My Boss Is My Son's Dad

Sapphire “s**t. Just great!” I screamed along with the honking cars on the road. Frustrated. “Ugh!!!” I honked my own car loudly. “Damn it.”  A string of curses wouldn’t leave my mouth as I sat in my car, waiting for the very long traffic to just f*cking move already.  The clock on my dashboard was screaming madly at me as well, “You’re late! The beautiful old woman will shove her calculator in your mouth! Just so you wait!”   I rolled my eyes at the thought.   Duh, I love numbers.   I freaking studied business. I wouldn’t mind eating numbers.   It was already 8:15 in the morning, but it felt like noon already. There was no point of getting mad and frustrated anymore. Besides, I couldn’t do anything about the fact that I was already late and the old beautiful lady, always hiding in her office might kill me.   After what seemed like century, the cars before me finally moved. I sighed.   Thank God. Hallelujah!   I was so lost in my own bubble as I drove. I didn’t know what I was thinking. Was I even thinking?   ‘Booomm! Was that the sound? Yup, I wasn’t thinking. All I knew was that I heard a loud crash.   My hair covered my face as I clutched the steering wheel tightly. Heart beating so wildly, I slowly looked up and ahead just to gasp so loud. A hand flew over my mouth as I realized what I just did. My eyes went to look at the car before and up to the traffic light which showed a red light.   “Jesus…” I muttered.   The back of the very luxurious, yellow Lamborghini Aventador was so broken and damaged because of the impact. That was so bad that I would cry so hard if it was my own car. I really pitied the owner.   ‘You must pity yourself.’ A voice in my head said.   Right. I swallowed.   I looked around me. Other riders didn’t seem to notice what just happened. It was just probably me and whoever was driving the car I just beautifully broke. Well, hopefully.   How could I be so stupid? Couldn’t I get any luckier?   You’re doomed. You’re doomed. You’re doomed.   That demon in my head kept chanting. So annoying.   I was trying to make my brain work. And it absolutely and wisely did when I saw the driver’s side of the yellow Lambo opening, making my eyes widened in horror and panic. But, my hands were so quick to start my car and my foot to press on the gas pedal. I overtook the cars before me, just in time the traffic light turned green.   I sped up on the road like a pro racer. I didn’t bother looking on the side mirror. I wasn’t curious as to who was the owner of the Lambo. I just kept driving. Like a pro racer, I must say. Really?   You know what? I’m curious. Of course, I am.   I just didn’t want to see the face that would hunt me in my dreams. Forever, perhaps.   Jeez. Did I just commit a crime? Was it a crime? I didn’t even know. I just needed to fly away, skyline pigeon fly.   I released a huge breath I didn’t know I was holding.   That was…   First Blood. Godlike. Legendary.   I was a…   Warrior. Master. Legend. Mythic.   VICTORY!   Jeez. I should stop playing Mobile Legends. It was all because of Jared and his nerdy side. He always wanted me to play ML with him. Just a first try and I was already addicted. Once tasted always wanted. I hated that saying, to be honest. It was so fun and addicting. I guessed I’ve had learned tactics from that mobile game.   Imagine, I just became a pro Johnson.   After long minutes, I finally looked at the side mirror. I sighed in relief when I saw nothing suspicious. Just making sure I wasn’t being followed by a flying Aldous.   When my workplace finally came into sight, I slowed down my car and drove turned left to find a space in the parking lot. Successfully parking my car, I walked out and headed at the back door. I went to my locker, got an apron and put it on my body. I looked at myself on the mirror and smiled.   My eyes darted down to my uniform. I was wearing a white button down blouse that has a pocket on the left side, just above my breast. My black skirt was too short for my own liking, reaching the mid-thigh.   Grabbing a notepad and a pen, I walked out of the locker room and finally walked into the restaurant, not before stopping at the bar to say hi to Allison. “Hey there, b***h. You’re la-“ I clamped a hand over her mouth.   “I know. Just be quiet. She’s here?”   “Yup. In her office. You didn’t say hi?”   I sighed. “I don’t want to. I mean later.”   “Why are you late?” She wanted to know.   “Traffic.” I simply answered, my eyes wandering around the room.   There wasn’t much people yet. It would be hell at lunch time. Normal people were casually having coffee. Some businessmen were at the corner. It looked like they were having a meeting. “Sapphire Collins!”   My body shook, elbows hitting the marble counter painfully, completely startled by a very familiar angry voice. I calmed myself down, taking deep breaths. Putting on a forced smile on my face, I slowly turned around. “Mrs. Elle! Good morning. Gosh, I missed you so much. Weekends are boring without you.” I hugged her, planting a kiss on both her cheeks. “You look so fresh and beautiful as always. So young and glowing, Madame.”   And just like that, her frowning ageing face became smiley. “Oh, dear. Thank you so much.” She even hugged me back. I patted her back, winking at Allison who was shaking her head at me in disbelief.   This is Me. Sapphire Collins.   So, let me give you a glimpse of my life.   I was twenty-two years old. I grew up in a family of all boys, two elder brothers, and a younger brother and of course, my amazing Dad. He was my real superman. We lost Mom when she gave birth to Jared. It was heartbreaking for us. Despite that heartbreaking moment in our life, we still continued to live happily, supporting one another in every phase.   Being the only woman in the family, the guys were very protective of me. And also because of that, I stood as the mother in the family. I worked for the family. I didn’t get to finish college.   And I am a waitress.   I’ve been working at Elle’s Diner for a month now. Mrs. Elle was my employer. She could be a scary dragon sometimes, but I could lighten her mood with just my sweet words.   Twelve noon hit the clock and the restaurant was already in chaos. I was walking around, transferring from one table to another, taking and serving orders. My cheeks were hurting from smiling. Of course, I had to be friendly to the customers. They were our regular customers. They knew we didn’t accept tips that was why they didn’t bother to leave a tip anymore. Some who didn’t know had left, but I always ran after them and returned the money to them.   When it was past noon, the restaurant was slowly breathing freely on its own. It wasn’t that packed anymore and I finally got to sit down beside Allison at the counter. “Tired?”   “A bit.” I answered.   “Well, it’s Monday.”   And Monday was a very busy day in the restaurant.   I spent the rest of the afternoon, doing my job until evening came. It was almost eight o’clock already and we were just about to close the restaurant when the bell at the entrance jingled. It was only me and Allison left. Mrs. Elle and other workers had left already.   I wasn’t looking because I was drinking water.   “A s*x god just walked in.” Allison suddenly uttered, making me choke on the water I was drinking.   I coughed, calming myself down as I looked at her. She had a dreamy look in her eyes as she stared at something. “What did you just say?” I frowned.   “You didn’t see?” She sighed, still having that creepy look on her face.   I rolled my eyes. “Well, I think I’m normal coz I don’t have eyes on my back. What are you looking at? Aren’t we supposed to time out and close this diner now?”   “What? No! Not yet! Can’t you see? There’s a customer.”   Whoever this man is, I’m going to kill him.   I turned the bar stool and my body only to see a man’s back. His shoulders were broad. It was obvious that his muscles were ripped through his shirt. He was wearing a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbow.   I sighed, ignoring the sexy guy who was patiently waiting and sitting there. “I’m done for today, Allison. Let’s just approach him and tell him we’re closed.”   “What? That’s rude. Just go and take his order. Ask for his name and number.” She whispered the last part.   “Why don’t you go do that?”   She giggled sheepishly. “Just kidding.”   “Ha-ha. Funny. Fine. I’ll go now.” I was just about to jump from the stool when I realized that there was no more chef to cook for possible order. “What are we going to give him? You know it’s only the two of us here.”   She facepalmed. “Right. How can we be so stupid?”   “Never mind. I’ll just make him understand.”   Putting down my glass, I hopped off the stool and walked to the guy. His back was still to me though. Slightly long dark brown hair and broad shoulders were all I could point until I finally stopped beside him. “Good evening, Sir. I’m so sorry, but we’re clo-“   In a slow to swift mention, he looked up and I swore I stopped breathing for a moment. My knees felt like jelly that I almost fell. I didn’t gasp. My eyes didn’t widen either. He had those reactions instead.   Wild hammering inside my rib cage, I forced to steady myself beside him. Eyes locked into his wide ones, I forgot to blink. I felt like crying. He was shocked as I was. And I was nervous.   “Mr. Butler.”   Those were the exact words that left my mouth before I turned on my heels and ran to the locker room.   I need to get out of here.