MAY HEARTH

Chapter 4

MAY’S HEARTH

The bell above the door chimed softly as Maria stepped inside May’s Hearth.

Warmth wrapped around her instantly.

The restaurant buzzed with life. Plates clinked, chairs scraped lightly against the floor, and the rich aroma of grilled meat, herbs, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Conversations blended together in a pleasant hum that made the place feel alive.

The afternoon rush had already begun.

Customers filled most of the tables. Some laughed over drinks while others focused on their meals. A few well-dressed men sat near the windows, their expensive watches glinting under the warm lights.

May’s Hearth was never quiet.

Maria paused just inside the entrance, letting the familiar atmosphere settle around her.

“Look who finally decided to leave the house.”

Maria turned.

Aunt May stood behind the counter, flour dusting the front of her apron and a teasing smile on her face.

“I have good news, I got the job,” Maria replied.

“Really but how I thought you said last night that.....”

“They said that the letter wasn't directed to me"

“Isn't that incompetency?"

"Well I don't care, as long as I got the job" Maria said happily.

Aunt May hugged Maria.

“See? I told you everything would be alright.”

"So when are you resuming?"

"They said tomorrow or next week"

"Tomorrow is Friday, it's better you start on Monday. Fresh week. Fresh start"

"I thought the same"

"Well would you look at that glow"She said touching Maria's cheeks

"Don't exaggerate Aunt May, I'm just happy finally I can also help you with the bills" She said while looking around the restaurant so she didn't know Aunt may expression had changed. She looked at her and was surprised at her facial expression.

"What's wrong, did I say something wrong."

"Everything wrong, did I ever say I needed any help with the bills. You know better than anyone that my restaurant is capable of feeding and paying our bills and still have for miscellaneous and savings"

"I just wanted to support you have alw....."

"Shhhh I don't want to hear it, when you receive your salary bit things for yourselp with it, clothes, makeup, bags and shoes. If you don't want to then save it. But any idea you have of using it to settle bills at home forget it. Have I ever complained about anything to you? Have I?" Maria noticed her words really hurt her, she hugged her.

"I am sorry aunt May, I didn't mean it like that. I know you are fully capable to take care if both of us. I am sorry for hurting your feelings."

"Never mind but since you are here you can as well be useful."

Maria had a feeling she knew where this was going.

“And now,” Aunt May continued, reaching under the counter, “I need you to help with the serving"

She placed a folded apron on the counter.

Maria stared at it.

“You’re serious.”

“Very.”

“I thought you had workers.”

“Of course I do, and as you can see they are all busy"

Maria looked around and they were all busy, the chefs, Gideon and Olu, a funny Nigerian, in the kitchen. Caleb, the overly quiet accountant and the three waitress, Lena, Tara and Joy.

Maria sighed but took the apron anyway.

“Only for hour.”

“That’s all I need.”

The next hour passed quickly.

Orders came and went as the restaurant filled with customers.

Maria moved between tables carefully, balancing trays and delivering drinks. The smell of spices drifted through the air as more dishes left the kitchen.

For the first time that day, her mind wasn’t stuck on the past.

Living in the moment.

A man in an expensive suit sat at one of the corner tables. His eyes moved slowly over her.

“Your order, sir.” Maria asked.

“Took you long enough,” he said lazily.

Maria glanced briefly at the table.

His order had arrived less than two minutes ago. She had brought as fast as she could.

“I apologize if there was any delay,” she said calmly and professionally.

She reached forward to place the plate.

Suddenly the man’s arm moved.

His hand landed firmly on her waist.

Maria froze.

His grip tightened slightly as if testing whether she would pull away.

“You should smile more,” he said quietly, his eyes lingering on her. “Service like this could make a place much more… interesting. Pretty waitress.”

That was it.

That word. Pretty.

Maria’s expression hardened instantly.

She stepped back and removed his hand.

“Sir,” she said sharply, “keep your hands to yourself.”

Several nearby tables fell silent.

The man smirked.

“Oh relax. I was being friendly.”

“Then learn some better manners.”

Before the situation could escalate further, Aunt May appeared beside them.

Her expression was calm but firm.

“Is there a problem?”

The man leaned back in his chair.

“Your waitress seems a little sensitive.”

Aunt May’s eyes flicked briefly toward Maria before returning to him.

“Sorry sir, but at May’s Hearth, staff are treated with respect,” she said evenly.

The man stood slowly.

For a moment it looked like he might argue.

Instead he adjusted his jacket.

“You’ll regret embarrassing me like this,” he muttered coldly. “You don’t know who you just embarrassed.”

Then he walked out.

The restaurant gradually returned to its usual noise.

Aunt May sighed softly.

“I’m sorry about that.”

Maria shook her head.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Aunt May frowned.

“He’s from the Moretti family.”

Maria shrugged.

“That doesn’t mean he gets to touch people.”

Still, Aunt May looked troubled.

By the time the rush slowed, the sky outside had begun turning orange.

Maria untied the apron and placed it back on the counter.

“You survived,” Aunt May teased.

“Barely," she continued "well I'm going to the Haven"

"To see her?"

"Yeah, she needs to know about the job"

She waved goodbye to the staff and stepped outside.

The evening air felt cooler now.

Without thinking too much about it, Maria began walking down the street.

Her feet followed a familiar path.

The street ahead was mostly empty.

Maria turned the corner—

A loud screech shattered the quiet.

Headlights flashed.

A sleek black car stopped just inches from her.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Inside the car, the driver turned quickly toward the back seat.

The two men exchanged a few words Maria couldn’t hear.

After a moment, the driver nodded and stepped out of the car.

“Miss,” he said apologetically, “are you alright?”

Maria stared at him.

“I— I think so.”

"Here this should cover up."

Maria looked down at what he slipped into her hand.

A cheque.

The initial shock faded.

Her eyes widened.

“You almost hit me and this is your solution?”

“My employer insisted,” the driver said carefully.

Maria’s irritation flared instantly.

“Unbelievable.”

She walked straight toward the back seat window

Knock.

Knock.

For a moment nothing happened.

Then the window slowly slid down.

Maria opened her mouth to speak—And stopped.

Her eyes met the man inside the car—and for a brief moment, the anger on her face disappeared completely.

She suddenly forgot what she had planned to say.