บท 51: Fifty
Two weeks had passed, and unsurprisingly, the new additions to Maria's team, Amber and Alice, effortlessly triumphed over all opposition. Despite the fantastic rapport between Jade and me, we hadn't officially become a couple yet. With just a month and a few days left before the tournament, time seemed fleeting. Today, I took a break from training with the intention of having a picnic with Jade, longing to spend more quality time together. Meanwhile, my restaurant had soared in popularity since its inception, leaving us short-staffed.
As I glanced at the clock, I realized, "It's almost time; I better hurry up, or I'll be late."
Mia's interruption startled me "Wait a minute, pedophile, please."
I sighed, feeling exasperated. "What's wrong, Mia? Stop calling me that."
Mia explained the urgency, "Tomorrow, we're understaffed at the restaurant due to its newfound popularity. Can you lend a hand?"
"Yeah, no worries. I'll be there tomorrow, but for now, I have to go. See you later," I replied, already rushing out.
After departing from my place, I reached our designated meeting spot. It was a secluded park near the river, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers. The gentle breeze and the soothing sound of water made it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.
Being the early bird, I spread the tablecloth and settled down, waiting for Jade. Moments later, she arrived in a stunning checkered dress, her hair cascading freely – a princess in contrast to her usual uniform. The dress was a light blue and white, matching her eyes and complexion. It hugged her curves and accentuated her legs, making her look even more attractive. She also wore a straw hat and a pair of sunglasses, giving her a chic and casual vibe.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting," Jade said, smiling brightly.
"No, don't worry about it," I reassured her, gesturing to sit. "You look really good with your hair tied back," I complimented, noticing how it revealed her delicate neck and ears.
"Thank you, and you look really great too today," she reciprocated, admiring my simple but neat outfit of a white shirt and jeans.
"Let's start our picnic then," Jade suggested, taking off her hat and sunglasses.
"Yes, look, I made jam sandwiches. What did you bring?" I inquired, opening the basket.
"I brought you a red fruit salad," she responded, handing me a container.
As we began eating, I found myself devouring most of the strawberries. They were sweet and juicy, just like Jade's lips.
"You seem to really like strawberries. Next time, I'll make a fruit salad with strawberries only," Jade remarked, noticing my preference.
"What, really?" I exclaimed, my eyes filled with excitement.
"Yes, of course. Wait, there's strawberry on your lips," she observed, reaching over to remove them gently. Her fingers brushed against my mouth, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. She leaned closer, her breath warm and fragrant. I felt my heart racing, and I wondered if she was going to kiss me.
"What are we doing tomorrow?" Jade asked, breaking the spell.
"Tomorrow, I'll be busy all day, sorry, but I promise we'll spend Sunday together. It's ok," I explained apologetically, hoping she wouldn't be upset.
Jade's frustration was palpable, her disappointment evident in her piercing gaze. "This is the third time this week you've been tied up. Can't I have at least some of your time, Eloise?"
Caught off guard by Jade's sudden outburst, I tried to placate her, "I know, I'm really sorry. Tomorrow's just... I promise Sunday will be different."
"I've heard that before," Jade muttered under her breath, her tone laced with disappointment.
Before I could respond, Jade stood up abruptly, her expression a mix of hurt and frustration. "Forget it, Eloise. I'll see you when you actually have time for me," she said curtly, gathering her things and swiftly making her way out of the park, leaving me sitting there, feeling a pang of regret and guilt gnawing at me.
As she disappeared from sight, I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the situation sinking in. I hadn't anticipated Jade's reaction to be so intense. Guilt washed over me like a tidal wave. I had let her down once again.
With a heavy heart, I packed up the remnants of our abandoned picnic and headed home, a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. I knew I had to make things right, but I also understood that mere apologies wouldn't suffice this time. It was clear I had to rearrange my priorities and make a conscious effort to give Jade the attention and time she deserved.
Upon returning home, the familiar sight of my house offered little comfort amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling within me. Entering the doorway, the silence was deafening. Normally bustling with warmth and activity, the house now felt eerily quiet.
My mother, perched on the sofa reading a book, looked up as I entered. "How was your time with Jade, dear?" she inquired, her eyes searching for clues in my expression.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to articulate the unexpected turn of events. "It didn't go as planned," I muttered softly, avoiding her gaze, and quickly made my way upstairs, the weight of the unresolved tension with Jade bearing down on me.
In the solitude of my room, I mechanically went through the motions of preparing for bed. The events of the day played on a loop in my mind, the hurt on Jade's face haunting my thoughts. Without exchanging further words with my mother, I headed straight for the bathroom, seeking solace in the familiarity of a shower.
The warm water cascading down felt like a soothing balm, offering a momentary respite from the whirlwind of emotions. Yet, beneath the surface, the guilt and regret lingered, a constant reminder of my unintended neglect of Jade.
As I stepped out of the shower, a sense of exhaustion washed over me, both physically and emotionally drained from the day's events. Dressed in comfortable pyjamas, I retreated to the sanctuary of my bed, the weight of the unresolved tension with Jade gnawing at me.
The next morning, Mia urged me to wake up for work at the restaurant.
"Mia, give me a moment. I'll get ready," I replied, groggily rising from bed. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock. It was already 8:30 am. I had overslept.
I hurried to the bathroom and took a quick shower, washing away the traces of last night's dream. I still couldn't believe what had happened. Jade and I had argued.
After I was ready, we walked to the restaurant, which was only a few blocks away from our house. It appeared transformed, resembling a proper eatery now, complete with a prominent sign that read 'Wright's'. Alana had recently renovated the place, adding new furniture, lighting, and decorations. She had also hired more staff and expanded the menu.
"Let's head in," I suggested as we approached the entrance.
"Yes, let's go," Mia agreed.
Entering the restaurant, the staff was already bustling about. I quickly changed into my work uniform – a red shirt paired with a black tie and trousers, signifying my role as a waitress.
The morning and afternoon flowed in a similar fashion, and soon, only the evening service remained. I was looking forward to it, as it was usually the busiest and most exciting part of the day. I loved meeting new people and making them happy with our food and service.
As evening approached, thoughts of my work occupied my mind until I was asked to tend to a specific table.
"Could you take care of the guests at table 8, Eloise?" asked a fellow staff member.
"Of course," I agreed, making my way to the mentioned table. I grabbed a menu and a pen, and put on my best smile. I was ready to take their orders and make them feel welcome.
But as I reached the table, my smile froze on my face. I couldn't believe my eyes. There, sitting across from each other, were Jade and Amber.
Jade was wearing a gorgeous red dress that hugged her curves and accentuated her hair and eyes. She looked stunning, as always. But she also looked nervous, fidgeting with her napkin and avoiding eye contact.
I had to act professional. I had to pretend that everything was fine. I can't do that without asking question.
"Jade, what are you doing here?" I questioned, forcing a calm tone.
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