chapter 2

All I could think of was going home to rest, when a customer walked in, Jake had told the customer we are closed but he insisted on coming in, looking out I was shocked to see it was Ric.

Ric is mom's best friend's son whom she has been trying to set me up with, but I have always made myself clear that I was not interested, Ric wouldn't take no for an answer, I wonder how he knew I worked here. Ric came in and was trying to exchange pleasantries with me but I kept the greetings professional and that made him somehow upset, I could tell because his tone changed when he was trying to talk to a waitress. I outrightly told Ric the restaurant was closed for the day, Ric wouldn't hear of it. Jake looked at me from the corner of his eye, trying to signal to me not to be rude to him, so I kept quiet all together. Ric decided to leave but not until he tells me he was waiting for me outside the restaurant. I didn't give Ric a reply but he didn't care. He just walked out of the restaurant.

Jake called me to his office and asked if I knew Ric before now and why he was speaking casually to me. I told Jake Ric was an acquaintance and he didn't have to worry. Jake asked if I needed him to walk me to my car and there was this beautiful opportunity I had to be alone with Jake but Ric had to come now of all time to wreck everything. I didn't want Ric and Jake to have a face Off after what transpired in the restaurant so I told Jake I would be fine and that Ric wouldn't hurt me.

Walking out from the restaurant I saw Ric leaning on my car probably still waiting for me. What do you want Ric? I asked, all Ric did was grin. I hated it whenever he did that. It gave me the chills anytime he grins like that. Ric was not a bad person, he just moves with bad guys, that is why anyone who sees him thinks he is as bad as his friends. I told Ric I didn't want to hear whatever he has to say because I already know what it was. I have always liked you and you know it Ric said. I replied Ric telling him I didn't know what he was talking about. Ric stood straight as I was opening the door to my car, he said something about calling me later but I didn't want to know as I entered my car and drove off.

As I was driving pass the restaurant, I could see Jake standing outside the restaurant watching me drive off. He must have been worried about me going to my car alone as Ric was waiting leaning on my car. This could mean a lot of things, could he be worried about me in the way I want him to, or is he just worried about me the same way he would any of his employees? I can't wait to find out what he is thinking.

It was a stressful day at the restaurant and I just got home, mom was sitting on the veranda reading a magazine. I thought about telling her what transpired at the restaurant with Ric, but I decided to only tell her Ric was at my place of work. I knew I would have to give a whole lot of explanation if mom were to call Ric's mom and the she would probably find out I worked at the restaurant and I wouldn't want that to happen. Mom saw me and said I looked awful and stressed out. She also asked what kind of job made me look this way but I quickly tried to change the topic and succeeded. Mom would not let me be until I told her something she wants to hear about work. I told her I met Ric at my place of work and she was excited. Mom couldn't hide her excitement any longer, asking what Ric and I discussed. I told her it was nothing but she wouldn't let go. Mom threatened to call Ric or his mom if I didn't tell her what we discussed. I had to tell her it was just a brief discussion and that I clearly told Ric I wasn't interested and will never be. Mom laughed it off and said I will have to be interested whether I liked it or not. I always wondered why mom wants me to marry Ric.

I couldn't take the pressure anymore, I told mom I had someone I liked. " Who could that be", mom asked me. I like Janet's brother mom, I hadn't finished speaking when mom stood up as if she was about to charge at me. I could see the anger and disgust on her face, hearing that I was in love with my best friend's brother must have irked her, also not liking who she wants me to, really made her angrier. I wonder what will happen when she learns I work for Jake too. Mom's approach to what I told her increased my resolve to make sure she never finds out I work at the restaurant and most of all with Jake.

I called Janet after my confrontation with mom, to ask her how Jake was. Janet laughed and asked why I was asking her about my "boyfriend". Janet and I laughed it off. I could hear Jake's voice speaking to Janet at the background. I wished I could hear that voice all day, just to relieve me of the stress from work and also mom's confrontation. Janet and I spoke some more and then she asked what happened with Ric at the restaurant. Janet had met Ric couple of times at my house whenever Ric came visiting. I told Janet everything that happened and how Jake was outside the restaurant watching. Janet said something I wanted to hear, she said Jake could be interested in me after all and that was all the motivation I needed. If Janet could think that Jake might be interested in me, then I might have a chance of being with the man I have always loved...