Before We Fall

Part 1 (Prologue)

"I'm so sorry..." Lina's words still rang in my ears. "Mother, she... she was sleeping, rather peacefully, but soon she just stopped breathing." Her voice had broken, and with that, I heard her sobs through the phone. "She died, Mia. She's gone." 

I had dropped the phone on the ground, as I felt the tears stream down my cheeks. I fell to my knees and held in my sobs. I could already tell that my mascara was running, due to the black clay on my hands. After what felt like forever crying, I had gotten up. I had too... 

"Miss?" I felt the sudden words jerk me out of my memory of this morning. 

"Sorry, yes?" I asked the customer. She was an older woman with long, grey hair. 

"Could I have more water?" I nodded. 

"Of course." I went to the counter and got a pitcher of water. I then went back to the lady and poured her a cup. Several other tables also wanted water, so I poured water until the pitcher was empty. The restaurant that I worked in was small but... rather popular. It was more high end, so more rich people came, which was good for me since that meant bigger tips. It had been painted an auburn color, with crystal chandeliers on the ceilings. The tables were white, with a grey tint.  It reminded you of a more outdoor setting, with all the fake plants around. 

"Mia," said Emma who was walking towards me. Emma was a fellow waitress, who was kind of my friend. We only talked at work and about work, but it was nice that I had someone who I could talk to.

 Emma was the very definition of beautiful. She had long blonde hair that she put up in a high ponytail. Her eyes were a sparkly blue, that shimmered in any light. Her skin was tan, mostly because she often spent her free time at a tanning salon. She was also tall, due to her extremely long legs. 

"Hey Emma," I said. Emma pointed to a group that was heading to table. They were all dressed in dark suits. 

"See that group over there, they're supposed to be from this major financial company and that means that they're rich." 

"Sure, but that's in your section," I told her. 

"I know that you can use the money. Go over there, I'll cover your other tables." I gave Emma a hug. 

"Thanks," I said. Emma smiled. 

"You're welcome, now go!" She practically shoved me over there. I grabbed my pen and order pad from the pocket of my blue uniform. I approached the table.  

"Hello," I greeted at the table. The group of men all looked at me, a bit annoyed. It seemed that I had disrupted a conversation they were having. "Can I start you gentlemen off with something to drink?" I clicked the pen and got ready for the order. 

"Iced teas for all of us," said one man. I nodded. 

"Anything else?" 

"That will be it for now." I smiled and went over to the counter. 

"Five iced teas, Jacob!" I called. Jacob was the chef in the kitchen, who was rather young since he graduated culinary school young. His food was delicious, more than anyone's I had ever tasted. 

"Got it!" Jacob called back. He was immersing himself in his dish that he was preparing. 

I heard the bell ring, meaning someone had entered. I turned around to see a man who was wearing a dark suit like the ones in the group I was serving. He seemed different, though. His face was young, with his chiseled jawline and his young green eyes. He was tall, and you could see that he worked out a lot, due to the amount of muscle that I could see through his suit. He turned towards me and smiled, making my heart skip a beat.