Once Upon A Bet

/35/ Perfect illusion

Dedicated to pothepotato8, for all the support so far <333

"There you go..." I mumbled carefully settling the smoothies in the table right next to the spicy potatoes this couple girls had ordered. The loose of weight in the trey I was handling felt like a relief and I squared my shoulders satisfied, projecting my voice over the rumbling around. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

One of the girls didn't even raise her gaze from the phone, shaking her head as the other gave me a quick smile, reaching for her glass and adjusting her pamela hat so the sun didn't bother her. "We'll let you know, thanks."

I nodded, spinning on my heels and marching back to the bar where Tim was analysing my interaction. Tim was the owner of the beach bar, my possible future boss if I pass this trial. His face was lightly familiar and I wondered if he was the same that owned it back two years ago. He probably was. He must be in his late twenties, with broad shoulders, a short beard and kind eyes, but sever attitude as he check if I followed all his instructions. It was early afternoon yet and the place pretty packed, most people come in hiding from the abrasive sun as the hours stretched and they grow tired of the sea, he told me.

But I wasn't only met by his intense gaze, no. Shawn was there was well. His sudden appearance took me aback and his brows wiggled as I approached them again, making my pulse halted in surprised as I slowly covered the gap, anticipation biting my insides.

What was he doing here?

"New waitress, Tim?" he grinned at my boss-to-be, making my eyes widened at his bluntness and my stomach dipped, but he just winked. "Don't you pick them pretty?"

"Shawn." I hissed, looking worriedly at Tim ready to jump with some excuse if he scandalize him with such mocks but the man's gaze just shifted to him, perking one brow.

"You know each other?"

"Kinda." he shrugged, and I breathed a little easier, not really knowing what would happen if he did admit knowing me. Shawn seemed to be talking just fine with him a moment ago, but with him you ever know. He was a very social person. What if Tim wasn't that happy with him or he took us knowing as a bad sign...

But the man just chuckled, "Okay." and turned to look at me, turning more serious as he stepped into his boss's mood making me swallow dryly and crossed my fingers behind my back. "So..." he started brushing his jaw as he inspected me again and not for the first time I wondered what was wrong with my appearance. When I first met Ramfire at the Well House he gave me that same look. What, didn't I look like someone that could actually work? I didn't know what to make out of it and it was biting my insides. After a horrible second he sighed. "I don't know Novella. You're fine, polite... but a little awkward with the tray-"

"I'm a quick learner." I rushed, my heart picking up. I needed the job, and the shift here seemed to fit perfectly with the hours at the Well House. Also, the payments were fair and weekly. Also, it would allow me to be at the beach, which always seemed to calm me for some reason. "I promise I can do it better. I'll memorize the menu and be the most efficient worker her. I never ask for a raise or free hour and I work hard. You'll see."

"Come on, Tim." chipped in Shawn. "You're always complaining about being short of hands. And the girl is good. Haven't she mentioned she was valedictorian? Our school almost creates a new trophy just for her, for being the most awarded student in a year."

"Shawn-" I started, afraid he might push too far but the guy seemed determined.

"What? It's true." he shrugged, completely unbothered, as if he was just listing facts and I gulped, looking back at Tim pleadingly as he eyed the brunette unimpressed by his comments. "She even got Elle Sarmen to love her."