Babysitting the Bad Boy: Books 1&2

41.

"All I could do was get you a waitress job at the restaurant. They really were in dire need." Ryan apologized, as the Chef came out to greet him. "Please understand. My father would not allow you to work in any other department in the hotel, even being a bellhop would give him a heart attack."

"I suppose..." Starting small was not what I intended, but he's right. His father is already suspicious of me, and demanding to be more than just a waitress would really trigger the alarms. I stood there and smiled as Ryan introduced me to the chef.

"Nice to meet you," the chef spoke. "I am Chef Wasaka. I am a close friend of the Winchesters." He smiled brightly, his slanted eyes crinkling at the corners as he held out his hand. I took it slowly and we shook hands, keeping eye contact with each other. He was the same height as me, and it was easier for me to look at him in the eyes, versus Ryan who was taller than me.

"Now that you two met, Kimberly will be starting tomorrow," Ryan informed Chef Wasaka and I huffed.

"I want to start today," I urged, but Ryan disagreed with me. He didn't let me speak afterwards and Chef Wasaka just listened to what Ryan said. They chatted a little and I stood there, annoyed with everything. While they talked, I gripped my purse tightly and spun on my heel, about to walk out when Ryan's fiancée walked in. I almost gagged at the sight of her. She ignored my presence as she walked passed me, her shoulder bumping into mine.

"Ryan, I actually need to talk to you," she stated, interrupting Ryan and Chef Wasaka's conversation. "Now."

I turned around. Ryan sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He said farewell to Chef Wasaka and she clung onto Ryan's arm as they walked out of the restaurant, passing me. He didn't look at me, nor say anything, he kept walking with her stuck to his side. I felt a pain in my chest as I watched them. She smiled so happily as she talked to him, and he smiled back. I felt tears wanting to well up in my eyes, but I took a deep breath, stabilizing my emotions as I stood up straight and walked out.

As I walked out of the restaurant, a guy with noticeably dyed red hair bumped into me. He had on a waiter uniform, and when I looked up, my eyes widened.

"K-Kimberly?"

"Marc? What are you doing here?" I asked him and he chuckled nervously as he scratched the back of his head.

"U-Um.. Just working here.... Hey, um, I'm sorry for back then.. I was a little bitch, still am..."

"It's okay, what's done is done. And you were never the bad guy," I assured him, trying to lighten the mood as I smiled brightly. He still had a nervous smile on his face, and he constantly rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "Anyways, you look good. I'm glad you're doing well."

"Not really. Sorta. I mean, I only have this job because of Ryan. We were old friends so he got me hired at the restaurant, and even then, I'm still struggling. I guess you could say I'm not the best worker and that I am 'lacking' in lots of things."

I nodded my slowly and then I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be working here, too. Starting tomorrow. I look forward to working with you. I'll see you later, so stay strong." I held up a fist to encourage him and he just chuckled awkwardly. After a moment of awkward silence, I turned to walk away and he did the same.

***

I was at a cafe, sipping on a caramel macchiato. I was not ready to go back home, and driving with too many things on my mind isn't the best. I observed everybody in the cafe, from older couples to younger couples chatting at their tables, to waiters bustling around and the cashiers putting on their best smiles. I checked my phone here and there, hoping I would get any messages or alerts, but nothing. I decided to scroll through my photos, and I came across a familiar one.