Chapter 18
Maria's ( P. O. V. )
I woke up and did my usual morning routine, after I finished showering and putting my clothes on, I walked out of my room, went straight to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast for Isabella and I.
Once I finished making breakfast, I placed the pancakes with honey and strawberries on the table, since Isabella was 4 years old I never needed to wake her up, she would wake up and get dressed on her own, that's the advantage of giving birth to a Child Genius.
"Isabella breakfast is ready." I announced.
"Okay, Mom." she answered, I placed two glasses of orange juice on the table.
She strided out of her room already dressed in her school uniform and had her backpack in her hand just like usual and I smiled.
"Come sit down and have breakfast." I responded, she nodded and sat on the chair, she took her fork and started eating her pancake.
"Mum, can I come to the hotel with Aunt Carla after school today?" Isabella asked while she had a slice of pancake in her mouth.
"Yeah, okay, but don't talk with food in your mouth that's bad manners." I reprimanded.
"Thank you mommy, I'm sorry I won't do it again, I want to go see Mr Blue eyes." she stated, drinking her glass of juice.
"Who? Who's Mr Blue eyes?" I asked, confused.
"Mum, Mr Blue eyes is the man that I was stuck in the elevator with." she informed.
"Oh, him." I sighed, tired of hearing her talk about him.
"Yeah mom, I want you to meet him." she restated.
"Yeah, of course, I wanna meet him too, I want to thank him for taking good care of you." I smiled, pinching her cheek.
She smiled.
"And I also want to see his dog." she remarked.
"Huh, his name is Leo right." I recalled from our last conversation.
"Yes, how do you know that?" she questioned, surprised.
"Because you told me, Isabella." I replied, rolling my eyes. When she likes something or someone she'll always talk about that, it's annoying sometimes.
"Oh, yeah I forget I told you about him yesterday." she smiled sheepishly.
"Mmm." I simply hummed a response.
"Mum." she started, smiling.
"Yes, Isabella what do you want princess?" I asked.
Whenever she begans her sentence calling me "Mum" sweetly... I know she wants something from me.
"Mum, can you uh, buy me a dog, or just a puppy. A little one, please Mommy." she pleaded, her palms together.
"Isabella, we talked about this, I'm not gonna buy you a dog or a puppy or any animal for that matter, I'm tired of you asking me." I scolded, annoyed. This is why I don't like her going to the hotel, one time she saw a Lady with a bird and she wanted the exact same one, next thing she'll want will be a Giraffe. I'm tired, I'm trying my hardest to get her into the Child Genius School, but here she is asking for a dog.
"But Mom -" I cut her off.
"But nothing Isabella, I'm stress out here trying to get you into that Child Genius School and you want me to get you a dog. Are you serious? I don't wanna hear anything anymore, just finish your breakfast quickly or you'll miss your school bus, okay." I chastised, in a serious tone.
"Okay." she replied, with a sad expression on her face. She continued eating her food, I took her backpack and checked if all her books were in there, even though I never needed to check because Isabella has always been organized, but I just didn't want to watch her eat or I'll cry, I hate seeing Isabella sad but sometimes, you gotta be harsh to get the point across, especially to a child like Isabella, she's very intelligent but sometimes that intelligence just goes in her head, and she thinks she's entitled to everything.
"Mum, I'm done eating." she announced, her plate in her hand.
"Put the plate in the sink." I told her.
"Okay, mom." she responded and placed the plate in the sink. she washed her hands and turned towards me.
"Mummy, I'm sorry if I made you angry. I thought since I'm not a little girl anymore you would buy me a dog." she apologised, her head bowed, fiddling with her fingers.
"Isabella, it's not about you being little or not, it's about money. I have a lot of priorities right now, I have to pay a lot of bills and I also need to get you enrolled in the Child Genius School and that costs money, even if I do buy you a dog which I won't, you won't be able to take good care of it, because you'll mostly be at school and I'll be at work so we can't leave a dog alone here at home." I explained.
"Now do you understand why I don't want to get you a dog or any pet." I continued, she looked at me with her bright blue eyes.
"Yes Mummy, will you please forgive me I'm really sorry." she apologised with a sad smile.
"Isabella I'm not mad at you at all, but I forgive you anyways princess, now put your backpack on." I instructed, she smiled and placed her backpack around her shoulder.
"let's go now or you'll miss your school bus." I responded, we walked out of the house and waited for her school bus.
After five minutes her bus arrived, I hugged her and kissed her cheek and she did the same.
"Have a good day at school princess and don't forget I love you." I confessed.
"I love you too Mommy, hope you have a good day too, bye." she professed, we pulled away from our embrace and she walked towards her school bus.
"Bye, princess." I said, waving at her she waved back and got inside her bus and the driver drove off. I walked back inside my house and took my purse, keys and phone. I stepped out, locked the door and then proceeded to walk to the hotel.
An hour later
I finally reached the hotel, I pushed the door open and entered. I went straight towards the maids room, walking inside, putting my uniform on and I tied my hair up in a ponytail.
"Gather around everyone I have an announcement to make." Jonathan (my boss) announced, I closed my locker and stepped out of the changing room.
All the employees were lined up in front of Jonathan and I joined the line, I'm the last member in the line.
"I'm so sorry for disturbing all of y'all from your duties, but I have something important to tell you all, that's why I called you all together." Jonathan explained and took a deep breath.
"I know you all have heard rumours of me selling the hotel, well all those rumours are true, I sold the hotel." he addressed, everyone gasped.
"Yeah, it's true I did sell the hotel and from tomorrow onwards I'll no longer be the boss of Pennsylvania hotel." he admitted.
"Don't worry everyone, I got a good replacement. I know this man is gonna take Pennsylvania hotel to the top, everyone please welcome Mr Mendez." Jonathan announced cheerfully.
Mendez.... I hope its not the one I'm thinking of right now.
Oh Gosh!!
What am I saying?
Jason would never come to New York, or here for that matter.
A man came in, I couldn't see his face properly but Jonathan started introducing each and every employee, one by one to him, so I didn't need to stress about not seeing his face.
"And this is Miss Maria Rodriguez our Maid and mid afternoon receptionists, Maria meet your new boss Mr Mendez." Jonathan introduced us, once he reached me.
OH MY GOD!!
It's Jason... His our New Boss, I can't believe it. Here he is in front of me in all his glorious form.
He looked just as surprised has I am, so I don't think he knew I work here, he stretched out his hand for me to shake and I hesitated a little but then I ended up giving him a handshake. We stared at each other, his eyes were blank I can't read what his thinking about. I can't tell whether his angry, happy, sad, frustrated.
I can't tell at all, before I would be able to know what he was thinking just by looking into his eyes, but now, it's like I don't know him anymore, it's like his not the Jason I knew and loved. He stared at me blankly, our hand shake lingered for a while then I pulled my hand away.
"Nice to meet you Mr Mendez." I stated, acting like I've never seen him in my entire life, but of course he saw right through me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too Miss..." he paused.
"Maria, Miss Maria Rodriguez." I continued for him.
"Oh, Maria Rodriguez, okay." he restated, with his finger on his temple pretending to not know my name.
"Well okay since all of you have seen and met your new boss, you all can go back to work." Jonathan dismissed us all.
"Well, Mr IsIas we want our new boss to say a speech." Samuel our door man suggested.
"Mr Mendez, would you like to say a speech for your fellow employees." Jonathan inquired.
"Okay, I have no problem with that." Jason answered, with a smile.
He walked towards the front where he could see everyone.
"Well huh, I don't know what to say. Okay, uh, I know you all know who I am. I'm a businessman, I'm the boss of Mendez Corporation, so I'm not familiar with the hotel way of business but I give you my word that I'll make sure Pennsylvania Hotel reach the top and my word is golden." Jason professed, glancing at all the employees.
All the employees clapped including me, he always had a way with words, that's his gift.
"Okay, everyone you may now go do your duties." Jonathan responded.
Everyone walkedout of the maids room and proceeded to go do they duties, I was on my way out when Jonathan called me and I turned to look at him.
"Maria, I want to talk to you and Mr Mendez, in his soon to be office." he requested.
"Huh, why?" I asked nervously, I don't want to be in the same room has Jason, not now not ever.
"Well, I want to tell the New boss about all the favours I did for you." Jonathan informed.
What? Why?
Oh my Gosh!!
The favour... He allowed me to work here while I was pregnant.
If Jason finds out I was pregnant then.... no I can't let him out anything.
"What favours did you do for Maria?" Jason asked, gritting his teeth.
"Mr Mendez we'll all talk about this in your office, may we go please." Jonathan suggested, laying his hand on Jason's shoulder.
His so scared of Jason... Haha!!
Anyway Jason calmed down and we all went to his office.
I'm so nervous... I don't want Jason to find out I was pregnant. I can't let that happen. I know it's wrong separate a father from his daughter but I'm helpless. I can't let him find out he has a daughter because if he does his gonna take her away from me. I know it.
I know how Jason can be when is angry. I can't let that happen. I've been through a lot to let my daughter be taken away from me, even if it's by her own father...
Jason opened the door to his new office and I pulled Jonathan's hand before he could enter the office with Jason.
"Maria, what the heck!" he shouted, totally shocked.
"Jonathan you can't tell Jason I was pregnant when you hired me to work here, you can't tell him I was pregnant please. Please don't tell him. Please for the love you once had for me. Please don't tell him." I begged, my palms together.
"Maria you know how much I love you I'll never stop loving you even if you don't feel the same way, don't worry I won't tell him that you were pregnant when I hired you don't worry." he confessed, caressing my cheek.
He told me about his feelings for me a few weeks after I gave birth to Isabella. When I came back to work from maternity leave, I told him the same day he told me that I didn't feel the same way and my only focus and the only love of my life is Isabella, he was upset about what I said but he said he was gonna change my mind, but unfortunately for him he hasn't.
"Are you guys gonna come in or stand outside here touching each others faces?" Jason remarked, his eyes on me and Jonathan removed his hand from my cheek.
We walked inside the office and I sat down in the chair next to Jonathan while Jason sat in front of us.
"So what favours did you do for Maria?" Jason asked, immediately.
"We going right into it uh." Jonathan questioned.
"I don't see why we should wait." Jason stated, in his serious tone.
"Well Maria was pregnant, when she came to apply for a job here." Jonathan began, I can't believe he said that he promised me that he wouldn't say anything.
Oh Geez... What am I gonna say now?
"What, she was pregnant!" Jason exclaimed, shocked out of his mind.
"Yes, she needed money to provide for her and her baby, so she came her and she begged me for a job. I hired her and offered to be the father of the baby, which she accepted." Jonathan continued.
Oh Dear... I'm dead.
Jason's gonna kill me. I shouldn't have woke up this morning.... My life's over.
"You care about her don't you? Because nobody would wanna claim responsibility of a child that's not their's." Jason remarked, his eyes on Jonathan.
"I don't only care about her I love her, look at her, they is no way you can't be enchanted by her beauty." Jonathan professed.
Is he trying to make Jason beat the hell out of him or what?
I can see Jason is burning with anger hearing him say those words about me... But can't he see that, all he sees is my "Enchanting beauty."
"Yeah, she's really beautiful." Jason admitted, staring at me like his gonna eat me up.
"Well, when she gave birth to the baby, unfortunately the baby was stillborn." Jonathan revealed and my jaw literally dropped.
I can't believe he said that...
"Oh my, I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby, Maria." Jason responded.
Wow!! He believes it...and he calls himself... "The Boss Of Mendez Corporation." Haha!!
I just nodded, if I were to say anything I would definitely laugh. This is so hilarious, I can't believe he believed everything Jonathan said.
"Why don't you wanna say something?" Jason asked.
Oh Dear, what should I say?
"Uh, well Jonathan said it all." I simply replied.
Wow!! Maria good quick thinking... You should be called "The Boss Of Mendez Corporation" instead of Jason.
"Well, that's all I wanted to tell you Mr Mendez about Maria, so Maria you may go do your duties." Jonathan stated.
I nodded and stood up, my eyes landed on Jason he had a sad and sorrowful look in his eyes like he wanted to cry or something.
Is he feeling sorry for me...
Wow!! Jonathan's lie worked perfectly.
"Goodbye Mr Mendez." I said to Jason he nodded his head in response. I walked out of the office and took the elevator to the second floor. I took my cart and started my work, I have a long day ahead of me.
7 hours later
I finished my duties and it was my time to leave anyway, I went to the maids room and changed from my receptionists attire to the clothes I came in with.
Jason and I haven't seen each other since earlier this morning, in his office. I was about to leave the maids room when Jonathan approached me.
"Are you leaving??" he asked.
"Yes and I wanted to say thank you for not telling Jason the truth even though you made up such a big lie, to cover up the truth, I appreciate it." I stated, sincerely.
He smiled.
"Don't worry about it, I did it because I really love you and Isabella and I'd do it again if I had to." he remarked.
I smiled.
"Speaking of Isabella I have to go home and check up on her she said she was gonna come to the hotel today with Carla, I don't know why she's not here, I'll go home and check." I responded.
"Okay, bye." he replied and hugged me, I hugged him back.
"Bye." I acknowledged and pulled away from our embrace I walked out of the maids room and exited the hotel. I took a cab home and sat inside the cab.
I wonder why Isabella didn't come to the hotel...
I hope everything's okay.
Carla hasn't called me.
I checked my call logs on my phone and Carla's name isn't there.
I hope everything's alright...
30 minutes later
I finally reached home, I paid and thanked the cab driver, I walked to my house and opened the door and Isabella greeted me with a warm hug.
"Welcome back home Mommy." she greeted, sweetly. I'm so glad she's okay, well she looks okay to me.
"Thank you princess, how was your day at school, I hope it was okay." I responded, she pulled away from our hug and led me to the couch she sat me down and she sat down also.
"Mum school was fine, how are you I know you must be tired, let me take your bag, should I heat up dinner for you, you must be hungry." she rambled, all in one breath.
Wow!!
"I didn't realized that you talked so much." I remarked and she laughed.
I love hearing her laughter...
"Mum, I'm asking because you always take care of me so I wanted to take care of you for a while, cause I know you gonna go to work again." she stated, her face saddening.
I caressed her cheek.
"Don't be sad princess, you know that I'd love to spend the whole night cuddling with you, but I have to work to provide for us, to pay bills and also to buy all the staff, my princess needs, this is all for you princess." I explained.
"Mum I know, that's why sometimes I wish I wasn't born so you wouldn't need to suffer and break your back to provide for me." she blurted out, her head bowed.
"No, no princess I don't want you to ever think that way, you know that if you weren't inside my belly I would have died, princess you are my purpose for living, you are my motivation, my inspiration, if I don't have you I might as well be dead." I exclaimed, meaning every word.
"Mum, please don't say that." she whispered.
"Princess don't you say that either, because you are my life, never forget that okay." I proclaimed.
She nodded, tears spilling from her eyes.
"I love you mummy." she expressed and I hugged her.
"I love you too, Angel." I replied.
When she was born I named her Isabella Angela Rodriguez, the name Angela because she is my Angel.
She pulled away from our embrace and smiled.
"Mummy, you never call me Angel only when you sad, Mummy what's wrong?" she asked.
She knows me so well.... I always call her Angel when I'm sad, it's kind off a thing I do that I never realised up till now. It kinda made me feel better to call her Angel it's like she's my Guardian Angel, when ever she says something she was always able to cheer me up since she was born.
She's my Angel, I've never felt this close to a person. I was really close with Jason but not as close has I am with Isabella, she knows what I'm thinking about just by looking at me. I love her to bits.
"Princess, why didn't you come to the hotel, you told me you were gonna come?" I asked.
"Oh, Aunt Carla was working late so she just decided to bring me home and I agreed because I knew you were on your way home." she explained.
"Oh, okay. I was so worried, I thought something bad happened to you." I stated.
"You didn't need to be." she remarked.
"So where is your Aunt?" I asked.
"She's in the bathroom." she replied, fiddling with the strands of her hair.
"Oh, okay, did you do your homework?" I questioned.
"Duh! I always do my homework." she responded.
I smiled.
"Okay, did you eat?" I inquired.
"No, I was waiting for you." she replied.
"Okay, let's go make you something to eat so you can go to bed, little Missy." I stated, she nodded and smiled.
I prepared Lasagna for Isabella, Carla and I. Carla came out of the bathroom, while I was preparing the dish, she said she smelt something nice so she came out immediately. While we were all eating, I asked Isabella to stop going to the hotel for a while and she started asking questions, I told her that she should just come home, she didn't say anything, after Isabella ate she went to brush her teeth.
"Mummy, I'm done brushing my teeth." she responded.
"Okay, Princess, let's go and lay you to bed." I remarked and she smiled.
We walked inside her room, I read her favourite bedtime story, " The fault in our stars."
I know this book isn't for a six year old, but she loves the book. I've grown to like it too. It's very lovely story, she always reads the book when she's bored.
Once she slept, I covered her up, kissed her cheek and whispered my favourite words to her.
"I love you Princess." I always say that to her. I left her lamp light on, she's scared of the dark, like her mommy.
I closed her door behind me and went to sit next to Carla on the couch.
"Tired huh?" Carla asked.
"Exhausted." I expressed.
"I almost died today." I exaggerated.
"What! what happened?" she asked with wide eyes.
"Well, I told you that they were rumours of Jonathan selling the hotel." I began.
"Yeah, I remember you told me, so what about it?" she asked all ears, so interested in the topic.
"Well, guess who the new boss of the hotel is?" I asked.
She leaned in.
"Who?" she questioned.
"I said guess." I stated, trying to make the situation fun but she was not the kind to joke around, at times like these I miss Lola.
"Why do I have to guess?" she asked irritatedly.
"Because I asked you too, duh!" I replied, rolling my eyes in annoyance.
"Okay, uh, I don't know, just tell who it is." she responded.
"Jason." I simply answered.
"Mendez." she continued.
"Yes, the one and only Jason Mendez." I acknowledged.
"No, way, how is he here in New York?" she asked.
"I don't know, I'm really confused, I wonder what made him come here, but forget about that for now, just imagine if you and Isabella came to the hotel today and he saw you two that would've been a disaster." I implied.
"I know, thank God, I was working late today, but I just think you should tell him the truth, he has a daughter, you and him have a child together, that should be a blessing that you two should celebrate, I know you have your reasons why you don't want him to find out the truth but listen to me, you'll regret not telling him the truth, his Isabella's father, they is no way you can separate them for long, the universe will bring them together no matter what, God knows why you hiding this secret but your daughter deserves to know who her father is, you can't take that away from her, you always said that you love seeing her happy then tell her who her father is and then see how happy she'll be." Carla advised.
"Carla, I'm gonna be late for work, let me go and call Mrs Antonia to look after Isabella for me, you can wait her if you want, I'll be right back." I countered, glancing at my watch and standing up, I don't wanna continue hearing her talk about me telling Jason that we have a child, I already made my decision, Jason will never find out that he has a daughter and Isabella will never find out that she has a father, it's for the best.
"Okay, I know you suddenly wanna go because you know I'm right, but you go ahead you'll learn the hard way, secrets don't last forever, just know that." she admitted, I just left her on the couch and walked out of my house and went to the house across the street.
Once I reached the house, I knocked on the door and waited, the door opened the second time I knocked.
"Hello Maria, how are you?" Mrs Antonia greeted.
"Hi Mrs Antonia, I'm fine and you." I asked smiling.
"I'm okay, are you going to work, now?" she asked.
"Yes, I was wondering if you could, take care of Isabella for me again?" I requested, she always looked after Isabella when I had to go to work at night, I know Isabella is asleep, but I can't leave her alone at home.
"Don't worry Maria, as usually, I will take care of Isabella, you don't need to worry okay, you just go to work and come home safe." she accepted and I smiled, she has helped me so much, I wouldn't have been able to fend for myself, if it wasn't for her.
"How can I repay you Mrs Antonia for all the things you helped me with." I questioned.
She smiled.
"Don't sweat it honey, I'm doing this because I care about you and little Isabella, now go quickly or you'll be late for work remember." she remarked, I smiled and nodde.
I quickly went back to my house andΒ opened the door and Carla was still on the couch.
"Are you gonna stay here?" I asked.
"No, I was thinking of dropping you off at work and going back home, are you ready?" she suggested.
"Yeah I am, let's go." I agreed, taking my phone, purse and keys.
The door opened and Mrs Antonia walked in, she smiled at Carla.
"Okay Mrs Antonia, we going now, please take care of my princess." I requested.
"Don't worry, I will." she replied and I smiled.
After we said our goodbyes to Mrs Antonia, we walked out and Carla drove me to the Restaurant where I work.
After half an hour we reached the restaurant and I got out of the car.
"Thank you so much for the ride Carla, see you tomorrow, bye." I thanked.
"You welcome, see you tomorrow, bye." she replied, we waved at each other and she drove out of the restaurant packing lot, I walked out of the packing lot to the entrance of Keens Steakhouse restaurant.
( Pictures of Keens Steakhouse)
I entered the restaurant and went to the counter I wore my Restaurant attire and started working.
"Maria, why are you so late, this isn't your house where you can come anytime you want." my boss, Steven Jones reprimanded, he has always been rude to me, it's because I turned him down, a few years ago, he asked me to be his girlfriend and I refused, I simply said I wasn't interested in him and he took it the wrong way and now his being a total jerk.
Anyway, his my boss and I have to respect him even though he doesn't respect me.
"I'm sorry, sir it won't happen again." I apologised.
"Of course it won't, now get back to work." he stated.
"Yes, sir." I replied.
"Maria table 3 and 8, need they drinks and food, it's on the counter." our chef Shawn Michael informed me.
"Okay, Shawn, I'll handle it." I responded,
I took the tray and placed the drinks on them and went over to table 3.
"Here are you drinks, guys." I said.
"Thank you." they replied.
"You welcome." I smiled, I went over to table 8 and placed they drinks on they table.
"Here you go ladies." I stated.
They smiled.
"Thank you so much." one of the girls thanked me.
"My pleasure." I replied, I went to the counter, placed their food on my tray and went back to table 3 and 8, and gave them they food.
Once I was done serving people they food and drinks I went inside the counter and I saw Shawn frying an egg and chopping some onions.
"Do you need any help?" I asked.
"Yes, please." he requested and I smiled. I helped him fry the eggs and chop some veges.
"Maria, go serve those guys at table 6, they're important clients, make sure they get the best service." my boss ordered.
"Okay, sir." I answered, politely.
I took my small note pad and two menu books, I walked towards table 6.
Oh no.... not him again.
Why is he everywhere I work at?
I walked over to his table and he was just as surprised to see me as I am.
"Maria, you here in New York, how..." I turned to look at Ben he looked so surprised to see me.
I doubt Jason told him he saw me earlier at the hotel... Ben looks so manly now, he has a little beard.
Wow!! He has changed..
"Welcome to Keens Steakhouse, here are your menus, once you have decided what you want to order you may call me." I informed, I was about to turn on my heel and leave when my hand was grabbed, I turned to see Jason's hand holding my wrist.
"Jason let go of me." I demanded.
"Why are you here?" he asked, the dumbest question I've ever heard.
"I work here, obviously." I replied.
"You work at two places." Ben questioned, surprise evident in his tone.
"Yes I do, Jason let go of my hand." I asked again and he just stared at me.
"Maria, why are you working at two places?" Jason inquired.
I snatched my hand away from his firm grip.
"It's none of your business." I countered.
"You have changed so much, you not the Maria I once knew." Jason remarked.
"Well, the Maria you once knew died after you betrayed her, you may call me once you have decided what to order." I stated and walked out on them.
I walked back inside the counter, I laid my hand on the table feeling the tears welling up in my eyes.
I can't believe his here.... I can't believe his in New York and now his my new boss.
How am I gonna listen to the man that was once the love of my life and the mam that betrayed me?
"Maria please take these foods to their respective tables?" the chef requested.
I nodded, I got my shit together and took the plates of food in my tray. Walked to the tables their food belonged to. I walked back to the counter and I saw Jason signaling me to come over.
I walked towards they table.
"So did you decide what you gonna order?" I asked.
"Yes, but first of all Maria, I didn't-" I cut him off.
"Jason, I'm here to do my job not to talk about the past, the past in the past. I moved on and you should too, now tell me what you decided to order?" I questioned.
"Uh, I'll have the Chateaubriand steak with three Sauces, please." Jason requested.
"Jason I don't think the Chateaubriand is good for you, it's made with Mushrooms and you're allergic to mushrooms right " I stated, I'm really concerned that he could have an allergic reaction to the mushrooms.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that, you still remember." He questioned.
"Yeah I do, you were a very big part of my life.... in the past." I responded.
"But now?" He questioned.
"But now, you mean nothing to me, I don't know you anymore." I added, with no remorse.
If he thinks he can enter my life again and cause a disruption, then his sadly mistaken.
"Maria, why are -" Ben cut him of.
"Maria, so then what should we order, since you work here and everything, why don't you tell us what's enjoyable on the menu." Ben remarked, interrupting Jason and I from are confrontation.
"Well, uh, I think the Grilled Thick-Cut Smoked Bacon with Lobster Bisque on the side, will be enjoyable." I recommended.
"Do you really think Bacon and Lobster Bisque, will be enjoyable?" Ben asked.
"Yes, I made most of these dishes on the menu and Bacon and Lobster bisque is one of them." I admitted.
"Oh really, You a chef too?" Ben questioned.
"Yeah." I simply replied.
"Okay, I'll take the Bacon and Lobster Bisque, since you said it's enjoyable and I want something you made, it's been a long time since I ate something you made." Jason remarked. I'm trying my hardest to hide my smile, but I failed miserably.
"Ooh, Jason you made her smile." Ben stated.
"Shut up Ben." I reprimanded Ben and he laughed.
"6 years of you and I being apart and my words still make you smile." Jason implied.
"Jason, I'll go if you keep talking nonsense, I'll ask one of the waiters to serve you and I don't think you'll like they services that much." I countered.
"Why? because you way more pretty then they are." Jason remarked.
"No, because they don't know you as much has I do." I answered.
"Wow, Maria you've never changed." Ben remarked, laughing. Jason kept staring at me.
I think I shocked him with my response.
"Jason!" I yelled, waving my hand in his face.
"Uh, what-t" He stuttered.
"Maria don't worry about him, his just so smittened by your everlasting beauty. We'll order the Grilled Thick- Cut Smoked Bacon with the Lobster Bisque." Ben stated.
I smiled. "Okay and your drinks?" I questioned, while writing on my notepad.
"Oh, Jason what drinks will we order, I choice the food, well I said to order the food she suggested so what drinks will we have?" Ben asked Jason.
"Uh, why don't we order the Iced shrimp Cocktail." Jason suggested.
"Well, that's actually really nice." I commented.
"No, you can order that I'll get the Lump grab Cocktail." Ben countered.
"Okay, Jason you'll get the shrimp Cocktail and Ben you'll get the Grab Cocktail." I established, writing each of their orders on my notepad.
"Yeah, that's all." Jason concluded.
"Okay, I'll get your food and drinks." I replied. Placing my notepad in my small pocket and taking the menu's, I walked away and went inside the counter. I told Shawn about they orders and I started preparing their drinks.
Once I was done I placed the drinks on a tray and took them to Jason's table.
"Here are your drinks." I announced, placing the glasses next to each of them.
( Picture of the Lump Grab Cocktail )
( Picture of the Iced Shrimp Cocktail )
"Thanks Maria." Ben acknowledged, smiling and taking a sip of his beverage.
"Thank you Camila." Jason replied, winking at me.
"You welcome, I'm just doing my job." I politely responded, feeling shy all of a sudden.
"But Thank you anyway." Ben added.
I smiled. "Your food will be ready soon." I took my tray and walked off.
I went back inside the counter and asked Shawn if he needed any help but he refused, so I took the food's that were on the counter and took them to they respected tables.
Once they food was ready I placed it on the trays and took them to Jason's table.
"They you go." I stated, placing the plates of food next to each of them.
"Wow, this looks Delicious." Ben commented.
I smiled. "Enjoy, guys."
"Thank you again." Jason smiled.
"You welcome." I responded and walked away, I took the other foods that were on the counter to their tables.
( Picture of the Grilled Thick - Cut Smoked Bacon )
( Picture of the Lobster Bisque )
After twenty minutes, while I was cleaning up a table Jason gesture for me to go over to his table.
I quickly cleaned the table and walked over to his table.
"Are you finished, do you need me to clean your table?" I asked.
"Yes, please." Jason answered.
"Okay." I replied and took they empty plates. On my way to the counter to place the plates, when I felt a spank on my ass.
"What the heck!" I exclaimed, I turned to see Joey Diaz, our regular customer.
His always passed advances at me, but this is just not acceptable.
"What's wrong with you Joey how dare you spank me like that?" I questioned, with angry evident in my voice.
"Honey, don't tell me you didn't like it, should I do it again?" he answered, sarcastically, his hand stretching towards me.
"Don't you dare Joey, or else." I warned, stepping away from him a bit.
"Or else what, beautiful?" he contradicted.
"Or else I'll make sure you never walk again." before I could respond Jason intervened and said his mind.
"What the fuck, who are you? and how dare you speak to me like that." Joey stated, walking towards Jason and standing upright trying to intimidate Jason but it clearly wasn't work.
"Firstly its none of your business who I am, secondly, I have the right to stop you from touching a hair on her head" Jason informed with fury in his eyes.
I've never seen him this angry before.
"It's also none of your business what I do with this woman." Joey countered, with the same amount of angry evident in his eyes.
"Jason, please go I'll handle this, please go." I reassured, hoping he'll listen and leave without any issues.
"Maria no, I'm not gonna leave you here alone with this bastard." Jason stated, I knew he would never leave a situation up to me, his always been so protective even now that we're not together.
"How dare you call me a bastard, you're the bastard not me, you the asshole that likes minding people's business, get out of my sight you asshole." Joey cursed, pushing Jason away from him.
Oh God, why is this happening?
The last time this happened I almost lost my job, Jason wasn't here that time another man was trying to help me just like Jason is, but my boss hates me, I just can't deal with losing this job right now when I'm trying my hardest to get Isabella into the Child Genius School.
"How dare you push me like that?" Jason yelled angrily and walked towards Joey pushing him too.
"Jason no, please stop it, please... You taking this out of control, calm down, please stop this, I'm begging you." I pleaded to Jason placing my hands on his chest to stop him from hitting Joey.
"Maria, I won't let him disrespect you like that, I can't just see him touch you like that and not do anything, I can't, I know we not together anymore but I still love and care for you and I'm not gonna let any man come and touch you in any way, I won't stand for it, I'm sorry, I won't." Jason confessed, softly.
My heart softened at his words, he still loves me after everything.
"Jason I-" I was cut off when I was pushed to the floor with Jason, I lay on top of him, he groaned when we landed on the floor.
"What the fuck!" Jason yelled, I got off Jason and I helped him get up too, Joey had a devilish smirk on his face.
"Jason, Maria are you two okay?" Ben asked with concern in his voice.
"I'm fine Ben." I answered.
"Don't worry dude, I'm okay." Jason replied, straightening his suit.
"You'll regret this."Jason threatened and punched Joey and he fall to the ground.
"Jason no, stop please it's enough, okay stop!" I shouted, coming in between him and Joey who was trying his hardest to get up from the floor, but he always failed.
If the circumstances were different, I would be laughing my head of right now.
"What's going on here?" My boss asked, walking towards us and stood right in front of me.
Oh God, now I'm really died and buried....
"Steven, your worker Maria has made a big deal of the situation here, I just spanked her ass and she brought her bodyguard her to beat me up." Joey implied, so confidently that even I would've believe him if I wasn't also involved in the situation.
"Maria is that true?" Steven questioned.
"No boss, it's not true his not my bodyguard, he just -" he cut me off.
"Maria, you know stuff like this happens everyday here, why you making it a big deal, this isn't the first time this has happened, you know that...so you used to this, please stop with this drama." my boss reprimanded, not at all worried about my feelings.
I'm used to it already.
"Excuse me sir, I can't believe you siding with this pervert, he touched her, don't you have any morals, this bastard can't get away with this that easily." Jason fumed, frustrated that I'm not getting the justice I deserve.
But I've worked here for about four years, so I'm used to this treatment, I tried to complain once and I almost lost my job, so I stopped trying to seek justice has they say.
"I'm not staying here and listening to this asshole talk trash about me." Joey remarked and exited the restaurant.
"Maria, you see, we lost a very important customer, because of you, I really don't think you want to work here, I think I should do you a favour and fire you." Steven responded, angrily.
"No boss, please don't do that, I promise nothing like this will ever happen again, please don't fire me I really need this job you know that please, I'm begging you, please." I pleaded tears welling up in my eyes, I can't afford to lose his job, I need a lot of money right now, I need this job.
"Mr Steven, I know you mad and you have every reason to be, but it's not Maria's fault I provoked the man and I punched him so it's not Maria's fault, don't fire her." Jason intervened, I can't believe it... not only did he stand up for me but his also, helping me get my job back, not that I lost it or anything I'm just saying.
"Okay, you lucky that you really a good chef and waitress, now go inside and wash those plates." my boss commanded and I smiled. I looked at the plates on the floor, I must have left it on the floor when I was trying to separate the two men, after his last words he left, he apologized to the customers and said they could continue eating.
I turned to Jason after I picked up the plates.
"Thank you for everything, I'm sorry your dinner was ruined because of me, I hope you enjoyed the food." I apologised, tears spilling from my eyes.
His eyes softened and he wiped my tears.
"You know I don't like seeing tears on your face. I loved your food and I know you helped cook it, how could you say my dinner was ruined. It wasn't, you made my day and afternoon, just seeing you is appetizing, now smile for me, please." he stated, tenderly caressing my cheek.
I smiled. "I'm glad you liked the food, I have to go, I'll bring the cheque book." I replied and walked away, I stepped inside the counter and washed the plates. I took the cheque book and wrote they orders and their prices.
Cheque book
Food order:
Grilled Thick - Cut Smoked Bacon
Price: $14.00 Γ 2= 28.00
Lobster Bisque on the side
Price: $21.00 Γ 2= 42.00
Drinks order:
Iced Shrimp Cocktail
Price: $22.00
Lump Grab Cocktail
Price: $24.00
Total payment: $116.00
Once I finished writing down everything, I took the cheque book to Jason's table.
"Here's your cheque book" I announced.
"Maria are you okay?" Jason asked.
I nodded my head in response.
I don't wanna say anything, I'm really tired and all I want do to is sleep.
"Are you sure, Maria?" Ben questioned.
"Yes I'm sure, I'm just tired that's all." I simply replied.
"Okay." they replied in unison, while Jason looked at the cheque book and just chuckled to himself and placed the money inside the book.
"There you go, princess." he remarked and winked at me.
I quickly walked away from their table and went inside the counter I put all the money in the machine, once I was finished I realised that he gave me quick a lot more than we asked for, so I walked over to his table with the extra money in my hand.
"Jason -" he cut me off.
"I was wondering when you were gonna figure out that they were extra money in there, the extra money is for you Maria, take it has an apology gift for getting you into trouble with your boss." he implied, he and Ben stood up, I stood near they table in shock that he gave me $200.00 dollars.
"Bye princess, never forget I love you and I'll see you at work tomorrow, bye." he whispered and kissed my cheek, I waved faintly at Ben and Jason as they walked out of the restaurant, my eyes following their every move as they walked towards the restaurant exit.
Jason turned and winked at me when he was at the end of the door step, I smiled and I heard the costumers whistling
I feel so embarrassed, I walked back inside the counter and told the chef that I was leaving and he said I should wait until the restaurant is a bit empty, so I waited and helped with the cleaning and cooking.
Two hours later
I'm exhausted, my back aches. Anyway no one is in the restaurant except Steven, Shawn and I. I told them that I was leaving and they said I could leave so I changed and exited the restaurant, I took a cab home.
Once I reached home, I opened the door to see Antonia on the couch sleeping as usual.
I tapped her.
"Mrs Antonia, I'm home." I whispered softly, she woke up and stared at me rubbing her eyes.
"You can go home and rest Aunt Antonia, thank you so much for taking care of Isabella." I responded.
"You welcome honey, I'm so tired I'm going to bed now, goodnight honey" she said her hand on the door knob,
"Goodnight Antonia." I smiled and she walked out, I locked the door and went to Isabella's room, opening the door and entered her room.
I kissed her forehead and walked out of her room, I went to my room to freshen up, I changed into my PJ's and stepped inside my comfy bed, I wrapped the duvet over my body and the events of today kept replying in my mind. I just wish everything was different between Jason and I.
We would have been a family, a happy one, but life took it's own course and now I'm alone in this bed, craving to be touched by Jason...the love of my life.
How life can be so unfair?
****
Hope you liked this chapter, the longest I've ever written, Jason and Maria are going to have so many life changing events happening pretty soon. Enjoy !!
Please vote, comment, share to your friends and last but not least.
Luv y'allπ
Elaida β€
