It Was Only A Cut In Another Universe

Caught In The Rain

Vincent stirred as his eyes slowly opened. The sun was hidden behind gray clouds forming in the sky. Oh great, it was going to rain. Vincent sighed as he sat up. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he looked at the alarm clock on the table next to him. Yet when he saw the time he immediately panicked. Blinking to see if he was seeing it correct before leaping off of his couch. "Shit!" He shouted as he rushed around his apartment. Quickly throwing on his uniform and grabbing his bicycle, snatching his keys and leaving his apartment. He couldn't believe he had been too tired to turn on his alarm. He always turns on his alarm. Now he's going to be late. As if to add insult to injury, drops of rain hit his forehead. "Oh fuck me." He muttered as he pedaled as fast as he could down the street. This is one of the times where he wished he hadn't given her so much money. By the time he reached the bistro the rain was absolutely pouring. At least he could never forget his bike lock considering he left it on it. 

"Sorry I'm late!" Vincent shouted as he burst in. Rody was waiting for him with a mildly annoyed face. "It's only and you are already late!" Ah there it was. The angry boss he was expecting. He sighed as he noticed Rody looking up from a clipboard. "Do you have-" Rody's annoyed face turned to concern. "Are you okay? What the hell happened?" He asked as he approached Vincent way too closely for his liking. "I got caught in the rain." Vincent said bluntly with barely any emotion behind it. Though with Rody it was the complete opposite. He had so much pity in his face. His hands were even reaching out towards him. It felt so weird. Rody returned with a relaxed smile. "Give me one second stay here. I don't want water all over the kitchen floor, it is a safety hazard." Vincent let out a groan as Rody walked away leaving him at the mercy of the chef's judgments. Most of them shared pity but a few seemed to get a good chuckle out of his soaking wet appearance. He was already forming a puddle on the floor from the water. He was probably going to have to clean it up. As well as being the laughingstock of the day. Rody returned with a towel. To Vincent's surprise instead of Rody handing him a towel. He began to dry his hair off personally. A harsh flush covered Vincent's face. 

"You do know umbrellas exist right? I'm assuming you don't have a car." Vincent sighed as he resisted the urge to slap his face with his hand. "Yeah, I've been trying to save up to get some stuff." Rody gave a soft hum. "If you want I can give you my umbrella for the ride back, or if you want I could drive you back." Vincent's face turned red again and this time he was thankful Rody had moved behind him. His boss was offering to give him a ride in the rain. Why did that feel more flirty than casual? Unless of course he was having those thoughts again. Now was not the time to have them. He needed to be focused on his job right now, and answering the question. "I'll just take the umbrella." It was best not to indulge in those thoughts. If he didn't think about it, they would go away. Though a new question poked into his head. As much as it would be better to keep his mouth shut, Rody didn't seem like the type of boss to scream at you for a tiny question. "Won't you have struggles getting home?" Rody gave a chuckle. "Not that much." "Why is that?" "I live here?" Vincent must have given Rody a really odd look. Who could blame him? Was that other room his own bedroom? What would he have for fun? "I have an apartment upstairs." That made more sense. It also explained why the restaurant was two stories. "That makes more sense." Vincent mumbled as Rody removed the towel. 

"Anyways follow me real quick. I can't have my employees working in wet uniforms." Vincent did as he was told, Though as he did he could feel eyes on him as he did. He chose to ignore them. Probably just mocking him behind his back. Inside the other room was Rody's office, and holy crap was it a mess. There papers scattered almost all over his desk. While his taste in interior decor wasn't really Vincent's style it only added to the mess. Rody looked through a cabinet on the side. Inside were spare uniforms mostly rumpled and thrown in carelessly. "I need to organize back here." Rody mumbled to himself before pulling out a clean, dry, and slightly wrinkled uniform. "Here you are." He said as he handed it over followed by a fresh towel. "The employee restroom should be in the kitchen." Vincent nodded as he walked back in there. Though Rody stayed behind for a few minutes after. Vincent paid no mind to it. Just as he tried to with the chefs. Yet curiosity got the better of him. Causing him to take a glance over at them. They're looks were laced with suspicion, and confusion. Leading to Vincent's confusion as well. But just as quickly as he had looked over they looked away. Vincent did the same. He had a job to do after all. He quickly changed. Folding his wet clothes and the towel. Then he realized he had no place to put them. Vincent sighed as he placed the clothes in a towel before placing it in the corner furthest from the toilet. It would have to do for now.

Things were surprisingly calm that day. Then again it was raining. Many people likely wouldn't be walking in the rain. Though this just made his tasks harder. Wet umbrellas, and clothes dripping water onto the tile floor. Causing Vincent to walk slower. Which caused some annoyance with people. He already knew he wasn't getting tipped well today. Which was a shame because he really needed them. Another ding alerted him to his next meal. Vincent walked over and grabbed the plate before bringing it to the customer. The door opened and Vincent helped the next customers to their table before another two dishes were ready. As Vincent was walking over to the table he heard a pair of steps behind him, but paid no mind. That was until he was a few feet away from a water puddle that had formed from someone's umbrella. 

"God Damn Can you HURRY UP!" A man shouted before Vincent was shoved from behind. As he tried to stable himself his foot slipped on the puddle causing him to fall backwards. He let out a heft grunt as he landed on his ass. Glass shattered as wine, water, and food fell on the floor, some even landing on the customer right next to him and behind him. Before Vincent had time to react he was grabbed by the collar of his shirt. "You Little Shit!" He was definitely taller than this man. Yet he was rather weak. This man would beat his ass easily. "You got wine all over my FINE coat!" Spit landed on his face as Vincent began to panic. Then the kitchen doors burst open. Vincent looked back in horror. Lips quivering as Rody stood there. A furious rage on his face. It looked so out of place from the friendly disposition he showed. "Oh finally someone who will-" 

In seconds Vincent was ripped from the man's grasp as Rody grabbed the man by his collar. "What do you think you were doing?" The man was too stunned to speak. His jaw quivered as he tried to find words. "What do YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?!" Rody shouted it this time. "He was taking forever!" The man exclaimed poorly. "You've sat here for only five seconds! Your appetizer is STILL FRESH!" Rody said as he pointed over to a table for one. Vincent was a little stunned. Rody was standing up for him? None of his other bosses had done that. "It is raining, you bring your umbrella in. Which results in getting water on the tile floor. My waiter didn't want to slip and fall and make a mess. But you caused this. So how about you clean this up, or get The FUCK OUT!" Rody shouted as he shoved the man onto the floor. The man looked up with pure terror as Rody continued to stare down at him. The man quickly got up. Putting the cash on the counter before scurrying out. Vincent remained there a little shaken. As Rody turned back to him. Vincent gave a silent gulp as he began to shrink in on himself. Of course he was going to be next. Yet Rodys demeanor once again changed from angry to the usual friendly Rody. 

"Are you okay?" Vincent was too stunned to speak for a few seconds before Rody put a hand on his shoulder. Causing him to flinch. "Do you need a break?" "Uh no, sorry, uhm I will go ahead and clean this up." Vincent said as he walked back to the kitchen towards the janitor's closet. Rody followed shortly behind him. "David, can you man the floor for Vincent please?" Vincent raised a brow as he turned around while a blonde chef who looked to be a bit older than him left his station and onto the floor. Though his question quickly turned over to Rody who was grabbing brooms, and dustpans from the closet. "Why are you grabbing two?" Vincent asked. "I'm going to help you clean. The other chefs don't need me supervising them twenty-four seven. Besides, David has been on the floor before." Vincent nodded as he took a broom and dustpan. "Also I'm looking for other waiters so hopefully that will help take some of the stress off of your shoulders." Vincent gave him a smile. Actually slightly relieved. Maybe he could have some days off. He could use that time to take her out on dates. Make up for their lost argument. Then again he needed lots of money for that, and for his apartment.

The rain was still coming down, though not as harsh. Vincent placed the mop back in the closet, but when he turned around he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Oh Rody you scared me." Most of the lights were off by now. Hiding Rody in shadows. "Sorry. I didn't mean to, but I got the umbrella for you." Rody said as he handed it to Vincent. It was a plain black umbrella. Nothing too crazy. "Thank you." Vincent said as he began to walk out. "Oh and thank you again, for you know, helping me clean up." Rody gave him a bright smile. "Not a problem. If someone's bothering you, just let me know and I'll help out." Vincent nodded and with that he left.