"Uy! Boss!"
Max straightened from behind the counter when he saw Simon walk in. His grin widened the moment he noticed Ayisha standing a step behind him.
"Ohhh. Yung jowa ni boss."
Simon exhaled sharply. "She's not my girlfriend." He stepped aside slightly. "She's here to work."
"Weh?" Max raised a brow, clearly unconvinced.
Simon ignored the tone. "Her name is Ayisha."
Ayisha stepped forward and gave a small, polite bow. "Hello."
Max blinked, slightly thrown off by her formality. "Ay, seryoso pala."
Simon shot him a look. "Behave."
Max laughed and wiped his hands on his apron before offering one for a handshake. "Max. Assistant manager. Sometimes chef. Sometimes taga-linis. Depende sa trip ni boss."
Ayisha chuckled then shook his hand lightly. "Nice to meet you."
Simon moved behind the counter and glanced at the clock. "We open in twenty minutes. I'll show you around."
Max leaned closer to Ayisha and lowered his voice dramatically. "Good luck. Strict 'yan."
"I can hear you," Simon said flatly.
Max only grinned wider.
Simon gestured toward the back. "Come on, kid."
She followed without argument.
Behind them, Max called out, "Boss, sure ka talagang hindi jowa?"
Simon didn't even turn around this time. "Max."
"Okay, okay!"
From the kitchen doorway, Carla peeked out. "Ito ba 'yung lagi mong sinusundo, boss?"
Simon exhaled. "Can we not do this?"
Carla laughed and wiped her hands on her apron before stepping forward. "Relax lang. We're just curious."
Ayisha glanced at Simon, amused. "You didn't tell me I'd be interviewed."
"You're not," Simon said quickly. Then to the staff, "She's here to help out. That's it."
Dwayne stepped out from behind the counter. "What position?"
Simon looked at Ayisha. "Kitchen assistant for now. Prep, plating, basic orders. We'll see from there."
Ayisha nodded. "Just tell me what to do."
Angelo tilted his head. "You've worked in a kitchen before?"
"Yeah," she answered simply. "Small place. Nothing fancy."
"Good," Carla said. "Because we don't babysit."
Ayisha smiled lightly. "I'm not asking you to."
Simon clapped his hands once, redirecting the energy. "Okay. Back to work."
The staff slowly dispersed, though Max still smirked as he passed Simon. "Boss, ah."
Simon ignored him.
Ayisha leaned slightly toward Simon. "They're fun."
"They're nosy," he corrected.
She shrugged. "Same thing."
He handed her an apron. "Tie your hair properly. Wash your hands. I'll show you the prep station."
She took the apron, fingers brushing him briefly. Neither reacted.
As she tied it around her waist, Max called out from the sink, "Uy Ayisha, pag napagalitan ka, normal lang 'yan ha. Strict 'yan si boss."
Ayisha raised an eyebrow at Simon "yeah yeah"
"You don't need to repeat that again, Max. I'm only strict when needed," he replied.
"Good," she said. "I don't like being underestimated."
Simon studied her for half a second now, not teasing.
"You won't be," he said.
There was no softness in his tone this time. Just something steady.
Ayisha nodded once.
"Okay," Simon continued, stepping aside so she could move past him toward the prep table. "Let's see what you can do."