Love at first Meal

1. Of Work and Words

The wind threw her hair into her face as she hurried across the university courtyard. Her class had finished late and if she wasn't quick she'd lose her record of punctuality. The restaurant opened at 5:30; it was only 4:22 but she had to wipe the tables and get changed out of her dark coat and blouse into more suitable wear for a waitress at a five star restaurant.  Sophia glanced at her phone the screen read 4:23 and unconsciously she picked up her pace practically running along the brick path.

Sophia hurried to her black bike, in all its glory. She rode onto the road cruising around the tall buildings, getting lost in her own little world. Sophia was suddenly snapped back to reality by the booming sounds of car horns and the loud shouting voices of angry business men, there was a traffic jam and everyone around her was going crazy. Time was running out and Sophia became desperate, she decided to ride off of the road and onto the path, her legs were unstoppable as she rode at top speed to The Enchantment. She pulled up at the back door at exactly 4:57, and, after checking her phone once again rushed into the door, she pulled up short, cursing in her head as she fumbled in her backpack for the set of keys given to her on her first day. She grinned as her hand enclosed around them and she lifted the key-chain out already reaching towards the handle.

As she rushed through the back hall way she smiled at passing coworkers who beamed in return. Sophia dashed through the entry into the ladies changing room and grabbed her uniform off its hook, she noticed another uncollected outfit and fought the urge to laugh when she saw the name above it. Dionne was always late and although this was often irritating Sophia could never stay annoyed at her closest friend for long. She undid the buttons on her coat and hung it up on her hook, next she shimmied out of her blouse and leggings then grabbed the loose fitting top and proper pants then hastily dressing. She scurried to the other side of the room and grabbed an apron before tying her hair in a ponytail and straightening the shirt. 

Sophia stepped out and joined the flow of employees heading towards the main part of the restaurant for the final preparation before the guests arrived. She glanced behind her and saw a blonde head dash into the changing room. She chuckled as her friend's head ducked then rose, later turning to see if anyone had seen her fall before actually entering the room. Sophia faced the doorway and let herself be moved by the bustling crowd of wait staff as they approached the forest themed part of the restaurant. She checked her phone for the third time that day and read the time; 5:03, they were three minutes behind schedule, she jogged up to her tables and gave them each a quick wipe before sweeping the floor and checking all the lighting and décor was correct. She sighed and swished a loose strand of hair behind her ear then rushed over to Dionne who was acting motherly like usual and fussing over the uniforms of her peers. 

When everyone was done checking their tables and all problems with the lighting had been corrected by Dave-who was strangely good with technology especially since he was an art history major-Dionne clapped. The group assembled around her and she dictated all bookings and important customers to the relevant waiter or waitress. Dionne turned to Sophia, "You," she pronounced "Have a very important customer to tend to," she stepped towards Sophia in a fashion that could be considered menacing in anyone other than Dionne. 

"Who?" Sophia questioned, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Alexander Regedes and an unknown friend or relative."

"I thought he was in France  inspecting the new hotel, you know since it's supposed to be the best Royal Lighthouse Hotel in the world. What's he doing in New York?" Her curiosity was now killing her and she felt like the cat in the proverbial saying.

"Who knows why he's here all that you need to know is that he is and he has money and wants our food." Dionne smirked "If you get  a good tip you could be $500 closer to paying off that student loan of yours." Her hand reached towards Sophia's collar and adjusted it an inch. Sophia groaned at her friend's impulsive actions and slapped her hand away laughing.