about to back down.
“Please gentlemen,” Natasha, the manager, appeared at the foreigner's side, making Cass sigh in relief, “what is the matter?”
“Pretty boy over here trying to play knight in shining armor,” was Andrew's angry response.
The Greek god looked at Cass' name tag before replying, “Miss Cass over here was clearly uncomfortable.”
“Are you saying I'm bothering my own girlfriend?” Andrew hissed through gritted teeth.
“Yes, and obviously so, I might add. You should learn to read body language.”
“If you're a man, follow me outside,” Andrew spat out, punching the table in irritation.
“Let's go.” The foreigner shrugged like he had no care in the world.
“Both of you please stop,” Cass’ plea fell on deaf ears. Neither man showed any sign of comprehension.
She and the manager followed them outside, both worried about the foreigner. Why did he have to push Andrew's buttons? Why?
- Writer
