Talk about a long day and that was what Claire was getting. She had been washing up dishes with her heart at the tip of her mouth. From time to time, she would look up just to make certain he was not coming out. Tristan never left his office and she had been expecting the celebrity to show his face but she was disappointed. Probably, he was busy sorting things out and did not want to be seen yet. Claire had more plates to wash that day and even by the time they had announced they were closed, she was still busy.
The other staff members had changed their clothes and bought their meal, Claire’s share was kept in her closet while she kept working. Danielle could not wait for her that day as she claimed she had things to do. However, the girl could tell they were only trying to get out of Tristan’s hair. Those sabotaging colleagues, they were all supposed to stick together Claire thought as she stared after them but no one was willing to get on his bad side. Everyone tidied up well enough and then left.
“Good luck and try to stay alive tomorrow.” was what Danielle said to her.
Claire sighed. At first it was she and the cleaning ladies left while she was dishes. The woman had gathered left over ingredients to discard when Claire stopped her. She could do something with them eventually and took it from her. Soon enough while she was wiping the water off the dishes, the women left. Claire was all alone now with the lion. She was way in the kitchen when he must have come out. Quite late as it was almost seven pm. He demanded to know who was there and Claire said it was her. He walked inside and demanded to know what she was still doing. She knew it was over for her.
“I had to finish,” she said
“Of course you have to finish. It is your duty. What I want to know is why you are still at it,” he said
“Well there was so many today and….,” she began saying as her voice trailed off.
Claire lowered her eyes to the ground forgetting briefly that she held a plate in her hand. It nearly fell but he was at her side instantly catching it mid air. Claire blinked twice as their bodies touched causing the hair to rise on her skin.
“I’m really sorry sir.” she said.
He glared at her and reached over to drop the plate behind her.
“Break anything Miss Willows and I would make certain to deduct from your salary. Finish quickly, I need to lock the place,” he said and turned away.
Claire was momentarily floored. She stood there with mouth agape as she wondered what had just happened. Her body had brushed against that of her celebrity crush, this was unbelievable. Now she could rest well in Norman. The place meant to be her exile had successfully become her dream come true area. She slowly went back to what she was doing and breathed out in relief that he had not complained about the dishes. Claire was careful to make certain she tidied up carefully. She went to her locker and changed. Hunger had begun gnawing at her insides causing her to bite into her burger. Whatever worms were in her stomach rejoiced for joy and Claire sat down to quickly finish what she was doing. She took out her phone to see missed calls from her father, he had worried about her and she felt happy he did. It was well past seven now, Claire panicked.
She walked out and saw Tristan seated on a chair and sleeping. Calmly she walked over to him and tapped him.
“I’m done sir.” she said
“Took you long enough.” he said to her.
She nodded and he asked her to call the man in his car before she left for where ever. Claire nodded and briskly walked out of the place before he decides on something else to do to her. The man stood propped against the car chewing gum. She recognized him from the television as one of Tristan’s aides. She walked over and told him that he was wanted inside before turning away. It was pretty much dark and everyone was going home. Claire caught sight of a bus at the bus stop and began running towards it, unfortunately she was too late. She sighed and went to sit on the bench. Soon perhaps, another bus would pull up and she would be on her way home.
While waiting, her father called again and she picked up. He was worried about her and she explained that she had been caught up at work but would be back soon. He asked if she needed a ride. Claire thought about it, he was suddenly being too nice to her. She did not want sympathetic niceties. She wanted her father for himself.
“Oh never mind, a bus is already approaching,” she lied.
He told her to get home soon and Claire sat down waiting. There were no bus coming up and the atmosphere was beginning to get cold. A fancy jacket would not do the trick. Soon, about three other people joined her on the waiting bench all etching to get home. Claire sat still.
Her boss’s car swept by past. She sighed, they were the lucky ones after all. Soon enough, it began reversing and stopped in front of the bus stop. The driver lowered his side and waved her. Claire felt she must have done something and approached the car. The man pointed her to his boss said. Claire went close and the man lowered his side of the window just a little.
“Get in, I’ll drop you home.” he said to her
“Don’t worry sir, the boss is only being delayed. It would be here soon,” she said trying to decline politely
“Do not make me ask twice Miss Willows. I don’t have the liberty of time,” he said.
Claire nodded.
“Thank you sir,” she said and tried opening the door but it did not open
“Not this one Missy. The front door,” he said to her.
She bowed apologetically as he closed his window. Claire went to the front and shut the door. She nodded her greeting to the driver. He smiled at her but did not move looking at her. She shot him a questioning look.
“Your seat belt,” he reminded her.
“Oh, sorry.,” she said and drew it over her. She felt flustered from embarrassment. She now felt that she did not need a certificate to ascertain that she was a dumb person, she was showing it off proudly.