CHAPTER 1

ISABELLA

"Becky,table five have been waiting for two minutes for someone to come and take their drink order"Patrick,the manger on shift said ad he walks towards me at the hostess stand.

I blinked at him,trying to ignore the fact that he got my wrong million times over while wondering if he notice my hand was full with plates from other tables,when he glanced over at me,I gave him the fakest smile  i could produce"I will be right there"I answered.

"Good"

In a haste,i went back to table seven,i hated table seven,I didn't know if it was my luck or the table is cursed because whoever sat there ended uo being the most rudest and stupidest on mother earth.This time it is some bunch of men in suits that try to touch me anytime I served them.

"Chicken soup"I annouced as i set down one of the plates in front of a bald head man with big stomach.

"Nice"he commented I wasn't sure if it was the dish i served or it was my body,still I held my tongue.If I remain nice enough,these guys will definitely give me a generous tip.

"Do you need anything else before I go?"I asked after I handed out all the dishes,please don't I begged internally.

"Another whisky please"said the bald head man.

I flashed him a smile"Right away sir"as I turned around I caught the glance of patrick pointing another table.

when I got to the table.

"Hi,my name is isabella,I will be serving you tonight"I greeted offering them a smile.

The two young men immediately both turned to look at me,I felt my courage disappearing as I knew the pair,they came in at least twice or once a week,and they were handsome to the end.At this point I was used to handome and beautiful women coming to this resturant but these men were different and the feelings never went away,these two were on top.Tonight they were both wearing black suits,one was on black tie and the other on wine colour tie,they really made a great duo as friends.

It made me mad though,what is with all this filty rich people being so attractive?wasn't it enough that they had money?they have to steal the good looks too?It is so unfair or maybe I was stressed up.

"A strange name,but i guess that is not important "the man on the right replied,his tone is smooth,he had neat dark hair that was parted and pushed up front,he look handsome.He studied my face with his green eyes.

The other try to cover witha laugh and my eyes turned to him,he looks like my dream man crush,black hair,brown eyes,a pretty face and a warm kind smile.

"Aha,i get that"I said to myself like I have been staring at them for about five minutes,when in reality it was just fifteen seconds.His comments annoyed me,I have served him severally before now.It is the really first time he paid attention to my name.

"it 's cute though"the dream man crush replied smiling politely at me.

I stared at the smile,feeling a stab on my head of course,he is very handsome anf charming,why would i ever expect otherwise?these two are from a whole different level than me,even if I was given five hours to get ready,I can't match up with them.

"Can I start you off with something to drink"I said but wondering if i sound depressed as i felt,every second in front of them is like a kick to my morale.

"A shot of captainjack,isabella"responded the man with the parted dark hair without even looking at the drink menu.

"Absolutely I am sorry for this,but I need to see your I.D."I said offering him a half smile,he did not look underage and I was pretty sure I have served him alcohol before but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"What you don't know who I am?"

I responded "Am I suppose to...?"

He looked troubled for some moment before he convinced himself and nodded,"i guess i won't expect someone like you to know."

The way he said that,was he a celebrity?he could be an actor or a musician?And again someone like me will definitely know if he was one,maybe he could be the son of some rich guy into airline business,i didn't care who he is "please your I.D."I repeated.

The guy dug into his suit and brought out his wallet and brought out a card and said "here you go."

I took the I.D.,my eyes slide to the name on the card before i could stop myself.Jaden castle.really,Jaden?i thought what kind of name is that,it didn't ring a bell so he probably wasn't famous,I scanned over his birthday then handed him his card back.

Jaden nodded as he put it back into his wallet,i felt my lips twitch before I could stop myself from smiling then I just let out an awkward laught "Anything for you"I asked the other man.

"I will have a cup of coffee"he replied.

"No he won't,he will have a shot of whisky with me"Jaden interupts "Give her your I.D."

"I am going to stick with coffee"

Jaden gave him a disapproved look,I am going through crisis right now,you as my friend is suppose to drink the night away with me..."Give her your I.D."Jaden repeated.

"I wonder what is with all this rich filty folks"Isabella said inward,well I will be better off not knowing,I hate first impression but this guy looked like a spoilt rich guy.

"Jay,I wouldn't really call it a crisis"said Robert.

"Rob,we are keeping this lovely girl from doing her job,just give her your I.D.,I promise i will not make you take more than a couple of shots,I know you are lightweight"

He grinned and hesitated for a moment before pulling out his wallet"you are a pain in my ass"

"Make it two shot of whisky then"Jaden said smoothly as he could after checking his friend I.D...Robert was his name and it suits him.I went to the bar and gave our bartender philip their drink orders,when i glanced back at the table I saw Jaden staring at me and i eyed him back until he noticed but he held my gaze with a soft smile,feeling awkward I turned away as fast as I could and my eyes caught the bald head man waving at me for his drink.

"Hey,the whisky"

"Can I grab a bottle of whisky"I told philip "I totally forgot I was suppose to get him one."

Philip peeled off the cap of the whisky at the end of the bar and handed me the bottle.

"He's been watching you like a prey all night"Fifty bucks says he asked for your number.

I pretented not to hear him as i head back to the table of the bald head man  with the drink,As i drew closer I summoned the most sweetest smile I could "I am sorry about the wait,sir"

"Maybe I will forgive you,if you will go out with me"he joked causing his other collegues to laugh along with me.

for the tip,for the tip,I kept on chanting in my head "maybe when I get out of work" I flirted.

His eyes moved up and down my body,i felt my skin start to get goosebumps,"Anyone else need anything?"I asked

One of the guy on the table whispered something,I probably didn't want to hear it,so I had to take their silence for no,then I flashed a quick smile and hurried off.Table one and five need to be wiped down still,I couldn't see any of the waitress to do so.

Just as I turned my head,my gaze met patrick he pointed to the twi tables one and five "they have been dirty for  the past twenty minutes now"

why did he always feel the need to telle to do something,I asked myself I knew what is needed to be done before he probably know,it pisses me off.

"Now,guests are coming go greet them becky,what are you waiting for?"

"It's isabella or bella"I said before heading to do my waitress job.

Honestly working at The Groove sucked,however the money I made that did not suck,since it was a high ends restaurant for high ends people,i made good some of money every shift i work,the issue all the other employees barely do their job,the money kept me going,I would deal with patrick wierdness for not knowing my name,I could deal with the old creepy businessmen hitting on me all night because i need the money and the money was worth it.

So I greeted the new guests as pleasantly as I could,still trying not to feel inferior in my black pencil skirt and white blouse while standing next to  some gorgeous women on silky red cocktail gowns.

And then I wiped down the dirty tables.

Then I got another beer,for the bald head man and I knew someone will have to take his keys from him.

Then I quickly forgot about table five until patrick was on my ass again.fortunately philip saw as i was running around like a chicken looking for something.he did pour out some shots of whiskg already for me before I got there,which were finally empty when I got back to them.

"I am sorry I said immediately"and praying they didn't yell at me.

Robert offered me a sympathetic smile saying "Don't worry"

"Are you ready to order?"you probably are I have been gone like many hours i guess.I am really sorry.

"You have been gone just fifteen minutes"Jaden informed me,glancing at his wrist watch"Do u usually make your customers wait this long before taking their order for food."

I opened my mouth to reply but I was cut off guard by his words instead I said "sorry" finally.Typically a customer is not suppose to spend an hour to get his satisfaction in a resturant he explained,we have been here almost half an hour and had our drinks order since then we should be recieving our food already.

Robert adjusted his suit,I gawked at Jaden I sure did not need this today"I'm sorry sir."

"Sorry doesn't make up for poor services"

"I wonder what the owner will thonk of how his employee runs this place,surely this isn't suitable for you,how much do u make to act like this?"

"Listen,I apologize is it really necessary to be rude,i snapped feeling my hands shaking.did he really have to go this far as making fun of me."The fact that I have worked as waitress I didn't make enough to put up with this.

Jaden jerked his head back "what"

"I really am sorry i forgot you table and it's only fifteen minutes,you would have flag me down or anyone else"

"I don't expect you to know who I am but...."

I interupted "I am sorry but i don't really care who you are,Is there a level of importance to make fun of someone's job?"If you want a new waitress fine.I will send someone over.Although I doubt if you will have better service because I am taking care of her table too.

Jaden narrowed is eyeballs,that wasn't going to be a threat,I was just saying,I admire your courage to stand up for yourself.

"uh oh"I then blinked.

"I wasn't trying to scold you either there is a piece of information that will be useful for you to tell your boss.

"Jaden"Robert grinned

"Nothing against you"Jaden added my words are directed to your so called co-workers who is chatting at the back while guests are on waiting,"When I asked how much yo made,you deserve more."

I looked at the both of them confused,so he wasn't trying to be a jerk afterall,he was trying to spread his knowledge,i should'nt have snapped at him before,i was seriously lucky he wasn't offended by it.

"Jaden is pretty oblivious to the way he speaks,so you will have to excuse him"said Robert,he meant well.

"That's ok,i shouln't have snapped at you either,I am sorry."

"Do you make enough money here to live well" Jaden asked repeatedly.

"what"

Robert elbowed Jaden on the side"ignore him,we have held you up enough should we give you our order."

"No need to apologize"Jaden said rubbing his side.I will have a pork chops and another shot of whisky.

I nodded while writing on my waitress note.

I will have chicken with ginger said Robert taking the menu lists of the table and handling them back to me and a glass of water.

"sure and sorry again."

"I  will let you off this time because you seem suitable"while relaxing on his chair.

I raised an eyebrow rich people and their wierdness.

The next our passed slowly,the bald head man and his colleagues were getting drunker and drunker each minute that passes,I wonder what Jaden will have to say about their

average consumer time.The whole lot of them have been here for almost two hours,not that Jaden could talk even because he is only some minutes late of drunkness too.he did probably be here too for awhile.

Just as i was about to clean the countertops,I saw someone waving at me eyes,mumering I went to table eight."we are ready for the check"one of the men said.

"And some cabs"I joked.

"I want you to take me home,the bald head man replied."

Trying not to make a face,i forced myself to laugh.if only I could live this place"Do you want me to do a separate checks?"

"Put it all in mine"the bald head man said while handling me his credit card and then brought it up to the register to ring him out,I checked the total it was more than what i could make on two weekend nights waitressing,i hadn't realized how much they really order until now and he wanted it all on his card,how generous!.

On my way back to the table,a hand shot out and grab mine,i jumped a little bit until I realized it was Jaden"Gotta pee"he stated.

I pointed to the far left corner of the restaurant"over there."

Using me as a support almost took me down,he pulled himself up and stumbled to the bathrooms muttering something about marriages.I glanced at Robert who was looking at me.

I returned the card to the bald head man and he filled in the tip and signed the receipt,handing the notebook back to me.it was hard to resist the urge to see how much he tipped but i manage to slip it into my back pocket

"Thank you very much,have a good night.Get home safe"

As I turned away,a hand grabbed mine "You said you were coming home with me."

I looked back and saw it was the bald head man,"please don't touch me."

"I know you like me,you were eyeing me all night."lucky you little blonde girls like you are my taste.

I tried to remove his hand but his grip was firm,he placed the other hand on my hair while his breath on my neck"I have to go check the other tables"I said.

"What are you?"

When I signed up to be a waitress,I knew i will have to deal with a little bit of harassment from stupid and creepy customers,it was given in any customer service job.but tonight own,I was really pissed at this guy but I could handle it,i have done it before.if i make him mad,i did make my managet mad too because you never know who these people where and their influences,me flipping at Jaden was a mistake and I wouldn't want that to happen again.

"I am sorry,i am really busy."

"So are you interested?"

"please let me go"I replied.

Then when I felt it,a hard on my ass squeezing it.

I felt my blood rushing to my head,ok this is crossing the line,this was sexual harrassment,i didn't want to cause a scene,i will lose my job,but did i call my manager?call the cops?i can't let him keep touching me like that.

"Hit him"someone bark out

And without thinking,i formed a fist and plunge it into the man jaw,he let go off me as i shoved myself away i fell on a hard body,stead

ying my head turned seeing it wad Jaden.

"You bitch"the bald head man said as he move towards me.

I flinched a bit more pressing myself on Jaden.

"Enough"Jaden said."

"Who do you think,you are talking too"said the older man,Jaden theb raised his face "Who do you think you are talking to Mr Larry Curtis?"

His eye froze as maybe fear or recongnition,i glanced at Jaden.

This time the resturant was full of leople and all were staring at us.I saw patrick in the far end,i knew i was in trouble .

"Mr Mr... Castle"Larry greeted him,sweat starting to form on his bald head"Good seeing you sir".

It suprised me to see the bald head man who is older and bigger than Jaden,looking so terrified.Why was that?Was Jaden his boss or a mafia or someting.

"It's her fault"he said.

"even if it was her fault,you should never touch a woman without her permission"Jaden said "Please take your leave now."

And amazingly Larry just did that,not even a word back.The group of men he was with have already dispersed,leaving him alone.

I let out a long hot breath,my body felt gross,I'll have to take a hot long shower to feel clean again.where did men get the attitude of like they could do whatever they please with a woman?I should have punch that guy more than once.And my boss saw me,he is so going to fire me.I messed up.

"That guy messed up."

"You should have punched him instead of telling me to do so."I muttered now my job is at risk.

Jaden stared at me deeply.

I caught myself looking back at him,he really was handsome and goodlooking,I shouldn't be thinking of that I tap my head.I really can't lose this jobi can't lose this money.I don't think,I'll be able to find another place and make this much money.

"So you need to money"Jaden breaks in,he sneezed I ignored him,i was too busy with my thinking.

It took me a moment to notice,he was still there finally his hands found my shoulder,trying to keep himself steady"I am going to be sick"he announced letting out the most disgusting burp,I am ever heard.

"Come on"I said putting my arm around his waist helping him back to the men's room.After setting him in the stall,I left the room.

Immediately,I heard "Bella"It came again.

I walked sluggishly to the backroom,where patrick was calling me,"It's Isabella"I said as I was approaching him and listen sir,"that guy grabbed my ass."

language he warned,"You punched a guest"

"yeah but,he ....."

"Do you know who he is?"Patrick asked...waoww I knew I was in trouble.Even though it wasn't my fault"No i don't".

"I can't let this just pass away"patrick said punching a customer,it's an abuse.

"I had the right to"Isabella broke in.

"I should fire you on the spot."

"Fire me?"I couldn't afford to be fired not like this,"I am really sorry,i won't do it again,I really need this job."

It's bella,I reminded him but at this point,it felt moot.

"I am going to suspend you for one month,you are a good worker,i don't want to lose you but I won't let it just pass without punishment,who knows who you will punch next,we need to give time so everyone will forget".

I wanted to say,he deserved the punch but then again,i wanted to say screw you and your rules and regulation but then again I need this job because the money in a way pay off.

"I am sorry,I apologize"again but i knew the conversation was over.

"Go and apologize to the guests and clean up table five and then you can go home",Patrick instructed.

I felt my annoyance flare up but I control myself not to say a word,so i went around and apologise for my misconduct but unfortunately many of them congratulate me for punching that scumbag.

when I got to table five,Jaden and Robert had gone,I found a reciept on their table,which shows they had paid but as a good waitress i have to inspect it,while glancing through a slip fell out with a note,Jaden had dropped it with a cheque of ten thousand dollars.

The note instructed I need a girlfriend on business contract for just six months,i know you need money,so lets do business,call the number lets discuss more.