Adored by the Alpha

STEPHANIE 

It is almost 8 pm, and I'm still working. In the next few minutes, I will be able to go home. I am exhausted. As I carry the next order to the bald man at the other end of the room, I feel my legs start to buckle. Marin isn't going to let me off easy on this one. 

"There you go," I say as I place his order before him. 

It is an apple pie and a cup of espresso. He nods slightly and smiles at me. His face looks creepy as his face brightens with the smile. This isn't something he should do often. 

"Enjoy the rest of your evening," I try to say nicely, but my voice breaks before I can complete my sentence. 

I hurry towards the back door and sigh as I place the tray on the countertop. Standing before me dressed in an apron is Britney. She still looks so energetic despite working all day. I'm usually lucky to come around by 2 pm. But the disadvantage is that I don't get off until 8 pm. Marin always tells me he isn't ready to harbor a lazy type. 

Juggling college and this job isn't as easy as everybody thinks it is. Britney, who is saving up to go to college next year, is usually excited when I arrive for work and asks me a lot about college. I get irked often by her unbelievable questions. 

"You look like you are about to pass out,"  Britney says. 

She understands. Another hour in here and I would be in the ER. I can feel the beard of sweat gathering on my forehead. I wipe them off with the back of my palm and lean further into the counter. 

Just then, the door swings open and Marin walks in. He is dressed in the restaurant's attire, a white shirt with red stripes at the sleeves and a pair of white pants. His reddened face doesn't compliment his short blonde hair and brown eyes. I can tell he is upset. 

"Stephanie!" He yells which startles me.  

 I hold my chest as my heart thumps hard against my rib cage. 

"There is a customer out there waiting to be served," he says. "Get your ass back in there."

"But I'm almost off the clock," I point out. 

"You aren't off the clock until you're off the clock. So get your lazy ass back in there."

I roll my eyes in annoyance and grab my notepad that is by the counter. I walk past Marin and all I can smell is the putrid stench of his sweat. My body shudders in disgust. 

I walk into the room and my eyes scan it. I sigh as I realize I didn't ask for the table that needed assistance. My eyes catch an arm raised. It's the table by the window. 

I bite my lower lip and look at the clock above my head. Five minutes to eight. 

Just one more order, I told myself. 

I walk to the table flipping through my notepad. As I arrive, I pull out the pen from my breast pocket without looking at the customer. 

"Welcome to Backdoor Grill, what can I get you?" I ask. 

"Just a drink," a smooth male voice says.