CHAPTER FIVE: UNEXPECTED VISITOR

SAVANNAH'S POV

I meticulously fixed every element of my outfit, from the nicely pressed collar to the polished buttons, before entering the great dining hall of Rine's Gourmet, the restaurant where I worked.

While I was wiping the counter later that day, I spotted a familiar face enter the restaurant, followed by a middle-aged woman who bore a strong likeness to him.

"What in the flying fuck was Levi doing here?" I muttered under my breath before rushing into the kitchen, praying that there would be another free waitress to take their order.

"Here you are Savannah, table five doesn't have anybody waiting at the table, get their orders," The manager said and I frowned

Of all the days to be fully booked, why was it the day I didn't want to wait tables? "Yes sir," I said and then walked out of the kitchen with a frown.

I had no idea I'd be serving them, but destiny had other plans. I felt a jolt of uneasiness as I approached the table where Levi and the woman were sitting. My stomach churned with worry, and my hands trembled slightly.

However, I knew I needed to be professional and calm. I smiled and greeted them kindly. "Good morning, welcome to Rine's Gourmet, I am Savannah, and will be taking your orders today"

"Hi" The woman smiled and I nodded

Levi, couldn't pass up the chance to disgrace me again. "I thought waitresses were supposed to be beautiful, why do you look like you came out of the swamp?" He asked

The woman beside him frowned, "Stop it, Levi, you know better than to embarrass the poor woman" Levi was just aiming to offend and throw me off guard so I could lose my job.

But I was stronger and more resilient than ever, refusing to let his words and actions crush my soul, I remembered my daughter and persevered.

I took their orders and served them, I finally realized that the woman by his side was his mother. Overwhelmed by my friendly actions despite everything her son did to get on her nerves, she surreptitiously slipped a hefty gratuity into my hands, her eyes filled with thanks.

"I applaud you for your professionalism Savannah" She beamed and I thanked her and left for the kitchen.

I came back with a cart to clear the table and Levi pushed down a glass intentionally causing it to break and shatter into tiny pieces, a few cutting through my leg in the process. I heard a few gasps from different parts of the restaurant as I bent down to pick them up.

"Stand up" I turned as soon as I heard the voice, it was Roman.

"Mr Rine," I said in shock. "Sir, the glass broke by accident" I tried to defend myself thinking he was going to scold me but his next words shocked me.

"Savannah, I need to apologize on my brother's behalf. His actions are heinous, and I will not stand in for them." I saw Levi's eyes expand with astonishment.

Roman and Levi were brothers?

"I'm sorry Mr Rine," I said immediately

"No Savannah, it is my brother who should be sorry for knocking the glass off the table intentionally" Roman saw that?

My interest was peaked, so I shifted my attention to the two brothers, who were having a heated but silent discussion. Their body language was tense, and it was evident they were communicating nonverbally.

I couldn't believe that they were brothers or that Levi even had a brother because he never mentioned him when we were dating. How had I missed the indications before? What other mysteries lay hidden in plain sight?

"I will take my leave Mr Rine" Seeing as this was turning into a family feud that I didn't want to wrap myself in, I left the table and hurried back into the kitchen

I got another colleague to help me clean up the mess while I quickly cleaned the blood and attended to my wound.

When I closed for the day, neither Levi nor Roman was still at work and it occurred to me that their mother might have asked them to take the argument home since this was a public place and both men were successful business owners.

Word getting out to the public won't do them any good. I grabbed a few to eat with my friend Sarah whom I met during the job interview.

She told me about how harsh her new boss was where she was working and when I told her about Roman, she was so happy for me and told me that he might have feelings for me.

That was impossible so I just brushed the thoughts away and then went home to my daughter.

*****

It was a quiet evening, and I was sitting in my living room, sipping my coffee when suddenly, there was a knock at the door. I immediately checked my phone to see if I had gotten any text messages or calls to inform me of any visit but there was none. I decided to ignore the knocks and go on with my evening.

But the knocks got louder and I eventually got up and opened the door to find Levi standing on my doorstep, he looked like he ran to this place because he was sweating.

I was surprised to see him, and I could tell that something was seriously bothering him, but it was none of my business. I would be a fool to care about him after everything he put me through at the restaurant this past few weeks. So I tried to shut the door in his face but he pulled the door before I could close it.

"I don't recall inviting you over to my house so leave before I call the cops on you" I threatened but he didn't let the door go.

Our eyes were fixed on each other and the room became heavy with tension, It was as if I was living what had happened in the past again.

His eyes were filled with so much anger, he looked upset and so was I, but I prepared myself for whatever was coming next. "Where is she?" I was dumbfounded by his sudden outburst, He doesn't mean?