I arrived early for work on Saturday morning. I've barely been making it this past couple of days, but today? It was a miracle. The sun was just waking up, giving the nice orange glow from the horizon. I walked slowly but purposefully to my place of work, La Casa Áurea. The owner really picked a powerful name for his restaurant.
So yeah I got to La Casa Áurea one hour ahead. Such an amazing feat. Opening the front door for the second time I've resumed work here, because the back door was still locked, I walk in and greeted a few of my colleagues I've made friends with. Walking to the change room I spotted Cynthia at a distance and threw a piece of candy in her direction to get a reaction. She finally lifted her head from her phone to wave at me, I waved back and walked in to change.
Once changed, I walked to the counter, lost in my head for a while. It's been almost a week since my world was shaken up a bit. The landlord and his rent, my fruitful job hunt, special credits to Cynthia. My aunt's sale of her shop, I plan to get her another one as soon as I'm stable. I'm happy for the little things and the upcoming big things.
"Oh my God, look who it is. Or is my eyes playing tricks on me?" Cynthia said approaching the counter smiling. And yeah, the bond between my closest friend and I is getting stronger.
"Did the world end and nobody told me?" Cynthia teased. "You beat me here."
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. "Ha ha, very funny, cut it out."
We hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. "No I'm serious" Cynthia went on "I've always had to cover for you since Tuesday, it was starting to get exhausting" she whined. "Oh yeah?" I teased and she playfully tugged at my hair.
"Couldn't sleep?" Cynthia asked.
"Not really."
Cynthia hummed knowingly. "Is it Aunt Elena? How's her condition?"
I shrugged slightly. "I mean she isn't dead yet so there's hope. What worries me is I haven't started saving for the treatment, flight and surgery yet"
"Flight? She's going to need to travel for surgery?," Cynthia asked. "Yeah." I replied simply, willing myself not to cry. "I promise I'll have given you the money if I had. It's okay, we'll get through this just hang in there." she reassured. I smiled and looked into her eyes, seeing the sincerity in there makes me silently thank my lucky stars.
I nodded, a part of me hoping she was right and another part of me just damned tired of hoping. I'm making progress though. I happened not to be in the same situation I was this time last week
We chatted softly about her siblings, Cynthia was the last born of 4 kids while the kitchen staff seeped in. Someone cursed in Spanish over a dropped utensil. The restaurant slowly woke up around us, stretching into the day.
The restaurant door bell jigled, signalling a customer. Myself and Cynthia looked up from our conversation.
The person that walked in was a man, but not just any man at that. Not in suit or anything formal, nor draped with expensive stuffs screaming money, he walked purposefully like he was accustomed to commanding respect. He was just in a simple black neat T-shirt, a gold watch and nice black jeans pants. No fashionably big necklaces to suggest he was one of this wannabe gangster leader. He had on a pair of sunglasses and a face cap.
I'm sure he must have felt me staring because he looked up from his watch and stared right back at me, into the depths of my soul. Then he cocked his head as if asking me a question, challenging me. Not knowing what to do i just kept on looking till he turned away and located a sit by the window.
"Alice" I jumped hearing someone call my name from a distance.
"Yes?" turning to meet Cynthia and Selene, the head waitress looking at me. "Hey Selene, good morning"
"What's wrong with you? Go and tend to that customer" she said flatly not returning my greeting
"Oh yes" I said and scrambled to pick the menu and my composure and headed towards the man hearing Cynthia trying to hide her giggling.
"Good morning," I said when I approached him, forcing my voice to sound as normal as it should. Seeing him up close is torture. His hair color isn't just one flat shade, it has a lot of depth that suggests luxury and meticulous grooming. So deep, rich chestnut, the kind of color that looked like expensive mahogany under the seeping rays of sunlight.
"Good morning," he replied.
"I'm Alice your waitress and I'll be taking your order. What will you like to drink?"
"Black coffee," he said. "No sugar." Predictable.
I hand him the menu willing myself not to look at his long fingers so gently manicured. The color of his beard matched his hair and his skin was with so much healthy color. What the hell is wrong with me? I turn around to go get his coffee.
"Have you decided on food?" I asked after I placed his coffee on the table. Too bad I couldn't see his eyes.
"Yes," he said after a while. "The chile en nogada. And the ribeye, medium rare."
I blinked, surprised despite herself. That's expensive volumes. But of course, it should. I forget often the place I work.
"Excellent choice," I said. "I'll get that."
As I walked back toward the counter, I felt Cynthia's eyes on me.
"Oh my God," Cynthia whispered the second I was close enough. " would you take a look at that?"
I scoffed, trying hard not to look "Tried being up close?"
"You zoned off for a bit when he walked in."
"Not true."
"Took Selene three tries to pull you out."
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "He ordered like he owns the place."
Cynthia grinned. "That's how men like him do."
While the order was being prepared I was stealing glances and taking notes of his appearance from the distance. The man ate slowly, methodically, as if time bent slightly around him. He didn't look at his phone once.
When he was done with his meal, I approached to clear the table and hand over his bill. He paid and tipped nicely.
"Thank you," he said simply, so well mannered. That's rare.
"Have a good day," I said because I just couldn't help it.
He nodded once and left.
The bell jingled again signalling his exit.
"You must be struck to look that long" Cynthia teased.
"You're struck too. You can't deny it."
"I wasn't going to" she admitted and I chuckled.
We went back to work as more customers dripped ordering like they owned the staffs.
Then Cynthia's phone buzzed.
Once. Twice. On the third buzz I called her attention to it .
She checked it, her expression instantly becoming unreadable.
"What is it?" I asked.
Cynthia hesitated. "Ermmm..."
I narrowed my eyes. "Cindy?"
Cynthia sighed. "Okay, so…. I've got a job lead for you"
I tilted my head. "Really? You're not messing with me right now."
"Of course not, it pays well," Cynthia said carefully. "Like, really well."
"Ok? What is it?."
"There are two vacancies. A nanny and a maid." She's answers with a weird expression on her face
Cynthia hesitated again. Too long this time.
"Ok, so where's it located at?" I ask.
"Have you heard of the Montoya household?"
"Yeah sure. I've heard that name before. Must have appeared on the news once or twice" I answered.
Then Cynthia goes quiet, allowing me to put the pieces together. The fuck?!! It's in that house there's work vacancy?
"Don't tell me that's where the vacancies are," I inquire quietly. Her being quiet says it all. What?
"I didn't think I was a burden" I say quietly, lifting my hand to silence her when she wanted to speak "You think because I'm desperate, I'll take anything, is that it?," I simply lost it "Even if it's dangerous. Even if it puts me at risk." I continue
"Hey, don't say that. It's not fair," Cynthia said, stunned. "I was trying to help."
"No," I snapped. "You are trying to sell me. Do you know what family you're suggesting I work for?"
Silence engulfs us. Cynthia opened her mouth, then closed it again. For once, she doesn't cajole me, or sympathize with me, or even encourage me. The silence is deafening. I walk away to continue working, deliberately keeping my distance from Cynthia.
Left to my thoughts while I work, my anger dies down as I revisit our conversation. Does she really want to sell or help me? Should I take it?