✓Chapter 8
“Sorry to cut this conversation short. You're not the only guest I have to attend to, please excuse me.”
I didn’t waste a moment waiting for her reply. I turned my back on her, chin held high, and walked away. She thought she could look down on me, but she was wrong. Dead wrong.
The dining room became busy as a batch of customers came in. I kept myself occupied with the newcomers. An old couple wanted a quiet table by the window, while a group of friends was celebrating a birthday. I gave each person a genuine smile, not the fake one I had given Natalia.
I returned to the counter to pick up the orders. I could hear the noise coming from the kitchen and smell the mouthwatering scent of freshly cooked dishes.
After loading the dishes onto my tray, I delivered them to their respective tables.
"How's the steak, sir?" I asked a customer who was halfway through his meal. He gave me a thumbs up, his mouth too full to speak.
More people kept coming in. It was expected since it was the weekend, and customers always filled our place during lunchtime.
I glanced at my watch. 12:30 PM, peak lunch rush.
Mr. Chen, one of our regular customers, walked in with his wife and daughter. I greeted them warmly and led them to their usual corner table. They came every Saturday, always ordering the same dishes. I took their usual order and delivered it to the counter.
I could feel Natalia watching me. Her eyes followed me around the room, especially when I passed by her table to deliver another table's order. I acted as if she wasn't even there.
I heard light footsteps behind me, and when I turned, expecting it to be a customer, I saw Grey. I quickly turned away, pretending to be absorbed in wiping down a nearby table.
"Lily," his deep voice called out, but I kept moving. Luckily, a customer called me, giving me the perfect excuse to avoid him. I rushed over, putting on my best customer service smile as I took the order from the elderly woman at the next table.
As I scribbled down her request, I could still feel Grey's presence lingering nearby, waiting for me to acknowledge him. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay focused on my work.
After finishing with the woman, I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye. He looked slightly frustrated, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Grey!”
Natalia rose from her table, moving with confident grace as she walked towards him. When she reached him, her hand darted out to hook his arm with familiarity.
“Come on, let’s sit together.” She guided him effortlessly toward her table, her smile wide and inviting, as if he were the only person in the room.
They settled at the table.
Moments later, I heard a table calling for a waitress. My stomach tightened when I realized it was coming from Grey and Natalia's table.
I looked around to see if any of the other waitresses were available, but everyone was busy with their own tables.
Cursed be the fates! I mumbled under my breath, realizing that I had no choice but to attend to them. Taking a deep breath, I plastered on my professional smile and approached their table.
"Yes, how may I help you?"
Natalia was sitting closer to Grey than necessary, her shoulder nearly touching his. "We're ready to order now."
I pulled out my notepad, pen poised. "What can I get for you?"
Natalia's red lips curved into a smile. "I'll have the grilled chicken salad, no onions, dressing on the side. And a glass of your most expensive white wine."
I wrote it down without comment, though I noted how she emphasized "most expensive." "And for you, sir?" I directed my question to a point just past Grey's shoulder.
"The ribeye steak, medium rare." He paused, still holding my gaze. "And whatever wine you recommend."
"Our Cabernet pairs well with the ribeye," I replied automatically.
"Perfect. I trust your judgment."
"Will that be all?" I asked, already beginning to turn away.
“Yes,” Grey replied.
I glanced down at my notepad. "I'll put your orders in right away."
I made my way to the counter to release the breath I'd been holding and handed the note to the kitchen.
I didn't mean to look at them, but my eyes subconsciously landed in their direction.
Natalia laughed at something Grey said, touching his arm like she owned him. Her perfect red nails tapped against his sleeve.
The nerve of those two, acting all cozy right in front of me. Grey couldn't even wait until we signed our divorce papers before showing off his little mistress.
Mr. Chen caught my eye. He was raising his empty glass.
When I passed by Grey and Natalia's table, Natalia leaned in closer to Grey. She flipped her hair or touched his shoulder, making sure I saw every move.
I went to Mr. Chen and filled his glass with water.
"Excuse me, could I have some more water?" Natalia called out as I was returning to the counter.
I gripped the water pitcher tighter, my knuckles whitening as I made my way to their table.
Just as I reached them, Natalia leaned in so close to Grey. Her lips, painted that perfect shade of red, nearly touched his ear as she whispered something. Whatever she said made her break into a series of soft giggles.
I poured the water into her glass. She hadn’t moved away from Grey; if anything, she’d gotten closer.
A drop of water splashed onto the tablecloth as my hand trembled slightly. Natalia's eyes flickered to the spot, then up to my face, her smile growing wider. She was still pressed against Grey's side, one manicured hand resting possessively on his forearm.
Natalia reached for her water glass. Her elbow knocked against the spoon, sending it clattering to the floor with a metallic ping. The sound made several nearby diners turn their heads. “Sorry… I didn't mean to knock it over. Could you bring me another spoon? This one's obviously dirty now?"
My eyes moved from the pitcher to her perfectly styled hair. Just one quick movement—that's all it would take to wipe that smug smile off her face. But then I saw her eyes. They were watching me, challenging me, waiting for me to snap.