Work-Couple

Third Person's POV

June 5, 2xx1

5:30 pm

After noticing the time, Atlas immediately left the library and ran home. They were hired a few days ago, it's not a good choice to be late. He arrived at the boarding house by 5:45, he washed up really fast and arrived at the restaurant by 5:59. Atlas made it in time.

When he got there he saw 2 new yet familiar persons, Alia and Beatrice, wearing a staff uniform. He immediately rushed to Flint to ask him about it.

"Hey! Fatty what are they doing here?" Atlas asked as soon as he reached Flint busy cleaning the table.

"Oh, those two? They said they want to work here as well, you see, earlier at the mall I just said told those two how fun it is working here and then they decided to work here as well! They are clearly rich, they can buy anything they want! My hands are still in pain carrying all their shopping bags!" Flint said all these words in one go whisperingly afraid that Alia and Beatrice would hear him.

Atlas hasn't even said anything yet when Flint talked again, this time it's not whisperingly anymore: "Oh yeah! By the way, where did you go earlier after lunch?" This question wasn't loud but it was enough to let the 2 ladies hear it. Alia especially turned her head positioning her ears so that she can hear Atlas' answer. She was indeed curious why Atlas didn't come, she expected that he will go with Flint to the mall and yet he didn't.

Flint didn't let Atlas talked again and went on: "Oh! I know did you went for a date huh?! Who's the girl! Tell me!" Flint said intentionally loud making every staff heard about it. The staff immediately went and tease him after hearing that.

"Ohh!!! Someone is dating~~"

"Tell us who's the unfortunate girl stutter?"

Despite working only for a few days, the workers in the restaurant are extremely friendly especially Shirley, she's basically the old sis of Atlas and Flint. They named Atlas 'stutter' because of his manner of speech; it is enough to anger the customers. They've heard about the incident yesterday, but they didn't blame Atlas because they've seen customers worse than that, they've just teased Atlas for stuttering. They have a 1 hr break before they open the restaurant so this is the time for everyone to chat and enjoy while they still can because during work hours it'll be hectic again.

Alia's expression after hearing that Atlas went on a date immediately turned grim.

*Clank* *Shatter*

Alia's plates that she was washing were dropped and shattered making everyone stop laughing and turn their heads towards her.

This silence made an opportunity for Atlas to explain things, he's afraid to be misunderstood by he's coworkers.

"I just read a few books in the library you can even check the logbook if you want!" Atlas said. Even though he said it lightly since the whole restaurant is in a state of silence the whole crowd heard everything.

~OHHH~

~Kathleen he's not dating anyone don't be mad anymore~

~Yieeeeeee~

The whole restaurant burst out laughing after connecting the happenings: when Atlas was said to be dating Alia went mad, and Atlas immediately explained immediately. Making it as if they're a couple in a lover's quarrel. This makes the whole staff tease the two of them, and it looks like the beginning of their love team.

"Okay that's enough let's get to work now, open the restaurant!" the lady boss said, making everyone stifle their laughter and went back to work.

Atlas immediately went to the staff room to change and avoid the teasing of the other staff at the same time. While Alia went to get cleaning materials to clean the plate she shattered "accidentally".

6:30 pm

The restaurant opened with the staff in their own positions. Alia worked in the kitchen as dishwasher and Beatrice worked as a waitress. Alia was supposed to be a waitress as well but she chose to be a dishwasher because she hates talking to other people while Beatrice on the other hand love to talk and is simply a chatter head, she's perfect for the job. Flint resumed his work as a greeting staff in front of the restaurant while Atlas wants to try being a waiter again.

In just 15 mins the whole restaurant was fully booked, it may be seen as cheap, but the customer influx definitely surpasses other restaurants. This is because they offer good food for less cost, they have direct suppliers from farms and factories making the cost of ingredients lower that's why their price is lower as well.

"Good evening Sir and Ma'am may I take your order?" Atlas asked this time he controlled his speed in speaking this makes him talk straight and avoided stuttering.

"Good evening! I'll take this, this, this and this" the lady said. Atlas decided to continue what the old man said to him in order to train his mental math. He memorized all the order and as well as the price before asking the customer again to check if he's right.

He did all of this to all the costumers he served and this time he didn't make a mistake, fortunately, there's no large group of customers this time.

Meanwhile, as the restaurant's customers began to increase, Alia's dishes to wash also increased. She swept her sweat on her forehead as she began to ponder why did she even decided to work here. Her family sends her money monthly which is enough for her to live she actually don't need to work here, it's just that Beatrice asked her to join her.

Time passes and the customer's number began to decrease but Alia's dishes aren't. She has a pile of dirty plates left even though she worked so hard since the beginning, she began to get tired. The staff in the kitchen goes out because they're not cooking anymore. The dishwashers were originally 2 personnel, she's one of them but sadly the other staff is absent due to some reason, making her take all the workload.

While she complained silently in her head, she heard a gushing sound of the faucet beside her.

*Splash*

She turned her head to see who opened it and she was shocked to see Atlas beside her. "What are you doing here?" she took the initiative to ask him this time.

"I'm done with my work, so I decided to help you," Atlas said as he washed the dishes to help her.

"Why?" Alia asked. Atlas has no obligation to help her but deep inside she was happy that Atlas did this. She couldn't help but blush after thinking that Atlas helped her in order to woo her, but her fantasies were cut short:

"It's your first day after all and you seem to be inexperienced with this kind of thing you're delaying the meeting that's why I decided to help," Atlas said like a senior helping it's junior. He said it as if Alia's the one to blame for delaying the end day meeting, but he really just wanted to help her deep inside. Being an introvert, he can't bring himself to tell her that it was all purely sincere help he's giving.

"…" Alia didn't reply to Atlas anymore after hearing that she's delaying everyone. She couldn't help but be ashamed of herself, 'Indeed, why would Atlas help me? Who the hell do I think am I to Atlas?' Alia cursed herself in her head.

They proceeded their washing of dishes in silence while their coworkers we're taking pictures of them sneakily even Beatrice and Flint are taking pictures of them to tease their best friends when they get back home.