Mr. Ruthless

Chapter 2

Picture of Eleanor.

Eleanor Sanders

I was late, again. My boss pulled me behind him, dragging me into the diner. I yelped in pain as his grip on my wrist didn't loosen when I stumbled over my feet. Another bruise.

"This is your last warning Eleanor. Next time you're fired!" Mr. Venditto snapped, I shriveled away, my heart racing in fear as he preached. I meekly nodded my head before hurrying my way to the back to change into my uniform.

My bus was late again, I would have to start walking to work from now on, I can't afford to lose this job. I need the money, I would be out on the streets in no time if I did.

"You're late." Stacey stated.
I sighed, "I know."

"You're going to get fired one of these day." She mumbled.
"I know Stacey, my bus didn't show," I sighed as I took my notepad and a pen and slid them into the pocket of the apron.

Stacey and I have been friends ever since I started working here. She's the complete opposite of me but she always got my back.

"What are my tables?" I asked her, knowing she probably had done half of them for me.
"Don't worry about them, just start on a fresh pot of coffee." She smiled. I nodded and whispered a hearted appreciation as she made her way towards the new costumer.

I walked behind the counter, picking up the strings of my apron and fiddled to put them in a knot. My hands were frozen solid from the cold winter air outside, making me unable to successfully maneuver the small pieces of fabric.

It wasn't long before Stacey returned, I frowned as I noticed the troubled look on her face.

I gave her a questioning look before voicing my inquiry. "What's wrong?" Stacey wasn't easily spooked, to find her this shaken, unnerved me.

"Do you see that guy." She didn't turn around to look at him, I quickly glanced towards the dark figured costumer she had just come from.

"Damn he scares the shit out of me." she breathed out lowly as she shrugged away the haunting feeling that now followed her.

"Where are you going?" I wondered as she walked towards Mr. Venditto's office instead of fixing up the man's order.

"He asked to speak with the boss" she shrugged. I frowned, how odd. 

I glanced towards him, his dark shadowed appearance creating an eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Not wanting to be caught staring I turned away from him, occupying myself with fixing up some of the orders that hung by the counter.

It wasn't a busy morning and Stacey had finished most tables for me. A cough startled me from my thoughts. I spun around to face the person who stood behind me.

I took a startled step back as I watched a man in his mid-50's lean towards me across the counter, a grime smirk laying on his lips. I quickly composed myself.

"Good morning sir. H-how may I help you" my hands were shaking as the vehement stare of the man didn't break.

I shifted awkwardly on my feet as I waited for him to respond. I didn't know how to act in these kind of situations. I completely closed up around any type of man surrounding me.

"Sir-"I hesitantly reminded him to speak. At last he drew away from me, now occupying the seat behind the counter.

"Large coffee, 2 sugars, sugar." He gave me a wink. I gulped, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cringe at his obvious attempt to flirt. A stale shiver ran down my spine, I didn't like the attention the man had for me. I didn't like any type of attention for that matter.