Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Isabella's pov;

On the day of the opening of the restaurant, I waited outside the restaurant and looked at the street and the time side by side. There was still time left for the opening but i was nervous.

Mike came outside and asked, "Are you nervous?"

"A lot."

"I can understand how it feels. I felt it when I opened a dessert store too."

"How did you faced it?"

"To encourage my employees, i made myself look strong in front of them to boost confidence in them. So be strong and face it. It's your big day. And, there are others who are nervous too. In the kitchen. They need their general manager to tell them some motivation for them right now." And walked into the restaurant.

I nodded at him. Yes. I'm not just a waitress tonight. I'm the general manager. I walked into the restaurant and headed to the kitchen and saw my employees scattered here and there.

"Can I get a little attention here?" I called out to them to get the attention of my employees.

Everyone looked at me like they're expecting me to say something to them.

I continued, "I know how you feel because I'm feeling it here too. This is my first day to be something I've dreamt to be. I've worked as a waitress in cafes, been a garbage girl, dishwasher and a server in restaurants so it's not only yours but also my big day to prove who am I today in front of the people who are going to show up in a few minutes through that door, so give your best and prove yourself to those people. And, I'm not going to put any of you under pressure at any time. This is not only my restaurant but also each and every one who's gathered in here. This restaurant can be under my name but it also belongs to Michael, Victor, Olivia, Dylan, Zoey, Emily so work hard for your restaurant. At the same time, if there aren't many customers showing up today, don't get worried and feel upset. There's so many days yet to come so we can cook and work together everyday. I hope you all can work together and prove what you are to them. All the best."

Mike, "You did good."

"Was I? Thank you."

Olivia, "That was a great speech. Did you prepare that?"

"Thank you. And, no, I just talked out of my mind."

After some minutes, people began standing outside the restaurant in a line.

"Guys, All the best."

I opened the restaurant door and people began coming one by one. I greeted them and showed the tables to them.

While i was showing the table, a guy said, "The restaurant looks good, Ms Garcia."

I didn't recognise him when i looked at him.

He continued, "Can't you recognise me? We met in Mr Martinez's office. I asked you to invite me once you open the restaurant."

"Ah! Yes. Sorry, sir. I apologise for not inviting you by myself, Sir."

"It's fine." He looked around and said, "Seems like you're going to get busy. Look after them."

"Yes, Sir."

After greeting many people I don't know, I asked Zoey, "Where did these people come from?"

Zoey shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'll go and get their orders." And left.

After looking at the number of people, I think we're going to need more servers. I came to the changing room and got into the server's uniform and went to the dining area. I started taking orders from the customers as a server.

While i was taking orders, i saw my high school friends walking into the restaurant. Sophia, Carey, Noah, Evelyn, Liam, Jenny. How did i forget to invite them???

I rushed to the kitchen and gave the orders i took from the table before.

Victor, "Bella! Why are you wearing this?"

"We don't have time. There's more customers pouring in the front house so don't hurry and work as calm as possible."

Olivia laughed and said, "I thought you're going to say 'hurry' at the end of your sentence."

"The food that is leaving the service area is hot and looks luscious already. I'll remind you if there are more customers." And left the kitchen.

I walked out of the kitchen to find my friends, they weren't there where I saw them. I took a look around and found them at a table so i walked to them.

"I'm so sorry for not inviting you guys, i was so busy while advertising so i didn't invited…"

Before i finish, Sophia said, "Calamari fritters, Risotto, and a Wine for me." And placed the menu card on the table. After her, Liam ordered the food wanted. Following him, Noah ordered too.

Everyone took turns and ordered the food

"Don't be mad at me." Said while taking their orders.

Carey whispered, "Not me." And smiled at me.

"Thank you."

Sophia to Carey, "Are you going to order or not?"

Carey ordered what she like to eat and gave a smile at me.

After everyone ordered, i tried to leave but Sophia stopped me and said, "If the foods served quickly and taste delicious, we can stop being mad at you."

"I'll be back in a minute." And rushed to the kitchen t o give the orders.

I encouraged the kitchen staff, front house staff in cycle as a general manager and took orders as a waitress at the same time. It looks we're running out of servers.

"Bella!" I saw Jose and Tracy in a table.

I gave them a hug and asked, "When did you two come?"

Tracy answered, "Few minutes ago."

"Did you two ordered food?"

"Yeah, we're waiting."

I got nervous and asked them, "How long are you waiting?"

Jose, "It's been 40 secs by now."

I smiled and said, "Enjoy your food after being served. I have some work so I'll get back to it."

In the kitchen,

Mike said, "Bella, we ran out of milk. How can we prepare panna cotta without milk?"

"How much do you need now?"

After hearing the quantity of milk he needed, i came out of the restaurant and called the supplier and asked for the milk to deliver quickly to AB restaurant.

"What are you doing outside and why are you dressed up like this?"

"Where's your car?"

"I parked it over there."

"Go to the car and start it. I'll be back in a minute."

I came inside the restaurant and asked Mike to take in charge for the restaurant and walked out.

I spotted Mr Martinez's car and got into it.

"Where are we going?"

I showed him the address and said, "Take me there."

He let out a sigh and started the car.

While he was driving the car, i said, "I didn't check the quantity of milk i bought so we ran out of milk quickly. So we're going to get it for the restaurant."

He smiled and said, "Then, Pay me for the transport services."

After we got the milk, we came to the restaurant. As soon as I stepped in, yuyang ran ran to me and hugged me. I hugged her back and asked, "Where's your table?"

She pointed a table and said, "We're over there."

I walked along with her to the table and saw Ms Devlin sitting along with Big brother. I had so many questions but i didn't know how to so i kept silent.

Big brother started, "Bella…"

"Did you guys ordered food?"

Ms Devlin said, "Yes. Your restaurant looks good. All the best for your success."

"Thank you, Ms Devlin."

I patted yuyang's head and left the table to the counter.

I saw Mr Martinez standing beside the counter, "Sh*t! I forgot the milk."

He said, "I handed over them to Mr Halls."

"Okay. What do you like to eat?"

He looked a lot and said, "Your restaurant looks busy. I don't think i can get a table here."

"Ah! How did i forget that?"

"What did you forget?"

"We're running out of servers since there are many customers today. I didn't expect this much crowd to show up today. What am I going to do now?" I looked at Mr Martinez and asked, "You're not going to eat now, right?"

He gave a nod.

"Okay, come with me."

"Where?"

I brought him to the changing room and gave him one of the servers clothes and asked him to change into it. He did it without asking anything.

I handed over a tablet to him and said, "When a customer orders, select the orders in here and print it and go to the service area in the kitchen and read out the orders you received and stick it on the slab on the service area. Did you get it?"

"Sounds like a easy job but I'll prefer a income for my work. Would you give me?"

"Okay. I'll pay you for today's work. Now go and take orders for me."

I grab his hand and said, "Wait."

"What is it?"

I made him a cap while saying, "Do you want people to recognise you and make rumours aboutyou working here as a waiter? Don't remove this cap until everyone leaves the restaurant, okay?"

He gave a nod and left the changing room. I came out after him and began taking the orders from the customers.

"Bella!" Someone hugged me from behind. When i looked who it was, "Julian?"

I saw Julian, Jack, Carlos, Gia, Leah standing around me and gave me a group hug and cheered for me by shouting my name.

"Guys! There's people around. Keep it down."

Carlos asked, "Finally, you opened a restaurant. How does it feel?"

"Great. By the way, let me take you to the table. Come with me."

I made them seated and took the orders from them and came to the receiving area to report the orders and shouted to the hard-working chef in the kitchen, "You guys doing great. Everyone loves your food. Keep it up. Let's have a party when everyone left. Got it?"

They shouted back together, "Okay!"

I smiled and returned abck to my back. While i was running back and forth to the front house and to the kitchen, i saw Mr Martinez was doing his job really good. He didn't look like a Noobie. He was totally into it. I know he learns quickly but wasn't this too quick? I smiled to myself and continued taking the orders.

Inbetween the orders, i bid goodbye to my friends as well.

As time runs, the customers begin to decrease in number. I walked to Mr Martinez and said, "There aren't many customers so I'll take care of it." And tried to take the tablet back from him but he hold onto it and said, "What are you doing? I'm doing my job. Until customers stop coming, i have to take orders" And continued taking the orders. He sounded serious so i let it go and walked to the kitchen counter and leaned on it.

Mr Martinez came with the orders and called out the orders and sticked the paper on the slab and asked me, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Do you really want to know?"

He gave a nod and looked at me.

I let out a smile and pulled his collar towards me and said, "You look hot."

His eyes widened when he heard this out of my mouth.

When the foods came, he stood like a mannequin.

"If the food gets cold, I'll cut the income."

He snapped out of it and took the food and rushed out of the service area.

Mike asked me, "You two look pretty close."

"A customer was asking me where the pudding was?"

Mike returned back to his table after I lied to him like that.

Finally, all the customers left and only the cooks and the staff were in the restaurant. I asked Andrew, the bartender, to serve cocktails for each one of us to celebrate the first day of the restaurant.

While having drinks, Mike said, "You did a great job in advertising. That's why we got many people today."

"It's not just me. The people I know helped me by recommending it to others."

"You are lucky. You are surrounded by good people."

I looked at Mr Martinez who was having a drink with other employees and said to Mike, "Yes, i was surrounded by good people."

One by one left the restaurant leaving me and Mr Martinez behind.

Mr Martinez took a seat beside me and asked, "Are you happy?"

"Yes. I don't know how to put into words but it makes me feel so happy and contented. I have my own restaurant, i have employees who work under me, i have happy customers who enjoys the food and i had a handsome waiter to help me while i was in need."

"You're drunk."

"No, I'm not. I'm totally fine." I tried to stand but tripped and fell into Mr Martinez's arms.

"Can you recognise me?"

"I may look like drunk but I'm not wasted so i can remember tomorrow."

"Is that so?"

I gave a nod and said, "Yeh!"

"Let's see if you remember this?" Suddenly, Mr Martinez pulled me into a kiss and started kissing me hard.

I pushed him back and said, "I have work tomorrow. Don't make it obvious by kissing lips till it gets plumpy."

"I like when you talk while you're drunk. It sounds even funnier than the other personality."

"Let's go. I feel so tired."

"Okay." Mr Martinez whispered into my ears and carry me to the car.