It’s only my second day and I already hate this job. 

All these years of university to end up serving drinks to a bunch of cocky assholes. 

I just walked up to a table where three tough looking guys are sitting, and I politely ask if I could get them anything to drink before sending the waiter to take their orders, but a smartass kind of grin springs on one of them.

“I’d love to try some of your…” He purposely coughs bringing his fist to his mouth. “What was it called? That juice, you know?” He snortles.

“Pardon me?”  I reply after a moment of hesitation. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.  I’m sorry about that, but I’m new, so maybe I should send someone more experienced to talk about that.”  I clear my voice. “Juice,” I add, keeping a phony polite smile on my face.

“Wow!”  the ‘funny guy’ blurts.

“Shut up Dan!”  One of his friend – a really hot one, wearing a leather jacket – rumbles. “I’m sorry about my friend.  He’s a little buzzed, don’t take it personally.” He groans, almost piercing me with his magnetic blue eyes.

“I’m not buzzed!”  The ‘stupid’ one protests.

“I said shut, up.”  The hot guy firmly reminds his friend. Then he locks his magnetic eyes on mine. “Please get us a bottle of Chateau Margaux 2009 before we order our entries,” He says letting out a charming, sexy grin.

 My nostrils involuntarily broaden.  I try to keep calm and I remind myself how bad I need this job.  “Certainly Sir,” I mutter.

He sneers. “Call me Zac.” 

“I’m sorry, I’m not allowed to call customers by their first names. It’s the restaurant’s policy.” 

He chuckles shaking his head. His friends follow suit seemingly delighted by the show he’s putting on.

“Alright then, so your name would be?”  He asks, squinting his eyes slightly reminding me of a famous actor.

“Well, I’m not allowed to tell you that either.”  I pause for a moment and then I add: “Sir.”  I tilt my head slightly, smirking with one side of my mouth.  “I’ll be right back with your wine,”

He raises an eyebrow, half amused and half surprised by my reaction, and as I turn and walk away, I hear the guys chuckling and buzzing.

“Jerks!” I mutter through my teeth as I grab the expensive bottle of red wine in the cellar. 

When I go back to their table nobody speaks and the tension is palpable.

“Thank you,” Zac says, his squared jaw clenched into a devilish grin.

His friends are pretending to be busy reading the menu.  I open the wine and I pour half an inch into his glass. 

He takes his time, and rotates the glass, pondering through it.   Finally, he takes a sip, slowly tasting the dense, red fluid. ‘Does he want to show off? Or does he always do that?’. 

I stand beside him, waiting for his response.

He looks up after savoring the dark nectar and nods slightly, and when his gaze meets mine, I feel a little tingle run up my spine - his eyes are magnetic.  Deep and blue, like the ocean - I pour the wine into their glasses, feeling a little clumsy and then I mumble “I’ll have my colleague take your orders.”

“Sounds great, I’m starving,” the one who tried to be funny in the first place says.

I walk away, and I go looking for the head waiter Nick - I don’t take orders, I only carry the plates and drinks for now - and I find him near the cashier. 

“Hey, I think the guys on table ten are almost ready,” I murmur.

He looks forward and when he realizes who I’m referring to, he says, “Oh my God, they are hot! And look at that guy,” he says. “That one is super hot!”  He mumbles while rolling his eyes, placing his hand on his chest.

I drop my jaw halfway and gasp silently. “Nick!”  I whisper with smiling eyes.  “Anyway, his name’s Zac.”

Nick is a lovely gay guy.  He did my orientation a couple of days ago, and we established a good connection right away. 

“Oh, nice name! Look at how his biceps flex under his shirt! Too bad he’s straight, I can tell that from a mile away,” he says frowning blatantly.

“He’s a dick anyway,” I squeal quietly.

“Well, he sure is, if you know what I mean.”  He giggles over his shoulder, walking toward their table.

I let out a soft smile as I slowly shake my head.

 

***

 

As I walk through the tables, carrying dishes and drinks, I sense that man’s eyes on me. He doesn’t do it annoyingly, but I feel observed, and when the three friends ask for the check, I exhale, relieved they are leaving. 

It’s midnight, and as soon as the last customers walk out the door, I slip off of my shoes sighing relieved.

I moan. “Jeez my feet hurt so bad.” 

“Oh, don’t you worry dear, you’ll get used to it!” Nick sings as he locks the front door from the inside.

The thought of getting accustomed to this job suddenly scares me but I reply with a polite grin. “I hope so Nick, but now I really need a hot bath.”

He peeks at me with an almost compassionate gaze, waving his hand to the door in a very feminine way. “Jusst go. You’ve done enough for your sssecond day.”  He mutters, winking at me.

“But I…I need to help you guys for tomorrow. I don’t want the others to think I’m a slacker.”

“Shhh!” I place his index finger on his plump lips. “I’ll do it for you. I’ll tell the others you didn’t feel well.” He murmurs. “Just don’t get used to this too much!”  He giggles rolling his eyes.

I’m moved. This guy doesn’t even know me and he’s being so nice to me.

“Oh, Nick.  Thank you, but I don’t…” 

“Just go! Take a nice rest. I’ll see ya tomorrow.”  He waves me away again and walks toward the kitchen. 

A couple of waitresses, who are setting up the tables, glare at me viciously and I hesitate for a moment, but I feel so exhausted that I take advantage of Nick’s offer. I quickly walk barefoot to the dressing room and wear my comfortable canvas shoes, without even removing my waitress uniform. I wear my coat, and I’m all set to go.

When I’m out I inhale the fresh night air. It’s a wonderful evening and the temperature is mellow, but I’m too tired to walk home and I decide to invest a little cash into a cab ride.

The streets are quiet, and I shudder when a cat meows loudly and crosses my way with a couple of thumps, rapidly sneaking underneath a car on my left. 

“Shit!” I mumble, catching my breath right after.

“It’s only a cat.” A manly voice groans behind me.

I gulp, instinctively turning.

I’ve been frightened for the second time in a few seconds - and when I recognize the man standing behind me, my heart hammers.