CHAPTER THREE
Izzie's POV
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"He's Mr. Brooks, CEO of Brooks Enterprise. The boss." She squeezed my hand. "The what?"--It was then that I knew I had messed up.
Brooks Enterprise, the company that owned the largest hotels in the city--ofc it was obvious the name 'Brooks restaurant' how did I not think that? but he is the CEO?--him? I thought as a tight, aching lump swelled in my throat, making it impossible to swallow, as fear coiled like a cold hand around my neck and I felt a sudden knot in my stomach.
I looked at him trying hard not to freak out and bust into tears-- he stared right into my eyes and my knees went weak. I was done for, i'm definitely getting fired now-- this man does not look like the forgiving type in the slightest. I had let my foolishness get the best of me and now it's gonna cost me.
Suddenly, I heard Mr. Clark's voice --"Mr. Brooks, greetings sir". he bowed slightly at him. He didn't even spare in a glance or respond to his greeting--he just kept his cold, unblinking gaze fixed on me, while I whimpered, a painful lump clawing at my throat as I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
"What's your name?" He spoke glancing down at me--his posture relaxed but commanding. " Her name is"-- "I was asking her!!" he said cutting off Mr. Clark who tried to respond--his voice cold and demanding which only made my knee weaker than they have.
"iiss...Isabelle...sssir" I stammered helplessly, my voice trembling as I fought to keep the tears brimming in my eyes from spilling over--i kept my gaze low as I tried to avoid making eye contact with him. "I see you haven't learnt the basics of this place yet" his voice held so much power. "She just started today"--Mr. Clark stated " she is not familiar with how things works around here, Apologizes for whatever mistake she has made sir. i'll make sure she never repeat such again" he said--and i'm just there standing helplessly and clinging to Abigail's back waiting for my fall.
A slow, mocking smirk curled his lips as he sat back onto his chair, never took his eyes off me. " Come here" he instructed as he gestured towards his front-- a restless churn twisted in my stomach, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to escape. Abigail gently looked back and nodded at me.
I inhaled deeply as I stepped forward and stood in front of him. A cold evil smirk plastered on his face--" Knee"--hold up! what did he just say. I shot him a sharp, bewildered stare, my mind reeling in shock at the words that had just left his mouth..." and apologize right now!" he finished his expression remained blank, but beneath that stillness was a flicker of something dark and malicious lurked.
"Excuse me?" my eyes widened in shock--i'm not doing that...absolutely not- who does he think he is? even if he is the CEO or whatever, he doesn't have the right to tell me that. Even if he's my boss--he can't right?
"Do as I said or you face the consequences" his voice slow and steady and still held that stupid demanding tone. "This is ridiculous, I'm not doing that--do your worst!" I shot back immediately, I could hear the silent murmur coming from the audience--but I didn't care. I had a pride to protect and I wasn't gonna give in to his commands never!.
He stared at me dead in the eyes--i felt my stomach twist in that feeling again...but I wasn't breaking-not under his gaze. He remained silent for awhile as he took in my entire body...suddenly, he gave me a huge evil smirk and got up-- his sudden movement made me flinch, and before I could react, he was hovering in front of me, his broad chest and powerful build crowding my senses.
His imposing frame swallowing up the space between us--he leaned closer to my face and let out a huge scoff, then he rose back and walked out the door. I was in shock for a brief moment. I stood there frozen while he walked straight out of the door leaving me in a daze.
What just happened? I thought to myself as I looked back at Abigail who had the same shocked expression as me. We both stared at each other blankly as the people around us returned to their business and the manager followed behind Mr. Brooks.
I walked closer to Abigail-" Are you okay?" I asked as I scanned her with my hand. She looked at me confused " I should be asking you that" she started--" You just stood up against Mr. Brooks and made him walk away...I can't say if that was utterly stupid or brave". she exclaimed with her eyes wild open in shock.
"He's so arrogant and bossing, there's a lot of ways I could describe him, but that was stupid wasn't it?" I asked..."Uh-huh" she nodded. " I mean why was he being such a rude jerk to you? and why did he just walk away like that?" I raised a brow in confusion.
"I don't know girl, I just know that is not a good a thing" she said as she patted my back gently. I felt a sudden knot in my stomach as I thought about it--she was right he couldn't have left like that- he must have something bad he's thinking...Whatever, I wasn't gonna let that weigh me down, I mean the worst he can do is get me fired right? and there are other jobs I could apply for so...
"I don't care what he does, he's just a person and there's nothing he can do other than to fire me" I said coldly--Abigail looked at me stunned then gave me a gentle smile and left to finish up for the day.
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It was late already-- I placed my neatly folded uniform into the locker assigned to me and I stepped out of the room. I saw Abigail and the other waiters waiting out the restaurant. " Izzie come join us, we were just about to go get a drink" Abigail said as she walked towards me. "Yes Izzie join us" the others said in collision. " uhm...i'm gonna have to decline, I don't really drink" I said giving them a warm smile. " Aww c'mon,a drink won't hurt especially after what you went through today" Abigail said teasingly
I thought about it for sometimes--and decided she was right one drink won't hurt will it?. "Fine let's go" I said and Abigail locked our arms together and led the way...