Chapter 4: Who Is She?

Phillip’s POV 

 I felt bad about getting her fired, I had truly behaved like an ass and her response had been justified. 

After she had left, the supervisor bent over backwards to make sure I wasn’t mad at her behavior.

“Please forgive this insult, Mr. Dale,” he said, a little panicked. He was worried I would report to the manager and he would lose his job. “I promise it won’t ever happen again. I don’t know how she was hired, but please rest assured I will make sure you never encounter such ill-mannered staff here ever again.”

“You shouldn’t have fired her like that. I already told you it was nothing, just a slight misunderstanding,” I insisted.

“But she insulted you sir, that’s unacceptable.”

“And I have overlooked it. Please give her another chance.”

He stared at me as if wondering if I were drunk.

“I am happy you can overlook the incident, sir, but she can not work here again. She went against our policy. It would set a bad precedent if she was allowed back, sir.”

I gave up the argument and nodded. He instructed the head waiter to attend to me and left.

“What is her name?” I asked the head waiter as he poured my wine.

He lifted his eyebrows in mild surprise. “Becky, I am not sure of her surname. She has only been here a few days. Please don’t let her horrid behavior upset you sir.”

“Upset me? I wasn’t upset at all. I was interested in the waitress. I didn’t know why. Maybe it was her boldness, or because she had done what I thought was impossible.

Earlier, when I had arrived at the club, a valet hurried towards me as I stepped out of the car.

“Good afternoon Mr. Dale,” he greeted me politely.

Wordlessly, I handed him my keys. The guard almost bowed as he held open the door for me. I ignored him.

I have been coming here for years. Membership of the club was inherited. My grandfather had been a member and one of the founders, my dad had been a member, and now so am I. All the workers were always anxious and eager to be nice to me, no matter how rude I was to them, and I am ashamed to admit I often was, especially was days like this when everything seemed to be going wrong. But I made it up by being a heavy tipper.

I thought it would be fun if one of the staff told me off one day. It would make a nice change.

I chuckled softly. Not happening! Who would be brave or stupid enough to talk back at Phillip Dale? 

Now someone had, and I found myself wanting to know more about her.

“Do you know where she lives?” I persisted. 

The head waiter frowned slightly, clearly puzzled by my questions.

“No sir, I know nothing about her. Like I said, she had only been here a few days. And I can tell you she is not a good person. I’m happy she was sacked. She is rude, nasty-“

“Thanks very much,” I cut in curtly. “If I need anything more I will ask.” 

He bowed slightly and left. My phone rang, it was my cousin Frank.

“Where are you?” He asked.

“I am at the bar,” I told him.

Seconds later, he walked up to my table.

“Sorry I am late.” He dropped into a chair. “Traffic was ugly. Let’s move over to the restaurant, bet you are starving.”

“Yes,” I said absently.

We moved into the restaurant and ordered lunch.

“What’s up? You look upset?”

 I told him what had happened to the waitress.

“She really called you an ass?” Frank laughed.

“I probably am.”

“Bold! So what does the girl who put Phillip Dale in his place look like? Tomboyish?”

“No, not at all.”

She was beautiful, I thought, with lips that looked like they needed hot kissing.

I was shocked by my thoughts.

“Firing her was harsh though,” Frank continued.

“I know, I feel bad about it. I tried to speak on her behalf, but it’s no use.”

“Well, it happens.”

“I’ve tried to find out more about her. Maybe I should ask the manager for her address? 

“Why?”

“So I can go see her and offer her another job.”

Frank frowned. “Go see a waitress? Is that a good idea? She is probably living in some slum. You could get robbed.”

“I want to make it up to her for getting her fired.” 

“So? You are the customer. She should have been more polite. Anyway, she can get another job.”

“I still think I should make it up to her.”

Why? A voice in my head asked, is it because you admire her courage and hot figure? Admit it, you are falling for her, aren’t you?

I was shocked at the idea. Falling for a woman? A waitress at that? Impossible! Not after all the hurt and betrayal I had received from a woman. I have vowed never to love again, and I mean it. Frank was right. I had better stop this stupid idea of seeking her out.

“You know what, forget it," I told Frank, “I’m just nuts. She will find a job without my help and even if she doesn’t, I don’t care.” I changed the subject. “Ms. Bright is leaving on Sunday and I still haven’t gotten her replacement. I don’t know who is going to look after Gran.”

“Have you tried agencies to help you get someone?”

“Yeah, but the people they had sent, Gran, didn't like their looks.”

“So what will you do?”

“Later I will put out an online advert for a live-in caregiver. Maybe I will get lucky.”

“I hope so. Gran needs a lot of care.” 

He began telling me of a deal vital to the company, but I was half listening and half thinking of Becky.