Love at first Meal

3. Of Friends and Thoughts

"Sophia!" Ella the other waitress shouted snapping her out of her brief remembrance. Her eyes shot up and focused on the other girl. She was standing next to a young and slightly odd looking couple. An albino dwarf stood next to a tall and beautiful but terribly dressed woman their eyes shone with the light of newly found love and in a way it was kind of cute.

Sophia walked towards the trio sending a questioning glance at her brunette colleague. Ella gestured at her to keep approaching and when she was close enough introduced the love struck two. They were again gazing into each other's eyes oblivious to the world and their irises were contracting almost as if they were seeing the light in each other. "Sophia, this is Lync and Naomi. Lync, Naomi this is Sophia your waitress for the evening, if you need anything simply call and she will come and assist. I'll leave you in her capable hands now." Ella smiled a dismissal and Sophia guided them towards a secluded table for two dimly lit with pale blue lights that gave off the impression of starlight and magic.

She recited the specials for the second time that night this time without it being requested. She then left them in their corner to think on what to order and hurried to the kitchen worried about Alexander Regedes' reaction if his entrée was even later. Phillipe looked vastly relieved when she arrived and he proudly presented possibly the most beautiful dish she had ever seen, it was full of delicious greens that she wouldn't mind eating and amazing patterns in the light sauce that covered most of the plate. "Well Phillipe, I must say you cleaned this up nicely, he may even stay unaware of the moss problem!" She laughed. Phillipe visibly relaxed and it was then that she noticed the utmost quiet in the kitchen, the entire cook staff were staring at her with suddenly calm eyes and she even heard some sighs escape their lips, they all set back to work a little less tense.

As she turned to face the seating she saw Dionne march towards her in a way akin to a soldier's most focused walk. Her arms were almost pumping by her sides and her face was taught with concentration, her eyes were locked on Sophia, or more importantly it seemed, the dish in her hands. "Sophia, he is waiting! Get your little legs moving and go, go, go!" She clapped her hands bossily obviously irritated at Sophia's lack of momentum. 

Sophia left quickly, terrified of Dionne's scrunched up face, her feet walked her towards the Regedes' table. Sophia glanced at Alexander Regedes' annoyed face clearly still waiting for his entrée, Sophia smoothly walked closer to the table carefully holding the magnificent entrée Phillipe had prepared. She looked down as she placed the plate on the table not daring to look at Alexander's facial expression. Sophia heard a slight almost content sounding grunt from the man next to her then heard from her other side "Um, could I ask when my drink is going to arrive?" James paused watching her conspicuously "the Forget Me Not cocktail?" He finished. 

Sophia suddenly remembered and thought about how long it had been since he had ordered the cocktail, "Oh-oh," Sophia stuttered, "I'll just go and check in the kitchen." Sophia assured. She left the expectant atmosphere and rushed through the kitchen doors to see Dionne and Dave standing suspiciously close.  Sophia stalked towards them getting giddy thoughts in her head about her best friend, Sophia poked her head between the duo and and gave them a googly eyed stare, curious about what they were talking about.  They started and looked at her guiltily "Tell Dave that I am right Sophia!" Dionne all but commanded recovering quickly from her shocked state.

"About what?" She asked innocently

"Bow ties are lame!" She practically screeched angrily glaring at poor Dave who seemed to have been her victim on this occasion although he didn't seem too perturbed.

"Bow ties," he paused for dramatic effect "are cool. Ask anyone they'll agree with me!"

"They will not!" Dionne seemed enthralled in the argument so Sophia decided it was time for a hasty departure before she was asked to put in her opinion. She backed away slowly. "Just ask Sophia," Dionne turned her head sideways looking for her wayward friend, her gaze found Sophia and a victorious grin spread over her face, Sophia knew she was doomed and sighed in defeat. "Sophia dearest, please come her and add your highly respected and valid opinion to our wonderful and completely relevant to this job debate." Dionnes' voice was sickly sweet and Sophia's eyes desperately searched for a way out but Dionne's vice like hand latched onto her wrist and she knew she was a goner. She started to prepare her completely neutral points for her kind and non siding argument. "Okay Sophia, tell him why bow ties are lame."