Ma Belle, Vincent

Chapter 1: I was a waiter too before I had this restaurant

The shift started out normal. Rody seated who needed to be seated, took the orders to the kitchen, served the food, checked them out, and bussed tables. He was beginning to make very decent tips and was extremely upbeat and happy with his progress. Eventually the trash got full and he had to take it out-

"Ow!" Rody exclaimed, looking at his hand, dropping the bag, "C-Crap-"

"Rody."

The redhead turned, facing Vincent, who was staring at him. He turned panic, "I-I'm sorry! T-There's something i-in the trash!" He looked at his hand, "I-I think it m-may have ripped the b-bag open w-when I dropped it a-a-and-"

"Rody." The chef repeated, taking a step forward.

Blood spilled from his palm, a large cut on it, "I-It cut me! I-I swear, I didn't throw a-anything I-I wasn't suppose to, I-I'll clean it up-"

"You don't need to worry about that. Let me see." Vincent said gently, face remaining calm. He gently took Rody's wrist in one hand, spreading his fingers with the other to see the damage of the wound, "It's a shallow cut, nothing too serious."

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Hush, Rody. This way."

"But the mess-"

"I said you don't have to worry about that. Someone else will clean it." Vincent turned to face the chefs, two immediately jumping to do so. He then led Rody into his office, sitting him in a chair as he carefully applied ointment to the redhead's hand, "You can't be serving customers with this."

"I-I'm really sorry." Rody looked down as Vincent wrapped his hand.

"Accidents happen. It's alright."

"Am I fired?"

"Was this intentional?"

"N-No, of course not-"

"Then there's no reason to be fired." The chef reassured, "Is that why you got freaked out?"

The redhead remained silent.

"Your silence speaks volumes."

Vince looks up and saw Rody's expression. He knows that look. It's the same look he had back then.

"You know.. I was a waiter too before I had this restaurant." What Vince said made Rody perk up in shock and curiosity.

"R-Really?" Vince hummed and nods.

"I came from a poor family and even when I graduated from culinary, I didn't have enough money to buy or build a restaurant."

"So you worked as a waiter?"

"Mhm, I work two waitet jobs to save enough money for my own restaurant. Day and night I work without getting that much sleep."

"Wow, you're lucky that you work two jobs though, while I had 28 jobs for the past 7 years."

"You didn't get what I said Lamoree. You had over 28 jobs for the past 7 years while I worked the same 2 two jobs day and night until I finally got my restaurant."

"Oh.. geez, I didn't think about that."

Vince sighs as he finishes bandaging Rody's finger.

"Though.. I had a really rich friend who offer me money so I could get my restaurant but.. I rejected her offer everytime."

"What!? Why!?"

"Because.. I didn't want any handouts. I want to earn the money by myself and I don't to take advantage of my friend's kindness. The only time I accept her money is whenever she comes over at the diners I work to eat." Vince looks away in embarrassment.

"Aww, that's really nice you."

"Thanks.."

"And then you got your restaurant after you earned a lot of money right!?"

"No.. not right away though.."

"Why? What happened?"

"..After getting enough money for my restaurant, the estate agents told me that I have been outbid. If I can't top his offer by wednesday, I would lose this place forever.." Vince took a deep breathe.

"When my friend found out and she bought the whole place for me. I was in disbelief but she told me that it's pretty unfair that I don't deserve this place for working hard so many years. I had to accept the offer and to repay, I always let her have the VIP room. Even though she is filthy rich, she want to have her own clothing bussiness and I offer to become one of her models."

"Wow.. you really are amazing Vince. Not only a fantastic chef but a good friend!"

Vince blushes at his statement and mumbled a "thanks".

"Y'know.. I feel a lot better and more motivated than ever! And it's thanks to you Vince!"

"It's nothing to thank for-" Vincr gets caught off when Rody pulled him into a tight bear hug.

"No, I really mean it! If I want to be have Manon back, then I'll work hard for it. You're my inspiration, Vince." 

Vince's breathe hitched, he felt like his heart would pop out of his chest, his face red whether he's embarrased to be hugged like this or the compliments he receieved from the waiter.

"I.. g-go back to work Rody!" Vince tries to push Rody off him until Rody lets go.

"Uh huh! You got it boss!" Rody rushes out of Vince's office and went back to work, feeling more confident.

Vince still stood inside his office, frozen. He put a hand on his chest and clenches his uniform tight. He could feel a painful throb in his heart. He could still feel Rody's touch on his body, his words and compliments ringing in his ear.

Maybe he does like Rody a bit.

But..

He remembers what Rody said, that he would work hard to get Manon back.

Of course.. it is the reason Rody wanted this job..

Does Vince even have a chance with Rody?

Love is really painful, isn't it..?