"Although our restaurant isn’t as upscale as those high-end ones, it’s one of the most popular spots on this street. If you upset our regular customers and affect business, I definitely won’t keep you here."
Suddenly lighting a cigarette, Lynn took a shallow puff, releasing smoke that drifted onto Quinn Lockwood’s face, causing her to frown slightly.
"I understand, Lynn." Quinn Lockwood replied, lowering her gaze.
Even if she wasn’t here for the show, Quinn Lockwood certainly wouldn’t find herself getting fired.
Initially, she was unfamiliar with the environment and the workflow, but after a bout of busyness, she had somewhat grasped the routine and methods of working. Just a bit more familiarity, and she’d become more efficient.
"Waiter, bring the wine."
Maybe because Quinn Lockwood was new to working at this restaurant and wasn’t yet quick on her feet, some people who enjoyed making a fuss would somewhat hassle her, ordering items in two rounds when they could easily order all at once.
There were also some lecherous old men who, to catch a few more glances at Quinn Lockwood, would call for her without needing anything.
Fortunately, with strong learning ability and life experience, Quinn Lockwood quickly became adept at her tasks.
Before she knew it, the time to change shifts with the evening service staff had arrived, marking the completion of Quinn Lockwood’s tasks for the day.
"Lowell, clean up a bit, and you can clock out." Lynn sat at the cash register, initially intending to give Quinn Lockwood some advice, but seeing her doing quite well today, she held back.
Cleaning might sound simple, but the tables and floors in a restaurant are far dirtier than at home, and mopping requires wringing by hand.
Even though Quinn Lockwood didn’t pay much attention to skincare, as a celebrity, her hand’s skin couldn’t be allowed to become coarse or dull.
The earlier reality show with carrot-picking injured her hand, leading to criticism from Anna upon her return to the company, requiring many corrective measures before Anna reluctantly let the matter drop.
However, the water from mopping... it was indeed quite dirty.
Quinn Lockwood pressed her lips tightly, looking at the black, greasy, muddy water, and still wrung the mop by hand.
She couldn’t be so pretentious!
Finally, finishing her work, Quinn Lockwood changed out of her uniform, feeling as though her hair and body were drenched in greasy odors.
Returning to the hotel for a hot shower, Quinn Lockwood was utterly fatigued, skipping dinner and falling asleep directly on the bed.
The next morning, the director found Quinn Lockwood before work, informing her that today she would be a full-time waitress, which would be busier and more challenging than the previous day.
Moreover, with the cameras filming continuously and this being a real private restaurant, regardless of any situation, she mustn’t argue with customers to affect the show’s effect and the owner’s business.
Since the restaurant opened at eleven in the morning and mainly served barbecue, it remained sparsely populated until the afternoon.
As evening approached, the crowd began to increase, and Quinn Lockwood efficiently served multiple tables of guests.
"Hello, welcome." A couple of similar age to Quinn Lockwood arrived, the man not very tall but relatively handsome, while the girl was a typical petite cutie who appeared clingy.
"Honey, look at this Armani lipstick—it’s so pretty. By the way, should we visit the mall tomorrow? I remember there’s an amusement park nearby; we haven’t gone out together in a while."
After settling in their seats, the cutie kept chatting nonstop, dragging her boyfriend along. The man merely nodded faintly while looking at his phone, seemingly not listening to her at all.
"Alright, it’s settled then. Honey, check what we want to eat; I’m off to the restroom!" She pecked him on the cheek, snatched the menu from Quinn Lockwood, and headed to the bathroom.
After the cutie left, the man set down his phone, ordered a few dishes, and his eyes immediately brightened upon noticing Quinn Lockwood.
"Miss, isn’t there anything special you can recommend?"
"Have you always worked here? I don’t recall seeing you before." Quinn Lockwood politely smiled, busy with other tasks and not keen on chatting unnecessarily due to work obligations.
The man kept staring intensely at Quinn Lockwood, not returning the menu.
"What’s your name? I don’t like calling someone ’waitress’; names feel more personal." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
"Oh, I felt a bit familiar at first sight—did we meet before? Do you have any impression of me?" The man leaned on the table, his gaze toward Quinn Lockwood growing increasingly suggestive.
Quinn Lockwood barely perceptibly frowned but maintained her courteous smile: "Sir, other guests need to order too. Could you please return the menu first?"
Upon hearing her words, the man held onto the menu, teasingly saying, "Give me your contact details, and I’ll give you back the menu."
"Well, flirting with my boyfriend while I was away, huh?" Before Quinn Lockwood could respond, a cute yet angry voice called from behind.
Quinn Lockwood turned to see the cutie rushing over furiously.
A sudden slap rang out, sending a red-hot sting across Quinn Lockwood’s face.
With a fierce glare, the cutie turned and stormed off.
The resounding slap drew attention from other patrons, and seeing Quinn Lockwood’s face with a red five-finger mark alongside the dumbfounded man, they speculated on the incident.
"No need to guess, the girl clearly said something about flirting with her boyfriend—it must be this waitress fancying her boyfriend."
"She probably overestimated her looks, thinking she’s pretty enough to be so bold!"
"Tsk, she’s like a homewrecker! If I were that girl, there’d be more than just one slap!"
Discussion rippled through the restaurant, unabashedly scrutinizing Quinn Lockwood with disdain or mockery.
"Bring her to me." A cold, serious male voice reached from the doorway, jolting Quinn Lockwood as she looked up.
Sure enough, it was Elias Sinclair.