5 Probation
Chapter 5
recap
It's now 11pm and the restaurant is closed. I hear the clicks of Claudette's heels as she approaches me.
Here goes nothing....
Nathan POV
Tonight was definitely eventful. I have never been this amused. Lisa look so terrified as Mr Mathis shouted at her. I'm pretty sure she didn't cry because she didn't understand a word he said. I'm questioning how she got the Internship if a requirement is to be able to speak and understand French.
For some unknown reason, I've been watching her all night. From the moment she went to the table, you could tell she was nervous. The time she visible cringe after call Mr Mathis a fool without realizing. His expression must have said it all. After the commotion, Claudette dragged her back here and asked her to sit. Now we are closed and a very mad Claudette is coming to get answers.
This should be interesting.
"MISS LISA!?" I hear her shout.
Lisa cringes yet again. I think she realizes she's in a lot of trouble.
"Miss Lisa, why on earth would you call Mr Mathis a fool?" Claudette asks and a look a of realization dawns on Lisa.
"Oh... so that's what I called him." She says more to herself but we all heard it.
"What!? You didn't even know what you called him!?" Claudette's anger is raising at a fast pace now.
"Um no." Lisa responds.
"Miss Lisa Camilla Hart, do you or do you not know how to speak and understand French?"
Camilla? Huh I didn't know she was Spanish but now I see it.
"No I don't" Lisa responds meekly.
"Then how in God's name did you get this internship? Who was in charge of selecting the applicants?" She asks to no one in particular.
"Um..it was I madame." Her assistant speaks.
"Rose, you are fired. Pack your stuff right this instant." She says venom laced her tongue. Poor Rose.
"Why are you firing her? She's done nothing wrong." Lisa stands up for Rose.
"Oh yes she did something wrong. Very wrong by picking something such as yourself Miss Camilla. Rose get out before I have security escort you." Rose just nods her head looking glum as she leaves the premises. You'd think I should jump in and stop this, but this is not my problem. I don't like to get involved in this kinds of matter. I just stay on the sidelines and watch.
"Miss Camilla why on earth were you even at that table, I remember specifically assigning it to Audrey. Audrey care to explain?" She turns to the blonde.
Huh so her name's Audrey. She has been staring at me and giving me weird looks since.
"Madame Claudette, I was going to the table but Lisa came up to me and asked if we could switch. She said something about trying to impress you. I was skeptical but she was persistent so I gave in. I didn't want to look like I was taking the spotlight." Interesting. I didn't peg Lisa to be that kind of person.
"That's a bloody lie!!! She was the one who came up to me to take her spot because-"
"That's enough Camilla. I don't want your excuses anymore. You nearly cost me my own job. Enough."
"Why do you keep addressing me by my middle name?" Lisa asked with an expression on her face.
"Because Miss Camilla, it reminds me that you an unruly, classless Spanish brat." Lisa gasps and so does everyone in the room. Her face is now red with anger.
"I am bloody British!!" She screams. Claudette looks like she is having trouble keeping her anger in check. Lisa finally realising what she said covers her mouth with her hands.
She let her British accent slip through that sentence and I can assure you it did something to my insides.
"Like I said Miss Camilla, classless. Now remember what I said in the beginning of the internship what would happen if any of you slip up? Well Miss Camilla guess what? Your internship has been put to an end. Now kindly pack your stuffs and Gustav would escort you to the airport."
"Please give me one more chance. I promise not to let you down. I would even learn this blasted language if I have to but please don't end my internship. This means so much to me." Lisa begs. Her for eyes are wide.
Mr Marius taps Claudette's shoulder and nods his head.
"I can't believe I'm even considering this but Miss Camilla you are given one more chance. One more chance, screw this up and that's it. Also note that you are henceforth on probation till I say otherwise. Have a good evening." She turns and leaves, her heels clicking behind her. Everyone starts to leave until it's just me and Lisa in the room. She stands with her head down and lets out a groan muttering profanities under her breath.
I move towards her and tap her shoulder, "you'd be locked in if you don't leave now." She looks up to me for the first time tonight and gives me a slight smile before grabbing her bag and heading out. I equally leave and lock up and heading to my car.
Tonight has definitely been eventful
Lisa's POV
Next day
I cannot believe I am probation. Yesterday was so ugh!!! I can't even find the words to describe it. The guys and Eliza tried to console me and make me feel better but I couldn't help but cringe every time I remember what happened.
Audrey aka French Blondie has been throwing smirks my way every since. I wanted to confront her but Eliza thought I should let it go seeing as I am on probation. She doesn't want me to have any more problems that would have me pack my bags for good.
Today we are supposed to learn to make Coq au vin; a French chicken dish. We are to start with the simple dishes first and Mrs Estelle would supervise while Nathan would teach.
I on the other hand was not to participate. I was made to sit on the sidelines while the others got busy making Coq au vin.
From where I am seated, I could see French fry get all touchy touchy with Nathan when Estelle wasn't watching. Nathan's expression was an uncomfortable and confused one that I couldn't help but snort at the situation. The lot turn their heads to me and French fry scowls at me while Nathan simply rolls his eyes with a smile.
I was getting bored, so bored I decided to call my mother. We haven't spoken since I got here.
"Hola mijita!!!" She answers after two rings. "You've finally arrive in France and forgot that you have a mother anxiously awaiting your call eh?"
I roll my eyes.
"Mamá, it's not like that. I have been busy since I got here."
"Oh I know you. What did you do This time?"
"Wha-how?"
"Mijita you forget I know you like the back of my hand."
"It really wasn't my fault ok. I called an important person a fool in French–"
"Oh, dios mío. ?qué estabas pensando!?" (Oh my God. What where you thinking!?)
"In my defense, I don't know how to speak the language and I ended up getting my ass on probation." I sigh.
"Oh my darling, at least you didn't get thrown out. But be careful dear I sense bad vibes." I smile at her statement.
"No tienes idea. La rubia francesa es la razón por la que estoy en este lío y ella me odia. Casi la rompo ayer si no por Eliza." (You have know idea. The French blondie is the reason I am in this mess and she hates me so much. I almost broke her yesterday if not for Eliza.)
"Oh I trust you Darling to Give her a wooping she's never going to forget. Your are your mother's daughter after all."
I let out a loud laugh drawing the attention of everyone.
"Miss Camilla no phone calls allowed unless during your break." Claudette says looking directly at me and I cringe again.
"Mamá tengo que irme ahora. Hablaré contigo más tarde. Te amo." (Mom I have to go now. Talk to you later. Love you.)
I ended the call and gave Claudette a sheepish look.
"Miss Camilla you are treading on thin ice."
"Sorry." I muttered and couldn't help but look down.
She walked away. I could shake the feeling that someone was watching me so I did what anyone would do, I look up and locked eyes with Nathan. I tilted my head to the side and cocked my eyebrow. He just smirked at me. Again.
I look away while rolling my eyes and continue wallowing in boredom until I felt a presence beside me.
"Hi." He chirped.
He was one of the waiters here from how he was dressed.
"Hi?" I respond in more of a question way.
He chuckles.
"I know you're wondering why I'm speaking to but I saw you sitting here all by yourself and looking bored out of your mind so I decided to come to the rescue but if you don't want the company I can always leaves." I groan internally. I gave him a fake smile in order not to seem rude.
"No no. It's fine. You can stay. At this point I'd accepted just about anyone if it gets me out of boredom." I say truthfully and earns me a laugh from him.
"My name is Leo by the way."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lisa."
He snorts "oh I know. Heck everyone here knows who you are after the stunt you pulled." He says with an amused face.
I groan "ugh!! Don't remind me. I tired so hard to forget what happened and you just had to remind me. I still cringe anytime someone brings it up."
He equally belts out a laughter that went for 15 seconds. Yes I was counting. Everyone turn to our direction when Leo started laughing.
"I'm glad to see you're enjoying my plight."
"I'm sorry it's so-fu-funny." I huff.
"Okay, I'm done. But you have to admit that was funny."
"It's what I live for." I say sarcastically.
"Hey Lisa." I turn my head to Eliza. I see her taking a seat and the others too.
"Hi. You guys are done?" I asked.
"We're on break. We did great on our Coq au vin and we get to eat it." Evan responds in glee. I sigh.
"I'll share with you." Jayden tells me and I smile.
"So Lisa.. who's your friend."
"Oh yeah, guys this is Leo. Leo meet Eliza, Jayden, Evan, Raphael." I introduce them.
"Ahem! Aren't you forgetting someone?" French fry asked me.
"Nope. I'm pretty sure I introduced everyone." I answer calmly.
"No you didn't!!! You forgot me!!"
"Oh I'm sorry I thought you were one of the mop sticks with how skinny you look. Please forgive me." Everyone is clearly trying to control their laughter and failing. Ok so I'm not trying to body shame her or anything, it's just that I'm mad at what she did yesterday. "Leo meet French Blondie or Frenchie if you wish." They all burst out in laughter now. Even Nathan is laughing.
He looks so hot right now. Just saying.
"French Blondie!? Frenchie!? My name is Audrey!!!!"
"That's what I said!!" I say getting on her nerves.
"What is wrong with you!?" She says clearly frustrated.
"Oh honey, You should be grateful I said French Blondie. You don't want to know what I call you in my head. You won't be able to handle it." I smirk.
"Argh!!!" She stomps away.
When she leaves everyone belt a laugh.
Eliza wipes her eyes. "Pay back's a bitch ay?"
"Absolutely." I say with a smile.
We kept talking and the guys get to know Leo better when a hand slammed on the table cuts off our conversation.
"Miss Lisa Camilla Hart!!!"
"Uh-oh." Evan mutters.
"Why are you bullying a fellow intern?"
"I'm sorry what?"
"Miss Audrey came to my office in tears to report you bullying her."
"I didn't bully her. It was just a harmless joke." I say exasperated.
"How is calling her a mop stick a harmless joke." Claudette asked.
"Well it's not my fault she's skinny."
"Miss Camilla!!"
"What? I'm saying the truth."
"What about calling her a 'french Blondie'?"
"Well she's French and is clearly blonde. Or do I suddenly have color blindness?" I retort smartly with a smirk on my face.
"Miss Camilla this is your last warning. I won't tolerate this anymore you unruly little girl. I've got my eye on you." She says and walks out back to her office.
"Break is over everyone. Back to practice." Estelle yells and everyone trickles back.
"There never seem to be a dull moment with you Lisa." Nathan says with a slight smile as he leaves. I was stuck staring at his retreating figure. My throat felt dry until I snapped out of my daze.
"I need to find myself something to do or I will die of boredom." I say to myself and made my was to Mrs Estelle.
"Mrs Estelle can I speak to you?" I asked.
"What do you want girl?"
"Um I was wondering if there was something I could do. I am bored and we still have a long time before we open and eventually close. Please?"
"I'd have to talk to Claudette first. I'd be back." She says and leaves the kitchen.
I rest my back on the fridge as I watch Nathan demonstrate how to make the dish.
"Miss Lisa." Estelle calls.
"Yes?"
"You can work as the errand girl for the others. Meaning you are to get what they need to make their various dishes. Claudette's orders. She says it's your punishment for bullying."
"What!?"
