The restaurant appears modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a deck that wraps around the outside. A black sign with gold lettering proudly displays the name of the restaurant and my new place of employment: Crown Village Seafood Restaurant. It’s fine dining, and I hope I’m not out of my depth. I’m not the most graceful person. I think the manager at my last restaurant gave me a good reference to get rid of me. I accidentally broke several plates and glasses. I always apologized, but I’m lucky I kept my job as long as I did.
A Closed sign hangs on the door, but when I knock lightly, a young man appears. He opens the door, and I say, “Hello, I’m Elena. I’m supposed to be starting today.” I try to sound confident, though I don’t feel it.
The man’s eyes roam my body, making me shift uncomfortably. His smile widens when his eyes reach mine. “Hey, sorry,” he says and opens the door further. “Come on in. The name’s Cameron.”
I carefully enter. My stomach rolls like crazy.
“You’re more beautiful in person,” he quips, and I pause. “I had to check out your Instagram profile,” he says casually, and then he laughs when I don’t answer. “My father makes me ensure I’m hiring the right people; he can’t hire someone whose behavior will reflect poorly on the business. You know... our family restaurant’s reputation is important.”
As I exhale, my shoulders sag an inch. “Of course,” I say and smile. He was doing his due diligence for his family’s business.
“Come take a seat,” Cameron says, glancing at the closest two-seater table.
He sits down opposite me, and I can’t help but notice that he’s handsome, with brown eyes and hair and a broad smile.
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I appreciate it.” More than he will know—it allowed me to get out of my hometown.
His eyes light up. “It’s my pleasure. About the restaurant, we serve seafood, obviously. It’s fine dining, so the customers expect professional service. Your role at the beginning is to bring out food to the designated tables. Simple. I need you to smile and be professional and approachable.” His eyes trail me again. “What you’re wearing is perfect.”
I clasp my hands together and sit up straight, trying not to show how nervous I am.
He takes a menu from the table and passes it to me. “We serve primarily high-quality, locally sourced and sustainable seafood and produce, and our prices match our ethos.” He glances down at his watch. “The chefs and waitresses will arrive soon to prepare for lunch. I’ll have one girl show you the ropes, and you can shadow her today. If you have any questions, just let me know.”
His phone rings and he pulls it from his pocket. “Hey,” he answers and puts a finger up at me, signaling he’ll be a moment. I nod and give him a small smile before he walks toward the rear of the restaurant and enters a door that I assume leads to the kitchen.
As I wait for him to return, I survey the restaurant. Tables are separated evenly around and ringed with elegant chairs with timber legs and plush fabric seats. The real beauty is the full view of the ocean.
Members of staff come in through the front door; the men smile at me, and a bald one gives me a friendly wave. They head to the back of the restaurant. Women dressed similarly to me walk in, but they pay no attention to me. Not that I’m anyone important, but I was hoping to make a few friends while I’m here.
Cameron’s been gone for a while, so I pull my phone out of my bag. When the women start setting up the tables, I stand up to help just as Cameron reappears and the front door opens.
“Mel, good to see you’ve turned up.”
A girl around my age with a short pixie cut walks in. She gives Cameron a big smile, walks to him, and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
I’m surprised at the affection. I hope Cameron doesn’t expect that from me.
“Miss me, did you?” she purrs.
“Always,” he says playfully, and then he turns toward me. “Elena is new. She’s shadowing you today.” He turns back to Mel. “Be nice,” he says sternly.
That is not an encouraging sign.
Cameron walks away and Mel moves toward me, her eyes scanning me up and down. “I can see why he hired you.”
I clear my throat. “Why do you say that?”
“He only hires attractive waitresses.” Her eyes drift over me again. “Come with me. I’ll show you where to put your things.”
As I walk behind her, I notice that she’s dressed like me, although her skirt is a lot shorter than mine. I tap her on the shoulder and lower my voice. “I don’t have to kiss Cameron on the cheek, do I?” I recoil at the thought.
She laughs. “No, but it’ll do you a lot of good to beveryfriendly to him. The tips here are worth putting up with him. I encourage it, though, because I usually get the best shifts when I do.”
I’ve already decided that that won’t be happening. I guess I’ll have to deal with getting the crappy shifts.
We walk past the tables, then through the large doors and into the kitchen area. Mel puts her bag on a shelf. “Put your bag up here.”
As I put my bag away, Mel’s phone beeps. She pulls it out, then laughs when she stares at the screen and types.
