Chapter One.
He looked around for a phone booth, after he found one he walked towards it and entered. Picking up the phone from the cradle after dropping some cash, he entered the number that has been in his mind all these while. The first ring, second ring, then the third ring, and a mechanical voice could be heard.
'leave a voicemail after the beep'.
Ding..
He held the phone a little while longer hoping for a call which never came. He left the phone booth and stood in front of it for some time before his stomach growled.
Looking around for a restaurant, he found one and made his way to it walking steadily.
A jingling sound and a mechanical voice sounded as he entered the restaurant.
'welcome'.
His eyes darted around for an empty table and he found one near the window. He made his way to the table leisurely and sat.
A male waiter cladded in a blue uniform top and black pants walked up to him with a smile, menu and pencil in hand.
"welcome, what may I offer you", he said politely.
He picked up the menu and glanced at it.
"Can I have a cup of coffee".
"Strong or plain", the waiter asked making sketches in his menu.
"plain without sugar and a little goat milk".
The waiter made more sketches
"your coffee will be with you soon sir, any more order like meal or dessert".
"just coffee for now".
"alright". The waiter smiled and left.
Few minutes later he came back with his order and left.
He sat at the table, taking small sip from his coffee and looking outside occasionally. He was hungry but right now he only has a little money, there were a lot of things in his mind but he was too tired to think, after all he have just been released after four years, things might have gotten worst. He signed and closed his eyes taking and releasing two deep breath, he went back to drinking coffee blocking out all his thoughts.
"Hey boss you came", a man dressed in a chef uniform asked after taking a glance at the young lady that was tying an apron at her back.
"Yeah, worked finished earlier than I thought so I decided to come", the blonde haired beauty answered as she moved towards the food cabinet to take out ingredients.
" You are making a special course today", the man asked his voice laced with expectations.
"Yeah, am making roasted potatoes dusted with honey, sour and sweet vegetable mixed with ketchup and stuffed lamb with lemon grinds", the lady answered washing some carrots in the process.
"You need help", he asked again.
"Yep", the lady replied handing over the meat to him.
"Dice the meat, make them as tiny as possible, after that you can help me dice the vegetables I will handle the rest".
"sure".
"Did Kelvin come to work today".
" He called earlier, his grandma is sick he couldn't make it".
" Why is Kelly not here".
"She left earlier her son had an accident".
"Is it that serious".
"Nope, just a sprained ankle and mild bruises".
" Okay I will visit them later, let's cook".
" Sure".
He looked at his cup and didn't see any coffee, he groaned inwardly. He calculated the money he had on me.
' I can buy another cup of coffee, but I still need shelter and change of clothes, sh*t can things get any worst'.
"Hey George, do you have spaghetti bologonesse and meat balls ready", Michael called as he entered the kitchen, when he noticed the blonde haired beauty he greeted.
" Hey boss, finished work early today".
" Yeah Michael, George serve him the dish I will deal with this".
" Alright".
" What are you making boss".
" A special dish".
"Here you go", George said handing him a plate of the dish he ordered.
" You remember that young man from earlier", Michael question picking the dish up.
" Yeah what about him", George asked.
" He hasn't ordered yet, he just sat there with the same cup of coffee".
" Poor him, he looks like he haven't eaten in years".
"Yeah he is pitiful".
"Can you two stop gossiping and go back to work", the Lady question wiping her hands in a towel.
"Sure boss", they both chorused and Michael left to wait a table.
"The young man you guys talked about, what table is he in", the Lady asked.
" The table near the window, are you going to offer him free food boss", George asked looking at the dishes the lady is dishing out.
" What does that have to do with you, go back to work".
"Sure".
After securing each dishes in a cabinet, she took off her apron and wore a waiters' uniform
" Am going to wait tables now, the remaining dishes serve them to the customers ", she said as she picked up the dishes she have served and left.
"Sure boss". George said as he watched his boss move out with the special dish.
' Boss is really too merciful", he muttered under his breath and went back to work.
She walked towards the table near the window after she walked out from the kitchen, other waiters were serving one table or the other, the few that saw her threw her a greeting and she responded with either a smile or nod. When she got to the table, she set down her tray and sat down.
At the sound of the dishes being set, the man sitting at the table opened his eyes and looked at the intruder.
" Hi", she greeted as she sat down after arranging the dishes in front of the young man.
" Hi", he replied still not sure of what was going on.
" Am Zaynella and you", she introduced smiling.
" Am Lionel, you can call me Leon or Leo".
" Welcome to Bravita, the dishes here are yours, its on the house feel free to take them".
" Why the free food", he asleep eyeing the lady skeptically.
" Don't worry, today is your lucky day we made a special order and you happen to be among those who the house serves freely, feel free to eat and enjoy, if you need anything ask anybody to call me, I will head to work now".
" Thank you", he agreed reluctantly.
" You're welcome", Zaynella smiled once again and left.