Sitting in the passenger seat of Christian's Bentley continental as he speeds through the city. The streets of San Diego whipping past us as he doesn't want me to arrive late. The relaxed and laid back voice of a male singer pours through the car's speaker system.
"Who is this?" He briefly looks over at me for a second.
"It's Ed Sheeran." I lean back more into my seat.
"I like his voice." He breaks into a smile.
"I'll get you his albums." I was worried that he was focused on what I did last night.
The teach me a lesson line is still stuck in my head. What does he mean by that? I gaze up at him he is wearing a white shirt and black pants with his black jacket open.
"So what is this meeting about?" His question pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Well after what happened at the diner, I think Samantha will tell us that we are out of a job until the diner is repaired." Christian keeps his eyes on the road.
"I see. So the meeting is at Fleming's. It's a nice streak house. Do you think Samantha has the money to fix the diner up?" I look out the window watching early morning San Diego travelers heading about their daily lives.
"I hope so or I'm out of a job," I say.
"If she can't get the diner back up and running I fear what is to happen to all the staff." The last time I saw Samantha was right after the diner blew up.
Her and Sam her husband were devastated. They truly loved that diner. The loud noise of my phone ringing makes me dig it out of my purse.
Oh boy, Kate. I can see her face on the screen as the caller I.D. It also shows that I have five unread messages and two missed calls. I was meant to text her to let her know where I was and that I was safe. I completely forgot. I think for a second if I should answer the phone being in such close proximity to Christian. If I don't I'm sure she would ring the police and come looking for me herself. I turn back to Christian.
"It's Kate." He merely nods his head and keeps his focus on the road. I answer the call and prepare myself for the telling off.
"Oh my god. Ana! Where the hell have you been? You know I have been worried sick. I have tried to text you and call you. You were supposed to tell me where Christian took you." Her voice is high and she's talking fast. This is a Kate I have rarely ever heard.
"Kate I'm so sorry. I kind of got caught up in last night." I risk a quick look in Christian's direction and I see he is smirking.
"Caught up in last night? Ana I wasn't expecting a full blown essay as to where you were. That comes later." I hear Kate's playfulness slip back into her voice as she says her last line. I know another Kate interrogation is in order.
"But where the hell are you?" I smile, Kate really does care for me, she was worried about me. My mind throws back the thought of Kate in a blind panic pacing the apartment while I was laying under Christian's body getting filled up by him. I feel a little guilty that I didn't message her, but I'm sure she will forgive me when I explain what happened.
"I'm on my way to the work meeting." I hear silence for a second.
"How? You don't have your car." I know what her reply will be the moment I give my answer.
"Christian is dropping me off." Pure silence as I hear the wheels in Kate's head turn.
"You're in the car with him now?" I nod my head realizing she could never see that cue.
"Yes." Her tone is short.
"Details when you return. All of them. Bye."
"Okay. Bye." I reply and she ends the call. I gaze up at him as the car slows down.
"So I had you all caught up did I?" He seems to be back in a playful mood as he turns to me fully.
"Yes," I say under his penetrating eyes.
"Good." He smiles and I want him to kiss me again. I need it and I'm sure it shows on every part of my face. He leans in close to me.
"We're here Ana." It's only then that I realize the car is parked on the curb outside of Fleming's.
I turn back and he is out of the car quickly and steps round to my door opening it. I unbuckle my belt and get out. He shuts my door bringing him close to me. His hands grip my head and pushes it toward him. His lips on my mouth in a hot second. His kiss strong but fair that leaves my head spinning.
"Till later." His words heavy and seductive after his kiss. I turn and head towards the door before I jump back into the car, ask him to return me to his apartment and give me a repeat of last night.
As soon as I walk into the restaurant I know I'm late. A young man dressed in a black suit that seems slightly too big for him approaches me. He holds a well-designed menu in his hands. The entire restaurant seems empty of people as I scan the chairs for any of my work friends.
"Hi. Are you with Samantha's party?" I smile back at him.
"Yes. Have they already arrived?" Hoping he would say no.
"Please this way. Yes, they are all here already." I dip my head as I walk behind him.
I can hear the group as we come round the corner and I see everyone seated there. The tables have been moved together to create a large long table. Samantha and her husband Sam are closest to me. Seated next to Sam is Bill a fellow kitchen staff member. Those two get on like a house on fire. Poor choice of words my inner angel scowls me. On the other side of Samantha is Julie. Beyond them is Heather and Rachael sitting across from each other. As soon as Heather and Rachael see me they jump up heading towards me. Heather snatches me up into a hug straight away.
"Ana it's good to see you. Thank you. Thank you for coming back for me." It takes me a second to work out what she means.
So much has happened to me in the short space since the diner fire. I went back in to find Heather once everyone was out.
"You saved my life." I shrug my shoulders. I have never been good at accepting thanks or taking compliments and I doubt it is going to start now. When Heather releases me Rachael hugs me. Her hug is not as tight or as crushing as Heather's was, as I hear her whisper.
"Thank you for going back in." My hands hug her waist and I'm sure she feels guilty for not going back in herself to look for Heather. I say back.
"Anytime." When she lets me go both of the girls go to ask me questions.
"So how is mister tall dark and handsome?" I look confused at Heather.
"You know Grey. He shouted at me to get out before the blast." I try to think of my answer as Rachael opens her mouth to speak. Samantha cuts her off.
"Girls if you will all have a seat. We can begin our meeting."
The girls move back to their seats. There are only two seats free one is next to Samantha the other is next to Sam. Sitting next to the boss makes me feel like I'm teacher's pet so I chose to sit next to Sam and slide in beside him. He puts an arm around me and hugs me tightly one handed.
"Thanks for the warning about the gas. We could of all be cooked." He grins. It's an awful joke, but I still can't help but smile at him. He is being so strong. He and his wife's company had just gone up in smoke and he was joking about it. Samantha leans over.
"We have all ordered, but as soon as the waiter comes back we can add your order." I look at her.
"Thanks." I check out the rest of the table.
Debbie and Alex are on the next two seats down after Heather and Rachael. I barely see Debbie apart from the change over shifts. She is in her mid-thirties and is worldly wise but only ever does the evenings and night shifts. Alex is twenty-two and working two jobs. He is our only male waiter but can also get into the kitchen and cook with the rest of them. The girls act like he is our little brother and he doesn't mind. Aveline sits at the far end the diner's new recruit. She has only been there a month but is picking it up really well. Both Rachael and I have buddied up with her to show her the ropes. Incredibly flirty and at only nineteen she can be. She always does well on tips.
Samantha stands up and holds up her glass tapping the side of it. Her attempts at being posh in such a fancy restaurant are endearing.
"Friends and colleagues. Screw it, we're all friends here. Last week there was a terrible accident at work and the diner was forced to close as you all know. We are in talks with the insurance company but as always they are dragging their heels meaning it maybe a long time before the diner is back and up and running." She stops for a moment to let that sink in.
The whole table is mute. I reel back I have to find another job and fast. I don't have much saved up maybe one month pay and that's if I'm lucky. My dad's words about having three months pay saved up spring to mind. I shut that thought down fast I can't get upset now.
"Now I know for many of you this job is your whole means of support. As it is to for myself and Sam. Which is why we have been lucky enough to be blessed with a large donation of money to help the work begin already." There is a cheer from around the table from everyone even Aveline.
"This means that the diner could be back and up running in under a month. The donation was so large we will also be adding some new decor to bring it up to today's standard's. Now this donation also came with a request to buy the company. Not the whole company me and Sam still have free reign it's merely to manage the highest aspects of the business." I sit in stunned silence like everyone else. This person has singled handedly saved everyone at this table from being jobless.
"Now I would all like you to meet him." In that single moment, I get a slight sinking feeling. "Our new boss."
I hear Samantha say, but I already know he is there like a new sixth sense I have recently developed. I see him walk out from the kitchen doors. Casually strolling up towards our table. Still wearing his suit without a tie and a couple of buttons open at the collar. It's such a fuckable look my inner devil whispers. I have to agree. I would feel like such a fool for not seeing the signs sooner. However, I'm currently distracted by him. My eyes travel up his body admiring him from the table. It's only when my eyes make it to his that I see he is staring at me. I blush. Jesus woman, control your blood levels. He arrives at the table and there is no noise you can hear a pin drop. I tear my eyes away from him and look back at the table.
(Looks like Ana's new boss has a lot of explaining to do. I love how you are finding Christian so playful and mysterious. Thank you to all my loyal readers who are enjoying this story so much. I enjoyed writing it as much as you enjoy reading it. Please do leave me a review and remember to follow and favourite this story to see how it all unfolds. Thank you. SJamesW)