Isaiah's words struck Aurélia with force, resonating deeply within her. She hastily retreated from the spot where Isaiah had been leaning against the wall, his hands fencing her in. She rushed into the restaurant where she worked, seeking refuge in the familiar environment. As she entered the kitchen, she quickly donned her apron and cap, preparing for the day ahead. However, her mind was preoccupied with the intense encounter she had just shared with Isaiah. "Was he genuinely sincere about his words?" she wondered aloud. "Why do I feel like his words were true, yet I know his behavior suggests otherwise."
Just as she muttered to herself, her friend and co-worker called out, "Hey, Aurélia!"
Startled, Aurélia turned to face her friend, her mind snapping back to reality.
"Why do you look like you have seen a ghost?" her friend Alaina asked, concern etched on her face. Aurélia shook off the distraction, refocusing on their work. "We need to get started," she said, leading Alaina to the counter where they would wait on customers.
Just then, Isaiah walked into the restaurant where Aurélia worked. Aurélia was preoccupied with her phone, but Alaina's whisper caught her attention. "Hey, Aurélia, isn't that the rich guy who came in last week when you took a break."
Aurélia's gaze followed Alaina's nod, and her eyes landed on Isaiah. Their eyes met, and Aurélia's heart skipped a beat. Alaina's whisper continued, "Are you guys dating? Because the day you took off, he also stopped coming here too."
Aurélia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Alaina, why do you love gossiping so much? Focus on your work," she said, trying to deflect the attention.
Isaiah took a seat, and Aurélia's manager-like demeanor kicked in. "Alright, Aurélia go ahead and take his order," she said, or perhaps it was Alaina who said, "Aurélia, go ask him what he wants from the menu."
"Of course, serving our customers is my top priority," Aurélia replied with a professional smile.
She walked towards Isaiah's table, her expression neutral. "Hello, sir. What can I get for you?" she asked, her tone polite but detached.
Isaiah's response caught her off guard. "Hmm, I think I'll have a drink called Rory. Do you have it here?" he said with a hint of amusement, using her nickname in a playful way.
Aurélia's response was swift. "If you're not ordering from our menu, I don't see the point in standing here," she said, her tone still serious.
Isaiah's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Wait a minute. Is that how you treat your customers, Aurélia?"
He considered, his expression turning more serious. "Actually, bring me a lemon cocktail with a chocolate cake."
Aurélia took note of his order, but she couldn't help but wonder, "Does he really eat cakes?" The thought flickered across her mind, a fleeting curiosity about the man sitting before her.
"Alright, he wants a lemon cocktail and a chocolate cake," Aurélia informed Alaina.
Alaina's response was laced with teasing. "I didn't know your... boyfriend enjoys the same things you do. You're lying to me, but I see it in his eyes." She whispered the words, her voice barely audible.
Aurélia playfully threatened, "Alaina, end that conversation, or I'll unhire you from this job."
With Isaiah's order noted, Aurélia returned to the counter, phone in hand. She texted her friend Lila: "Lila, I have something to tell you this weekend if you're not busy."
As she waited for a response, Aurélia caught Isaiah's gaze lingering on her. She felt a flutter in her chest, but her professional demeanor remained intact.
"I think today, when I missed Oakwood everything changed in a blink," Lila replied with a text.
Aurélia's response was an emoji of confusion, followed by "We shall talk later." She turned her phone to vibrate mode just as another customer walked in
As a waitress, it was Aurélia's duty to attend to the new customer. As she approached him, she realized they knew each other. "Hey!" the man said with a smile. "Do you still remember me?"
Aurélia's eyes lit up. "Aren't you the one who picked up my purse and returned it to me?"
The man nodded. "Of course, I'm the one."
Aurélia smiled warmly. "Thanks so much for earlier."
"Not much." The man replied.
The man asked, "So, you work here everyday?" "It's my part-time job," Aurélia explained. "Oh, I'm also new in this area. I was searching for a restaurant that serves good quality of food, and I landed here... and found you." He said. He then extended his hand,"Nice to meet you!"
Aurélia shook his hand, smiling. "Nice to meet you too."
Unbeknownst to Aurélia, Alaina and Isaiah were watching their interaction. Isaiah's face darkened with anger, but he composed himself, given the restaurant setting.
"I'm Dominic De Luna," the man introduced himself. "You can call me Dominic."
"I'm Aurélia Rory," she replied. "You can call me Aurélia."
"What can I get for you, Sir... Dominic?" Aurélia asked, taking out her notepad.
Dominic ordered a cup of coffee with milk, which Aurélia promptly noted and served. As she returned to the counter, she couldn't help but notice Isaiah's intense gaze.
"Are you and that man acquainted?" Alaina asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Actually, I met him today when my purse fell, and he picked it up and returned it to me," Aurélia explained.
Alaina's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You have a knack for meeting handsome, sexy men."
Aurélia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You only notice our customers when they are attractive. Now you're admiring that man,whom you don't even know."
Alaina's teasing tone turned playful. "Why are you still calling him 'that man'? Didn't he tell you his name during your lengthy conversation?"
Aurélia smiled. "His name is Dominic."
"That's great if you know his name," Alaina said. "Did he give you his number?" Aurélia replied, "But Alaina, why don't you go ask him for his number yourself instead of me?"
Just then, Dominic came to the counter after finishing his coffee and paid the bill. "Bye, Aurélia, we'll meet again next time. Bye, Miss!" he said to the two ladies.
Alaina's face blushed and turned pink. Aurélia looked at her and she laughed,"What's wrong with your face?" Alaina touched her cheeks and exclaimed, "Oh my God, what's happened to my beautiful face?"
Aurélia teased, "Your face was blushing when you looked at Dominic. I think he even noticed." Alaina quickly grabbed a mirror to check if it was true. When she was saw her pink cheeks, she applied some powder makeup to cover the flush.
As the restaurant's closing time approached, all customers had received their good service and departed, except for Isaiah, who remained seated. Aurélia's eyes kept drifting toward him, wondering why he lingered when he had already finished his meal and paid the bill. Was he waiting for someone? Aurélia pondered as she watched him engrossed in his phone.
At 8 pm, the restaurant's closing time, Aurélia and her co-workers began wrapping up and preparing to leave. Alaina teased Aurélia, "Isaiah is indeed your boyfriend, even though you don't want to admit it, I'll see it with my own eyes one day." Alaina added with a knowing glance, "See you next week on Saturday."
Aurélia bid her co-workers farewell, waving goodbye as they departed. She stepped outside, scanning the area to see if Isaiah had left. Not spotting him, she felt a hint of disappoinment, though she couldn't quite explain why.