No Filter

Chapter XLVII (47)

Everyday of the week, Liam has come nonstop. He got in line and tried to persuade me every time, but I wouldn't budge. He sometimes held up the line, so he got something to eat-in, but he would take forever to order on purpose. And that drove me crazy, but he was more pleased with my impatience.

I was beginning to lose a little bit of hope. The plan was working pretty well, but Liam just doesn't seem to want to give up the smoking and drinking. I can't believe Bear would think this would work. He came up with this plan to get his father to stop smoking and drinking by testing my importance to the household. I thought it was nonsense, but I agree on it. And what did I know, Liam is here trying to get me back, but he just can't let go.

I hear the door open and saw Liam walking in, holding Bear's hand. Bear smiles once he sees me and yanks his father's hand towards me. They stood in front of the cash register. Liam lowers his eyes on Bear and asks, "What do you want?"

"I want fries," he says.

"You want a burger with that, son?" Liam asks.

"Yes," Bear answers.

Liam looks at me and tucks his free hand in his pocket. Bear raises his voice, "Hi, Ms Hernandez. I miss you. When are you coming back?"

I look at Liam, and he clears his throat. "Bear, how about you go pick a booth?"

He nods his head, saying, "Okay." He walks off, but not before he have me an okay sign with his fingers. I wink at him, and he walks away.

"Now, what can I get you?" I ask.

"The usual," he says, "and a number one."

I nod my head and add those to the order. "Anything else?" I ask.

"Yes, I want you to come back," he says. I sigh heavily. "Please. Bear has been a little stubborn lately. He doesn't listen to Mabel and Lizzie when they are teaching him, and he's been a little moody. Last night, we had a conversation. He asked if you were ever coming back. And I told him that I didn't know, so he assumed it was the drinking and the smoking. He wanted me to stop, and if I stop, then I would get you back..." he paused for a moment, catching his breath, "...as his teacher." He sounded like he wanted to say something else. "And I am willingly able to not do that anymore. I won't drink. I won't smoke. I won't see that girl anymore. I wo—"

"Wait, what does the girl have to do with any of this?" I question. "I don't care what you do with her. It's your business."

He wets his lips. "Okay. I just thought you were upset when you saw us in my room."

I scoff and shake my head. "I was upset for Bear's sake. He doesn't even know that you're seeing another girl." My heart begins to pound in my chest.

"I am not seeing her," He rebuttals. "We're just friends."

"Friends with benefits," I correct.

"Why do you sound like you care on a personal level?" He questions.

"I don't," I answer.

He catches his breath and changes the subject. "Okay, but will you come back now that I am stopping?"

I look at him and see the eagerness within his eyes. But a part of me wanted to know how eager he was. "No. Even if I do, my manager won't let me go."

"I'll take care of that," he says.

I furrow my brows, "How?"

He winks at me. "Where's your manager?" He raises his voice. "I would like to speak to him."

I look around and see people's eyes looking at us. I lower my voice, "What are you doing?"

"Trust me," he whispers. He returns to raising his voice at a high volume. "I can't take it anymore. Ally, you...you've done something to me."

I crease my brows, curious. What was he up to. I hear footsteps approaching me. "What is going on?" My manager asks.

I turn to him and shake my head. "Nothing."

"Actually, there is something," Liam says, lowering his voice to a normal volume. My manager turns to him as I try my best not to feel embarrass as I am already. My cheeks were burning. "I have a problem." He rests his hand on the counter and sighs. "I have a problem with you," he looks at my manager.

"Me?" My manager questions. "What did I do?"

"Ally, your employee, has had enough. And I've had enough of you abusing my girlfriend," he begins, and my eyes shot up. "You've made her upset and numb to her stomach that she has to come home every day crying in my arms."

My manager scowls and darts his eyes on me. "Is this true?" He spits at me. I wipe away his spit on my cheek.

"Of course it's true," Liam answers before me. "I'm done seeing her cry because of this job. And she told me that you won't let her go."

"She told you this?"

I fell queasy in my stomach. Liam nods his head. "Yes."

"And why do you care if she works here or not? You're just her boyfriend," he says. "It's not like you guys are married or whatever."

Liam stumbles, tucking his hands into his pocket. I bite my lower lip, waiting for him to say something. Liam smiles and looks at me. "I was waiting on doing this when you come home, but I've been thinking and can you come around? It's a lot easier to do this."

I walk around the counter and stood before him. He looks at me and gazes into my eyes. I smile wider. His hands played in his pocket. "Ally, I've known you since we were in the second grade. The day you spill cake over me is a day that I'll never forget. You grew and helped me a lot on the way. And for about twenty years, I've been bless to have you in my life. And I know I let you go once, but that was stupid of me too. But now you're back, and all I want to do is share my life with you." I couldn't help but feel the emotions behind each word as if they were true. I catch my breath, getting emotional.

He kneels down to one knee and pulls out a ring out of his pocket. I gasp along with the crowd and cover my mouth. This very moment was a dream of mine a long time ago, when I liked him, and it's giving me all sorts of emotions again.

I shake my head, telling him not to do it, but he happily asks, "Allyson, will you marry me?"

I was stunned. I had forgotten he making this charade. I heard the crowd telling me to say yes. They were practically chanting. I look at the ring and then at him, who was hoping I would agree. I can't believe he went this far so that I could just come back.

I nod my head. "Yes," I reply, and Liam screamed out justice and places the ring on my finger. I was surprise how the ring fit me. Liam stands up and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I wrap my arms around him.

He whispers in my ear, "Good job. I thought you were remarkable."

"You too," I whisper. "I had forgotten you were acting."

We pull apart, and Liam looked at my manager. "Okay," Liam said. "So, what do you say now?"

My manager scoffs lightly and says, "Okay. She's all yours." He points his finger at me. "Don't be expecting me to give you your money for this week. Your boyfriend ruined it for you. And just so we're clear, you are fired."

I nod my head. "Okay," I reply. I turn to Liam and see a smile plastered on his face. He has been showing his real smile more and more, and I love seeing it.

I will be posting twice a week, starting this week, so look forward to another chapter in the next couple of days.