Fated to Break | ✓

t w e n t y ~ s e v e n

Rowan

I love my job, sincerely I do. But I'm about to snap. I explained the same process to the head caterer eight times over and she's still struggling to understand. I lean closer, articulating my words so even a toddler can grasp what I'm saying, "You can't take the platters out in the middle of the event when there is still food on them. They stay until about an hour before it's over so the guests don't feel rushed. We have extra tables for the desert table, don't replace what's already out."

The woman blinks up at me, confusion evident before she even starts to talk. She winces, "But we've always taken the food back if more than half hasn't been touched after two hours. We started the desert ten minutes ago."

I take a deep breath, my usual calmness slipping because Olivia is waiting for me and I don't have the patience to argue with a wall. "What you usually do doesn't apply here—" I look at her name tag, "—Veronica. Just leave the food. Wait until there is an hour left in the event to take it back. Put out the desert along side the food when it's finished. Do we understand each other?"

She opens her mouth to argue more so I cut her off, "I'm not asking or making a suggestion. That's how, we: the customers, want it done. So don't do it any other way. It isn't that complicated to comprehend."

A slightly taller girl steps around the one I'm talking to and mumbles something under her breath, nervousness coming off her in waves. I wait, regarding her with my calmest face I can manage when I'm currently anything but. She takes a deep breath and speaks up, "Y-You were so nice earlier, why are you being so...different?"

I actually almost laugh, "I am nice. But normally when someone takes advantage of my kindness, thinking I'm a pushover, it makes me irritated." I slide my gaze onto the head caterer, "Do it the way I explained. That's what we're paying you for."

I turn my back to them, exiting the kitchen like my ass is on fire. I might have been harsher than I should have been but being pulled away from my date with Olivia put me on edge.

The soft instrumental playing over the speakers attempts to soothe me but it only starts to work when Olivia comes into view from across the gallery. She's still standing at the bar, glass in hand. Only...it's not the drink I ordered for her anymore.

I softly press my palm to her lower back when I get to her and her shocking blue eyes meet mine as she spins her head around to see me. "Hey, love. You alright?" I ask, the smell of alcohol evident from her glass.

A chest-seizing smile pulls her plush lips and she leans into me, "I'm just peachy, pretty boy. This fine gentleman made me a fruity cocktail, you can't even taste the alcohol!" She shoves the glass into my hand, "Try it! It tastes like sunshine!"

I hold in a laugh, "I bet it does but I'm workin hun, I can't drink."

Her bottom lip pouts out and her eyes turn to survey the room, "Right. I forgot." She sips at the drink again, the small amount that was left emptying into her mouth. She slides the glass back to the bartender, "Another please."

I shake my head at the young bartender and he nods in understanding. I lean down to whisper, "Ollie, are you sure you're okay? Did anything happen while I was away?"

Any and all tipsy excitement drains from her as her other hand fiddles with her phone on the counter. Someone must have contacted her while I was gone and said something to upset her...Lucas? She slips her phone into her bag and turns to me, her eyes fixated on my chest, "I don't want to talk about it. I came to fave fun with you and no one is going to take that from me."