Addicted

Chapter One

The clanking of metal forks on glass plates as people ate filled my ears. The stench of fish assaulted my nose, and I fought the urge to gag. That wouldn't be professional, now would it? I smoothed down the stupid black tie I was wearing, making sure it was tucked down into the stupid, black vest that I wore over this stupid, white, button up shirt.

I hated this stupid uniform with a passion. It hid what curves I had, and honestly looked like something more fit for a man. Especially the tie. It was a bit tight, making me choke along with the awful fish odor. I looked around, checking to see if my aunt, who is also my boss and legal guardian, was anywhere around.

When I didn't see her, I quickly pulled at the tie, loosening it so I could actually breathe. Carefully, I picked up the silver tray of tall glasses filled with champagne, and started to walk out of the kitchen doors into the dining area, where hundreds of wedding guests were enjoying their meal. At least I hoped they were enjoying it. The smell alone made me sick, and if I can't stomach the smell, I just can't bring myself to eat the food. I can only imagine how the guests felt.

The doors swung open right as I was about to turn to push through them. I jumped back, nearly causing the glasses to topple over, but quickly balanced so they didn't crash to the floor. Ready to chew out whoever it was for their carelessness, I looked up from the champagne glasses, only to stare directly into my aunt's piercing blue eyes.

"You need to be more careful, Lydia." She snapped, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at her.

"Sorry, I didn't expect someone to come barging through the door like a rhino." I replied. My aunt raised her barely-there, overly-plucked eyebrow.

"Excuse me?" She asked. I sighed through my nose and looked away from her.

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought." She said. She let out a small huff, and I looked up as she stared at my loosened tie. "Could you at least look respectful?" She spat, and tightened my tie. If I thought I was choking before, I definitely was now. "There are hundreds of people here, and I will not have you running around looking like a hoodlum to cost another job. Understood?"

I didn't say anything to her. I didn't even look at her. I just stood there, letting her say these things and refraining from saying or doing something I'd regret. I had nowhere else to go. My aunt was the only one that would take me in after my parents died. So if I screwed this up, well, I was screwed.

Her hand gripped my chin, her thumb and forefinger squishing my cheeks together as she turned my head so I was forced to look at her.

"Is that understood?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, ma'am." I said through gritted teeth. She let go of me, and stepped back.

"Take that tray of champagne outside to the smoking guests. Then collect the dirty dishes, and come back." My aunt ordered before walking off. I rolled my eyes and walked out of the kitchen.

I maneuvered carefully through the crowded 'dining room' where the non-smoking guests sat. I surveyed the room as I went, noticing a few little girls poking at the fish on their plates with disgusted expressions.

I laughed to myself, and walked outside through the open double doors where the guests who insisted on slowly killing themselves by smoking sat. Slowly, I walked around the tables and gave out the glasses of champagne. Once the tray was empty, I started collecting the dishes that weren't being used anymore.

A few of the guests gave me friendly smiles and complimented the meal. A few even handed me their dirty dishes, setting them on the tray carefully, while others completely ignored me like I wasn't even there.