86 - MATTEO D'ANGELO

Aria’s POV

“Why are you not picking, I’ve been trying to call” I heard Kyle’s voice from outside the door while I remained quiet in the house and hearing knock tirelessly.

“Aria – please open up, I know you’re in there Aria” he went on but I stayed quiet and watching him quietly with my chest silently hurting and tears rolling down my eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to actually talk to him, to set my eyes on him and raise in the conflictions in my chest.

“Aria – I talked to Sam, just me hear out, talk to me please”

My heart only sped but still I refused to move from where I stood because talking to him meant I had to see his face, meant I had to let him use my weakness for him to earn my forgiveness, it meant letting him seduce me with his eyes and taunting me with his buttery voice.

“Aria – ” he kept knocking “I won’t stop trying to get you to speak to me”

Then he retreated to leave, I watched him walk away while I sent him a text that embodied my emotions

“We’re done”

I watched him read it, I watched his face contort in confusion as he turned back to stare at my door. I could see the primal urge to run up an break down my door to speak to me, I could see the confliction fight themselves in his eyes but he held back, he clenched and unclenched his fingers before finally walking away and I broke down in tears.

The remaining days of the week was a blur and I was operating more like a robot than an actual human being. Kyle had stopped trying to contact but Sam was still relentless and luckyily for me, neither of them knew where I worked at least for now.

But that particular morning that the sun filtered through the bustling streets of downtown, casting a golden hue that did little to ease the ache in my heart.
Entering the cozy establishment of Lextrel Restaurant, I was immediately greeted by the cheerful banter of my coworkers

“Hey Aria” Emily greeted, a bubbly hostess that always had her hair tied in pig tails no matter the occasion, “Ready for another thrilling day in the fine world of fine dining”

“Ugh don’t remind me” I groaned as I hung my coat. “If I have to deal with another pompous idiot, I’d shoot myself in the leg”

Emily chuckled “Get used to it pumpkin”

With a nod, I made my way to the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the savory scent of breakfast dishes being prepared and just right there, standing amidst the clatter of pots and pan was – Marvis.

Our eyes met briefly, and for a moment, the unspoken tension between us crackled in the air and I pulled my eyes away from him – I didn’t want his gaze to linger on me for long and vice versa.

Dressed in a crisp white blouse and a black apron tied neatly around my waist, I pinned back a loose strand of hair that had escaped from my ponytail and I began to take the orders from the customers and back to the kitchen and taking whatever was ready back to the customers while praying silently that the day goes hasslefree.

Later on, I approached a table occupied by a sharply dressed man who like most men seated at this restaurant exuded an air of entitlement, you could smell it on them like an aftershave cologne so I braced myself for it.

“I’ll have a double espresso” he snapped immediately, his voice laced with condescension. “Make sure it’s piping hot”

I suppressed a sigh and rolled my eyes, turning around to fulfill his order. The steam from the espresso machine swirled around me as I carefully poured the rich, dark liquid into a delicate porcelain cup. Placing it before him with a professional smile, I was met with a derisive snort.

“What the hell! This is barely warm” he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain and I shot him a strange look which only seemed to intensify his anger.

“Keep your eyes down, you bloody wench. You’re just a waitress, what makes you think you could look me in the eye” he went on but I was unable to pull my eyes only and this caused him to smirk dangerously, a cunning look festering at the corner of his eyes and suddenly, his hands found my waist and he touched me

“I see you’re the feisty type”

Immediately I froze when his slimy hands touched me and something inside me snapped. Without a second thought, I grabbed a glass of ice-cold water and tossed it defiantly in his face. Shock registered on his features as the icy droplets trickled down his pristine suit. His face flushed with anger, he rose menacingly from his seat, ready to retaliate.

“You bloody – ” but before he could take another step, Marvis appeared in front blocking the blow that he was about to strike on me, his presence like a soothing balm in the brewing storm. Except Marvis eyes darkened dangerously as he pushed me aside, his eyes now locked with the man.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Marvis thundered and my heart pounded instantly. He was going to get in trouble, I didn’t think a manager was supposed to challenge the customer at least not looking like he was going to snuff the lights out of him in a second.

“Who the hell are you?” the man thundered back

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave” Marvis said instead but the man didn’t look like he was going to back down.

“I want to speak to your manager”

“You’re looking at him” Marvis said back and the man had a sneer on his face as he looked at Marvis from head to toe assessing him but Marvis didn’t seem intimidated.

“Then I want to see the bloody CEO of this place”

There was a slight pause, and a slight smirk formed on his lips and then his next words caught me off guard “You’re equally looking at him”

My hands went up to my mouth to suppress an escaping gasp

“I’m Matteo D’angelo, speak to me directly”