"Clara hurry up! you're going to be late for work!" Natasha shouted, her voice tinged with frustration
"Relax I'm on my way" Clara replied causally, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Besides, I've got plenty of time to do my final touch-ups".
"So you think" Natasha rolled her eyes, grabbing Clara's arm and dragged her to the car.
The drive from the house to Savron Restaurant was nearly a hundred kilometers.
"Given your current speed, I'm sure you will be able to drop me off and still make it to your place of work before 8:30 a.m.," Clara teased, trying to sweet-talk Natasha.
Finally, they arrived at Savron. Clara was calm at first, but as soon as she stepped out a flicker of nervousness crept in.
"It's okay Clara, you got this. Just keep your glasses on though!"
Natasha teased
"Get out of here you troublemaker!"
Clara laughed, nudging her friend before Natasha drove off, leaving Clara alone with her thoughts.
She strode in the restaurant, took the elevator to the staff quarters and quickly changed into her uniform. The outfit fit perfectly, accentuating her figure.
With work starting at 9:00 a.m., and it's just 8:25 a.m., Clara sat in the staff lounge.
"All thanks to Natasha, I'm here sitting like a lonely puppy" Clara muttered to herself .
Not far away, a young man was observing her, unnoticed. After few moments, he approached her.
"Hi", he said, his voice unfamiliar but friendly
Clara turned, surprised. "Hey"
"I'm Bryan"
"Oh, I'm Clara Wale"
"Nice to meet you, Clara". He flashed a charming smile that softened his already delicate features.
"Looks like we're wearing the same uniform, so we must be in the same department".
"Oh, you're right.I didn't notice!" Clara said, a bit embarrassed.
"That's fine. So, Clara, since we would be seeing each other more often, can we be friends?"
Clara was about to turn down the request but looking into his eyes, it felt like a tranquil sea which brought a sense of relaxation and tenderness.
"Sure" she agreed, her guard lowering.
"Thank you!" he replied, extending his hand for a friendly handshake. She took it, smiling.
"Uhm... Bryan I think it's time. Let's get to work"
"Oh, yes. We can't mess up on our first day!"
They joined the other staffs for a brief meeting with the MD.
"Good morning, everyone, the MD began.
"You're here because you're qualified. So please, uphold our company's reputation. You have been assigned to departments, and it's crucial you stay at your designated posts. Failure to do so will result to penalties. Understood?"
"Yes, sir", they all responded in unison.
Bryan and Clara were assigned to the executive dining department, where they would only serve VIP guests. Soon, distinguished clients began arriving, and the staff maintained a high level of professionalism—even while some couldn't help but notice their favourite celebrities.
Meanwhile, at the Alexandro mansion;
"Son, I know you haven't fully recovered, but it's time you to get acquainted with the family business. It might even help with your memory", Mitchell's father said gently.
"Yeah, sure, Dad. I'm good with that", Mitchell replied.
"Great. Put on something formal, we have a meeting with some international clients".
Mitchell quickly got dressed, and they headed to the car waiting for them.
At the restaurant, people where in awe seeing the young man who just strode in. His enigmatic presence drew gazes from both the low class and the high class, exuding an unspoken authority, both proud and fierce.
Those who had seen the news were in awestruck; Mitchell Alexandro was alive and just as mesmerizing.
"Oh my god he's so flawless!"
"And rich too!"
"I wish he'd ask me. It would be a dream come true!"
Clara tried to stifle a smile as she overhead the whispers. But she was too focused on perfecting a cocktail to realize it was Mitchell, the very man they were fawning over.
"Who on earth is making everyone act this way" she wondered to herself.
Once her cocktail was ready, she wore her mandatory mask and proceeded to serve the VIP guests. Arriving at the VIP table, she was taking aback to see Mitchell sitting there. After a brief pause, she regained her composure and began serving.
"Young lady are you blind? you just stepped on Master Alexandro! what have you done" Ashley snapped, clearly agitated
He couldn't recognize that he was shouting at his own childhood friend
"What a foolish friend" Clara said to herself before voicing out an apology
"I'm sorry sir it was a mistake"
"It's fine. Just be careful next time" Master Alexandro replied
Mitchell who heard the voice found it familiar. He raises his head from his phone but the lady had already turned her back and was about leaving.
"That voice... it sounds just like Clara's,"
Mitchell mused his gaze lifting as he tried to place it.
"No it couldn't be her. Clara is back at Ottad village, and besides... she's not nearly this...curvy."
Clara couldn't shake the image of Mitchell from her mind. She tried to refocus, mentally scolding herself.
"He's just passing through. Don't let him distract you. Focus, Clara. He's not here for you
".
With a renewed focus, she returned to her cocktail preparations, determined to stay professional.