Rules 💍f Engagement

Ch. 4 Party saver

Jess couldn't hide her shock as Blake revealed himself to be her boss. She felt a pang of disappointment at his stern demeanor, wishing she had made a better first impression.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect..." Jess began, trailing off as Blake's gaze bore into hers.

Blake nodded, his expression unreadable. "I expected someone more professional," he replied curtly.

Jess felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but she quickly composed herself and offered a sincere apology. To her relief, Blake seemed to accept it, though his demeanor remained guarded.

After giving a brief speech to the gathered staff about the importance of delivering top-quality service, Blake handed out assignments for the day and informed them about an upcoming party. As the other workers dispersed to their tasks, Jess braced herself for whatever duties Blake had in store for her.

To her dismay, Blake informed her that, as it was her first day, she would be on dishwashing duty. He handed her a pair of yellow gloves with a quizzical look, clearly surprised by her lack of protest.

"I'm trying to be professional," Jess replied, forcing a smile despite her disappointment.

Blake raised an eyebrow in response, but said nothing further. Before leaving her to her task, he reminded her that she is hired in favor for the captain who asked it, and that doesn't mean she can't be fired, depending on her performance.

With a sinking feeling in her chest, Jess accepted her fate and got to work. But as she started scrubbing dishes, a large serving dish slipped from her grasp and crashed into the water, splashing her with soapy water.

Feeling defeated, Jess couldn't help but long for the lively atmosphere of the party happening outside. She sighed heavily, wishing she were anywhere but here, stuck in the confines of the restaurant kitchen.

As Carter and Blake engaged in a heated discussion about how to cater to the demands of the wealthy young guests, Jess couldn't help but overhear their conversation from her spot by the dishwashing station. She felt a surge of frustration at the thought of the party falling flat, and she knew she had to do something to salvage the situation.

Stepping forward with newfound confidence, Jess cleared her throat to catch their attention. "Excuse me," she interjected, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, and I have a suggestion that might help liven up the party."

Both Carter and Blake turned to look at her, their expressions curious. Jess took a deep breath, steeling herself for their reaction.

"I think we're overthinking things with the champagne and escargots," she began, her words coming out in a rush. "These kids aren't looking for gourmet cuisine; they just want to have a good time."

She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "Trust me, I can make this party come alive."

Blake studied her for a moment, impressed by her boldness and initiative. He could sense her genuine desire to make a difference, and he found himself inclined to give her a chance.

"All right," he said finally, nodding in agreement. "I'll trust you on this, Jess. Let's see what you can do."

A sense of excitement surged through Jess as she realized she had been given the opportunity to make a real impact. With newfound determination, she set out to breathe new life into the party, confident that she could deliver on her promise to make it a night to remember.

As Jess surveyed the lackluster scene of the party, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. "I've had dentist appointments more exciting than this party," she muttered under her breath, noticing that no one even seemed to be enjoying themselves in the pool.