HOPE

Chapter 14

I wake up earlier than usual. It's actually more like I got out of bed early, considering how I couldn't sleep last night. It wasn't cause of the nightmares I have everyday, just the one I'm about to face today. 

I have no idea about how today would go but I think I could imagine a few possible outcomes. None of them would be able to make me happy. 

I get to work early and start cleaning. I know she would find something so that she could scold me but I did my best to make everything seem okay. I was all alone in the restaurant for more than 20 minutes until Mia showed up. People started coming eventually and by 8'o clock, the restaurant is ready to open the doors to the customers and so is everyone here. 

The morning crowd was as usual but whenever the doorbell rang indicating someone just came in every ones heads just snap towards the door expecting to see Mrs.Diaz any moment. Everyone was completely on the edge. So when they see that its just another customer, some even sigh in relief. 

In the afternoon, when the doorbell rang, everyone looked towards the door. But this time, no one sighed. 

It was just Mrs.Diaz wearing a red pencil skirt and a white blouse looking elegant and fashionable. She walked in just as a customer that if we didn't know she owns this place now, no one would even be able to guess. Mr. Travor walks towards her from his office as Mrs. Diaz made her way to the kitchens. 

I was standing near the door looking at Mrs. Diaz but as they made their way over here, I abandoned the spy spot near the door and went back to work. Everyone in the kitchen started doing something. The atmosphere in the kitchen got suddenly heavy as she walked in there. 

I was cleaning dishes and stuff when Mrs. Diaz made her way around the kitchen, looking at everyone and talking with the chefs. Mr. Travor and our head chef Nick, followed her closely behind her, introducing everyone. I tried to listen what they were talking about but since it was mostly about food and work, I stopped listening after awhile.

I kept thinking about what she would do when it was my turn to talk to her. What will she ask me? What should I say? Will she even talk to me or would she just walk right past me without batting an eye in my direction? At first, I look towards their direction occasionally to see if she even looks at me but she didn't look at me even once. None that I know of. 

Then, I didn't even look to see where she is and after awhile, I was so engrossed in thinking about what would happen while I worked, that I didn't even see them approaching me. 

"And this is-" startled by how close they are, I look towards them.

Mr. Travor begins to introduce me, but Mrs. Diaz interrupts him. 

"Oh, You." I can see she is really disappointed to see me. 

Looking at her, the cheek she slapped the other day started itching. 

Mr. Travor look between us uncomfortably. I'm sure he has no idea what to say. "Uhmm... This is-"

He tries again only to be interrupted, again. 

"Hope. I know." 

Clearly, he shouldn't have tried. But I'm grateful for the gesture.

She stared at me longer than comfortable and I stared right back at her. I couldn't read what her expression was but it sure wasn't happy. I notice that she, just like Veron has blue eyes. 

After awhile, she just walk past me without saying anything. She walks with her back arched and proudly like nothing weird just happened. Mr. Travor smiles at me apologetically and hurries to go after her.