Chapter Two
"LISSA. ITS BURNING WHAT DO I DO?!" I screamed, frantically holding the frying pan with my arm extended as far away from my body as I could, watching the flames burn higher than my head. Not waiting for my friend to actually answer me, I took it over to the sink and ran the cold water. Food and all, in it went. Watching the steam rise from the water making contact with the hot pan and flames, I wiped my forehead with the back of my sleeve. Did that actually just happen?
Suddenly Lissa's footsteps sounded behind me, turning to face her I could see her waving her hands around trying to dissipate the smoke surrounding us.
"What the hell Rose? What happened?!" She asked coming to stand beside me and stare at the pan that held bacon, burned to a crisp floating in water.
"Rose, I thought you liked to eat bacon? Not burn it?" She nudged me laughing at the sight. Exasperated I threw my hands up. " I give up, I cannot cook to save my life Lissa. I am a serious disappointment to females around the world. MY mother would never let me live this down if she knew." Shaking my head I turned to the toast on the counter ready and buttered, passing a piece to Lissa who took it graciously.
"Here, this will be breakfast. How early did they place your shift" I asked taking a bite of my toast.
"I start at 1 today unfortunately, they want me to help set up, but isn't that the same time as you?" I smiled " It sure is, at least we get the same shift today, Ill probably start getting ready soon here, I know we have to be dressed our best. It is.." I looked at the clock " it is 10am, we have a couple hours to be ready and get down there." Popping the rest of my toast into my mouth, I downed the glass of orange juice sitting beside me and stretched. Doing the same Lissa drank the glass that held the orange content and walked with me towards our room.
Before entering her room, Lissa slyly looked at me before stating. "Also Rose, next time there is a grease fire, don't put it in water, not if you want us to be homeless." Laughing she walked further in her room, making me laugh along with her. I was the worst cook on this planet, and every chance Lissa had she teased me about it. It was all fun and games, and I usually set myself up for it.
Closing my door, I decided I needed to place my makeup on. After all, I wasn't going to look broken, I was going to look hot and regain my confidence.
When both of us emerged from our rooms, we definitely could tell we were being extra for today. Lissa had curled her hair, but had taken the front parts and secured them at the back, letting her curls cascade down her back. She had done a light makeup application, enhancing her jade green eyes. Her eyelashes filled with falsies and a baby pink lip had been done. She wore our usual attire, which consisted of a high waist pencil skirt, that fell just above our knees, and for the top it was a silky spaghetti strapped black top that when tucked into the top billowed slightly on the top of our skirt. The shoes were Lissa's favorite black pumps, and I had no idea how she was able to strut around like that all night.
I had straightened my hair completely and pulled it into a sleak pony, letting my hair drape straight down my back, and moved with each movement. I had wrapped a section of hair around the elastic, giving it a sleek / chic vibe. I had applied some smokey eyeshadow, and a bit of eyeliner but I as well focused on my lashes, voluminizing them, giving me a sultry kind of look.
Where on Lissa our uniform hung and gave her that beautiful model vibe, where as on me, my skirt clung to each curve, not in a bad way, but giving me a very curvaceous figure. My shirt billowed on the waist of my skirt as well, but fit my bust properly, letting me not worry about it slipping too far down. We were in California, nothing was improper here and it was too hot to keep modest. Also this style fit the job environment we were in. I loved it. My shoes were not as extravagant as Lissa's though, and consisted of kitten heels but were still beautiful no matter how short the heel. I was a clutz and heels were not my forte. I preferred to be in gladiator sandals half the time so these were a good compromise.
"Damn Lissa, you look good today." I told her nudging her side and grabbing my bag and black belt that held pens and everything else needing for hostessing. Lissa grabbing hers as well just shook her head.
"You are a bombshell Rose, YOU, look amazing. So exotic" Trying to mimic my Turkish accent, We both laughed heading out of the apartment. Saying goodbye to her cat, we locked up and head out to the steakhouse.
Upon arrival, it was already busy for the lunchtime crowd, luckily we were there to set up the tables and dinnerware for the company that would share the seats. There was a part of twenty business people, partners, executives, etc. Lissa, myself and another would be taking care of them tonight.
Grabbing the table cloths, we started with those first after pushing tables together to create a large square table for them to sit around in the reserved area of the steakhouse on the second floor. The bay windows letting them look out onto the beaches of beautiful California, and it would also give them a great view of the sunset that would happen.
Chairs had to be counted out and re arranged to perfection. Marcos, the owner, was very particular. The wine glasses and water glasses had to be polished and crystal clear. No smudges, no finger prints. The more we did it seemed like the people coming today were worth billions. Once the salad/ bread plates were laid out with the cutlery, we then had to place the name cards to each spot. We had four stacks to represent the four corporations that had come together. Grabbing the four piles I read off the names.
Zelklos Enterprise
Voda Productions
Belikov Industries
The last one made me draw my breath in.
Mazur Districts.
Looking up at Lissa who was happily chatting with Melissa, the other waitress/ hostess along with us tonight I took a deep breath before averting my gaze before she realised I was looking at her.
I should have known that he would have been included in the major corporations collaborating from overseas and expanding through the America's.
"Dammnit" I whispered to myself, setting up the table placements. Hopefully he wouldn't bat an eye at me and keep professional. After all, he was a big figure, and I don't think he'd appreciate the coporate world knowing his daughter was a hostess in America. He might say something to me after but, for now – I hoped not.
And if my cousin Ivan was here with him, it was all over he would surely blow my cover. Laying the names out, my father was first in the pile, Abe Mazur and the next that followed I wasn't fairly familiar with. Which was great because unless my cousin came unannounced- his name was nowhere in this pile.
The next cards I placed in their respective spots, a Dimitri Belikov sitting next to my father and then I tried to think about the people he was fond of and who he wasn't fond it, but the last name Belikov didn't register giving me any indication if I should switch that placement.
When the final product was finished, the three of us looked at each other and smiled. We had done a good job. The set up was beautiful. The layout pristine and everything was in place.
"Girls, we did good." Taking my cellphone from my belt to check the time, it seemed we finished just in time with about fifteen minutes to spare. Placing it back in I put my hand on lissa's shoulder.
"Ladies, I will be right back with the wine if you want to start getting the water ready. The party should be here in fifteen minutes." Nodding it was like a football group 'breaking', and each of us heading to our task with me heading to the bar downstairs where we kept the chilled wine.
Coming down the stairs I noticed a few men already gathering at the lounging location of the steakhouse, and from their suits I would imagine them apart of the group. Grabbing the buckets with ice and wine bottles from the bar I loaded the two into my arms, and very carefully headed back to the staircase to take me to the second level.
I had only been a couple steps home free before getting to the staircase when I felt someone walking past me bump me, and that's all it took before I felt myself sway with the buckets in my arms.
Before the one on my right could slip from my grasp I felt large hands grab my arm and help steady my form, and a thickly laced accent swim through my ears.
"Miss, I apologize. Are you alright?" Looking up to the man that held my arm, my eyes widened slightly. This man was the literal term of sex on legs, as Lissa would put it. Deep brown eyes swarmed my vision, making me stutter slightly, making me feel conscious enough to only nod.
Giving me a tight nod in reply he quickly took his hand from my arm, like he had just been burned, and without another word he turned and walked to the gentleman sitting in the waiting area. Shaking the sudden shock from my body, I continued on my way. Some people.
By the time I got back upstairs I was huffing, totally out of breath from that man and almost dropping these bottles of wine probably worth more than my pay in two months.
"Rose! What took so long, Ashley will be bringing the party up in literally thirty seconds here!" Lissa ran over to me, how? Im not sure in her pumps. Grabbing a bucket from me, we set them in the middle of the table and stood back against the table that held the extra settings and little things we might need throughout the night. As Lissa states, literally about a minute later, Ashley, a seasoned hostess brought up the party of business partners, knowing the layout that we had placed the names in she began to tell them where each party was seated.
Usually, I attended the job that she was doing, but because Marcos wanted only the best I would be serving the group along with Lissa. Watching the group I could hear Melissa gushing to Lissa on the other side about how beautiful these men were, which was true I couldn't deny it, especially when I saw the man I had bumped into, but this was definitely not how we could act. Leaning slightly to catch her gaze I gave her a stern stare, telling her it was not an appropriate time, which instantly made her silent.
And then I heard him, the voice I had grown up with, praising me, loving me, disciplining me, clear as day.
"Ah, Mr. Voda, a pleasure to see you again." And then there he was, shaking another man's hand smiling genuinely and laughing heartily amongst the other man. My father, was no farther than ten metres away from me. I hadn't seen him in two years. The emotion I felt within me, but I couldn't show it and I couldn't run into his arms. Not unless he gave me the go ahead.
The men were still chatting and talking with one another before seating themselves, which was totally fine with us. We were there to begin when they were ready to. My eyes had been fixed on my father mainly, watching him flit from person to person chatting happily. If he had seen me, he had hid his expression from me or had not noticed at all, but I highly doubted it.
Fifteen minutes later, they had all seated themselves before I flanked lissa on her right, slightly behind her and Melissa the same on her left. Lissa was great at introducing us to the parties so normally we let her do so.
"Good Evening Gentleman, thank you for eating here tonight. Melissa, Myself and Rose will be your servers for the night and will gladly get you anything you need or want. Please don't hesitate on asking any of us for anything. The kitchen has prepared a special menu for you all tonight on the request of you all, and will be here in moments to serve you." Lissa gave them all a smile, and looking around to their faces I smiled as well, letting them know I was available, but trying to avoid a couple of faces at the same time. Going to the buckets of wine, I pardoned myself reaching over a man who held the plaque named Jesse Zelklos.
"No please, I don't mind at all sweetheart." He told me staring up at me, and then down to my chest which seemed to be his eyelevel while sitting. And because he was our honoured guests, I didn't say anything except force a smile. I had to mentally remind myself not to punch him in the nose. Bastard. Another gentleman spoke up in regards to this Jesse.
"Jesse we have been here not even one hour, do you think it's possible to not harass the staff catering to us?" He gave me a wink while the men 'tsked' and sighed. This must be the norm. Reading the little plaque stating his name I found this gentleman's name to be Sergio Voda. Giving him a small smile, I moved onto the next person's wine glass and continued until I ended up on the Mazur side. Funny how things worked out.
I worked myself down the line of the five gentleman on this side, and the last two people sitting there had me stop momentarily looking into their eyes looking for any sign of what to do. My Uncle Alec- Ivan's father, sat beside my father, both smiling up at me and not saying anything. Taking that as a sign, I poured their wine as if not knowing them, knowing the mannerisms of the restaurant. Finishing up with my father I nodded to him.
"Thank you Rosemarie." Freezing slightly at the use of my full name, I smiled and tried to look around and see if anyone had caught onto the full usage of my name, and only one person was giving me a curious look. The beautiful man that sat next to my father- Dimitri Belikov. Taking myself to where Lissa and Melissa stood, we watched as the kitchen staff came up with the dishes prepared for tonight.
Tonight was going to be a long night and it was not a good sign that my feet were already starting to ache.
Surprisingly the night didn't end up going too bad. Jesse hit on all three of us at one point or another, while pouring the wine, clearing the dishes or refilling the glasses of water. At one point it seemed like he kept purposely knocking his silverware off the table for us to come and exchange it.
I was in the middle of a light conversation with Lissa when I noticed my father stand up and excuse himself to the other men, giving me a light look before heading to a hallway that led to the washrooms.
"Girls, you think you can handle yourself for a few minutes? I just need to use the washroom." Lissa and Melissa nodded smiling, occupying themselves with a couple gentleman who called them over. Walking slowly, I could feel my heart racing, I wanted to run to my father. But each step I was closer. Turning down the hallway, there he stood, looking out the window.
"Baba." I said with a small smile, and I could see his face light up. Half jogging to him, I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him and feeling him wrap his arms around me.
"Kizim, I have missed you, I am surprised to see you here, but I am very happy." Pulling back I could see his eyes a tad watery.
"Baba, I've missed you too. How have you been? Home? Mom? Eddie?" I said in a hushed voice, letting my arms fall to my side. He chuckled, turning his head to the window and putting his hands behind his back.
"It is all well, the only thing missing is you?" He told me. Looking at the floor, the sudden tears I had been holding onto seemed to want to be released.
"Baba…. Adrian left me." I said in a hushed voice, not wanting to meet his gaze.
It was like I could hear the sharp intake of breath while his head swivelled to face me. "Are you serious Rosemarie?" He asked me. All I could do was nod as a couple tears released from my eyes.
"Baba, he doesn't love me anymore. I feel so lost all of a sudden." Looking up my father's gaze was hardened. Taking a deep breath he collected me into his arms again. "What time are you done your shift Kizim?" I sniffled a little, feeling weak and vulnerable, but being here with my father I felt safe.
"When your party leaves, I'll be here about thirty minutes after. We have to move the tables and someone else will gather the dishes and glasses. " He nodded thinking.
"I will wait for you then. When we go back, they will know who you are. I am sure they are wondering where we are, and I would hate for them to get inappropriate thoughts. I will approach you at the end and that is when I will introduce you okay?" He rubbed my back.
"Don't worry Kizim, it will all work out." I smiled and gathered myself. "Okay baba." Even though I didn't know if that was going to be true, I agreed.
My father went on ahead without me and then after going into the bathroom and touching up my makeup I took a deep breath and went back out.
Lissa was the first to approach me when I came back, mouthing "are you okay" to me. Smiling at her, I ushered her back to her spot.
Whispering to her slightly I watched her face turn to confusion. "Im sorry I didn't tell you this important information in my life, but please don't be startled when it comes out okay? Promise me you wont be mad?" Lissa just looked at me and then final nodded smiling at me.
"I trust you Rose." The end of tonight would definitely be interesting.
TO BE CONTINUED
DAMN. I CAN WRITE. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS MY FAV SO FAR BUT DON'T WORRY I HAVENT GIVEN UP ON ANYTHING ELSE.
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Freedomwritere2010