Variance|| z.m au

#1- The Encounter

🍴Zayn🍴

Zayn ran a hand through his messy quiff before scribbling down table two's order. He smiled at them before turning around and entering the kitchen quickly. He gave the order to Mason who would then give it further so it could reach the cook.

"Zayn, I need ya on the counter." Niall (the restaurant owner) said, looking equally stressed out.

Zayn gave him a sharp nod, the heels of his black shoes clicking as he walked towards the counter. A woman with a baby stroller stepped through the door, and Zayn smiled at her warmly. "Welcome to The Coughler, table for two and a baby seat?"

The woman smiled back. "Yes."

He grabbed a menu and led her to table five, pulling the chair for her to sit. He then placed the menu on the table before walking towards the back-counter and pulling up a baby seat. The woman thanked him as she placed her daughter in it and Zayn nodded. "A waitress will be here as soon as you're ready to order."

He turned around and walked back to the counter where a whole family of five were looking around incredulously. "Welcome to The Coughler, table for five?"

....

Zayn wiped the mahogany table with the cloth, stifling a yawn. He was immensely tired and wanted nothing else than to collapse on his soft bed at the rented place he was staying at. He was lucky enough to have gotten a job as a waiter, considering the town's people had always been criticizing when it came to jobs and experience. Niall was a great man though. He was cheery and optimistic, as well as kind and had found a room that was being rented out. It was hard sometimes to be away from his family, but Zayn knew it was for the best. They needed the money.

Zayn walked over to the next table and wiped it clean too, his eyes drooping. He shook his head and made his way to the bar counter, lifting a glass up and pouring himself some whisky to open his eyes. As he did so, he heard the door open and assumed that Flora was already tending to the customer(s).

He heard excited chatter which he immediately pinned as woman's gossip and he took another sip as he watched the only tables that were occupied. Table four, by two men discussing some contract, and table seven where a woman in a dress suit was sitting by herself drinking their famous tea. Her eyes skimmed through the newspaper which she had asked for and Zayn had provided.

Flora led a few ladies to the table for five on the left and Zayn raised an eyebrow. They were dressed in elegant dresses, their hairs pinned up into delicate hairdo's. Except one of the girls who had her hair cascading down her shoulders. The older woman, who Zayn assumed was the girl's mother, said something to the girl and she rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she sat down.

They began to skim through the menu and Zayn finished his glass, satisfied that his eyes were not drooping any longer and he watched the table with the women with no apparent interest, mind wandering other places. The rent he had to pay, home, the money, home, and home. It had almost been a month since he'd last visited the farm and he was looking forward to it next week.

Niall walked out of the kitchen and stood beside him. "It was quite packed today, innit?"

Zayn nodded silently, finger running across his bottom lip. If somehow he could get another job to pay the farm-

"Zayn!" Zayn snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to where Flora was, taking order of a couple who apparently had just arrived. She nudged her head towards table eleven and Zayn nodded, pulling his notebook and clicking his pen as he walked over to the table.

"Ready to order?" he asked politely, putting up a faux smile. The woman nodded and smiled back. "Yes. Why, we'd like three mango shakes and two guava smoothies. An apple pie with crushed almond, and Katherine darling, what do you want?"