Mr West

Chapter 4

Eliza

First staff meeting was done. And boy was it strange! Being in that conference room, I was suddenly transported back to my childhood. I imagined that was exactly how the staff meetings in school tended to go. I was sure however, that the person in charge didn't treat employees as though they were invisible. Mr West had spoken to Nathan like I wasn't there or that I couldn't speak for myself. To say I was annoyed by that was an understatement. I was exasperated! He was making me so exhausted, constantly making me second guess his behaviour. He was far too unpredictable I was beginning to question whether it was worth even trying to understand him. I left the conference room and followed quietly behind Nathan. He was too busy to notice I was bothered by the events. The kitchen staff were chattering animatedly the remainder of the morning trying to figure out what Marcel was needed for. Many whispered responses involved my name but I pretended I couldn't hear them and shut the sounds out.

Washing dishes after the lunchtime rush I was preoccupied and completely shut out all thoughts of the meeting. Suddenly I was joined by two people, one familiar and another new. Beside Nathan was a tall, lanky boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. His frame was slightly hunched as though he was still learning how to deal with the height. He leaned against the counter with his hip and smiled at me. Arms crossed over his chest he stood beside me silent.

"This is Larry," Nate said, introducing his friend. I scanned Larry up and down. He wasn't wearing a similar uniform to the rest of the staff. In fact he was dressed quite casually, nothing like the other customers. With black skinny jeans, a ripped t-shirt and leather jacket he stuck out like a sore thumb. He was definitely not a regular.

"Eliza," I smiled politely, holding out a hand.

He shook, his grip firm and strong. "Nice to finally be introduced," he replied.

"And you."

Like Nathan, and even Dylan as I recall, Larry had high cheekbones and a sharp jawline. His chin, upper lip and jawline was scattered with a dusting of stubble. His thin lips were a pale pink colour and his pearly white teeth were on full show as he grinned at me.

"So, have you met Mr West yet?" he asked.

I nodded. He raised his thin brows and pursed his lips. "Rarely does he connect with the new staff."

"I had heard similar things when I arrived."

Even now I was struggling to understand why I was the exception. Did he feel he needed to meet me? Was there something wrong? It seemed that way. The way he was acting with me, hot and then cold, I was utterly lost for words. I couldn't even decipher my own feelings towards the man. One minute I was left feeling tingly and warm from his oozing charm and splendid smiles. Then the next I was left shuddering under his watchful stare and breathing heavily as I tried to control the raged words on the tip of my tongue from spilling. He was a right oddball!

"Well, he must like you best." He winked. There was something mysterious about the way he spoke, as if he held a secret only he knew about. I was eager to press for more but felt better about it. A week old employee didn't permit me to know the clubs secrets. Best I stay in the dark.

"How about I become your buddy in this place?" Larry suggested. He span around, waving his arms out at his sides. "I could show you everything this place has to offer."

The words sounded magical, and I was almost tempted to accept. Until Nathan spoke up. He stepped forward, placing himself between Larry and I. I wouldn't say it was a protective stance but he definitely seemed like he was hiding me away. Like there was something I needed to stay out of. Larry seemed alright. I wasn't worried.

"Already done that my friend," Nathan laughed, slapping Larry on the back. As quickly as he'd jumped in to "save me", his grin was back and his eyes shone with excitement.

Larry frowned. Scratching his head and shrugging his broad shoulders, he didn't argue.

"Larry is the boss man's henchman. You have to get past Mr Rainier to reach Mr West," Nathan informed me.

I glanced at Larry and he looked bashful. He ducked his head and scratched the back of his neck.

"Don't let what he says fool you. I'm a good guy. I'm not snitch." He chuckled and squeezed my shoulder before exiting the kitchen.

Larry was now on my list of people to befriend. Nathan and Larry were he only ones who seemed genuine.

"Does everyone call each other Mr or Miss?" I inquired. It seemed so formal. Was no one on first name basis? It felt impersonal to be so formal.

"No," Nathan replied shaking his head. He stood beside me, back leaning against the countertop. "Only the boss man does. He does use first names, but he prefers the whole Mr or Miss."

He shrugged then stood up straight and headed back to work, whistling a merry tune as he pottered off. This was certainly going to take some getting used to. In my old place of work everyone was so friendly and on a first name basis, even the boss Elaine and Fred. I sighed as I pulled out a sack of potatoes. This place was so different from my last. I sort of knew that I would struggle in my first few weeks. I just didn't realise how hard it would be. I was beginning to feel very homesick.

I missed the hustle and bustle of the café. At least in that kitchen people would chit-chat and laugh about the weekend. We would even joke about the grumbling customers and laugh till tears dripped down our cheeks as we recounted the many slip-ups and moody customers. Here, it seemed chatter wasn't normal. The only time anyone spoke was when an order was being relayed or someone asked for a certain ingredient or utensil to be passed along to them. The atmosphere was tense, stressed and not in the least friendly. It was becoming boring having a routine. Everything was the same, nothing changed and I was getting restless and agitated from standing in the same spot every single day. It was like being in school, however instead of assigned seats to sit in, there were assigned points in the room to stand in. I guess I should be grateful I have a familiar face now and a friend in Nathan. He seemed like a pretty cool and sweet guy. Hopefully this feeling of loss and emptiness would disappear in time. Hopefully.

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