Mrs. Lane?

Chapter 5

I wasn't sure what I expected when I got down from Elliot Garrett's car, but the chilly breeze that hit me was not it. I shivered, my body getting used to the cold as I flagged down a taxi.

I hugged myself tight as I rushed into the car. "Chicken and Co, Restaurant." 

Five minutes later, I was in front of my workplace. The cars were more than thirty, something that hasn't happened in a long while, and people were scurrying in and out of the restaurant. Snickering to myself, I pulled my hoodie over my face as I ambled towards the entrance.

"Move." I blinked, turning around to see a pregnant woman with a boy struggling to get into the restaurant. For a second, I wondered if the Manager put up a promo but then, I would have known about it.

I hurried towards the kitchen, nodding at some staff as I walked past them. "Hey, Bella," I whispered to one of my colleagues. "Is something wrong?"

"Zora…" She screamed. I narrowed my eyes at her, swiftly clamping my hand over her mouth in irritation. With so many people in the restaurant, screeching my name could result in another episode I really wasn't ready for.

"What's wrong?" I gritted out, making sure to hide my face well. "There are many people." 

I released her when I was certain she wasn't going to scream my name. My eyes traveled around the kitchen and I let out a deep sigh when I noticed Bella was the only staff in the kitchen. We were really short on staff and it still surprised me how Mrs. Lane didn't threaten to fire me if I didn't get to work in ten minutes.

"They are here to see you." She whispered back as she mixed the batter. My phone beeped in my back pocket and I rolled my eyes, turning back to her.

My heart was in my throat as I shifted my eyes back to the people. There were hundreds.

"Me?"

Even before she said it, I had an inkling of why many people were here, but I didn't want to believe it, because how in the world will there be many customers because my face was on Tv?! 

"Bella, don't tell me-"

Bella burst out laughing as she strolled past me to take a knife. "What would be the reason otherwise?" She turned around to me, this time with two onions in her hands. "Mrs. Lane is glad. I'm sure you will be given a promotion." She chuckled and I rolled my eyes.

My eyes wandered around as I grabbed my apron. "Where is my post for today?" I turned to look at Bella but she was already staring at me, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What?"

"You and Elliot Garrett-"

I looked away from her, as I took a bowl. "Not again." Her eyes were still on me as I helped her cut the onions. "We are not together. That video…" I trailed off, my mind racing as I remembered how his lips felt on mine. "It's nothing. Yeah, nothing."

"Zora, the manager requests your presence." 

Screwing my face up in frustration, I nodded at the guy that came to inform me. I turned around to Bella and rolled my eyes when I saw the looks she gave me. "I will be back, and please don't tell anyone I'm around."

She nodded dumbly. I smiled before following Derek out of the kitchen.

"Does she look pissed?" 

"I don't think so…" he trailed off, his eyebrow squeezed in thought. "More like happy." 

My eyes flew open, alarmed as I stopped dead in my tracks. "Happy?" I screamed. He nodded, his green eyes twinkling in amusement.

He chuckled, "Why are you surprised?" I glared at him and he raised his hands in surrender. "At least be thankful, she isn't glaring daggers at everyone."

"The Manager's anger is better than her happiness." I snapped.

And it was true. We all were used to her anger and shitty temper, so hearing Mrs. Lane is in a good mood and even called for me put me on edge.

"Right!" Derek mumbled just as we got to the woman's office. 

Mrs. Lane was a grumpy woman. She always wore a scowl and derived joy in picking out people's mistakes. She always tied her hair into a bun and most times, she wore short tight fitted gowns that in her opinion made her look more elegant and younger but she always looked funny in them. Like an old mama trying to match up with her granddaughter's outfit. 

Apart from the fact that she takes her fury out on the employees, it seems as though the woman specifically despises me. So I was cautious when Derek walked away and I opened the door to her office after I heard her voice ordering me to come in.

I kept my head bowed as I walked in, "Good afternoon, ma'am." 

"Zora, how are you doing?" I cringed, biting my lip as I took a step back from the woman. I raised my head a little and the slight ruffle of her gown and the loose button affirmed that she just had a sensual moment.. I smiled softly, brushing my hands on my apron.

This wasn't Mrs. Lane!

"I'm good, ma'am," I replied, feeling something was wrong because she hardly called me.

"You called for me?" 

She probably wanted to give me a sack letter. But the woman wasn't stupid enough to lose one of her employees at a time like this.!

She grinned and I searched her eyes for anything that would affirm that the woman was planning to murder me in her office. "Yeah, I did. Please sit down."

I did as I was told, holding my breath in anxiety. 

"I saw the video."

And that was it. Like I hadn't heard those four words more than a hundred times already. If Mrs. Lane was going to fire me because of a shitty kissing video with a billionaire, then I wouldn't be surprised. 

I scratched my neck, nervously, my mind thinking of a quick response. "Actually, Mr. Garrett and I are not in a relationship."

"Of course not." She affirmed and I sighed in relief. "But you are all over the news and I wouldn't say I'm not surprised because I am. What did that billionaire see in you?"

"I don't think my personal life should be an issue here, ma," I responded with a tight smile. "Mr. Garrett's and my relationship is something personal." 

My nose twitched as soon as I let out those words and I winced, shaking my head. Why did I have to say it like that?!

"It isn't personal, my dear. You have been all over the news." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "I called you here to commend you, Zora, so I will do just that. Thanks to you, we have ten times our usual customers." She commented with a broad smile. 

"So if there's nothing else, may I have my leave?"I questioned.

"Just keep up the good work, it's a real thumbs up," she commented again.

Like I did anything apart from kissing a stranger who turned out to be a billionaire.