The next week, after the most memorable locker room experience, Jack was stuck playing his father assistant once again. He now suspected that father intentionally held off hiring a replacement to keep Jack as busy as possible. He didn't mind the work. However, he never realized how many personal errands the poor guy had to do. He kept the schedules, sat at meetings to keep track of important issues discussed, prepared summaries of reports, but also took his father's dry cleaning, brought his coffee (and took opportunity to go to the GreenBean as often as he could).
On top of everything else, Rudy planned for the next rank competition for Jack and upped the training quite a bit. There were more surprise matches and Jack got to fight with three opponents at once. These were Rudy's higher belt students and the sparring was as much of a demonstration to the younger belts as it was a test of Jack's abilities. After the match, Jack was swamped by young kids with stars in their eyes, who all wanted to know if they ever reach the same level as him. It was nice to reconnect with that pure enthusiasm and innocence. He talked to them, sharing stories of his own childhood growing up doing martial arts and how much it shaped his life. Afterwards Rudy told him that he was a natural teacher and it would have been great if he could take up some assistant duties in the dojo for him. But, of course, both of them knew that Jack hardly had time for that.
This particular afternoon in his father's office Jack was supposed to make sure that another dinner was booked. Unfortunately, this time around it wasn't La Bergerie. No, this time his father wanted the Two Palms, because it had 'a good reputation and a sophisticated atmosphere.'
He wished that it wasn't Kim's shift, but he knew her schedule as well as he knew his. He dreaded it. His father was never rude, but he managed to be contemptuously polite to the serving staff regularly. He communicated the disparity between him as the client and them as the service staff so well, that it often made Jack cringe. He wondered sometimes if La Bergerie tolerated them because father was loyal and tipped very generously.
The Two Palms was indeed an elegant place with expensive menu. They had proper waiters, who would discuss the menu and carve your fish for you, and people who bussed the tables.
Kim was one of those people.
When he saw her - carrying a large tray of dirty dishes and glasses, easily maneuvering around people and furniture - he forgot how to breathe. She looked good, no, beautiful. She was wearing a standard uniform of white blouse and matching pants and a vest in deep burgundy and it should not have looked as good as it did. But... she was... beautiful. The somewhat dim lighting of the restaurant made her eyes impossibly dark and large and the flickering of candles on the tables reflected in her hair like tiny sparks.
Heavy and quick bolt of desire shot through him and his mind traveled to the locker room and the feeling of her tiny hands on him. They had more moments of intimacy since then, but that one stood out to him because it was the first time Kim touched him like that. He swallowed hard against the need to get closer to her and only maintained his composure by sheer strength of will.
They thankfully were seated at another section that she seemed to be serving and he was trying to be careful and not stare too much. At some point though his father noticed that he was not exactly listening to the conversation.
"You will have to excuse my son for lack of attention." The older Brewer said to their dinner partner. "He recently got a new car and you can guess where his mind wondered." He was smiling winningly, but his eyes were cold and Jack knew that he would have another lecture on importance of being attentive or at least the importance of pretending to be interested.
"Oh I can guess all right. Fast cars and pretty girls, right? Ah, to be young and carefree." The jovial man laughed and caught Jack's gaze. "Do you have a girlfriend? Of course, you do. At your age I dated already. High school sweetheart. She was pretty. This little sptifire..." he trailed off and Jack could see he was reminded of his past flame. The man snapped back into the present when father cleared his throat.
"Jack is very busy. Karate, school, learning the business. He has no time for girls."
The man agreed that indeed kids these days were very busy and the conversation reverted back to the business matters.
They were almost almost done with their food when his father signaled for a passing waiter to pick up the empty plates. Jack didn't need to look to know that it was Kim: his entire body was hyper aware of her. Her thought he could find her blindfolded by touch and smell alone.
"I would like my table to be cleared now." his father said in the cold and brusque manner. "And might I add that this should have been done without me reminding you."
Kim looked up startled at the dismissive tone and her eye collided with Jack's. He tried to look unaffected and apologetic at the same time, knowing full well that he failed. They stared at each other for a moment and he felt like the outside world fell off and all he knew were her gorgeous eyes. Which flared with anger and something else, but then she put a polite smile and turned to his father.
Unable to hold his tongue, Jack butted in, "It's not even Kim's section. So, I don't think she was at fault."
His father's eyes turned to him, at first surprised, then calculating. "Oh, you noticed which section is hers, then?" His tone was deceptively mild.
"I did. Kim is a friend from school. You met her before too. At the Christmas gala." Jack tried to sound even keel, but that need to protect Kim was pushing the words out of his mouth and putting scowl on his face.
His father held his gaze for a bit and then, as if arriving at some decision, turned to Kim with a polite smile. "You must excuse me, dear. I did not recognize you. You work at charity, do you not?"
"Yes, Mr. Brewrer. And I'm very sorry you had to wait." She went around collecting their plates and glasses making it look all very graceful and quick. She left with another parting smile, but her eyes were questioning and troubled and Jack knew, he knew, that she was as worried as he was.
"I can't abide this kind of incompetence." His father announced and Jack almost flinched, because Kim wasn't too far away yet and could hear it all. She kept walking, her head held high, but somehow the light bouncing off her hair didn't seem as luminous anymore.
"Father," he half-whispered, giving his father a sidelong glance.
"Jack, there is nothing wrong with pointing out the shortcomings. Even in friends. You must have noticed."
Before Jack could respond their dinner guest broke in, "Oh, he noticed all right. She's pretty and your boy there kept looking at her." He said with a wink at Jack.
Jack sighed, looking at the pensive and displeased face of his father, "I told you, she is a friend."
There was a bit of silence and then the man went on, "Well, Jack, then you will have a chance with her at school. I say you'll find time even in your busy schedule for such a pretty thing."
"I see. And I think she has another job at the local coffeehouse, no?" His father said and Jack's insides clenched. He didn't answer, but his silence was the answer in and of itself. Their guest changed the subject again talking about his first car and sports he played at school. His father excused himself for a brief moment and Jack sighed in relief.
When the got home that evening he was spared any more lectures on attentiveness and distractions and Jack veritably escaped to his room to obsess over his one interaction with Kim. He knew she would be still busy for a bit and he had to wait to call her and apologize for his father.
The long day of coffee drinks was barely over and Kim rushed to the Two Palms after changing into the uniform at the GreenBean. The uniform they made her wear was a cheap polyester and hardly breathed. And she knew it, because the bus was late. She had to run from the stop all the way to Two Palms.
It was an busy night and they've been run off their feet. Another bus boy practically sobbed and praised the gods when she turned up.
Her usual team of waiters was not all in tonight and she had to do things for waiters who weren't in her section. Although she didn't complain, Kim was feeling a little overwhelmed. It's days like this that made her think she might actually hate her job.
She liked the free meal and the pay was decent. She loved that she got to work with reasonable people, some of whom she was friendly with. There were even regulars, the ones she's gotten to know and they were great.
But sometimes - just sometimes - customers could get too pushy, too rude, and forgot that she wasn't just a waitress - but a complete person. She was getting used to it and shrugged it off. Most of the time, but sometimes, they got a good jab in. Lately, Kim had more bad than good days. Mostly because Lindsay showed up couple of time, making sure to be seated in Kim's section and proceeded to be as difficult as she could be. As per usual, she complained about Kim to her shift manager and only because Kim had always been good at her job that she did not get fired. She was forced to smile, and roll with the punches while dealing silently with all her other issues. A constant worry about her dad, the school paper that she couldn't seem to get right, the knowledge that some segment of school population did not like her, then there was that constant worry about their future that she felt at her core… but mostly she dreaded the coming anniversary of her mom's passing...
"Excuse me, miss," the woman wearing chunky plastic jewelry said, tone affecting cordiality – as if being polite actually required her conscious effort. She had the audacity to grab Kim's elbow as she'd passed by, "can you please chase up my order? My waiter is nowhere to be found..."
Kim managed to not spill everything she's holding over the woman's head. "I'm sorry for the wait," Kim's voice was trained to the pleasant tone she had gradually perfected, "it's coming soon."
"Yes, but I'd still like you to chase it for me."
Kim did not snap at her, but the urge was strong. "Sure thing!"
"Thank you." The woman's shrill sing-song was at once dismissive and sarcastic.
As Kim continued on her way, she heard it. A loud, not-whisper to the greasy man whose knee the woman is grabbing. She meant for Kim to hear it. "My god, that waitress is fucking useless."
Kim wanted to spit on their food when she helped the waiter to bring it out. She did not.
The woman's response was an exaggerated eye roll, a "finally," and a "I'm still missing my side salad."
Kim saw that the waiter was simmering by now, and she tried not to let anything show on her face. The waiter signaled to Kim and she almost stomped on her way back to the kitchen window. She was ignoring the relentless drone around her as she tried to calm herself down. Only a few more hours, then she could retreat back to her tiny room and try to remember what her mom looked like before the sickness set in, robbing her of all her beauty and liveliness.
Kim brought the side salad with a thunk on the woman's table, ignoring her "Hey! Watch it!"
She went back to the kitchen for another tray to bring dirty dishes when the waiter mouthed 'thank you' at her. She hoped the greasy guy and the woman with chunky jewelry were good tippers.
It was near the end of her shift when she saw Jack at the table in the different section with two older gentlemen. One of them was his father. There was no denying the resemblance. She noticed it before, at the gala, but she was a little flustered when they met. Now she could observe a little more. They did have similar looks and height, with Jack being fitter and having longer hair. And even their mannerisms were alike. But she knew now why that was: Jack was holding on to his reactions, controlling his facial expressions and gestures. But the real Jack was different, more open and passionate.
She noticed Jack staring at her every now and then, but every time she looked back he would look away.
She was inordinately glad that he was not seated at her section. Internally thanking universe for small favors, she went back to bussing tables and helping bring orders.
She was actually on the way to the back to change out of the uniform, the path that took her by Jack's table, when his father stopped her with a cold and harsh demand that she clear their table. Which he followed up with an admonishment that she was remiss at her duties. Part of her recoiled because it reminded her of the Jack she first met. So this is where the 'old' Jack got his charming manners... She no longer was surprised that Kai was the jerk that he was. If his dad was anything like Jack's...
She did not mean to, but she looked at Jack then. Their eyes met and held for a bit. He had the strangest, almost impossible expression on his face - a mixture of 'I am sorry' and 'I hardly know you.' For a brief second, she waited for him to say something, to acknowledge her. But he didn't. An almost incongruent thought her mind: did Jack hide their relationship? That thought burned through her leaving behind a hollow feeling. She turned to his father, but before she could say anything, Jack swopped in and defended her to Mr. Brewer.
She saw the interplay between them and it was fascinating to watch. They were so alike and yet so-so different. There was a quiet face off going on and she felt the tension rise at the table. Then, Mr. Brewer smiled politely to her claiming obliviousness and inquired after her volunteer work.
Clenching her jaw to stop herself from blurting anything, she politely responded and picked up the dirty dishes managing to spare another look at Jack again. She brought the dirty tray back to the kitchen and told the waiter and the bus boy of that section that Jack's father was one of those customers that they had to please and he was not in the mood to be pleased.
She changed and was ready to leave, when the manager of their shift stopped her. Her stomach tightened in apprehension.
She was right to be worried. She was fired because of the complaint against her by a 'wealthy customer, who we want to keep coming back. He specifically singled you out Kim. I am sorry, but according to him you were rude and incompetent and, apparently, flirted with others at their table. You know that I am fair when this sort of thing happens, Kim. And I know your circumstances, but this is a second complaint today and with all the other incidents... I have no choice, kid.'
Kim was stunned. And furious. That terrible woman with bad jewelry... It was not even Kim's fault the food was late! And the waiter! He did not try to defend her. He knew that Kim was not at fault!
But most of her fury was reserved for Mr. Brewer. She knew it was him, the wealthy customer, who disliked her. Was it because she was not in the same circle as them? Was it because he didn't want his son to date her? Or anyone, really? Would Jack listen to him? Wasn't it what Kai so unkindly warned her about? That his father's approval was important to Jack? Just how important?
She fumed and ranted in her head all the way home, but when she arrived there and ate her last free dinner from the Two Palms she could only despair: with the job at Two Palms went the sizable chunk of her income.
Underneath all that worry, was the real fear that Jack would abide his father, who clearly thought very little of her.
She needed to find another job. And she needed to talk to Jack.
He did not yet to dwell too long on his complicated life as his father sought entrance to his room. He was as cool and collected as always and Jack genuinely wondered how was it that he found this emotionless impressive once. Something to be proud of and to emulate. Right now, looking after his father he only saw a man who did not let himself enjoy life anymore.
"Jack, I thought we had this conversation already and yet here I am, revisiting the old lessons. Did you already forget?"
"No, I haven't. I just don't see how they apply to me in this situation."
His father sighed deeply, "Distractions..." But he didn't get to finish, because Jack sprang from where he was sitting on his bed. He vividly remembered how a similar conversation got him to back off from Kim and how he felt like a failure. Regrets and doubt then ate at him then and he was not about to make the same mistake.
"She is not a distraction or a problem. If you're worried about my performance, you should know that my last match with Kai he tried to use her to bait me. And it worked. Very well, I might add. I walked away with a victory and he - with a broken wrist."
"And you work with me in the office?"
"I think I've done well so far. And if you actually hire a personal assistant, then I would actually spend time learning the business. As opposed to learning how to be your PA." Jack didn't realize his own frustration with the current situation was quite as strong until he started talking.
"Everybody must learn from the bottom..."
"Then send me to the warehouse, so I can start learning from ground up, like an intern would!" Jack's frustration was mounting and he felt strange exhilaration at actually letting go of the rigid control and letting his emotions show.
"You made enough damage there. I don't like your tone and attitude, Jack. Look at how much you've changed already. And you say she is not a distraction?" It seemed that his father was permitting his own frustration show through his usually controlled exterior.
"No, she is not. And neither my focus nor my work performance suffered. And the damage in the warehouse was unavoidable."
"My God! Are you that taken with a pretty face and a smile that you would defy me?"
"I am not sure how being with Kim defies you, but if you think so, then you are being unreasonable!" Jack blurted this out and the pumping of the blood through his body left him weirdly heavy and hollow, his head nearly spinning, and he looked at his father not sure what to expect next.
Father stared at Jack with disbelief and looked searchingly as if to make sure that it was his son, who said that.
"I see... Well, in that case, I am will take away my 'unreasonable' gift to you and the 'unreasonable' allowance." He looked at Jack again and Jack nearly laughed at the predictably move by his father. Like he cared about the car or money at all...
"I don't need it."
"We'll see what you say later... Better yet, we'll see what she says..." His father trailed off ominously and left the room with a forceful slam of the door that shook the wall.
Jack collapsed on the bed and sighed... This went better than he thought it would.
Once the shaking in his hands subsided and the galloping beat of his heart slowed, he pulled his phone out and called Kim.
"Hi there, beautiful," he said and was rewarded by a tinkling of her laugh.
"Smooth. Hi yourself. How was the ride home? Was you dad very mad at you?" she sounded tired, but he could hear her smile.
"Not too bad." He dodged, unwilling to saddle Kim with any guilt over his spat with father.
"Thank you for standing up for me."
"Always."
"I guess he did not know we dated. I am afraid this evening did not endear me to you dad." She said flatly.
Jack sighed. He needed to explain to her. "He is not big on anything that distracts me form his vision of what life should be. And he can cause headaches. I hope you know I was only trying to delay this sort of incidents by not telling him of us."
"I see... Well, that explains it." She was silent for a bit. "I have to find another job." She finished quietly.
"What happened?"
"You dad happened," she answered and the protectiveness and anger rose in him again." He complained to the manager that I was an incompetent flirt and coupled with another complaint, it was enough to have me fired."
"I am so sorry, Kim. I did not think he would stoop to that." He was angry at his father and embarrassed for this petty interference. Especially because she needed the money. If he was not mistaken, his father bet that Kim would be mad at him and break up because it was too much trouble. He clenched his teeth at the thought.
"It wasn't just him. Lindsay was at the Two Palms several times and you know how she is... I am kind of glad, honestly. The pay was good, but it was a hard work and it is too easy for someone like Lindsay to make it difficult for me. I just need to find another job. Hopefully somewhere Lindsay can't go in and interfere." Kim was careful not to mention his father, but he knew that she meant him as well.
The worst part of this situation was how predictable it was. His father had that entire lecture about distractions and duty and it worked once. Now that it did not anymore, he resorted to the meddling interference. Mess with Kim's job, take away his privileges. Create enough headache that one of them would crack.
He was right, dating Kim was a minefield. But he did not mind, as long as she didn't. She was tough. A fighter... A warrior...
An idea came to him... This would help Kim with her job search and would meet the criteria... It would also help them see each other more... He just needed to talk to Rudy. And the travel to the tournament would be a perfect opportunity.
"Are you ready for the tournament? I wish I could come, but LA is too far for me to go. And I still have the other jobs." Kim was talking now in a different tone, obviously done with the topic of his father.
"Its alright. I am ready and Rudy thinks so too. I know most of my opponents and there should not be any surprises."
"Still, I worry about you. Extreme martial arts is intense and you could get hurt."
"Then I'll have you to kiss my boo-boos." He said in a lower tone and she laughed back, catching his tone.
One week and he would see her again and may be have a solution for her job problem.
