At Your Service

I stood next to the large potted plant, watching dispassionately at the few people who were seated around having their lunch or meetings. It was a slow day, especially for one of the most expensive restaurants in the metropolitan area. Situated right in the center of the business area, the restaurant I worked for was a popular choice and catered to the rich and famous, people that some can only dream about meeting. My eyes scanned the room, taking in the upcoming new fashion designer as she had a lunch meeting with one of the biggest fashion houses to date. Just next to her, on the next table sat the CEO of the largest finance house in this part of the world. Today he was with a brunette woman, not so much older than my twenty-four years if I was to bet, and definitely not his wife. Snorting, I turned away. That is what we were trained to do, just turn away and act as though we do not notice the hands that were doing so much more than using cutlery below the flowing materials of the table cloths. I pasted a smile as a group of businessmen walked past me to the front door. It was automatic, actually. You see a customer you smile, even if they pass you as though you are part of the furniture, which happened a lot more times than a person could care to remember. I didn't mind though, I actually loved it. I hated being the center of attention, for anything. And I think that is the reason why I loved my job, well sometimes. I enjoyed the times that I could only have to take their orders and disappear. The other times, when I was the hostess of the day or night, depending on my shift, I hated it. Smile and carry on meaningless chatter just so that you make the people feel cherished blah blah blah. I had nothing against the rich and famous, I really didn't. I guess I am not a people person. I would rather spend time watching re-runs on the television than have a night out with friends. And talking about friends, I could count them on one hand. Not saying I do not go out. On the contrary! When the mood strikes, like today, I do not mind at all. But going out is not a priority for me. I am a couch potato, a homebody and I do not care what people say. My mother tries to get me to mingle with different people. She takes it upon herself to introduce me to her friends’ sons whenever the chance arises. It’s annoying, and I guess that’s the reason why I left home. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Sighing, I turned to see where one of my friends was at. As though he felt my eyes on him he looked up and rolled his eyes at me, gave me a wink and a small smile, before collecting the menu and walking to the couple that had just walked in. His section looked busy today whereas mine looked empty. I only had four tables at the moment, hence me standing by the plant. “What are you doing hiding behind the plant?” a heavily accented voice asked from behind me. it was so close that I felt the breath on my neck. I stood up straighter, pasting a smile on my face, I slowly turned to him, “I am not hiding, sir.” “Then look lively,” he said as his dark eyes traveled on my body, stopping on my breasts for a few seconds before he looked up at my face. “I do not pay you to be part of the decorations!” I watched him as he walked away, hiding a smirk. Antony Mendez, the general manager of the restaurant was a despicable short man who used too much oil on his already thick hair and had hands that would sometimes find your butt or accidentally rub against your breast. Most of the time he was not on our cases, working with the head of operations rather than us, but there were some of those days that he would make his presence felt, demanding things that were impossible to attain. Shaking my head I moved to one of my tables, where a group of three people were finishing up their lunch and had called me for their bill. Smiling, I handed over the leather pouch that contained their bill, “will that be all, sir?” The man nodded as he placed his card in the pouch and handed it over to me. Being dismissed, I quickly walked to my station, swiped his card before entering the amount. Tapping my foot, I waited for the transaction to be completed. The little beep had me stop my tapping and looking at the screen With a small frown, I wiped the card on my skirt before trying again, only to get the same reply: CARD DECLINED. Fanning myself with it, I shot my eyes to where the people were seated. Cards being declined never really happened here at the restaurant. Collecting it, together with the leather pouch, I made my way back to the table. Leaning forward I said in a lowered voice, “I am sorry, sir, but your card has been declined.” I placed the pouch down. 'Declined!' he exclaimed angrily, loud enough for about three more tables to hear and turn our direction. 'What do you mean declined?' I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him. It was not my fault that his card was no good, but still, I had to be courteous. “It means I cannot charge you for the meal using this card. If you would please hand me another, I'll use that.” The man looked at me for a few seconds, his anger dissolving behind a sigh. Shaking his head, he reached for his wallet and removed a few hundred dollar bills, “I should not have shouted at you, I am sorry. It's been a frustrating week.” I gave him a genuine small smile, “it's alright, sir. It's bound to get better.” He stood up and shook his head, “not when you are going through a divorce, it's bound to get uglier,” he said as he collected his briefcase. “Keep the change.” He walked out, followed by the other two who now looked to be his lawyers. I looked down at the money he gave me; he had given me an extra hundred. Shaking my head I went to my station to enter the paid bill. This was the reason why I loved working here. Even though Antony could be a pervert but we made great money from the tips. “That smile!” Tyrell whispered as he passed in front of my station. Looking left and right to make sure that our boss wasn't looking, he came to stand beside me. “It's a good day,” I shrugged as I smiled at him. Tyrell Benson, one of the people I called a friend. I and he go back about five years when we both decided that college was not for us. We had been through a lot, the two of us until we landed this job about two years back. We started as kitchen help, before our potential and somewhat good looks landed us the front offices. Tyrell screwed up his face, “how do you do it? I have many tables but if we calculate the tips you just received from your four tables, you got so much more than me! Is this a race thing?” I laughed, “if it was then why is Jerome making so much more than me?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “You are so right. That i***t gets so much money, he doesn’t know what to do with it! Well, that rules out the gender and race thing.” Tyrell pouted. He glanced at his table once again. “It's probably because of my long legs,” as if to demonstrate I stretched out one of my legs, all in silk pantyhose and black heels. “Damn girl,” Tyrell bit his lip. “Don't tease a brother like that.” I laughed out loudly, “yeah, if you were straight you would have been a player for sure!” “And how do you know I ain't one now?” Tyrell raised an eyebrow at me. “Because Terence got you down good!” I mimicked his accent, bursting into a laugh at the slight pink raising on his cheeks. Before he could make a comeback, the front door swung open, and in came three men, all in expensive suits, briefcases, and designer shades. They did not even stop to talk to Marsha, the greeter of the day. Instead, they had a look around before walking to my side of the restaurant. “Ok, my cue to head back to my side,” Tyrell said as he fanned himself. “They look hot! And I have never seen the likes of them in here before.” I just nodded at Tyrell, already collecting the menus and walking to where the trio was seated. Pasting my smile, I greeted them as I handed them the menus. “Good afternoon. Can I take your drink order as you go through the menu?” The man sitting directly opposite to where I was standing declined the menu, placing his hand on the table, his fingers drumming the covered wooden top. “Send through your most expensive wine, the best vintage you have here and then come back to take their order.” I nodded, already headed to Fredrick, our drink specialist with the order. Making sure that Fredrick understood what I needed, I walked back to the table, pen and paper poised ready to take their order. “We will have the beefsteak, hold the onions.” One of them said as he handed me the menu without even looking at me. “That will be for all three of you?” I asked, looking at each person, in turn, to make sure I do not miss out on anything. The same man who had asked for the wine was the one who nodded. “Alright. That will take fifteen minutes. Will there be anything else?” There was another shake of heads. Taking the menus, I walked to the kitchen. Calling out for the order I walked back to my station, watching as Fredrick poured the wine into their glasses. For the next few minutes as I waited for their order to be ready, my eyes kept moving back to the trio. They were busy discussing something, looking very engrossed in their conversation. Catching Tyrell's frantic pointing I turned to my other table, where they had been trying to get my attention. With a silent curse, I walked as fast as I could to them, handing over their bill to the woman who had her hand open, “I am so sorry about that,” I mumbled my apologies. “Nonsense, dear,” the woman gave me a knowing smile. “If I was half my age I would be drooling at them as well.” I blushed as I took the card from her. “Two minutes.” I made quick work on their bill, settling it without any hiccups. Walking back, I handed over the card and started collecting the dishes. “Here you are love,” the woman said as she placed a few bills in the leather pouch and handed it to me. I smiled at her, “thank you, ma'am,” I said as I watched her and her other friends make their way out, stopping to greet the trio before walking out. I quickly cleared the table, heading to the kitchen. I quickly deposited the dirty dishes before collecting the trio's order. Quickly placing the plates on the trolley tray, wheeled it to them. Placing their food in front of them, I wished them a great meal before going to finish with the cleaning of the other table. Done with the cleaning, I walked back to my station, trying my best to keep my eyes away from the three men who were not interested in anything or anyone but themselves. “You will get sued for staring, honey!” Tyrell whispered as came to my station once again. I turned to him, sticking my tongue out on him. “You really want to get into trouble with Tony today.” “Ha! That teddy bear?” Tyrell rolled his eyes. “All I have to do is give him the look and he just turns the other way. So, do you know who they are?” “Nope,” I said as I checked my other remaining table, a family having a very tense lunch. “I never understand why rich people look very stiff when they are eating with family,” I mused loudly. Tyrell followed my gaze, “they probably don't spend much time together, making any conversation between them awkward. And do not change the subject, who are they?” “I already answered that,” I turned back to him. “First time they have come in here, that's all I know.” “Accents? Maybe they are foreigners doing business here.” Tyrell crossed his arms and leaned on the wall. Because of the potted plant, the customers could not see him.  I shook my head, “nope. They do not have foreign accents, though they speak posh. Well, the two that spoke to me. The other one was just quiet. They did not even look at me!” Tyrell laughed, “your long legs didn't help this time?” I faked a pout, “I am thinking they might be interested in you more than me.” Tyrell's eyes grew bigger, “what? Did you see them check me out or something? My gaydar didn’t flair so they are definitely not playing for this side.” I laughed, if public displays of affection were not allowed in the restaurant I would have pulled him in for a hug, “why do you do this to yourself? You have been with Terence for about six months but your eyes are just wandering all over the place!” Tyrell waved me off, “I am thinking that maybe I moved a little too fast with Terence.” He frowned as his eyes checked out his side of the restaurant. “Have to go. I can't wait for this hour to be over! We are still on for the evening right?” 'Of course,' I said, distracted as one of the trios waved for me. That was fast, I thought as I made my way to their table. “Yes, sir?” I asked as I stood beside him. 'The bill,' he stated as he pushed the plate away from him, the other two doing the same. 'Very well,' I walked back to my station, printed the bill before placing it on the leather pouch, and heading back to their table. I proceeded in collecting the dirty dishes, walking away as the man counted some bills and placed them in the pouch before they stood up and walked out, without waiting for me to go back to the table Reaching for the leather pouch, I walked to the computer to close their account. Counting the money they left, my mouth fell open. 'Are you kidding me!' I exclaimed under my breath as I recounted the money once again. The bill was exact, nothing remained for my tip! 'Why, those cheap ass mother fuckers!' I growled as I punched in the numbers, fuming. “Well, at least they didn’t dine and dash.” Ok, you probably think I am being a b***h, but being used to get tips all the time, this was the first time that I have not left a tip. Never ever did a customer come in and leave without giving me something, and I lived on those tips! The remainder of my shift dragged on. I was still fuming over the no tip when finally I walked out of the restaurant. Tyrell had already left. I had about an hour before we met up again for a night out in town. Sitting by the bus stand waiting for my ride, I removed my phone from my pocket, going straight for f*******:.             Broke ass trio! Couldn't even tip! That was my status update. I sighed as I put my phone back into my bag and stood up, a smile for the bus driver as  f*******: was already making me feel better. Yes, you guessed it. I am one of those people who used f*******: to rant, rave and just say what's on my mind. When finally I got home, I deposited my bag on one of the two sofas in the apartment before heading for the fridge. Opening it, I quickly scanned the contents before sighing and reaching for bottled water. As I turned I came face to face with a naked man. He stood there checking me out, not caring that his member was out. Giving me a lopsided grin, he pushed his already tousled hair back. “Hi.” “Oh, Jeez!” I screamed, fumbling to catch the bottle that I had lost my grasp on. “What the hell! Who are you?” “Relax, Kim!” my roommate came out of her room, her jet black hair all over the place and her hazel eyes sleepy, as she placed her hand around the naked man and led him back into the room. I just stood there, staring at the place my roommate had been, blinking when she walked back out and tying the sash of a very short robe around her. 'Di, what the f**k, man!' Diana Zowensky has been my roommate for the past three years. Most of the time we barely saw each other, with both our jobs requiring alternating shifts. She was a nurse at the General Hospital. 'Relax, Kim,' she repeated. 'It's not like you've never seen a naked man before!' I gaped at her, 'of course I have seen a naked man before!' I looked back to her closed door. 'I just didn't expect one to greet me in my kitchen! Who is he, anyway? I have never seen him before' 'It's because he has never been in here before,' Diana said as she reached for another bottle of water and downed it in one go. I raised an eyebrow at her, 'what have you been up to, you slut?' Diana laughed, 'what do you think? Didn't you see what he has to offer?' 'You are such a dirty girl, Di!' I laughed as I threw the bottle top on her and started for my own room. 'I'll be out of your hair in a few minutes.' 'Don't hurry on my account, you know I don't mind being watched,' Diana said as she followed me, leaning on my door. And she was right. I had lost count of how many times I would come back to the apartment and found her busy either by herself or with one of her numerous partners. She was that confident in her sexuality. At first, it had made me very uncomfortable, to the point that I had wanted to move out. After talking it through, we came to an understanding-she kept her room door closed when she was busy. 'As I said before, you slut!' I said as I pushed her out of my room. 'And keep the noise down,' I called after her through my now closed door. 'You don't want Mrs. Darrell to call the cops on you again!' 'I sent her some earplugs earlier,' Diana called back. With a chuckle, I shook my head and headed for the shower, ready to get dressed and head out. Deciding on what to wear after my two minutes shower was not hard. Opting for a pair of black shorts and a white tank top, I finished my look with ankle boots, a black jacket, and a grey fedora. Keeping my makeup as minimal as possible I stood back and checked my reflection. With a nod, I walked back to the sitting room, shaking my head as I passed by Diana's room, her moans and groans loud enough to wake the dead. Collecting my bag, I made quick work of transferring my essentials to the clutch bag that I had in my hand. Taking my phone, I found a missed call from Tyrell, probably asking me how far I was. Rolling my eyes I quickly dialed his number. 'I am getting out of the house now!' 'Oh good,' his voice came on the line. 'Though that is not what I was calling you about. What did you write on your f*******: profile?' I frowned, 'I was bitching about not getting a tip. Why?' 'Well, you seem to have attracted the attention of some people that I have never heard of.' 'What do you mean?' I asked as I flagged a cab. Tyrell chuckled a little, 'why don't you check the comments and find out. See you in a few.' He disconnected the phone before I could say anything. I stared at the phone in my hand as I slid into the cab, giving the driver the address of where I was going. Shaking my head I quickly logged into my account. My status had more than forty likes, but only three comments. Clicking on the comments, I bit on my lower lip and waited for it to load. When finally the comments got displayed I frowned at the three names, none of which I knew. 'What the hell?' I said out loudly, staring at the comments that left my jaw hanging loose.