Page 21 of Falling for My Best Friend's Dad
I’ve been working as a manager at Bay Bistro a week already. My shift starts at noon and finishes at nine every day for five days a week. Even though serving is physically demanding, I feel relaxed and happy. Because I’m getting more rest, I have more energy and I’m smiling a lot more. Customers obviously appreciate my enthusiasm, because I’m getting a lot of tips and grateful comments. I don’t plan to find a new job anytime soon, as Richard believes I will.
I haven’t gotten the chance, or the courage, to return to J L Electronics to retrieve my belongs yet. I keep postponing the ordeal. I had the thoughts of suing Jason, but after speaking to a few lawyers, I decided it wasn’t worth the stress or the time. I’m better off just put the whole thing behind and move on with my life.
The rain that starts in the afternoon reminds me it’s November and the beginning of the raining season.
It turns to a storm as it gets dark. The restaurant is quiet throughout the evening, and Richard closes early. Despite my protest, Richard lets me calculate and the tips from the cash register, while he counts the inventory in the kitchen. My hands shake a bit since it’s the first time I handle the cash, and I end up counting the register three times.
After we split the tips, the other servers soon leave. Richard comes out from the kitchen with his writing pad. While I wait for him to record the day’s sales, I keep glancing at him. I’ve been thinking about him a lot more lately, to the point of obsession. I replay our brief but passionate moment over and over in my head whenever I have a chance. At night, I often fall into sweet dreams with him in mind. There are times I regret my reaction the other night. But back then, I couldn’t help being disgusted with myself for making out with my boss. Unlike Jason, Richard was a good man, but he was still my boss and we were at workplace. I despised Jenny, didn’t I? Then why was I behaving like her?
Richard has been keeping his promise of keeping it professional between us. As much as I appreciate his self-control, I’m disappointed from time to time. And I can’t help but wonder whether he’s still attracted to me, or whether the passion he held for me has already vanished. I’m not surprised if it’s the case because Richard has given his heart o Olivia. He can’t be serious to any other woman, including me, right? No matter what the answer is, I have no complaints. My crush for him started precisely because of his devotion to Olivia.
Before we leave, Richard asks me, “Could you come at eleven tomorrow? I have to get some kitchen supplies.”
“Sure, I say.”
We lock up and he shows me how to enter the security code, before handing me the spare key.
I park half a block away from the restaurant. Richard shares his umbrella with me as he walks me to my car. He holds me against him, protecting me from the rain, although I don’t mind it so much. I wish I’d parked farther because I enjoy being so close to him and protected by him. But my car soon comes into sight.
He stands next to me until I get in the driver's seat. “Safe drive!”
“Thanks. You too. See you tomorrow,” I say to him before closing the car door.
I watch him walk away toward the restaurant parking lot, and then I insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it. Nothing happens. I do it again. Still nothing.Shit. Not today!I mumble as I try again and again. A week ago it wouldn’t start right away, but it did eventually after a few trials. No luck this time. Damn. I knew the battery needed attention, but I ignored it. Great. Late at night and when it’s raining cats and dogs.
I take a deep breath to calm down and consider my choices. Well, at least I’m not in a hurry to go to work. I could call Richard. He isn’t far. But I don’t want to trouble him. I have the AAA and I could use the service. I pull out my membership card from my purse and dial the number, but change my mind when I see the time. It’s nine thirty. If I called the roadside assistance, it would take another hour before I could head home. The rain is hitting the roof of my car fiercely. Shit. I don’t feel like waiting here longer. It’s cold and I’m shivering. I’m going to leave the car here and call AAA tomorrow.
I call my mom and tell her about the situation. “Okay, Kayla,” My mom says. “Don’t worry about us. I’ll take Leo and Maria to school tomorrow.”
I return to the restaurant. The most sensible thing for me to do is to take the couch in the storeroom.
I take off my wet jacket and towel-dry my hair before lying down on the couch. I’ve napped here before. It’s quite roomy. Richard sometimes rests here after lunch hours, and there are pillows and blankets on the shelf.
I almost drift into a sleep when I hear noises outside. What the hell? My eyes fly open and my heart pounds erratically. It sounds like someone is out there! Burglary? But what’s there to steal? Sure, there’s a safe, but without much cash in it. Wait. Richard has some vintage wine worth thousands of dollars…
Shit. I grab my phone and get ready to dial 911. Just then the doorknob turns and the door swings open. I stifle a gasp and freeze. I hear the light switch flicks and I blink as lights floods the dark room.
With my heart in my mouth, I stare at the tall figure that enters and sigh with relief. “Richard. Thank God!”
“Jesus, Kayla! What the hell are you doing here?” Richard looks astonished.
“I… uh, my car battery died. Why are you back?”
“I came to check the leaks,” he says. “I forgot to do it earlier.”
I recall he had someone fixed the leaks at various places, including the storeroom, back in April.
“I see,” I say as I glance at the ceiling. “No, there isn’t any leak.”
Richard surveys the place and nods. “Looks fine to me.”
And then he says to me, “I can jump start your car.”
I shake my head, not wanting the hassle of being out in the rain again. “I’m fine sleeping here. I’ll call AAA tomorrow. I probably need a new battery.”
He pauses for a moment. “I can’t let you sleep here. Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
“No,” I say. “It’s late. You won’t be able to get any sleep…. I won’t be able to either.”
