CHAPTER VI

NEWS

He leaned back slightly, studying me with a thoughtful expression. “Helping? Kirsten, you’re making a difference. It’s not just the work you do—it’s the way you carry yourself. People see that. I see that.”

My heart fluttered, and I quickly looked down at my hands to hide the blush creeping up my neck. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, but it felt... good. It felt deserved.

Before I could respond, a customer walked into the restaurant, interrupting our conversation. Mr. Reyes gave me one last nod of acknowledgment before turning toward the new guest.

“Go ahead and take care of the customer,” he said with a smile. “We’ll talk more later.”

I nodded, still flushed from the exchange, and walked over to greet the new arrival. As I made my way to the table, I couldn’t help but replay Mr. Reyes’s words in my head. It was more than just praise—it was validation. For once, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I was meant to do.

The evening carried on in its usual rhythm, but my mind was preoccupied with the unexpected twist in Mr. Reyes’s story. He was being given an opportunity to meet with the CEO who had been a shadow in the back of my mind for so long. The thought of that meeting, and of Mr. Reyes standing alongside someone of such influence, made my heart race with excitement.

But more than that, I found myself wondering—was this the start of something bigger for Mr. Reyes? For the restaurant? For all of us?

As I moved from table to table, my thoughts kept drifting back to the invitation. I tried to focus on the task at hand, making sure everything was perfect for the guests, but there was a spark of hope inside me that wouldn’t go out. The chance of something greater was so close, I could almost touch it.

And as the evening drew to a close, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment—this night—was the beginning of something new, something that would change the course of everything.

As the last of the guests left the restaurant, the night settling into a quiet lull, I felt the weight of the evening’s events linger in the air. The invitation, Mr. Reyes’s words, and the subtle excitement of what lay ahead—the combination of it all made it hard to think about anything else.

I lingered in the back for a moment, tidying up a few stray items on the counter. The sound of the restaurant’s closing rituals—the clink of dishes being stacked, the soft sweep of the broom on the floor—was oddly comforting. It was a sign of the day winding down, but also a reminder that tomorrow was always another chance to make something happen.

Mr. Reyes was standing by the door, talking with one of the remaining staff members, and I couldn’t help but steal a glance at him. There was something different about him tonight. It wasn’t just the excitement of the invitation—it was the way he carried himself now, the quiet confidence that he hadn’t had before. He looked like a man on the verge of something bigger.

After a few moments, he noticed me standing by the counter and smiled, gesturing for me to come over.

“Everything settled?” he asked, his tone still warm but with a certain edge to it, as though his mind was already working on the next step of this new journey.

“Yeah, I’m just about finished here,” I replied, walking over to where he stood. I didn’t want to seem too eager, but I could feel the curiosity bubbling inside me.

“I’ll be heading out soon,” Mr. Reyes said. “But I wanted to thank you again, Kirsten. Your hard work here has made a real difference. I’m sure you already know this opportunity is a big one. I’ll need your help even more going forward.”

The weight of his words hit me all over again. I had always known Mr. Reyes to be thoughtful and considerate, but hearing him acknowledge my role in what was happening now made me feel a sense of pride that I hadn’t realized I needed.

“I’ll do whatever I can, Mr. Reyes,” I said, trying to keep the nerves from my voice. This was a turning point, and I wasn’t about to let it slip by. “I’m happy to help, always.”

He gave me a firm nod, a grateful look in his eyes. “Good. I’m going to need all the support I can get as this whole thing develops.”

I nodded, but my mind was already racing ahead. What did this meeting with Mr. Rockwell mean for the restaurant? Was it just a business deal, or was there something deeper at play? I couldn’t help but wonder if this opportunity would somehow affect me as well. Could I be a part of whatever was coming next? It felt like the doors of possibility had opened just a crack, and I couldn’t ignore the hope that maybe—just maybe—I could step through them.

As Mr. Reyes left, I remained behind, finishing up the last tasks of the night. But my thoughts weren’t on the empty restaurant or the quiet of the evening. They were on tomorrow—on what could happen after the meeting with Mr. Rockwell. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the start of something bigger than just a business opportunity. This was about change. It was about growth, not just for the restaurant, but for everyone involved. Including me.

When I finally locked up and stepped out into the cool night air, I couldn’t help but glance up at the darkened sky, the stars scattered like dreams waiting to be realized. Tomorrow would be the beginning of a new chapter.