Chapter 5.

"Foria, order table number five and nine!"

I immediately walked towards the counter to fetch the orders. I hurriedly gave it to the customers before returning to the counter.

"Veron, is Aisha here yet?" I asked Verna, who was in charge at the counter while looking at the wall clock. "It's already ten in the evening. My shift should have ended at nine. If she's not here, I can't go home. I will finish her shift until one if she’s absent. She knows that I have a child to take care of, right?" I said with irritation.

The restaurant is open from eight to one in the morning. Yes, the restaurant was open for seventeen hours. It's a good thing we have shifts or else we’ll die for not sleeping right for several months.  But even though our time at work was limited, we weren’t required to take a break, we must work every second. Except if the customer was already eating and there were no more orders. But it's impossible. This restaurant has a lot of customers and we also do deliveries. There’s no time for a break because it’s so busy.

The result, we are tired after our shift. But it's okay, at least we can rest in our free time before our shift.

"Oh, I don’t know, Foria. That Aisha. She always—” I didn't listen to her because I saw Aisha entering.

She was wiping something on the side of her lips while fixing her clothes and hair. It's like she was hit by a typhoon or something. But why is she like that? She was always presentable and sexy when entering the restaurant and you might think she is the owner. And almost every customer looked at her.

"Aisha, why are you late?" I immediately asked her when she finally got close to me.

She gasped for air as he looked before swallowing. "Sorry, Girl. S-Something happened. It took a while to finish,” she replied.

Even though I didn't understand what she was saying, I just nodded. "Okay thank you. And please text me if you are going to be late so I can wait for you without irritation. You know that I still have a child to take care of."

She scratched the back of his neck.  "Yeah, sure. I’m sorry."

“Oh my gosh, Aisha. Just say that you are making out again with your boyfriends. Gosh. You flirt, you girl!" Verna said. She just rolled her eyes.

I just patted her back before rushing into our locker with the girls. I put on the clothes I wore earlier.

Mom is sure to be awake again. After her job, she will take care of my son. She won't go to sleep until I'm already home, so I was worried when I got home late. My son can't sleep without me either.

After changing clothes, I went to the counter again to log out. It’s necessary. At what time did you arrive and leave from work? When you log out late, there will be a possibility that your salary will be increased. But it was never my dream to over time. I am just experiencing this because of Aisha.  Why was she the next one after my shift? She’s always late.

I went straight to the parking lot when I got out. I walked towards my car.

I have my car even though I am just an employee. It was a gift from my older brother when I gave birth. Sweet, isn't it? Well, he is. It's a bit embarrassing though, knowing that I am just a waitress in a restaurant with a luxury car. Ironic, isn't it?

When I got on board, I immediately drove the car. I need to go home immediately. I want to see my son so bad.

After minutes of driving, I finally arrived at our mansion. It's also ironic that I'm a waitress but I live in a huge mansion. So sometimes I just reject my friends at work who say they will come to my house. I also didn't answer whenever they asked me where my address was. Only my boss knows where. It's good that he keeps it to himself.

I quickly entered the mansion as soon as I got out of the car. The light was still on but no one was wandering around. I think our maids are already asleep.

I went up to the second floor because I knew Mama was there in my room. And I was right. When I opened the door, I saw Mama smiling and playing with Maxim on the bed. I just didn't expect the head maid, Rowena, to be with them. I wonder why she's still awake.

"Oh, Foria, you're here." I didn't realize that Rowena was now looking at me.

Mom immediately looked at me.  "Maxine, it's good that you're here. I thought you would come home by midnight," she said as she stood up.

I approached her and kissed her on the cheek. "Good evening, Mom. Have you eaten?" I asked.

"I’m done. You? Have you eaten?” she asked back.

I smiled a little. "No, Mom. I'm starving."

"Oh, then I'll get you something to eat. I'll just heat the dish your Mother left you."  I looked at Rowena.

"All right. Thank you."

When she got out, I looked at Mom who went back to playing with my son, Maxim. I saw her yawn.

"Mom." she looked at me. I sat on the edge of the bed. "you can now sleep. You still have work tomorrow morning. It’s my turn to take care of my son.”

She smiled at me before kissing my son's forehead. She looked at me again. "Alright. But please, take a rest when he's asleep. Don't stress yourself too much or else I will force you to resign from your job," she threatened, making me laugh. My Mom is so sweet.

I nodded. "Yes, Mom."

“Good. I'll go ahead," she said goodbye while kissing my forehead.  "Don't forget to rest, okay?” she said again when she was in the doorway.

"Yes, Mom!"

When he closed the door I looked at my son. I was a little surprised to see that he was also looking at me. Maybe he recognizes me.

"Hello there, cutie." I picked him up making him giggle. He's so cute.

He's a healthy cute little boy. He has these emerald eyes, I am sure that it was not from me. He is quite heavy for an eight-month-old baby.

"Hello there, my little Maxim Elias." he giggled again when I tickled him. "Are you tired now, Baby? You want to sleep?” after I said that, he yawned and blinked twice like a sleepy baby. It made me giggle.  "Alright, Baby. Let's get you sleep."

I slowly danced while holding him. I sang softly while patting him. He was looking at me while his eyes were slowly closing. He was also leaning on my chest. Even though his eyes are closed, I know that he's not fully asleep. He was just listening around.

I looked at the door when there was a soft knock. It opened and Rowena appeared with a tray of food. I just motioned her to put it on the study table.

"I'm going to sleep now, Foria," she whispered. I just smiled and mouthed thank you.

After an hour of making my son sleep, he finally fell asleep. That's good so that I can eat. I am really starving.

When I put him in his crib, I quickly ate the food. After that, I took a shower and went to bed.

 I'm tired.