Today is the day.

Today, I meet Daniel. The man – sorry – the Man that I’ve been speaking to for the past 3 long months, revealing my innermost desires to. I’ve spent the past hour getting my hair and makeup perfect, because there won’t be any time after work to get ready before we meet. Just one short 5 hour shift, and it will finally happen!

As I arrive at work, my heart begins to flutter. If all goes well with Daniel, I will be able to quit this shit job. I smile as I think about how great it will feel to be able to tell Mr. Franks where to shove his time sheets. The man is a horrible manager, and a bit mysoginistic if I’m being honest. He’s an asshole and I can’t wait to see the look on his face when I tell him I’m done with this shitty restaurant. I walk in the front door with a smile, and lock eyes with the asshole. He’s glowering, as usual. I step into the back and clock in, throw on an apron and go out to my first table.

As I approach the table of one, I freeze. A handsome man in his 30s puts down the menu and gazes up at me, his dark brown eyes deeper than any pool of water I’ve ever seen. He regards me with a slight smile, but his eyes are dispassionate, almost cold.

“Natalie,” he says. It’s a statement. My stomach does flips as I realize that he’s here. Daniel is here, at the restaurant. I begin to panic immediately, trying to wrap my head around it. He must realize this because his smile grows as he holds out a hand placatingly. “Don’t be concerned, everything’s okay. I wanted to get started early. Is that alright with you?” My stomach bottoms out, but I nod. I don’t have a choice. “Good girl,” he looks over at Mr. Franks and nods his head, “Is that him?” I nod again, and try to smile. I should be happy – why am I so nervous? “Go get him.”

Woodenly, I obey, walking over to Mr. Franks and letting him know that a customer wants to speak with him. When Mr. Franks arrives at the table, he asks Daniel if I’ve been giving him trouble.

“No, not at all,” Daniel says, “I was hoping that you might have a few minutes so that we could speak in private.”

Mr. Franks’ expression turns a bit more sour than normal, but he agrees, and before I realize what is happening, all 3 of us are going into Mr. Franks’ basement office. I stand inside the door as Mr. Franks shuts it and turns around.

“What seems to be the problem?” he asks Daniel. I swallow, unsure of what to think.

“Mr. Franks, today will be Natalie’s last day working here.” Daniel says abruptly.

“What the fuck? Why? Nat? Who is this guy?” Mr. Franks says, looking at me with angry eyes. I open my mouth to answer, but Daniel cuts me off with a look.

“I am Natalie’s new Owner, Mr. Franks. She will be coming with me.”

For a moment, Mr. Franks glares at him, then looks at me as if expecting an explanation. I keep my mouth shut obediently, my hands clasped in front of me and my legs beginning to shake slightly. This is the first time I am confronted with the reality of the situation with Daniel in front of anyone else, and my mind is reeling.

“New owner? What the fuck does that …” Mr. Franks begins to ask, then looks at Daniel and notices something in his hands that I can’t see. He stops, his expression changing to something.. different. Confusion, but then then his eyes soften. He glances at me but his eyes are mostly trained on whatever Daniel has in his hands.

“Natalie would like to thank you for all of the years of good management that you’ve provided for her before she goes. You have been an unending source of inspiration for her. Would that be alright with you, Mr. Franks?”

Mr. Franks suddenly swallows, his chubby cheeks turning pink. He looks at me again, this time with a look that reminds me of a predator about to strike prey, and suddenly I realize what is going to happen. My heart pounds. No. Not this man. No, please no.

“Yeah,” Mr. Franks says, “I think that’s just fine.” I glance down and notice that his khakis are bulging, and the bulge is growing. My breath stops. I look at Daniel, who is staring at me with no nonsense eyes.

“Natalie.