VIP Attention

Sara was in her normal work routine when Jean Pierre ordered her to go to table 10. To her biggest surprise, Brian Smith was waiting for her there.

“Good night Mr. Smith. Welcome”

“Good night Sara. A pleasure to see you again!”

She was agreeably intimidated to hear him say that last sentence … Come on! Who would not? She felt happy, but almost immediately she began to hesitate.

If neither her parents were pleased to see her born, then why would a complete stranger do it? Not in her best dreams, she had imagined that her presence, sad and ungainly, would be ‘the pleasure’ of someone as ideal and perfect as that man in front of her, looking at her with those bright eyes and that unique, unrepeatable and intimidating smile.

“How can I help you?”

“I love when they ask me that, it gives the feeling that I can ask for anything … the sky is the limit, right?” The blond spoke suggestively while smiling mischievously and receiving the brochure with the menu of the day.

Sara remembered Carlos's words: “Take it easy, the next few weeks, with all the security in the world, it will be you who attends your table”. Before calming down, she turned into a sea of nerves, felt her stomach as if she had a stampede of wild horses inside then, there was a moment of endless and placid silence, in which Brian did not stop looking at her and, although he did it in a very intense way, strangely, she could only feel flattered. She cleared her throat, squeezed so much that, even if she wanted to, she would not utter a half word, so she only smiled slightly, while waiting for her handsome client, who was already looking at the menu, to make your order. Only that Brian had a better idea, he put the menu aside and focused on the person in charge of his table.

“Well Sara, this is the first time you have attended me. I would like you to choose for me. Surprise me.” He was amused by the fact that she was clearly intimidated by his presence. He was arrogant, self-confident, especially of his appearance and he knew it had that effect on most women, although at the moment he was not interested in impressing anyone … in fact, his interest was focused on knowing more about the owner of those big and beautiful brown eyes that looked at him with expectation.

“Quiet, I'm sure you will make a good choice.” Brian had such a captivating and charming smile that for her it was almost a compliment to be the one who received them, although some comments seemed ‘out of place’, but she ignored them and tried to focus on doing your job well.

“Very well, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

At the blond’s unexpected request, she ran hurriedly to ask Jean Pierre for advice since she had no idea what to recommend. Once everything was ready to serve, she returned to the table.

“Mr. Smith, I hope you like everything—”

“Brian … tell me, Brian.” He interrupted firmly. “The ‘Mr.’ makes me feel almost an old man,” he smiled. “I don’t have guests today; I have to dine alone, unless you want to sit down and accompany me.”

“I can't do that, Mr. Smith,” Sara replied. “I mean, Mr. Brian.” She felt so uncomfortable that she started to say nonsense, which made the blond laugh out loud.

“Better tell me Brian, dryly.” He winked. “Carlos and I have known each other for a long time, we study at the same university. If he gets angry … well, it’s his problem.”

“And mine!” She replied with concern more than anything else. “Sorry, I can’t sit, it’s not correct,” she said in a firm voice.

“I understand. I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable, it was not my intention.”

“Don't worry, enjoy his dinner.”

**«»**

Carlos had already realized the special attention Brian had for Sara, it bothered him a lot that he believed he had the right to monopolize his workers for his personal whims, she was an employee at the bar, so she had to attend other tables and other clients … without preferences.

He was furious and, in his peculiar way, he let him know. He arrived at the table, just at the moment, when the chestnut was about to leave.

“Why are you so lonely, Brian? What happened to your lackeys?” He asked at the same time that, without waiting for an invitation, he sat down. Then, looking at Sara, he said:

“Where are you going?”

“I must attend—” She tried to explain to her boss.

“Don’t worry, forget about the rest, remember that Mr. Smith asked to be ‘treated exclusively today’ and … truth be told, every time that ‘he honors us with his distinguished presence’.” He said with the touch of sarcasm that characterized him, but elevated to the n-th potency.

“Ehmm … Yes, sir?” She replied hesitantly when she noticed the tone of voice and emphasis that her boss put in some sentences.

“Of course! Mr. Smith’s generous tip is enough for that and more, right Brian? VIP attention!” His face looked sculpted in stone, it did not denote any expression and his pupils had dilated so much that the blue of his gaze had completely erased. The blond was smiling wryly, he missed this reaction in Carlos, so he just dedicated himself to enjoying his drink. Carlos, who also had a shot of whiskey in his hand, imitated him taking a minute to enjoy his, without removing his dark gaze away from Brian and, sometimes, of Sara. A minute that seemed eternal, but nothing lasts long enough in this life, so at the end of the truce.

“It's a shame you're not the only one. Brian, I know you never realize what's beyond his nose, but most of the customers are usually very generous and, what a strange thing! None of them demands exclusiveness!”

“Very good night Carlos. It is also a pleasure to greet you.” Brian joked who, intentionally, had been quiet, since he knew Carlos well enough to know that he lost his patience, very quickly, when he did not receive attention. But when he saw that he again pointed his weapons at him, he decided to speak. “By the way, Jazmin sends you ‘a great and affectionate greeting’.”

“Don’t abuse your luck Smith!” He spoke in a moderate but clear and forceful voice, avoiding calling the attention of the rest of the clients in the place.

Sara was still in the middle of the discussion, not knowing what to do, just looking around and smiling, as if nothing was happening. She wanted to get out of there, but she was afraid that her boss would hold her back again, so, as a way of getting noticed, she cleared her throat a little, attracting the attention of the gentlemen at the table, before beginning to speak.

“Sorry for the interruption, but I must attend—”

“Go and help Jean Pierre.”

“Immediately.” As she walked away, quickly and conveniently, Brian could not take his eyes off her, he looked at her as if he wanted to capture all the details, without even disturbed at the presence of Carlos, who restrained himself so as not to hit him and remove him from the place.

“Your stupid behavior is already filling my patience! Finish whatever you are doing and go!” He said with anger as he left the table.