Chapter 4: The Boss's Sons

Evania's POV 

 The clattering sound of the restaurant's entrance door swung open as I stepped inside. Warmth hit me immediately—the comforting scent of food mixed with the buzz of lunchtime chatter. 

  Staff moved briskly between tables. My nerves were shot after this morning's near-miss with that black car, but I forced myself to breathe.

  I was about to head toward the changing room when someone called out.

  "Hey! You must be the new girl!"

  A young woman with bright red hair and a warm smile bounded over. She wiped her hands on her apron and extended one toward me. "I'm Tessa. Welcome to the chaos."

  I shook her hand, grateful for the friendliness. "Evania. First day."

  "Nice to meet you, Evania." She grinned. "And lucky you—we're gonna be working together. Same section, same shifts. You're stuck with me."

  Relief washed through me. "Thanks. I appreciate that."

  "Don't thank me yet," Tessa laughed, grabbing two aprons from a hook. "You haven't seen the lunch rush. Come on, I'll show you the ropes."

  She handed me an apron and led me toward the back. We passed through the kitchen, where chefs shouted orders and pans sizzled. Tessa moved like she owned the place, weaving through the chaos effortlessly.

  "Alright, first things first," she said, lowering her voice as we stopped near the serving station. "You see that table in the far corner?"

  I followed her gaze. Three men sat there—young, impossibly good-looking, dressed in expensive suits that probably cost more than my rent. They laughed at something, their confidence radiating across the room.

  "The boss's sons," Tessa whispered, her eyes glinting. "The triplets. Jared, Kaden, and Niklaus."

  I blinked. "Triplets?"

  "Identical. Can you believe it?" She shook her head. "Handsome as sin and they know it. Total beasts. Girls throw themselves at them constantly. They eat it up."

  I studied them. Dark hair, sharp jaws, piercing eyes. She wasn't wrong. They were devastatingly attractive. Any other girl would be swooning.

  Not me. I'd had enough of handsome men with cruel hearts.

  "I've heard stories," Tessa continued, leaning closer. "They go through women like napkins. Sweet one day, gone the next. Just... be careful around them, okay? Don't let those pretty faces fool you."

  I snorted. "Trust me. I'm not interested."

  "Good." She patted my shoulder. "Keep that attitude. You'll survive."

  I couldn't deny they were good-looking. My eyes lingered a second too long on the one in the middle—dark hair slightly tousled, a smirk playing on his lips. But I wasn't ready for any daydreaming. Not after Caleb. Not after everything.

  I straightened my uniform, smoothing the black dress and apron. "Thanks for the warning, Tessa. Really."

  "Anytime, newbie. Now go show 'em what you've got."

  I took a deep breath and walked toward their table. Three pairs of eyes lifted as I approached. They didn't bother hiding their appraisal. I felt their gazes travel over me, slow and deliberate.

  I stopped at the edge of their table, pen and notepad ready. My smile was polite, professional. Nothing more.

  "Good afternoon, gentlemen," I said, my voice steady. "What can I get for you today?"

  The man in the middle—tall with dark, messy hair and a cocky smile—leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. "How about your number to start with, sweetheart?"

  I clenched my jaw, refusing to let the disgust show on my face. So this was what Tessa meant. They didn't see waitresses. They saw entertainment.

  "I'll need your order, sir," I said flatly, pen poised.

  The guy on the left—broad-shouldered, gravelly voice—grinned. "Oh, she's all business. I like that." He reached out, fingers brushing my wrist. "What about you, babe? You're single?"

  I pulled my hand back, keeping my expression neutral. "Not discussing that with customers."

  The third one snorted. "Relax, sweetheart. We're just having fun."

  "Fun," I repeated, deadpan. "Right. So about that order?"

  The middle triplet—the one who'd asked for my number—leaned forward, elbows on the table. His eyes were sharp, assessing. "What's your name?"

  "Your waitress for today. Would you like to start with drinks?"

  He ignored me completely. "I'm Jared." He gestured to the others. "Kaden. Niklaus." A pause. "We own this place. So technically, you work for us."

  I kept my smile fixed. "And technically, I'm here to take your order. So what will it be?"

  Damian's smirk widened. "Bold. I like that."

  Kaden, the broad one, whistled low. "Jared, she's got teeth."

  Niklaus leaned back, arms crossed. "Cute AND feisty. Rare combination."

  "Rare or not," I said, my patience thinning, "I have other tables. So if you're done playing games—"

  "Steak," Jared cut in, his eyes never leaving mine. "Medium rare. For all three of us."

  I wrote it down, my hand steady despite my racing heart. "Anything else?"

  "Yeah." Jared's voice dropped lower. "When your shift ends, come find us."

  I looked up, meeting his gaze. "My shift ends at ten. I'll be going home. Alone."

  Kaden laughed. "She's got claws."

  "Just doing my job," I said, turning on my heel. "Your food will be out soon."

  I walked away, feeling their eyes boring into my back. My heart pounded. Tessa had been right. They were absolute beasts—good-looking, sure, but entitled and insufferable. Everything Caleb had been, wrapped in a prettier package.

  Not falling for that again. Never again.

  Tessa met me at the serving station, eyes wide. "Girl. You survived."

  "Barely." I grabbed a glass of water, gulping it down. "You weren't kidding about them."

  "They're relentless." She shook her head. "Especially Jared. He's the worst of the three. Once he sets his sights on someone—"

  "He can set his sights elsewhere." I set the glass down. "I'm here to work. That's it."

  Tessa studied me. "You really aren't interested, are you?"

  "Not even a little." My voice was firm. "I've had enough of rich, handsome men who think they can have anything they want."

  "Fair enough." Tessa handed me a tray. "Just watch your back. They don't take rejection well."

  I took the tray, squaring my shoulders. "Neither do I."