Avani

****

"Why are you eating leftovers?", a voice said from behind. I turned to look, it was Jack.

"God, this is so embarrassing.", I whispered to myself. Why he is even here? He's not supposed to be at this area.

"Hi??", he stated and waved at me.

"I'm hungry. That's why", I responded.

"That's why you're feeding on left overs?? You can't be that hungry", he said with confusion all over his face.

"I can. I am", I answered defensively. I wiped off the oil on my lips and rushed out. I ran to the restroom to have a quick cry session.

"This is so embarrassing, I hate you Raymond". I yelled and started crying

"I hate you. I hate you", I continued yelling and then I started banging on the door. It was then I realized that I wasn't in my room. People would hear and start wondering what was happening. I stopped and put myself back together. I wiped my eyes and walked out of the restroom like I didn't just crash out. I walked back to counter and saw Lana watching pictures of Jack on instagram . I rolled my eyes and sat down.

"He's so hot. Look", she said and turned her phone so I could see what she was talking about.

"Yeah right". I replied faintly. I felt really hungry and tired. The hunger was more than usual. I just kept on enduring because the day was almost over. It was already 4pm and I had like 3 more hours. Lana already left cause she had an emergency to attend to, so it was just I and another waitress. She and I never got along. I didn't even know her name. She was always behaving weird around me, I felt like she didn't like me, so I did my best to avoid her.

At last, it was time for me to go home. I was so exhausted. I began to pack my stuffs in my bag. As I was about leaving, I heard a familiar voice.

"Avani Morgan.". I looked back. It was Jack. Oh God. He probably wants to mock me for eating people's leftovers. How does he even know my name?, i thought to myself. I looked at him. I can't lie he's so good looking. He's tall and has a slim muscular build. I get what Lana was yapping about. His green eyes matches his face so well. I felt he noticed I was checking him out and then I turned my face.

"Avani", he said and snapped his fingers.

"That's me. We've closed. I can't take your order right now. You have to come back tomorrow sir.", I responded.

"I don't want anything. I got this for you.", he stated, and then handed me a pack of food.

He got me food? I was dazed. Why is he being nice to me. This is strange. This was exactly how Raymond started, maybe he wants to pick up where Raymond left off and continue ruining my life, I reflected.

"No thank you. I'm no longer hungry", I uttered and returned the food. I immediately left the restaurant to avoid further conversations.

***

I walked into my house and heard mum scolding Jayla.

"I told you, no one is allowed to have a boyfriend in this house until 21. Did I not make myself clear?", mum yelled and dragged Jayla. She noticed me and continued.

"This is how your stupid sister right there started. Look at how miserable she is right now. Her mates are applying for college and she's here reckless and behind, because she chose to leave her studies and chase after boys", mum added.

Jayla was crying. I stood at the door watching everything. I felt so bad for her. Mum seized her phone.

"You're grounded", mum yelled at her and she ran up the stairs. I shook my head and followed Jayla. I entered her room and started comforting her. Mum was being so mean for no reason. I get it, she was trying to protect us but I knew there were better ways to go about it. I felt like confronting mum but I was scared that she'll get upset and kick me out of the house.

"It's ok", I said and cuddled her. I didn't even know when I slept off. I woke up in her room and to my greatest surprise it was 7:30am.

It was a Saturday so Jayla was still asleep. I got off her bed immediately and ran to my room to prepare for work. I was under probation and it'd be very bad to arrive late. I tried rushing and doing everything fast, but before I could finish; it was already 8:02. I didn't have a phone, I would have called Lana and ask her to fill in for me. I accepted there was nothing I could do, so I reduced the speed at which I was getting ready cause I was already overstimulated. I got into a Taxi and went to work.

When I got to work my boss started scolding me. I faced down to stare at the floor. He was yelling at me in front of the customers. It was quite embarrassing.

"Leave her alone", Jack yelled back at him.

Jack? Again? What does he want??, I pondered. Everybody froze and began to stare. I bet they were wondering why Jack was defending me. My boss became quiet and started apologizing to Jack. I shamefully left the scene and went to the counter. I rested my head on the counter and began to cry. Lana came fast to comfort me and suddenly I felt another hand on me.

"Are you okay?", Jack asked me. Before I could respond, a girl with short brown hair and a short dress walked in and pulled Jack's hand. She whispered something in his ears and looked at me with disgust.

"I hate this restaurant. I told you this place is not civilized let's leave", she nagged.

"That's his sister", Lana whispered to me. She looked nothing like him but she was really beautiful and I couldn't help but admire her. I realized they were extremely rich. Everything she wore was luxurious.

"Let's go", Jack said to her and walked away with her.

I palmed my face and laid my head back on the counter. Once again I've been humiliated in public. I started feeling dizzy. I didn't eat anything after the leftover incident. I can't start eating leftovers again. I begged Lana to share her food with me and she agreed. I never told her my parents stopped me from eating at home. I was glad she shared her food with me, even though it wasn't enough for me.

****

The following day, I got to work really early. My boss didn't say anything to me after Jack scolded him. I knew he was mad at me so I apologized to him. He said it was fine and he apologized for scolding me in front of the customers. We settled our differences and I thanked him. He even said he was going to increase my salary to $100. I became happy and I thanked him endlessly. The month was about to end and I would be receiving $100. I was extremely grateful.

"There'd be an important dinner today. I want everything to be in order, and I want everyone to be well behaved.", my boss said and walked away.

"Rumors have it that Jack Trevor is buying this restaurant", Lana whispers to me. I gave her a weird look. I started praying in my mind that he doesn't buy the restaurant. If he does that would mean I'd have to see him almost all the time. I've had enough already.

Lana, the other girl and I set up the restaurant awaiting the VIPs. I started feeling shaky and lightheaded. I went to the counter, grabbed a glass of water, and chugged it.

I looked outside through the transparent doors and I saw different black cars packed outside.

"Our visitors are here", the manager said as she cross-checked the whole place.

Jack and his family walked in. Oh My God. They looked so good and expensive. Jack and his dad were putting on black suit on white sleeves, with a bow tie, and black pants. Jack's sister and mum wore a black long shiny 'oh Polly' dress, with black louboutin heels. My gaze shifted to Jack as they walked in. He looked so breathtaking.

"Wow", i muttered.

"I know right?", Lana said and blushed.

My boss asked me to take their orders. I looked at Lana, thinking she'd opt to do it for me but she nodded her head in disagreement. I was feeling dizzy but I had to do it. I couldn't disobey my boss especially now that he has agreed to increase my salary, besides tomorrow's pay day.

I walked up to their table, took their orders and went back to organize everything. Jack didn't take his eyes off me. He kept on staring at me and it was making me feel nervous.

I returned with a tray full of food and drinks. I began to drop the plates on the table, one after the other. My hands were really shaky. Jack's sister wouldn't stop giving me dirty looks.

As I was about to set the last glass of wine on the table, disaster struck. I tripped and spilled it all over Jack's mom's dress.