THE UGLY DUCKLING ©

CHAPTER FIVE

Today was a slow day for work. A few people came for coffee and some for a quick meet up with friends ordering only drinks or a light snack. It was mid afternoon, no customer in sight. I took the time to call my dad. I have been missing him a lot.

"Hey, my lazy Liz!" Steve, my dad, answered after three rings.  Enthusiasm was evident in his voice.

"Hey, dad! How are you?" I asked. My eyes started to well up with tears as I heard him sighed on the other line.

It's not a secret to me that he hadn't been feeling well these days. He already own 'Mr. Foody' but he has his hands full running the business. Aside from the fact that he had been lonely for the past three years after the divorce. Our secret conversations were the only thing cheering him up all through these tough times. Mom didn't know I have been calling him at least once a week. Had she known, she surely wouldn't approve.

"Lissey, honey, are you still there?" he tried harder to hide the loneliness in his voice. "Please don't be sad. We will be together soon, don't worry. I will talk to Dana about it okay?"

I forced back my tears and tried to sound cheerful for my dad, "I'm looking forward to spending time with you dad. I miss you and I love you so much! Don't wear yourself with too much work, okay?"

I know he wouldn't be able to talk to mom. He was too heartbroken to do it.  He loved her too much.  I, on the other hand, could eventually muster up some courage and with enough funds, I could show her I could be self-sufficient. When she allowed me to be on my own, that would be my oppurtunity to be with dad without her knowledge. I'm so looking forward to that day.

Suddenly, the front door bell of the diner jingled. A customer must have entered. I am supposed to be manning the front desk today so I quickly said my goodbyes to my dad and headed to the cashier.

"Hi, Lissey right? I was actually hoping to see you again," the hazel brown-eyed guy smiled at me. His cheeks was slightly flushed probably due to the heat outside. "Remember me? I came here last week."

'Of course, how can I forget when you looked so handsome then? Oh shit, he looks much better now!' before I knew it, I was checking him out like I did before. His hair was still dishevelled but suited him well. He was wearing a black tight fitting shirt showing off his chiselled chest and abs. His tight blue jeans looked worn out on purpose adding up to his now rugged look. I heard him cleared his throat, again I was caught.  There goes that smirk on his lips again.

"Uhm, yeah," good thing I was able to quickly compose myself. "Francois right? We went to the same school," I managed to shyly smile.

"I am so glad you remembered me," his smile grew wider making my heart flutters. "I, uh-," he hesitated. He suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I was just w-wondering if you could maybe," he swallowed hard before he continued, "uh, maybe like...sit and talk with me for a while? It's awfully quiet here now and I would really love some company. That is, if it wont get you in any trouble," he avoided my gaze. It's a good thing though or else he would've seen my eyes sparkle and my face turn 'tomato - red'.

"I uhm, I d-don't know if I could," was all I could say.

"It's okay Lissey. I'll cover for you, go ahead," Sally, my co worker, who had been eavesdropping to our conversation, volunteered. I gave her a thankful smile while she raised her two thumbs up. I shook my head at her teasing me. 'It's not like its romantic or anything,' I thought. 'He is just bored and alone and I being the only one he knows here, he had no choice.'

"A penny for your thoughts Lissey?" that was Francois. He had this look of amusement written all over his face.

'Oh shit! I must have spaced out again!'

"Yeah, I noticed you have been doing a lot of those," he chuckled.

"I said that out loud didn't I?" I lowered my head at the table feeling embarassed.

"You certainly did," his expression becoming serious now. "Lissey, I know we haven't known each other for a while but if you need someone to talk to, I could definitely be a friend." He grabbed my hand as it rests on the table.

'There's that pleasant spine-tingling feeling again,' I thought.

He probably realized his hand made me uncomfortable, "sorry," he said as he took his hand away.

"Its okay and thank you,' I smiled, 'I guess, I could be your friend too."

A satisfied look graced his beautiful face. After that awkward moment, we began having light conversations. We ordered pancakes and smoothies. He was really fun to be around with. I even forgot that I should be working. It's a good thing though that he was the last customer we had that day.

"It was nice hanging with you," he waved goodbye as he went out of the diner. "Bye, new friend Lissie." He put an emphasis on the word friend and winked as he got in his car and sped off the parking lot.

A smile didn't leave my face the whole day. Sally continued to throw knowing glances at me but I didn't mind.

'Friend,' I repeated, 'finally, I have one.'

★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★

A/N

Whew! That was a handful. I hope you're still bearing with me. Forgive my erroneous grammar please. And I do hope you will continue reading... pleeeeaaassseee...

lovemuch, 

Lynne♥♥♥

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