Page 16 of His Virgin Angel

Chapter Three

Brian stopped the fights, and Piper was able to relax, at least for now. Principal Green called her into his office to actually apologize, shocking the hell out of her. He told her that he wouldn’t be calling any social services, and that all she needed to do was stop Brian from fighting.

She promised him that it wouldn’t even be a problem anymore. Her brother had learned his lesson, and wouldn’t be fighting. If she could handle name calling when living with their mother, then maybe he could handle it as well.

For the next couple of weeks, Piper was able to focus on her college assignments, and also her work at the restaurant. Jack came in every single night she was working. She worked three nights a week, and two evening shifts. The restaurant opened in the morning for breakfast meetings. From what Mark told her, they served alcohol from lunchtime onwards.

With the demand in the restaurant they’d employed a couple of new people, Mandy and Louisa.

Both were beautiful women, and Mandy was great. She was happy to make friends, and learn whatever anyone was willing to teach. Piper got along well with her. Mandy was also in college, but she was training to be a chef. On her breaks, Mandy would sneak into the kitchen, watching.

The head chef Ryan, loved it, and as Piper watched she was sure he had a crush on her.

Louisa was a whole different kind of person. She was mean, spiteful, and refused to help anyone. The problem was, no one actually complained. Her tables were always perfect. It was her just attitude toward the rest of the staff that seemed to be a problem. Piper had seen her trying to flirt with both Leon and Luther, which didn’t end well for Louisa. Both men ignored her.

Mark wasn’t happy, and everyone sensed that.

For some reason Louisa didn’t like Piper, and any chance Louisa got, she showed it. Once Piper was carrying two plates, and Louisa tripped her up, sending the food crashing to the floor.

Another time it was drinks, or Louisa would take over from Piper’s table, and the customers wouldn’t get their food, but the blame fell to Piper.

In the back room, Piper was cleaning her hand after she’d spilt her tray of drinks, because she’d cut her hand picking up the glass.

Luther entered the room, which the staff used to change and store their things. “I saw Louisa actually push you.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. I don’t give a shit about how good she is with the customers. Louisa needs to go.”

“How are things with you and Leon?”

“We’re friends, Piper. We’ll always be friends.” He knelt on the floor, taking her hand within his. “It’s not too deep.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll have worse than this by the time I’m old.”

He chuckled. “You need to complain to Mark.”

“And tell him what? ‘Mark, you need to fire Louisa, she’s bullying me’? It sounds very playschool, kindergarten stuff. I love working here, and if I can’t handle that, how am I going to handle any job I’m in?”

“Louisa is not like most people. She’s a first class bitch,” he said.

“You once told me everyone is a bitch. It’s the quiet ones you need to look out for.”

“And I am looking out for you. I don’t like this. She is targeting you.”

The door opened, and Mandy walked in looking concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Another little accident.” Once Luther secured the Band-Aid, Piper stared at it.

“Jack is at his regular table,” Mandy said.

“Work, work, work,” Piper said, getting to her feet.

“You really need to tell Mark.”

“I’ll tell him if it gets worse. Until then, I’m going to serve Jack.” She left the room with Luther and Mandy behind her.

Heading straight for Jack’s table, she saw that Louisa was already there, notepad in hand. Her heart started to race, and she felt sick to her stomach. She didn’t want to lose Jack to Louisa. It was strange, but she liked that she was the one who handled Jack’s order. It was the little things that helped her believe she was repaying a debt. He’d helped her and Brian, so the least she could do was bring Jack some food.

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