Babysitting the Bad Boy: Books 1&2

42.

"Why are you even here?" Chef Wasaka asked as he pointed towards my face. I was a little offended by how he said it. "You look terrible, and I do not allow sickness into my restaurant," he added, crossing his arms across his chest.

Ryan walked in, his hands on his tie, adjusting it as he came over to us. Marc was standing behind Chef Wasaka, peering over his shoulder looking at the both of us. "I apologize, she's quite stubborn and refused to stay home. But, I had her take medicine." He pulled out a surgical mask from his pocket and handed it to me. "She'll be wearing this to cover any germs that escape from her mouth."

I snatched it from his hand and wrapped the straps around my ears. I pulled the mask up to cover my mouth and part of my nose. "See? All better now," I assured as I lifted my arms up a bit.

"And how are you supposed to guarantee a great meal to the customer if you can't even smile?" Chef Wasaka asked, raising an eyebrow as he stared at me with a bored look on his face. Gosh, I'm already wanting to put a fist to his annoying little Asian face.

I smiled, and then pointed to my eyes. "A real smile should be shown through the eyes. All waiters should master this as it is the key point of showing sincerity to customers. And not all waiters smile, but they still get tipped due to their hard work and great service." I held up my thumb and he just huffed. Marc clapped a little behind Chef Wasaka and I threw him a wink.

"Fine. Whatever. Restaurant is opening soon and Mr. Winchester has matters to attend to. Thank you for stopping by," Chef Wasaka stated as he threw Ryan a look before spinning on his heel and storming off to the kitchen. I turned to look at Ryan and he wasn't even looking in our direction. He stayed silent and I stepped closer to him.

"Ryan--"

"I'll be in my office." He turned around, completely cutting me off and refusing to make eye contact with me. He left the restaurant and I watched him as he disappeared behind the wall. I sighed in annoyance as I crossed my arms across my chest.

"Do you know what's up with him?" Marc asked and I shook my head as I continued to stare at the wall. I really didn't know why he was acting like that. I flashbacked to yesterday when he picked me up from the curb and took me home, and suddenly went home after Nathan answered the door.

I closed my eyes and thought long and hard about it for a good few minutes, but no good reasons had come to mind. I shook it off for now, as the restaurant is opening soon for breakfast. I turned to see Marc finishing setting the tables up, wiping the last table down with a rag.

***

I was standing in front of Ryan's desk. Someone had escorted me there, and now we were the only two in this giant, yet enclosed office. His blinds were open to his enormous windows that took up the whole back wall, but it was still dark in here due to the dark clouds that curled together in the sky. He was standing up, his broad shoulders looked even broader and he was facing the window. I could only catch glimpses of his face in the window.

"Why am I here?" I suddenly asked, cutting off the long silence that began as soon as I stepped in here.

"You're here, because you left some things behind in my car that day, and I felt like it was necessary to deliver them to you in person. Also, because you wish to forget that day." He spoke in a cold tone as he turned slowly to face me. He stepped forward towards his desk and took a key out of his pocket and bent down slightly to unlock the bottom drawer of his desk. He pulled it open and placed my purse and my phone on the desk.

We stared at each other for a few good minutes and I felt a lump in my throat begin to form. I reached gradually for my items, but he grabbed my wrist roughly and pulled me forward. Our faces were inches away and he kept staring at me with this intense look in his eyes. His eyes didn't waver and I saw no hesitation, I felt no hesitation from him, and all the vibes he's giving, there was something he desperately wanted.