07

CHAPTERS 07

Setting his feet onto the floor, he walked to the bathroom, brushed his untamed hair and brushed his teeth. Doing his business and important hygienic routine, he hurried to dress in something that slips off easily.

Valentino had texted him the night prior, informing him of the situation and the fact that he would be handed his uniform at the workplace.

To say that he was excited was the understatement of the century for him. He wasn’t even tired anymore, very energetic and ready to please his customers and his boss. Especially Valentino.

Nathaniel was jumping all over the place, dressing in a pastel blue hoodie and some sweatpants. After making his bed, drinking a glass of water and eating an apple, he headed out the door with wet hands, making sure to wash his hands to get rid of the apples sticky substance.

Nathaniel was quick to catch the bus, goosebumps appearing on his arms as a reaction to the cold. He stepped in, glad to see it empty. After telling the driver the address, he sat down, double checking to see if he had money to pay for the ride. He did in fact, relaxing and watching the city.

He jolted away when the bus came to a stop, not even noticing that he had fallen asleep. He thanked the bus driver, paying and then hopping off, thankful for the ride.

As Nathaniel stepped off, he stared at the restaurant in awe. It was a fancy French restaurant. As he stepped inside, he noticed the way it smelled like fresh lavenders, making the dazed boy inhale the scent, delighted. Despite it not being very bright outside, the diamond chandeliers inside shone, shining beautifully.

There were circular tables with white tablecloths, silverware on the table with newly cleaned plates in the middle. The chairs were tucked in, looking as neat as ever. The floors were covered in a light brown carpet, that too having been cleaned. The wallpapers were gold, some corners decorated with plants.

While Nathaniel was struck with awe, Valentino crept up behind the boy. He cleared his throat, making Nathaniel jump in surprise. « You’re late, » he grumbled, making the color drain from his face. « Kidding. You’re five minutes early, » he said, glancing at his wristwatch.

Nathaniel let out a deep breath, relaxing. « Go change into these, then I’ll introduce you to your boss. » Nathaniel peered up at the tall boy through his thick eyelashes, « aren’t you my boss, sir ? » « No, I’m your boss’s boss. But yes, technically that would make me your boss as well. »

Nathaniel nodded, taking the uniform and heading to the changing cabin he had spotted earlier. When he did, he locked his clothes inside a locker, looking at himself in the mirror. The clothes were slightly big, but it was okay. He had red pants and a long-sleeved, button-up, white shirt. He also had a black, short apron kind of thing that was tied on his lower body, the straps holding it up going over his shoulder like the straps of an overall.

He smiled, liking the fancy uniform. He stepped out, Valentino eyeing the adorable boy. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to avert his eyes. He thought that Nathaniel looked adorable in his uniform.

« Alright, Nathaniel, » again, the boy cringed at his name. « You’ll be serving your first customer. I’m going to test how you hold the tray, your posture, and your balance. I’ll keep a close eye on the way you serve and act, okay ? » Nathaniel let out a small, « yes sir. »

« Great, then let’s go. Now, you’re going to serve me. »

A few minutes later, Nathaniel found himself holding a tray on his left hand which he angled just above his shoulder. It was an odd position, but Valentino had told him that it was the general way waiters carried trays.

He slowly and carefully walked to the table Valentino was sitting at, not taking his eyes off the boy for even a split second. He analyzed his movements, glaring at his stiff muscles, not liking how tense the boy looked. Nathaniel was terrified of making even the smallest of mistakes, gulping as sweat trickled down his glistening forehead, face red as if he was suffocating.

« Nathaniel, » boomed Valentino, making the agitated boy almost drop the tray that was slipping from his sweaty palm. « Y-Yes, sir ? » He asked, his heart beating against his battered ribcage. He wanted to just crawl into a hole and die when he met Valentino’s eyes that burned with rage.

« Loosen up, you look very stressed. Waiters move gracefully and swiftly, not like people who have sticks up their asses. » Nathaniel was taken aback by the vulgar language Valentino used without a care, but the lack of profanity made him even more nervous.

« Y-Yes, sir. » He lowered his arm enough so that he could place the soup he was carrying. With shaking hands, he placed it on the table, right in front of Valentino. The older boy didn’t let him go, expecting him to say something. « Enjoy your meal, » he whispered, cheeks heating up. Valentino shook his head, tutting. « Do you think you’ll earn tips with such a hushed voice ? The answer is clearly no. Raise your voice, speak with a friendly yet professional voice that had a confident tone. »

Nathaniel attempted again, « Enjoy your meal, » he said, this time louder and clearer. « Good boy, » murmured Valentino, digging into his soup. Nathaniel jogged back to the kitchen to serve the next course. The cook glared at him, knowing that it was Nathaniel’s fault that he had to rise earlier than normal. With a thud, he slammed the plate down onto the tray, glaring daggers at the new boy. Nathaniel just ignored it, feeling guilty that he was the cause of the cook losing sleep.

He sped up while walking back to Valentino’s table, heart dropping when he noticed that the soup was almost completely untouched. « Did you not like your soup, sir ? » He asked, moving it out of the way of the fresh meat he put in front of the man. « Tell the cook that it tasted like shit. Too salty. » Valentino groaned, wiping his mouth. Nathaniel wouldn’t even imagine saying something so rude, but he nodded anyway, taking the soup away.

As he stepped back into the kitchen, he spoke to the chubby cook who was much older than him. « He said that the soup was too salty. He didn’t enjoy it, sir. » He informed timidly, gripping the counter tightly as his head hung low, avoiding eye contact awkwardly. « Hah ! Liar. Amore always loves my dishes. You’re a liar, boy ! » Nathaniel flinched as he was yelled at, playing with his straps as he whispered silently, « I’m not lying, sir. » The cook’s French accent was thick, and Nathaniel struggled to understand him. But when he yelled, his English was clearer.

« He doesn’t like my cooking ?! » He took a deep breath, nostrils flaring, a crease forming between his eyebrows as he grabbed a plate. « Then serve him this ! » He said, aiming the plate at Nathaniel and flinging it at him. The boy’s eyes widened, shutting them tightly instead of moving, frozen in his spot. « What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Dalas ? » Valentino’s deep voice came from behind Nathaniel. He was holding the plate that was inches away from crashing into Nathaniel’s head.