Chapter 61

He was seated alone at a table on the corner. A couple of files on the surface. They were opened and a he seemed to have been going through them or something when I arrived. With a broad smile he looked at me and then he crossed his arms. 

" How may I help you?" I playfully asked. Acting all formal because there were people around and I was still dressed in my apron with the name of the restaurant on it. Gabriel made a tsking sound with his tongue, then he shrugged and placed the pen he had been holding on top of his file. 

" I went over your menu and I'm afraid I got a bit confused." he said and I sighed, exasperated. That was classic Gabriel.

" What exactly did you find confusing about it?" I asked and then he gestured to the empty seat I was standing next to and asked me to occupy it. That it would be easier if he explained everything in detail. 

" I'm not allowed to do that, I'm working, " I told him in case he had already forgotten that. It was literally my first day and I'm certain that if Dahlia or Miguel came back and found me seated and having a lovely chat with a customer, even if that customer was their friend, they wouldn't be too happy. 

" Have you eaten?" Gabriel suddenly asked. All humour lost from his voice,I frowned and asked him to repeat the question.

" Food Layla, have you had any since you came here?" 

I looked around the restaurant. There were a number of customers all happily enjoying their meals. Most of which had been prepared by me. 

" Layla, " Gabriel called me and I turned to him and shook my head because he could somehow always tell when I lied. I hadn't had time to eat but my shift was set to end at seven,after which I would be free to leave. 

" Sit. " He instructed. The single word straight to the point, it came out as more of a command. 

" I already told you, I'm working. "

" You can continue doing so after you eat. You didn't have breakfast either, and I'm sure you're right about being busy but that doesn't mean you can't spare a few minutes. "

I looked up and prayed for the ability to control myself. He always drove me close to the edge. 

" Okay then,I'll grab a bite in the kitchen. "

" Now sweetheart. Here, " He gestured to the seat once more and I realized that if I continued to stand there then the situation would just spiral out of control. 

" Why do I get the feeling you're always just looking for an excuse to bother me?" 

" You're half right. Now go ahead and sit before I summon my acting skills and make a scene. "

With raised brows I wondered what usually went on inside his head. He knew I worked there, yet he wanted me to sit down and order food like some distinguished customer?

" I can't deal with you right now, I have work to do, " I said as I turned and began to walk away. Grateful when he didn't try to follow behind me. And once I was back in the kitchen, I secretly smiled. He might have been weird but at least he showed that he cared. And I had never really had someone who cared about me as much as he did so the feeling was a welcomed one. 

Carl asked me what Gabriel wanted and I assured him it was nothing. I went back to work. Some of the other employees actually took breaks to eat but I thought it'd be just weird to do so. And there was still so much to do. 

" Sir?" I heard one of the waiters ask, the kitchen had grown quiet. And when I turned around it was to come face to face with Gabriel. An impatient and slightly pissed expression on his face. His hands tucked casually into his pants pockets as he stared at me from underneath his lashes. It was one of those stares of his that always seemed to say, ' I dare you to look away '

" Confit of moulard duck...and smothered pork chops with broccoli and mushrooms. " He said to no one in particular, and when he realized that everyone was just standing, looking at him, he clapped his hands twice and asked them to hurry it up. 

Carl tried asking him to return to the restaurant and wait for his meal there but Gabriel acted like he was deaf. Looking around the kitchen, he pointed to a chair that had been left abandoned in a corner and then asked one of the girls in charge of plating the food to get it for him. She looked to Carl for his instructions but got none. And they must have known that Gabriel was rich because the girl went and took the chair.

" Place it right there darling, " he pointed to one of the walls and the girl placed the seat there. Meanwhile, Carl had actually taken over the task of serving him the meal he had requested for. I watched everything happen with no clue of how to react, of what to do. I wanted him to stop, the whole concern had been cute at first but now he was taking things a bit too far. 

After the chart was placed he smirked and looked around the room. 

" Let's see...you, " he pointed to one of the employees. A young waiter named Dave who looked behind him first before he turned to Gabriel with wide eyes and pointed to himself.

" Yes you. You look muscular enough, go find me a table. And make sure it's clean, " Gabriel instructed once more. One would have said he owned the place. 

He looked at the food Carl had served, which was a lot and then he picked up the trey and began to whistle as he looked around. 

I angrily strode over to him and quietly asked him what he thought he was doing. He could get me fired for that. 

He completely ignored me. Everyone turned to watch Dave ad he struggled to carry a rather small but adequate table into the kitchen. He had a hard time getting it through the door and someone had to hell him. The entire situation was nuts. After the table was also out in place, Gabriel sighed and uttered the word, " Perfect" with a forced smile. Then he went and placed the food in the table before he came over to me and held my hand in an attempt to pull me along and make me sit. 

I pulled it away and begged him not to carry through with that, he knew I hated attention. So why would he do that?!

" Did you not hear what the doctor told you? " He suddenly asked and I was left wondering whether it was me he was truly talking to. And if it was then what on earth was he talking about. I furrowed my brows and looked at him with a blank expression.

" He was very clear about you following your meal times. Otherwise you won't get better!"

Whoa, where was all that coming from? What was even going on. I was so confused!

" What? " I asked him. Wondering whether I had actually been seek without realizing it.

" I only allowed you to work here because you promised to take care of yourself. But now I'm starting to rethink that idea, "

Again....what?

" You're sick?" Carl asked me and I was about to ask Gabriel the same thing when he nodded. One hand on his waist as he looked at everyone in the room. 

" She is, nothing serious though. But there are chances of her condition worsening if she keeps this up!" 

For some strange and obnoxious reason, they believed him. Carl even told Gabriel that he had asked me to take a break but I had refused. And suddenly, everyone had joined Gabriel and started to urge me to just sit down and eat since I had been working all day. I felt like stomping my feet on the ground and screaming out my frustration. 

" Come on now, eat. " Gabriel repeated and I huffed out a breath. Realizing that the only way I was going to get him to leave would be by doing what he wanted.

With slow steps that seemed forced because somehow they were, I made my way to the table and sat. I was literally incapable of even faking a smile by that point. Gabriel walked over to me with a stupid smile and placed a glass of juice next to my meal. I looked up at him and he hissed. 

" Drop that frown sweetheart, the doctor also said you should try your best to avoid anger, "

" Leave and perhaps my joy will return. " I ground out the words and he chuckled. 

" Ouch, someone forgot to take their pills today. "

" You need help Gabriel, " I informed him and he laughed. Standing up straight and asking everyone else to carry in with their work. And I had to sit there and eat because this crazy man said he'd be the judge of when I'd get back to work. I had been hungry, that wasn't a lie. And so I ate most of the food while keeping my eyes glued to my plate.