A Partner For The Rich Playboy

CLAIRE.

The old couple I served forty minutes ago smiled at me before leaving the restaurant and I smiled back. I waved cheerfully at them and glanced around the restaurant to check if the nice guy I'd served like an hour ago was still here,and sure he was still here but he didn't really take much of his food, as most of his attention was on his phone.

He has been coming here frequently and as luck would have it, I've been the one at his service most of the time. We've never had a real long conversation, I only smile at him(a smile he doesn't return) after exchanging brief pleasantries then I have the formal conversation I'm supposed to have with him afterwards.

He's obviously rich. I could see that from his attire,not always a business like attire, but come on,you know how much those shoes cost? Or his wrist watch? Or his phone? He looks simple and yet managed to show off some sophistication. He easily passed as the most handsome male here.

He looked up and our eyes met. Shit! He caught me staring, again. I smiled at him and waved,he didn't smile back as usual but at least I got a brief wave before he left. My eyes were glued to his back as he walked out smartly. Something I do all the time. There's nothing too special about him. He's tall, handsome and rich, those are things I've seen in a lot of guys, but I think my curious self just wanna know more about the guy who doesn't really smile.

There's a problem. How can I know more about him when all we do is exchange waves once in while and say a simple hi to each other,let's not forget he doesn't smile back at me. He looks like a cool guy living a simple life anyways, but is that really the case?

******

I typed away on my phone as I walked swiftly and exhaled. I don't want to be late to work today just the way I was late yesterday and the day before yesterday,the same thing is happening today again. My boss has been ranting and I've been doing what I'm not used to doing often,guess what that is? A

Giving apologies. Yeah, I apologise to her every damn time I get to work late.

She's gonna scream red liquids today just to scold me about my lateness and make screeching sounds strong enough to destroy my ears just to make her firing threats very solid.

I'm currently sending a text to my friend at work to cover up for me. I glanced up to flag down a cab but saw none passing by,they probably passed when my attention was on my phone. I glanced down back to my phone, expecting a reply from my friend,but none came.

I would've loved to give him a call,but he would not answer his calls because phone calls are prohibited during work hours. I sent him another text, hoping he'd check his phone this time around,then my head collided with something hard, something I immediately recognized as a guy's chest, I've had smashes on a lot and lot of guys solid chest than I can count.

In highschool,I was known as the girl who likes to kiss people's chest, especially guys' chest,and that happens because I don't always have my focus on where I'm heading to,it's either I'm typing away on my phone and nervously checking the time or I'm engrossed in a conversation with someone.

"Oh Fuck" I mumbled as my face met with the sturdy chest. I took two steps backwards and looked up at the guy.

He was really tall as I had to really look up to get a clear view of his face,then I realized he was someone I've seen before,he used to come to the restaurant I work in the past and then voom! He disappeared! I never saw him again since the last time I thought about the kind of life he has,if it's really the simple life everyone thinks it is, or another type of life entirely.

He exhaled as our eyes connected, but I couldn't see the usual slight friendliness in them. They were cold. Hard. Stony. I would've said a hi to him but his expression made me stop.

"Watch where you going, alright?" He said with a raspy voice and glanced at his phone.

I stood on the spot trying to understand what just happened.

Did we have issues in the past?

I looked at him again to meet his eyes just the way it used to sometimes ago, but this time,the coldness in his green eyes made the eye contact different from the one we had in the restaurant.

He walked past me without a word and left me standing speechlessly. I turned my body to stare at his back, temporarily forgetting my lateness to work. His manly figure was impressive but his character just now was nothing to write home about.

I shook my head and headed to my place of work.

*****

I managed to smile at the customers,even the impolite ones just because I'm trying to impress my boss. She'd warned me severally to make my lack of punctuality the last time it would be happening. I promised it would be the last time but deep down in me I wondered if I could stick to the promise as I have a lot of things I do everyday.

I barely had time to talk to my friend, Terry. He's a cook in the restaurant while I'm a waitress.

"What would you like to take sir?" I asked the man who arrived seconds ago, smiling sweetly at him.

I took his order. He's grumpy, but I still managed to serve him without declaring a war.

Thank God.

You see, I need to get awarded for my patience sometimes.

I quickly walked to another table, feeling my boss's hawk eyes on me as I walked around. She's expecting just a single mistake from me in my customer service, I know she is expecting that, but I won't give her that satisfaction.

As I came near a customer's table,I began to wonder why there are lots of people today at the restaurant. It looked like they wanted me to arrive here before rushing in.

"What would you like to take sir?" I asked after greeting and not getting a response,I'm used to that.

He had his eyes on his phone and when he looked up,I almost wanted to pluck his eyes out,but unfortunately for me and fortunately for the guy, I'm under my boss's watchful eyes. If I do something crazy,I would be the one getting my eyes plucked out instead, so I stretched my lips to form a smile against my wish.

This was the guy I met on my way here less than an hour ago,I think he's back to dining here again.

His green eyes softened a bit when we made eye contact,but the softness was gone as soon as it appeared,while my fake smile still remained on my face.

"What would....?"

"I heard you the first time" He cut me off rudely like I was the cause of his problems.

"You acted like you didn't hear me" I retorted sharply.

"Well you acted like I was deaf or something"

For fucks sake, Maybe you are.

I wanted to reply with the words above but swallowed the words, shutting my eyes and silently asking God for patience. I'm not in a good mood myself.

I took his order after he kept me waiting for minutes before finally leaving him alone with his problems.

All nice guys aren't really nice afterall.