What does she mean she doesn't have parents? Charles thought, leaning back in his chair as his pen hovered above a half-marked paper. Is she joking with me? Does she think I'm a fool? The memory of her tear-streaked face from earlier lingered in his mind, irritating him more than it should. He shook his head and pushed the thought away, but it kept clawing back.
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The smell of roasted beef and fried onions filled the small restaurant that evening. Ava stood by one of the tables, her hand moving in slow, practiced circles as she wiped it down with a damp cloth.
Her waitress uniform was plain but neat, an oversized white shirt tucked into a black skirt that reached just above her knees, paired with a thin apron tied tightly around her waist. Her dark hair was pulled back into a messy bun, a few strands falling loose to frame her tired face. Shadows ringed her eyes, the kind that came not from staying up late by choice, but from endless responsibilities that drained every ounce of her strength.
The door chimed.
Ava looked up, and froze.
There they were.
Britney walked in first, the click of her high heels sharp against the tiled floor. She wore a short, tight red dress that clung to her curves, a silver necklace glinting against her pale skin. Her makeup was flawless, her hair falling in waves down her shoulders. She looked every bit like a woman used to attention, and hungry for more.
Charles followed closely behind her, a leather jacket hanging effortlessly off his broad shoulders. He wore black loose-fit jeans and boots, his outfit simple yet commanding, as if it were stitched to match the sharp lines of his handsome face. His expression was unreadable, but his presence alone turned heads.
Ava's hand stilled mid-wipe, the cloth clenched between her fingers. Her breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest so loudly she feared the whole restaurant could hear it. They look so perfect together... no wonder the whole school ships them... She bit her lower lip hard. Are they... lovers?
"Ava," Mia's voice called.
Ava turned. Her co-worker, Mia, stood by the counter scribbling down an order. She had caramel skin, sharp brown eyes, and hair tied neatly into a braided ponytail that swished when she moved. Even with her casual uniform, Mia carried herself with confidence. She gestured toward Charles and Britney with a slight tilt of her chin. "Take care of them, will you?"
Ava's stomach dropped. What?! I can't possibly take care of them... They're my teachers... What will they think of me?
Her hand tightened on the cloth until her knuckles turned pale. She cast a desperate glance toward the other waiters, hoping one of them would intervene, but none looked her way.
And then, as if fate enjoyed mocking her, Charles made his move.
He walked ahead of Britney and deliberately sat on the very table Ava had just been wiping, his weight creaking against the chair as he leaned back casually. His eyes locked on hers, the faintest hint of amusement curling at his lips. He didn't bother pulling out a chair for Britney.
"So you work here?" His voice was smooth but dripping with a smug satisfaction. He picked up the menu from the center of the table, flipping it open as though this were just another game to him.
Ava froze, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly, but no words came out. She began fiddling nervously with her fingers, the tips trembling against one another. I guess I don't have any other choice...
Britney let out a sharp sigh when she realized no chair had been pulled out for her. Clicking her tongue, she dragged one herself and sat down beside Charles, looping her arms around his possessively. He didn't even glance at her, his attention still fixed on the menu.
"What do you want to eat, Charles?" Britney asked, her voice smooth, coaxing.
He ignored her completely, eyes scanning the menu as if she wasn't even there.
Ava quickly pulled a small, worn-out notebook from her apron pocket, her hands shaking slightly as she flipped it open. She always carried it because she sometimes forgot orders if there were too many. Her pencil hovered above the page, ready.
Britney noticed, and smirked cruelly.
"You know," she said, her voice carrying enough for nearby tables to hear, "you should be studying right now. Your parents should be the ones working at this hour, not you." She tapped her manicured nail against the table, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It's eight-thirty. Don't you have exams tomorrow?"
Ava froze. Her chest tightened, her heart twisting painfully at the mention of parents she no longer had. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, trying not to let the pain show. If only you knew...
"I already studied," she managed softly, her grip tightening around the notebook until her fingers turned stiff. Forcing her voice to sound polite, she asked, "May I take your order?"
Charles finally looked up at her, a grin tugging at his lips as though he enjoyed the way she squirmed under Britney's words.
"We'll have a medium-rare steak with mashed potatoes, one grilled salmon with lemon butter, and two glasses of red wine," he said casually, snapping the menu shut and sliding it toward her.
Ava scribbled quickly, her brow furrowed in concentration. But her nerves got the better of her, and she stammered slightly. "You said... salmon, um... with sauce, and... mashed potatoes?"
Charles opened his mouth, about to repeat himself slowly, almost generously, when-
BAM!
Britney slammed her fist onto the table, startling not only Ava but a few nearby diners.
"Seriously?" she snapped. "Something this simple and you can't get it through your mind?"
Ava's eyes widened, her entire body flinching at the outburst. Her pencil slipped from her grasp, clattering loudly against the floor. Heat rose to her cheeks, her hands trembling as she bent quickly to pick it up.
Charles's head turned sharply toward Britney, his expression hard. His voice dropped low, laced with irritation. "Hey. I don't mind repeating the damn order. You're the one who wanted this much food." His words were sharper than usual, each syllable cutting with disdain.
Britney only smirked, leaning back in her chair with satisfaction as she watched Ava struggle. She clearly enjoyed making the girl miserable.
"I need to see the manager right now," Britney said coolly, as though Ava's existence was nothing more than an inconvenience to her.
Ava's and Charles' eyes widened at the mention of the manager, though Ava's heart nearly stopped.
"No... please, don't do this," Ava begged, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry I couldn't memorize the meal... If he could just repeat it-"
But before Ava could finish, Britney cut her off, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
"I demand to see the manager! Where is he?!" Britney's shrill voice echoed through the restaurant. She slammed her fist on the table again, making cutlery rattle. Heads turned. Every customer in the room was now staring.
What if she really doesn't have parents? Charles thought, unsettled despite himself. What if she actually is alone?
Charles suddenly stood, towering over Britney. His jaw tightened, eyes blazing with frustration.
"Enough! It's not her fault she didn't memorize it. Stop being such a damn bitch and sit the hell down! People are staring."
A gasp rippled across the restaurant. Ava flinched at his words, but before she could even process the relief of him stepping in, her own body betrayed her. She dropped to her knees in front of Britney.
Charles' head snapped down to her. "Stand up right now, Ava," he ordered sharply.
But she didn't move. Her trembling hands clutched her little notebook to her chest, her voice breaking.
"Please don't call the manager... I need this job," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. I can't lose this job. Not now. That $7,000 that man gave me... it won't last forever. If I get fired, I might actually end up on the streets...
Britney's lips curled into a cruel smirk, but before she could twist the knife, a furious voice cut through the restaurant.
"What the hell is going on out here?!"
Dane, the manager, stormed out of his office. His broad frame cast a shadow over the room as he shoved the door closed behind him with a bang. His sharp eyes scanned the restaurant until they landed on Ava kneeling on the ground. His rage was immediate.
"Ava!" he barked, marching over. "What is the meaning of this circus?!"
Ava couldn't even look at him. Her tears slipped silently down her cheeks, and she kept her gaze on the floor.
"You're the manager?" Britney said sweetly, though venom laced her tone. She pointed at Ava. "Your little waitress doesn't even know how to take a simple order. She was rude, distracted, and nearly spilled on us. Honestly, this girl is a disgrace to your restaurant."
Charles' fists clenched under the table. His patience snapped.
"Don't listen to her crap, Dane!" he snapped. "She's twisting everything. She's the one causing a scene here."
But Dane's anger had already fastened onto Ava. His face twisted in disappointment.
"You had the nerve to ask me for a raise last week, and this is how you treat my customers?"
Ava's head shot up, her lips parting. A raise? I never asked for that... why is he lying? But the words froze in her throat. Her whole body trembled, her tears blurring her vision. Why does everyone enjoy seeing me miserable? What did I ever do to deserve this?
Dane crouched down in front of her and roughly tilted her chin upward, forcing her to look at him. His tone was a low growl.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you. I've had enough. You're fired. Take your things and get out."
The room fell silent. Ava's ears rang with the sound of her world crashing. Fired.
Her lips trembled, but no words came. She turned her eyes desperately toward Charles, silently begging him to intervene. But he just sat there, his hand gripping the menu so tightly his knuckles whitened. Shit... I can't watch this... he thought, but the cowardice of doing nothing kept him frozen.
Britney smirked wider, relishing Ava's destruction. "Well? What are you waiting for?" she mocked.
Ava bit down on her lower lip so hard it nearly bled. With a trembling hand, she untied her apron and handed it to Mia, who had been watching in horror.
"Take care of them, will you?" Ava whispered hoarsely.
Mia's jaw dropped, her fists clenching. She muttered under her breath, "Ain't no way I'm serving that bitch." But Ava was already slipping out of the restaurant, her tears falling freely. Mia threw down her tray and ran after her.
The room buzzed with whispers. Britney sat down with satisfaction written all over her face, her red dress clinging to her body like victory.
But then Charles' chair scraped violently against the floor. His glare was deadly as it fixed on Britney.
"You make me sick," he spat, his voice low and venomous. "You humiliated a student for your own entertainment. You're nothing but a pathetic parasite who feeds off other people's pain. After tonight, don't you dare come near me again. I mean it, don't even breathe in my direction."
Britney's smirk faltered, shock flashing in her eyes.
But Charles was already storming out, his leather jacket swinging behind him.
"Charles! Wait-" Britney scrambled up, heels clicking against the tiles. But he didn't stop. He didn't even look back.
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