Chapter 11 Chapter 11
MARTHA'S POV:
It was a yellow oversized dress with three-quarter length and short sleeves. Sighing, I slipped on the yellow dress as I knew that Judith had bought such an oversized dress for me on purpose.
I wore it, picked up my white apron, and tied it around my waist as I stepped out of the changing room after locking my bag in my locker and holding the key.
I went to the first floor to attend to the arriving guests who had settled on their meal requests.
Just then, my stepmother arrived with Elena. They both wore brown designer dresses. Their features posed as they catwalked up to an empty table and perched on the chairs.
"Martha, over here!" Elena called, her voice loud and cutting through the chatter as she picked up the menu.
My fist clenched as I moved over to serve them. They were my family, but in a public setting like this, I had to stay work-oriented.
"Welcome, what do you both want?" I asked, my voice cold as I drew a sharp breath and stilled myself.
Sandra had already covered her face in layers of makeup to hide the smack that I had delivered to her the previous night.
When Sandra raised her head and met my gaze, she smirked and said, "Martha, you should consider yourself lucky that I am in a good mood. If not, you would have ended up in the police station this morning for assaulting me. But I let it slide. So you should be thanking me for my leniency."
"Mmm…" My eyes narrowed at Sandra, but I didn't reply.
When I shifted my gaze to the excited Elena, she placed the menu down on the table. Her fingers brushed slightly against it as she demanded, "Martha, how does it feel like to sleep on the road? I am sure you weren't able to purchase a single hotel room. Or wait a minute, did you go out to get fụcked by a rapist? Aww!"
"Elena!" I gritted, wanting to smack her. But I cannot afford to lose my job.
"Do not think that I will let you both take what's mine. The company, the house—it all belongs to me!" I warned them, trembling, and Sandra burst out laughing. Her sound cracking in the air like a fire crackle.
"Look at you, Martha. You are just clinging to life. What right do you have to take your father's company? Can you lead the Rogers Corporation? You will crash the company barely under two months and chase away all investors. So go on with your work as a waitress and serve our dinners now!" Sandra yelled, and my fist tightened.
"We will see about that! What are your orders?" I demanded. Just then, the restaurant door slid open and Mark stepped in, dressed in a blue shirt and black trousers. Only then did it occur to me that he had arrived with them. And maybe he was outside answering a call.
When Mark walked in and his gaze fell on me, his eyes narrowed, but he didn't act like he knew me—like he was my fiancé. The previous night's events slammed me hard like a slap as I recalled his harsh words. How he referred to me as skinny.
"Hurry up, or do you want us to report to your manager for keeping us hungry? I am sure you do not want to lose this job!" Sandra yelled, and I glared at her and wanted to walk away.
As I fought back my tears, I didn't want to give Mark the benefit of the doubt that I was affected by him.
I had already made it clear to him that I couldn't marry him.
When Mark neared the seat, he brushed past me. His masculine scent wafted through the air and into my nostrils as it painfully reminded me of the time we shared—the time I thought we had an affair.
Watching him, Mark sat next to Elena, his hand holding hers on the table, unconcerned about the multitude of eyes watching them as he leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Have you picked out your request?"
"Yes, babe. I am waiting to see what you want to order?" Elena replied sweetly. She smiled at Mark, and anyone would think they were engaged.
"Oh, you know that I like anything you like. So order the same meal for me," Mark replied softly. His tone was soft when he was with her, but when his gaze shifted to me, his voice hardened like a sword as he said, "Get to work, Martha. And do not keep my girlfriend hungry."
"Girlfriend?" I asked, my voice stern. "Mark, you were my fiancé. We were both engaged even before the death of my father. Since when did you start cheating on me with Elena?"
"What right do you have to know? Get to your job and don't make me call your manager. I am sure you do not want to lose your job," Mark replied coldly as he pushed my hand away from holding onto his and demanding an explanation.
"Get to work quickly or we will call your boss!" Elena yelled at me, and I stilled and stepped back away from Mark.
I glanced at Mr. Weston's office, and I caught him standing at the door. His eyes were on me as he just stepped out.
When I shifted my gaze back to Mark and Elena, I coldly replied, "We are not getting married. Not in this life or beyond."
I spun away and left them. Though I had already cheated on Mark, seeing him close to Elena, kind to her, and treating her like she was a princess made my heart hurt. It became difficult to breathe, but I moved to the server and requested their meals.
I kept my gaze lowered as I carried a tray containing Elena's request since she had requested her meal first.
When I neared the table where Elena sat next to Mark and conversing sweetly, I swung the tray and poured all the steamy food contents on Elena, ensuring that the hot plate of pasta crashed over her head and stained her makeup and dress.
"What? How dare you?!" Elena shrieked. Her voice drew attention and was loud enough to attract everyone on the first floor.
All eyes drifted to the table, and Sandra rose to her feet, furious, and attempted to smack me, but I dodged her attack and jumped away as I had already anticipated her reaction.
"Martha, how dare you do this? Apologize to Elena at once!" Mark growled as he held Elena in his arms like she was a piece of treasure.
"My eyes! My face!" Elena cried, and Mark glared at me and scooped Elena into his arms.
"Where's your manager!" Mark growled, and Judith hurried to meet them while the other patrons glared at me.
"I want this crazy lady fired. Unless I will sue this Silvers Restaurant. My girlfriend gets publicly assaulted. How do you compensate us for this?" Mark growled, his tone furious.
Judith appeared conflicted. If she hadn't seen Mr. Weston speak to me softly, she could have fired me immediately.
But she softened her voice, despite her rigid composure, and apologized, "I am sorry, sir. This has not happened before. The Silvers Restaurant will ensure that Martha gets punished for her actions."
"I want her fired. She abused my daughter. She cannot continue working here as the rest of the staff witnessed my daughter getting humiliated," Sandra chimed in. Her voice stern, Judith turned to face her.
"Madam, I am sorry, but I am not the human resources officer in charge of firing staff. I will let my superior know and we will deal with this accordingly," Judith said, her voice cold but apologetic.
"No way. I deserve to see your manager. My daughter deserves justice. Just take a look at her beautiful state—she is abused by this bastard, and you are telling me that you will handle it? If Martha doesn't get fired now, I am calling the cops!" Sandra yelled before bringing out her phone, and Judith appeared conflicted.
However, a deep voice reverberated through the tension as he demanded, "Who is calling the cops on whom? I saw everything, and Martha is not getting fired for a mere family dispute."
"What?" Sandra turned to face Mr. Weston, furious. She demanded, "Who the hell are you?"