3

**Eliana Pov**

I looked at him in anger and wanted to lash out for almost making me and my little girl fall to the ground. Then blamed me for something him and I were both at fault for. 

But then what my eyes met rendered me speechless. 

I hardly find men attractive, that is if I do at all. But this one is undeniably hot. He looked like he designed himself. The perfect face and a strong jawline. The black shirt he wore fit perfectly on him, it made his blue eyes pup. He made the shirt look good. I almost forgot I was supposed to be angry, instead, I was gawking over him like a hungry animal. 

I never knew a Teacher could be this godly hot. Speak Eliana... Speak. I reminded myself.

"Excuse me!?... We were both at fault here. If you were walking at a normal pace at least this might not happen. I have a very good reason for my action." I kept on talking but my voice came out softer than I intended. "We are late and now, you have made us even more..... Thanks a lot" I said with sarcasm.

His brow was furrowed at first, but when I started to speak, he relaxed his face.

Amelia just stood there and exchanged glances between me and the man. I picked her up after I was done pouring my mind and walked away from the tall figure. 

We went towards the headmaster's office without looking back. 

I knew that it was the headmaster's office because it was boldly written on the door. I could see it from here, but a little further from where we collided with the man.

I did not wait for his response, I believe I rendered him speechless. I mentally pat myself on the shoulder for a job Weldon.

Everything was set at Amelia's school. Before we finished her registration for a new pupil, school hours were already over. Amelia is to start attending proper lessons the following day.

**********

   The following day we left home early and I dropped Amelia off before heading to the restaurant. I went through the back. I love working here. Seeing the art of cooking and satisfying people's hunger and cravings is the best. I have always wanted to attend culinary school but mother nature had other plans set for me and I couldn't. After working other jobs that paid too little to be enough for leaving, I was lucky to have found a job here.

I changed into work clothes in our changing room and came out to get started for the day. Zia was dropped off by her husband Benjamin, whom she calls Benni ben. She came a few minutes after I arrived.

"Hey girl friend..... So how did Amelia take the whole school thing? Was she excited? Did she cry and wanted to follow you after dropping her off?" Zia threw all these questions at me, after she had changed into her working clothes and  met me in the kitchen. We started to set the place up for the day.

Zia is the only friend I have or I ever had rather. She is kind and generous. Her husband has also been good to us. I realized the goodness I was denied all my life by my stepmother. Having a good friend is really comforting. You have someone to have your back in every situation.

We work together with Zia at the restaurant. When Amelia was younger and I had to take care of her and work, Zia and her mother were there to help. I am forever indebted to them.

I chuckled. "Calm down. Amelia is fine. She was excited. Immediately she saw kids her age, she happily waved at me and walked into class. I was the nervous wreck there. I turned to leave with her backpack. luckily, the security man called my attention to it and I had to run back inside and hand it to her."

"Awwwn poor thing." Zia patted my back. "Amelia is so smart, she is going to be alright I am sure" she gave me a reassuring smile. 

Other workers arrived when we were setting the place up. The head chef Russo Alessandro, was the last to come in. I don't blame him, he does most of the cooking throughout the day and he does that while standing. I have learnt one or two things from him as he is Italian and a great cook.

Russo a 47 years old man with black hair and brown eyes, moved here because his father was against the career he chose. Russo's father wanted him to take over the family's real estate business. But he was not up for it. That was 10 years ago. 

We usually don't have much work to do in the mornings, apart from cleaning and setting up the place. Lunch, brunch and dinner time were the busiest. Especially dinner.

Later in the day, I called Zia's mother to confirm if Amelia was dropped off from school and she was. I could hear her voice in the background. Probably talking to the cat.

Later in the evening, a man came into the restaurant wearing a hat. He sat at a table and I went to take his order, but I couldn't see his face clearly, due to the baseball hat he had on. The strange thing about him was that his voice sounded familiar. But I couldn't place where exactly I have heard the voice before, or the encounter I had with the person. Seeing his face would have helped in recalling who he was.

He kept coming every day for a week and kept ordering different things. I called Zia's attention to it but she too does not know who he was. He still wears a baseball hat or hooded sweater

I was still curious.

"Do you leave around here or you just moved here?" I asked after I brought his order.

"I'm new" 

I was still standing waiting for more details. He didn't say anything further "Oh ohk..... Welcome then" I hesitantly spoke. I guess he doesn't talk much. "Do you need anything else?" 

He just shook his head.

"Alright.... Enjoy your meal" and I walked away.

Something really strange was happening these days at work, I kept feeling I was being watched. I will look around but nothing. Everyone is either eating or chatting amongst themselves.

I went to another table and delivered their meal. I was about to leave when suddenly I raised my head and we came eye to eye with familiar blue eyes.