Becoming His Queen 👸🏽 UPDATED STORY

Chapter Four

 When Worlds Collide

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of my one-bedroom apartment, casting soft rays across the room. Bella nudged me gently with her nose, her warm brown eyes urging me to start the day. I reluctantly rolled out of bed, still feeling the thrill from my recent text exchange with Ryan.

It was Friday—our dinner date night. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness as I got ready for my shift at Tony's Grill. Tonight, I would be seeing Ryan outside of my usual work environment, and the thought filled me with both excitement and uncertainty.

The day dragged on as I served the usual lunch crowd, my mind constantly drifting to the dinner plans. Josie, who had just clocked in for her shift, noticed my distracted state.

"Girl, you're glowing today. Got something planned?" she teased, her eyes glinting mischievously.

I couldn't hide my smile. "Maybe."

Josie's eyebrows shot up. "Don't play coy with me. Is it that British guy again?"

I laughed softly, unable to contain my happiness. "Yes. We're going out for dinner tonight."

Josie clapped her hands together dramatically. "Finally! I knew there was something between you two."

"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves," I cautioned. "It's just dinner."

Josie wasn't having it. "Nyla, you deserve a good time, and if that handsome man can give it to you, then don't overthink it."

Her words reassured me, and I allowed myself to feel fully excited about tonight. I finished my shift, clocked out a little early, and rushed home to get ready.

But just as I was about to leave the diner, Tony, my boss, called me into the back office. The look on his face made my heart sink.

"Nyla, I need to talk to you about something important," he began, his tone unusually serious.

I swallowed hard. "What is it, Tony?"

He sighed heavily, avoiding eye contact. "Business has been slow lately, and I've had to make some tough decisions. I'm sorry, but I have to let you go."

My heart dropped. "What? Tony, I've been working here for two years. Are you sure there's no other way?"

He looked genuinely apologetic. "I wish there was, Nyla. But with the way things are going, I have no choice."

I felt a mix of anger, disappointment, and fear. Losing this job meant financial instability, and I didn't know how I would manage. "I understand," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

As I left the diner, the excitement I'd felt earlier was overshadowed by anxiety. The sudden blow of losing my job was heavy, but I tried to focus on the dinner ahead, hoping it would be a distraction.

Later that evening, I stood in front of my closet, feeling lost. I finally settled on a simple yet elegant knee-length black dress. After freshening up, I paired it with my favorite strappy heels and kept my makeup light but polished.

"Wish me luck, Bella," I said, patting her head. She wagged her tail in response.

At exactly 7:30 PM, I arrived at the Italian restaurant Ryan had chosen. It was charming and intimate, tucked away in a quiet part of town. I stepped inside and scanned the room, spotting Ryan at a corner table. He stood up as soon as he saw me, his face breaking into a smile.

"You look stunning, Nyla," he said, pulling out a chair for me.

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

Ryan laughed. "I try."

The conversation started off easy—work, favorite foods, and the best places in LA to explore. But soon, it shifted to more personal territory.

"So, what made you become a waitress?" Ryan asked, genuinely curious.

I hesitated before answering. "It wasn't really the plan. After a rough breakup, I needed something stable. And, well, I lost that job today."

Ryan's eyes softened with concern. "I'm sorry to hear that, Nyla. Are you okay?"

I tried to smile. "I'll figure something out. It's not ideal, but I'm used to life throwing curveballs."

Ryan reached across the table, taking my hand in his. "You're strong, Nyla. I admire that about you."

The sincerity in his eyes made my heart race. "Thank you, Ryan. It means a lot."

Just when I thought the night couldn't get more intense, Devin and Tracy walked into the restaurant. My stomach dropped, my mind reeling with memories of our toxic past.

Ryan noticed my sudden shift in demeanor. "Nyla, are you okay?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah, it's just... someone from my past."

Devin spotted us and smirked, strolling over with Tracy at his side. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Nyla," he sneered. "Didn't expect to see you here, and with a new guy."

Ryan's face remained calm but protective. "Is there a problem here?"

Devin's arrogance faltered slightly. "No problem. Just saying hello."

As Devin and Tracy left, I felt Ryan squeeze my hand reassuringly. "Don't let him ruin our night."

I nodded, grateful for his presence. "Thank you for being here, Ryan."

He smiled, his eyes filled with warmth. "Always."

As the night drew to a close, I felt a renewed sense of hope. I had lost my job, but I hadn't lost the possibility of something better—something with Ryan. The challenges ahead seemed daunting, but I felt ready to face them, especially with someone who believed in me by my side.