Collecting Signs

Chapter 2

Emily's P.O.V:

On top of my white t-shirt, I put the ironed and neat uniform before wearing my hair in a ponytail. Working in that annoying weather was slowly starting to get unbearable but I kept reminding myself that my hard work would eventually pay off. I grabbed my notepad and headed straight to the terrace where a couple of people hadn't been served yet.

With the brightest smile I could put on my face, I took a table's order and went to another afterwards. When I was done scribbling down the notes, I passed the paper to the kitchen staff and made my way to the coffee section. I assembled the blender, plugged it in and put the ice along with the instant coffee, sugar and milk. I turned it on and started putting the muffins on the tray while waiting for the iced coffee to become smooth. As I was putting a few napkins on top of the plate, I spotted a brown haired petite woman who seemed to have trouble opening a bottle of wine. She was the new waitress our boss told us about. Somehow, looking at her having trouble reminded of my first day as a waitress.

"Need help with that?" I offered nicely after I watched her many failed attempts.

As soon as she heard my voice, she looked up at me with a pleading look. "Save me!" She whispered-yelled while scratching the back of her neck. I took out the corkscrew from a small wardrobe as she gave me the bottle."Who even drinks wine at 11 AM?" She shrugged and put her hands on her hips making me giggle. She sounded like she was from Texas, but I wasn't sure.

"Oh, just brace yourself. You'd be surprised." Being a waitress for over three years got me certainly used to every weird request coming from our customers. "First days suck, right?"

"Tell me about it! The fact that I'm screwing everything up makes it worst for me." I handed her the bottle once I was fully done. She smiled gratefully and stared at the bottle as if I had made a masterpiece. "Thank you...?"

"Emily." I introduced myself and continued right away in order to make her feel better. "And don't worry, I screwed up even more than you on my first day. You'll do just fine." Talking about screwing up... I had completely forgotten about the turned on blender. "And I still do mess up. If you'll excuse me." Not wasting anymore time, I went back to the coffee section and fortunately for me, it was all good.

I poured the appealing looking coffee in a cup and added it to the tray. I decorated the drink with chocolate chips before heading out to serve my clients. I was obviously used to every corner in that restaurant. I was not only a waitress, but I was also the one in charge of making all sort of coffees ordered. While the kitchen was a closed space, the coffee section was an open style bar with a transparent glass cabinet where countless baked sweets were set. Up above near the ceiling of the bar, there were different kinds of coffee beans packed in white bags along with vintage photographs placed around the wall of the restaurant. It wasn't a fancy place but a comfortable one. I had to give Bob, the owner, credits for decorating the restaurant the way it was, it certainly satisfied every need. I was on my way when I noticed a dark haired man standing right in front of the bar. At first, I expected him to ask about something but he just kept staring in my way.

I raised an eyebrow at him and thereafter, got no response. Somehow, the sight of him lost in his own thoughts in the middle of the restaurant made me smile. I cleared my throat in a questioning manner, loud enough for him to come down to earth.

As soon as he noticed me staring at him, his blue piercing eyes widened. Seeing I was still giving him questioning looks, he started to scratch his head while swallowing the excess of saliva. "I-" His voice trailed off before he coughed. "I mean, can I please know where are the restrooms?"