SWNOVELS Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Karla was true to her word about helping Rowan out with a job, and she wasn’t one to back down once she had made a promise.
Rowan had already put in a good word for her at the diner, and all Karla had to do upon arrival was to meet the boss and introduce
herself.
The owner of the diner was a middle–aged man with a bit of a belly. His demeanor was as French as they come, and his English was nothing to write home about either.
The owner gave Karla a peculiar look when he saw her, and after a moment’s hesitation, he decided to be upfront with her. “Look, Karla, you’re an adult, so I’ll just be straight with you.”
Karla tilted her head, puzzled. “Yeah?”
The owner confessed, “The truth is, Rowan asked me to give you some easy tasks. He said you didn’t need to get paid, as long as you weren’t overworked. He told me not to tell you, but I felt you should know.”
Karla was stunned for a moment. Rowan couldn’t stop her from wanting to help out, so he came up with this kind of counterproductive idea?
It was foolish but endearing in its own way.
“Sir, you don’t have to listen to him. Pay me what you would normally, fair and square. Whatever Rowan does for work, I’ll do the same. No special treatment needed,” Karla eventually persuaded the owner.
Even though the owner agreed, Karla still felt the need to remind him, “You really can’t keep a secret, can you? But I’d appreciate it if you kept our conversation from Rowan.”
The owner nodded in understanding. But inwardly, he figured Rowan would find out anyway when it came time to settle the wages, no need for him to spill the beans.
Karla donned her apron and got straight to work. Her memory was sharp. She kept the orders all crystal clear in her mind. She worked efficiently, balancing a plate in each hand as she breezed through the diner.
Strangely enough, although she was a slender young woman, she emanated a sense of strength that was unmistakable. It was part of Karla’s charm, a kind of reliability that made people feel at ease around her.
During the dinner rush, a temporary dishwasher came in, a college student.
Karla, busy serving customers, didn’t notice at first. It wasn’t until she brought a stack of cleaned plates to the kitchen that she caught a glimpse of the dishwasher’s face in her peripheral vision.
Years of instinct kicked in, and she suddenly grabbed the young man by the collar and pinned him against the wall with the authority of a cop nabbing a fugitive. The guy was utterly shocked, his eyes wide with fear and confusion as he stared at Karla.
Karla, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised as she said, “You’re Wayne!”
It wasn’t a question but a statement of fact. Karla was certain she wasn’t mistaken; the bespectacled, bookish–looking young man in front of her was definitely Polly’s boyfriend, Wayne.
“Who are you? How do you know me?” Wayne asked, visibly nervous, his plastic gloves smeared with suds as he subconsciously pushed his glasses up, bubbles décorating the frames.
Realizing she might have come on too strong, Karla let go of him and straightened his collar, apologizing, “Sorry about that, just a reflex. But don’t worry, I’m not your enemy.”
Wayne could tell she was sincere, despite the initial intimidation he felt from her. She seemed upright, like someone who upholds the
law.
“Do I know you?” Wayne asked, trying a different approach.
Karla smiled. “You don’t know me, but I know you.”
Wayne’s brows furrowed slightly; he had no recollection of the woman before him. How could she know him? Before he could ask, Karla inquired, “What brings you to work here? Are you here alone? Where’s your girlfriend?”
“My girlfriend?” Wayne’s expression turned awkward.
“Polly’s not your girlfriend?” Karla asked, only to have Wayne turn beet red and fumble for words. “She… she doesn’t know I like her.”
“Oh, so you haven’t won her over yet.” Karla nodded in understanding, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.