Tolerating The Player

ISABELLA’S POV

I watched how he kissed me on my forehead but I felt a sting in my chest. Maybe this was the feeling of knowing someone you love is going far away from you and you can’t just walk up to their house. He left after kissing me and I watched him till he left my sight. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the spot but I had to leave. I had to stay strong for him so he’ll pursue his career.

After all, I didn’t think there was a lot for me to worry about. I trust Zach with all my heart and I know he would never just leave me alone or forget about me in Brazil. Even when we were still together in Tennessee I knew he loved only me with the way he avoided other women and he’s always with me.

I let out a heavy sigh before walking out of the airport, it was still really bright and it was just eight am. I should probably go to work before my boss gets mad at me. Zach isn’t here to bribe him with money anymore and I don’t think I can give him fifty out of my monthly hundred and fifty dollar pay.

Zach had left his car behind for me to use till he comes back, he almost bought me a car but I refused the car that day. It led to a fight but he later apologized. I didn’t want him to spend too much on me or treat me like a burden.

A little part of me knows that he had given me the car because he made a lot of adjustments in the car before leaving but I would make sure to take care of it for him.

I heard the sound of a plane flying above me and I looked up hoping to see him even though I knew It was impossible to see him.

“I love you Zach, never forget me” I whispered before getting into his car and I drove off to work. I was ten minutes early but my boss was standing in front of the door with a frown on his face immediately he saw the car pulling over. He probably thought Zach was driving the car as he walked really fast with his short legs towards the car.

“Good morning Mr Gabriel” I greeted as I came down from the car, I could see him peeking through the windows probably thinking that Zach was hiding in the car.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” He asked and I silently cussed at him. He couldn’t even return my greetings.

“He travelled” I replied and walked into the restaurant.

“So you’re in charge of that big car now?” His eyes widened and I nodded my head.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

“You still have to pay for parking the car there” he fired.

“I’m a staff sir, and the sign there clearly says staff only” I bluntly replied and I could swear I heard him cursing. No more dollar bills from Zach to him anymore.

I felt happy that he wouldn’t be embezzling Zach anymore because of petty things.

“Well there goes my daily ATM machine” he grumbled and walked back into his office like a man who had just lost his wife. To be frank he seemed to be more upset about Zach leaving than me.

The restaurant was slightly empty today with little customers in it unlike the usual crowd of customers we used to have.

“Just a day without your boyfriend and all the ladies in Tennessee don’t want to come here anymore” my coworker Lena spoke with sarcasm as she chuckled.

I hadn’t noticed that Zach was the one bringing in customers but it all became clear to me because most of the customers were ladies and it also explains the amount of hatred those customers have for me.

I sat down on my chair as I remembered the moments me and Zach shared together. I was already missing him being around me.

“Finally a customer” Lena said and stood upright while I didn’t move from the chair. If it was just a customer then I was sure Lena was capable of handling it.

“How may I help you ma’am” she said to the woman but I didn’t hear the woman’s reply until some minutes later, that was weird.

“Uhm can I see the menu?” She requested and Lena pointed at the wall where the lists of food were. What a strange customer that didn’t see the huge sign of the menu on the wall before asking.

“I’ll have a burger and coke with some fries” she ordered and Lena stomped on my foot gesturing at me to get the woman’s orders. I wasn’t feeling much of myself since Zach left but then I was at work and I needed to work.

I stood up from the lie chair and adjusted my cap before raising my head, the image of the person in front of me left me dumb strucked that I guessed it must not be the person I thought it was. It can’t be the person.

“Isabella” she smiled at me and I felt my blood pumping as the adrenaline kept rushing through my veins, I folded my hand into a fist and I could feel my palm being pierced by my nails.

Without answering or glancing at her I walked into the kitchen to bring out her orders before giving it to her.

She tried to hold my arms but I jerked my hands away from her. How could she dare to show her face to me or even say my name after everything she has put me through.

I dropped the food on a table and left for the toilet. I might as well calm myself down in the toilet rather than seeing her damn face. The more I thought about her the more I got angry. I couldn’t stand her.

“Isabella?” Lena entered the toilet to see me fuming in anger as I faced the mirror.

“What happened to you back in there, you can’t be rude to customers else you know how Gabs could get whenever a customer complains” she scolded me, I tried to get my mind off the woman because it would only make me angrier and I didn’t want to transfer the aggression to Lena. After all, she has been sweet and kind to me despite being my senior here.

“I’m sorry” I apologized but she folded her arms under her breasts.

“I’m not the one you should apologise to, the woman needs your apology besides she looked really expensive. What if she reports you or worse what If she makes Gabs fire you?” Lena heaved a deep breath.

“She can do whatever she wants for all I care” I replied. I was starting to transfer the aggression to Lena but I don’t want to.

“What’s even up with you and the woman, she mentioned your name when she saw you but you were being rude to her and now I saw her crying that why I came here to meet you…..”

“She’s crying doesn’t make any difference, she was probably thinking about something else so just mind your business.” I sharply interrupted Lena but felt bad immediately.

“I’m sorry Lena, I’m just feeling a little bit off” I apologized but she scoffed before walking away from me. I knew she was upset at me but then I’ll make it up to her but what the hell does that woman want from me and why is she fucking here.

I’ve been in the toilet for close to an hour after Lena left so I felt she would have left the restaurant. I should probably apologize to Lena too since I was already feeling better.

I stepped out of the bathroom but met Gabs staring straight into my soul with his head raised up to look at me.

“What were you doing in the toilet for more than an hour?” he exaggerated.

“I had a running stomach but I’m better now” I replied and left to return to my position even though I knew he was still staring at me.

I returned to the restaurant and my face jammed her face, I was filled with anger at the sight of her but I wouldn’t make her succeed by losing this job so I returned to where I was.

Lena had a scornful look on her face but she’s a kind and soft person so I bet she would forgive me immediately.

“Am I forgiven?” I asked in a dramatic way and she looked away from me, I could tell she was no longer angry but just wanted to keep up the act.

“Only if you apologize to her” she pointed at the woman that was now doing something on her phone. I sighed really loud as I walked up to her and her eyes lit up at the sight of me but I felt like plucking them out. Damn it Zach had rubbed his bad side on me and now I’m thinking like him.

“Isabella” her voice cracked while I tried to maintain my sanity.

“I’m so sorry…” She tried to say but I wasn’t in the mood for a reunion.

“I’m just here to apologise for being rude earlier. ” I cut her off her sentence and went back to where I was seated. She had a feeling of sadness in her eyes but I looked away almost immediately and in no time she left.

“What’s up with you and that woman?” Lena asked as soon as she stepped out of the restaurant.

“That woman is unfortunately my mother”