Chapter 5 - The Table Beside the Window| The following evening, Dela arrived at work twenty minutes early.
She needed the extra time. Her reduced schedule meant she could no longer afford to lose a shift, and Puit had assigned her to the far side of the dining room, where the tables were smaller and the tips were unpredictable.
Still, she ironed her uniform carefully, pinned her hair into place, and checked the soles of her shoes.
Her mother had always said that being treated unfairly was no reason to abandon your own standards.
Dela repeated the words as she entered the restaurant.
Puit stood near the host station, inspecting a floral arrangement.
“You're early.”
“Traffic was light.”
“Then you can help polish the wine glasses before service.”
Dela glanced at the clock.
“My assigned tables open in ten minutes.”
“And now you have a different assignment.”
He handed her a crate of glasses.
She accepted it without argument.
Across the room, Julian Rock entered through the main doors wearing a dark navy suit. He carried no entourage and made no announcement. The host recognized him and immediately began to straighten.
Julian raised one finger.
“Please. No fuss.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Table three, if it's available.”
The host hesitated.
“Mr. Puit has assigned that table to a regular guest tonight.”
“Then I'll take another.”
“No, sir. I can move things around.”
Julian's expression cooled.
“I said another table.”
He was seated at table four, beside the window, where the light from the setting sun turned the glassware amber.
Dela saw him while carrying the crate toward the service station.
For a moment, she wondered if he had returned because of what happened the night before. Perhaps he intended to complain. Perhaps he was a corporate representative. Perhaps he was simply a man who liked sea bass.
She approached with a menu.
“Good evening. Welcome back.”
Julian looked up.
“You remember me.”
“You ordered the sea bass and sparkling water yesterday.”
“I did.”
“And the rosemary bread.”
He glanced at the menu.
“Should I expect another lecture about living a little?”
“Only if you order the same thing.”
“Then I'll take the sea bass.”
“Very adventurous.”
“Sparkling water.”
“An absolute rebel.”
The corner of his mouth moved.
It was not quite a smile, but Dela counted it as progress.
She took his order and returned to the kitchen. As she passed the manager's office, she heard Puit speaking in a low voice.
“No, I said the report is complete. The owner has no reason to keep asking questions.”
A pause.
“Because I handled it.”
Another pause.
“I don't care what the new audit says. We have a full dining room and a major investor visiting next month. I'm not letting a careless girl turn this place into a circus.”
Dela kept walking.
She had no intention of listening to private conversations. But when she returned with Julian's water, she noticed a second person near the service corridor: a woman in a cream blazer holding a tablet.
The woman glanced at Dela's name badge.
“Dela Marsh?”
“Yes.”
“I'm Lena Ortiz. I work with Mr. Rock.”
Dela looked toward table four.
“Is something wrong?”
“Not necessarily. I'd like to speak with you about last night's incident. When you have a few minutes.”
Dela's stomach tightened.
“Am I in trouble?”
Lena's expression changed.
“No. That's actually why I'm asking.”
Before Dela could respond, Puit emerged from his office.
His eyes went directly to Lena, then to Dela.
“What is this?”
Lena held up her identification.
“I'm conducting an internal review.”
Puit's smile was too quick.
“Of course. Anything you need, you come directly to me.”
“I may,” Lena said. “But I'd like to hear from the staff as well.”
Puit looked at Dela.
For a moment, the message in his eyes was unmistakable.
Be careful.
Dela looked back at him, then at Lena.
“I can speak after service.”
“Thank you,” Lena said.
As Dela walked away, she noticed Julian watching from his table.
May you like
This time, he did smile.
And for reasons she could not explain, that small expression made her feel less alone.
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