Chapter 3.15

"You're distracted, Edris." The man in charge of training Ethan, Iniko, commented.

"Sorry. It won't happen again." Ethan immediately replied, his hand quickly moving the plates onto the tray to be taken down to wash.

Iniko stared at the man with the sudden pepping step and dumb smile. His attitude was not inadequate for work, but the younger man sometimes looked into the distance with a face that said he had received the best news in his entire life and ignored what Iniko instructed him. He had to be told twice what to do for him to react.

Being a senior waiter, the only one who had been working at the restaurant since it opened, Iniko was in charge of supervising the waiters on the first floor, and attending customers on the second floor; where those with high positions in town ate. Though, from the day he started teaching Ethan, he had also been serving on the ground floor.

That was a bit of a downgrade in his opinion.

At first, Iniko was a bit distant and sharp with Ethan. Having to teach was not something someone in his position and with his abilities would do. He had said so to his Boss, Mr. Dodds. Yet the shark of a man managed to convince him with a 'training bonus' if he successfully taught the newcomer.

Ethan Edris was… not born to be a waiter. He was too eye-catching, thus making many young women complain about not being attended by the 'handsome waiter'. Some of the waiters did grumble whenever they were told that, some just laughed it off. Did the sudden change in the restaurant bother the boss? Not really; as word had spread about the new waiter and many women visited to take a look at him.

Meaning, more customers for the restaurant.

Thankfully, Ethan was eager to learn, and had plenty of wit that he displayed when attending the customers throughout that week.

Iniko had noticed Ethan was aware that he was the reason of the sudden spike of female customers yet did not get carried away by his popularity; like when he attended those young women on the first and second floor who smiled too much at him. He had seen how they would give Ethan big tips and whisper things at him. He had once asked what they said.

"Askin' for improper things." Ethan wryly replied.

"With a promise of extra money, I guess." Iniko hedged to know more about the matter.

Ethan had just noncommittally shrugged and replied: "My future wife'd kill me if she realized I'm becoming too chummy with other women."

After those words, Iniko had a better opinion on the new worker. He had seen lots of waiters, male and female, being affected by words and extra-paid favors from customers and then get in problems. Of course, they were fired due to their indiscretions.

Another thing Iniko discovered about Ethan was that the latter was the type of person who learned fast, talked little about customers with the other waiters, and did his job efficiently. Although he had been a bit slow at the beginning due to his writing, he improved by leaps and bounds once that was out of the way.

He quickly memorized the position of the tables according to their number, and had a good balance with the tray. But, most importantly, he memorized the whole menu and was even able to make accurate suggestions to the indecisive customers. He had received a few tips from the customers who had followed those suggestions.

The day before, Iniko had given Mr. Dodds a report on Ethan Edris' progress; the boss was obviously happy to hear his investment had paid well. Knowing Ethan's work, Iniko suggested making the other serve on the first and second floor to take advantage of his good looks. However, Mr. Dodds said that would be unfair for all the other waiters.

It was Mr. Dodds who implemented the system of being paid according to the experience after all. The more experience a waiter had, the better the chances to be promoted to serve the upper floors and receive a higher pay. What would the other waiters say if they suddenly promoted a newcomer just because of looks?

If Ethan was to serve on the upper floors, he had to earn the position.

Iniko, of course, knew that was the correct way to do things; yet, he also thought that would make them lose an important asset to serve the prickly and wealthy people.

It just took a week for Iniko to see that Ethan could become perfect one of the best waiters in the restaurant. Such a good worker was rarely seen.

With that said, it was strange Ethan to be distracted. It not only happened while cleaning the tables, it also happened when a customer had to wave twice to get his attention to place an order. They were serving on the second floor! Awareness was a must! There was no room for mistakes with such customers!

Luckily, the person did not react or commented badly on his behavior and the rest of the meal went without a hitch.

Thinking his student would be affected by something after such a perfect week, it made Iniko proactively ask, "Is something wrong?"

"Ah? No. Just things at home." Ethan vaguely commented.

"With your future wife?" Iniko persisted. If the problem affected his work, then it was serious. If he could help somehow, then Iniko was willing to do so.

As the two quickly walked down the steps towards the kitchen, carrying the trays full of dirty dishes, the dumb smile on Ethan's face returned. Though, inwardly, he still deliberated whether to tell Iniko about the matter or not. He knew by experience that it was not good to share the home life with coworkers. Who knew if they would use that against him the future?

Glancing at Iniko, who had been good and patient despite his initial distant attitude, Ethan took a leap of faith and shared what happened.

"Isabelle accepted marrying us." Ethan said.

Iniko frowned. "Us?"

"My brothers and I…" Ethan trailed off, unsure how the other would react to his real home situation. "We were…um, poor, still are… So, we can only afford to marry one woman. She'd already agreed, but we properly proposed yesterday and she said yes." His smile returned yet again, but this time it was a tender thing that made Iniko smile as well.

"Congratulations." The older man said, then asked, "When's the wedding?" Although he had heard about families with similar situations as Ethan, it was the first time he actually met someone with that kind of family.

Ethan's expression turned somewhat strained. "There's no date, yet… We, um, just had some problems with people in the village; our family's patch was destroyed by some guys, but 'twas solved by Isabelle."

The dishes they were carrying were left in the washing area, where other employers started their washing task. The two waiters, then, made their way back up to make sure the room where the customers had been was squeaky clean and ready to be used again.

Iniko had not heard much about this Isabelle woman, except what Mr. Dodds had grumbled about and what little Ethan was willing to share, which was extremely limited. Mr. Dodds claimed Isabelle was not someone to take lightly. From what Ethan said, Iniko deduced Isabelle was a very resourceful and talented woman who could easily solve problems, and even make three different shirts for Ethan in such a short time!

Even Mr. Dodds had praised Ethan's clothes!

The first time Iniko saw Ethan with his different and dashing clothes, he was very tempted to ask Ethan if she could make him a few pieces, too. However, after a second thought, he surmised that might offend his own wife who took care of his clothes.

Having such a woman was a blessing, so Iniko did not understand why Ethan still seemed troubled. "What's the problem, then?" He pushed.

Ethan paused his cleaning and sighed. "I was just thinkin' how I'd be able to earn enough money to buy land as our wedding gift for Isabelle."

Iniko gaped at his coworker. That was it? It should not be so hard for Ethan to reach that amount, what with the constant tips he received. The silence was short between the two as someone suddenly snorted. Ethan and Iniko turned to look at the door, from where the sound had come. There, Mr. Dodds stood, casually leaning on the door's frame.

"If you want to earn money. Then, sweat it in my restaurant." Mr. Dodds grinned, waving a paper in his hand, a contract. "I heard you earned a few good tips, so getting the money to buy land won't take you that long."

Mr. Dodds really wanted to applaud Isabelle, that shark. Perhaps Ethan was not perfect for the job as a waiter, but he was hardworking and did not mind hardships. Not only he had the attitude to serve others, he also had the looks; especially after wearing the clothes she made for him, which enhanced his good features.

She had not only dressed her man; she even threw a hook for Mr. Dodds! He wanted his waiters to use those same clothes. To have all his waiters uniformly dressed. He would make her wait though. She would not get the satisfaction of having fished him so quickly!

"Yer really hirin' me?" Taken aback by Mr. Dodds words, Ethan even reverted back to his usual way of speaking.

"You could read this to confirm it." Mr. Dodds walked into the room and passed him the contract.

Ethan shakily opened it, his eyes quickly reading the words that were once difficult for him. Isabelle had thankfully taught him the meaning of those words he ignored before. He was going to become a permanent worker! With an initial salary of 20 coins a month! Most importantly, he could take all the tips given by customers. That meant yet another income source!

"I guess you're ready to try writing with the quill pen again." Mr. Dodds smirked, teasing. Ethan's lip twitched, being reminded of that shameful moment, yet he happily nodded.

After writing his name in the official hiring contract, Ethan spent the rest of the day in a wonderful mood. He did not even care being sent to serve on the ground floor. That he was not going to serve the upper floors anymore, not until he got promoted. Who cared! He finally had a stable job! With a stable income!

No more dreading if he would get booted right after getting paid, or even before that.

Better yet, if he did a good job serving people, he could get extra money in the form of tips! He could buy Isabelle many things!

Land! He had to buy the land first.

He was so happy with his new job that he quickly made his way back home. He wanted to tell his brothers and Isabelle the good news as soon as possible. Such was his good mood that he even ignored the suggestive sounds coming from the kitchen. Joseph was once again taking advantage of Isabelle's ready disposition to indulge on his whims.

Lucas and Felix were arranging the bed to get ready to sleep. Their washing already over.

"Welcome back, Ethan!" Felix cheerfully welcomed him.

"I'm back." Ethan smiled at the two. "I'll go wash. Then, I've something important to tell ya'll." He said after he grabbed his towel and sleeping clothes, and ran out of the house. The sounds coming from the kitchen had ceased and whispered words replaced them.

He first headed to the loo to relieve himself, then he walked to the well and filled a bucket with water. He undressed and splashed the water on his naked body. Serving people was a bit nerve wracking, and he really needed a warm bath to undo all the knots in his body.

Tomorrow, he reminded himself.

He carefully scrubbed his body. Hygiene was a very important asset for a waiter, Isabelle told him. He also did a quick washing before going to work in the morning, following her advice.

Once he was done, everybody was already in the house, waiting for him. His gaze stopped on Isabelle's rosy figure, his feet immediately taking him to her. He swooped down and gave her a loud kiss that made her blush.

"What was that for?" She asked with sparkling eyes.

"I was hired." He announced. There was a moment of silence before Felix whooped in joy, Joseph congratulated him, Lucas patted him on the back, and Isabelle leaned up to return the loud kiss.

"Congratulations, Ethan!" She hugged him, making him clearly feel her round and soft front assets. He hugged her back to enjoy her warmth.

"Things'll be fine. You'll see." He whispered in her hair. She nodded.

He looked up at his happy and relieved brothers and, for the first time, he believed in his own words; he believed things would really be fine.