SHATTERED ENCOUNTER

Betty’s POV

I faked a smile that stopped short of my eyes as the bell above the door jingled once more. Hours of sprinting back and forth with trays that felt heavier with every step left my legs hurting. Sweat trickled down my back from the failed air conditioner, and the stench of grease stuck to my clothes. At the diner, it was just another long day.

"Betty!" yelled my manager. "Table five! and do it quickly.” That dude appears to be significant.

I tightened my hold on the coffee pot and nodded. Significant. Correct. He seemed like just another customer to me, and I hoped that the few coins he left as a tip would cover my bus trip home.

I froze as I got to the booth. No one else in the diner looked like the man seated there. He was too sharp, too polished. His watch glittered in the low light, his steely grey eyes scanned the room as if he owned it, and his fitted suit embraced his broad shoulders.

Most likely, he did.

"Coffee?" I asked quietly. He didn't look at me even though my voice was faltering. He curtly said, "Black," while continuing to stare at his phone. With shaking hands, I poured. Then the catastrophe. Hot liquid splashed across the table and onto his spotless sleeve as the pot slipped.

"Oh my God!" With a gulp, I reached for napkins. "I really apologize, I didn't mean to." His enormous frame towered over me as he slowly stood up. When we finally looked at each other, his eyes were as cold as ice.

"Are you aware of the cost of this suit?" His voice was low but piercing enough to inquire.

I stumbled, "I'll pay for cleaning." My cheeks were burning. "It happened by accident."

"Cleaning?" He laughed without joy. "The value of this clothing exceeds your entire salary.

Are you even aware of the real-world costs of carelessness? My chest constricted. People were looking at each other. My boss appeared to be about to lose it.

I apologised once more in a whisper, my hands shaking from the wet napkins.

With his costly and fresh scent, he leaned in closer. "Sorry doesn't make incompetence go away." Perhaps try paying attention the next time.

I bit back tears that hurt my eyes. He threw a $100 bill on the table as if it were trash, then turned and left without looking back.

There was silence in the diner. The hubbub suddenly resumed, but each whisper felt like a blade pointed at me. The city sky had already begun to darken by the time I managed to drag myself home. I was greeted by peeling wallpaper and flickering lights in my run-down flat.

It was all I had, but it wasn't much. After kicking off my shoes, I went to look in the little jar where  I kept my rent money. My heart fell. Half of it was empty.

"Damien!" I yelled.

Using the back of his hand to wipe his lips, my half-brother came out of the small kitchen.

His arrogant smile made my stomach turn.

"Searching for something?" he inquired nonchalantly.

"You stole my rent money, you bastard." My voice trembled with rage. He shrugged and answered, "borrowed!.. I borrowed it." "Calm down. I'll reimburse you.

"You say that all the time, but you never did! Damien, I'll be evicted! Are you not concerned?

Smirking, he leaned against the threshold.

"You believe I want to spend my entire life in this shithole? Betty, I need money to leave. I won't be stuck here like you are.”

I didn't want to acknowledge how painful his remarks were.

"You're self-centred," I yelled. "Mom left us nothing, and you exacerbate the situation rather than assist me." His face tightening, he hissed, "Don't involve Mom in this." "You believe you're superior to me? All you do is wait. Not much more.

My eyes were watering, but I didn't want him to see me cry. "Leave," I said. "Just leave."He snatched up his jacket and rushed out, slamming the door so forcefully that the walls shook. I buried my face in my hands and slid into the couch.

I snapped out of it when I heard a knock on the door. My sole buddy, Jenna, was standing there smiling in a sparkly dress as I opened it.

She stated quite plainly, "You look like hell." "Perfect timing." I am inviting you to join me tonight.

I blinked.

"Where?"

"A party. Free food, free drinks, and fancy people. Perhaps even free wealthy husbands.

"I can't, Jenna," I said.

"You can," She pushed into the flat, past me. You've been drowning in despair, Betty. One night is all you need to forget. Please.

"Those are not places where I belong."

"That's precisely why you ought to go. Hurry up. For you, I have a dress. Please don't let me drag you.

I let out a sigh. My brother detested me; I had lost my rent, and my life was unravelling.

Would a single night make a difference?

"All right," I said.

Jenna gave me a hug and a squeal. "You won't be sorry for this."

The ballroom was like a dream come true. The air smelled of champagne and roses. The crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. I felt like a fake amid women wearing this gown that cost more than my entire life savings; my borrowed dress held me slightly tight in the right places.

Jenna leaned on me and said softly, "Just breathe."

But when I saw him, my breath caught halfway.

Trent, Larry. It was the diner man.

His impeccable suit and dominating presence made him appear even more menacing here, as though the entire room was huddled around him. He was talking to Vivienne Hayes, the socialite I had only ever seen in publications, and an elderly man. When Vivienne's eyes met mine, they narrowed and then widened with laughter. She spoke to Larry in a whisper. He looked after her.

Suddenly, I was the focus of those icy grey eyes. I spun around, but his hand grabbed mine before I could get away. With a slight sneer on his lips, he said, "Waitress." It's good to see you here.

With a shaky voice, I shot out, "I didn't come for you."

He clenched his fingers. "But here you are nonetheless."

Vivienne was standing close by, observing us with a silly smile of her own, as if she had discovered a new toy to destroy.

The music grew louder. Warm breath against my ear, Larry leaned closer.

He said quietly, "You're playing a dangerous game, little waitress," and dragged me onto the dance floor.