The sky was still a bruised purple when Teresa stepped off the bus.
She clutched her bag tighter under her arm, feeling the slight weight of the new phone inside. It wasn't much, but it was hers. And it meant something, a gift of quiet rebellion from her mother. Her fingers brushed the device through the fabric of her bag as she walked.
It was the first thing in a long time that made her feel… visible. Like maybe someone did see her. And cared.
By the time she got to the restaurant, the staff were still sipping their first coffees and setting up cutlery. The air smelled of syrup, fried eggs, and warm bread. It should've comforted her.
But nothing felt comforting anymore.
She walked to her usual locker to place her things, then paused.
Tracy, Jane, and Priya were already there, laughing softly over something on Jane's phone. When they saw Teresa, they fell quiet then quickly brightened.
"Hey, babe," Tracy said, walking over and pulling her into a quick hug. "You're early."
"I needed the air," Teresa said, forcing a smile.
"You okay?" Priya asked gently.
Teresa hesitated, then shrugged. "Better than yesterday."
Tracy smiled knowingly. "That's something."
Then her eyes caught the object Teresa was pulling from her bag.
"Wait, is that a new phone?" Jane blinked, suddenly interested.
Teresa nodded shyly. "My mom gave it to me… said not to tell my dad."
All three girls squealed quietly.
"About time!" Jane said. "Drop your number now. We've been suffering with carrier pigeon vibes."
They huddled in close, exchanging contacts, teasing her about joining the group chat "like a real human being."
They didn't notice the figure standing near the kitchen doorway.
Andrea.
He had come in through the back, a little later than usual, just in time to hear Teresa say, "My mom gave it to me…"
He hadn't seen her smile like that in weeks. Not since before everything. Not since Becca.
A spark of longing twisted in his chest.
Later, while Jane walked past with a tray, Andrea stopped her.
"Hey."
She blinked. "Hi."
"Can I… get uhm Tessa's number?"
Jane tilted her head, the tray balanced on her hip. "Why?"
Andrea rubbed the back of his neck. "I just… I want to check on her."
Jane studied him for a second too long. Then said, "okay."
"Just… a message. Please." He said quickly
She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright here you go."
⸻
Meanwhile, Teresa had ducked into the storage room to help restock plates and cups. She needed something to do with her hands anything to keep her mind off the way Andrea had looked at her.
The room was dim, lit only by a flickering bulb. She climbed up a small ladder to reach the higher shelves, pulling down a tray of glass cups. They clinked dangerously as she shifted them into her grip.
"Need a hand?"
She turned sharply, almost losing her balance.
It was Liam.
The quiet, wide-eyed waiter with dimples and soft brown eyes. Always polite. Always nervous around her.
"Oh—uh—sure," she stammered, readjusting the tray.
He stepped closer, gently lifting part of the weight from her arms. "Didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay," she said, and for the first time in days, her voice carried a hint of warmth.
They worked in quiet sync, lifting, sorting, organizing napkin stacks and utensils. Liam moved carefully, always glancing at her like she might vanish.
"You've been quiet lately," he said after a while.
She paused. "I've had a lot on my mind."
"I figured," he said. "If you ever need to talk… or not talk. I'm around."
She looked at him. That was… sweet.
"Thanks, Liam."
As she turned to place the tray of glass cups on the middle shelf, her grip slipped.
The tray tilted, and glass shattered across the tiled floor like an explosion of sharp, glittering pain.
"Shit!" she gasped, trying to grab the edges but it was too late. The pieces scattered. She lost balance and fell to her knees.
Pain sliced through her palm.
Her knee slammed into a shard.
Blood bloomed instantly.
Liam was at her side in a heartbeat.
"Don't move Tessa, you're bleeding," he said, his voice full of panic and care.
She gasped, trying to hold back tears. "I'm fine. It's okay."
But she wasn't.
Blood was dripping down her fingers.
Liam grabbed a roll of paper towels, pressing them gently over her palm. "No, you're not fine. Stop saying that."
His hands trembled slightly as he dabbed around the wound. He looked like he wanted to fix everything in the world right there and then.
That's when the kitchen door burst open.
Andrea.
And two other waiters behind him.
The sound of glass had pulled them all in.
Andrea's eyes locked on the sight:
Liam kneeling in front of Teresa, her hand in his, paper towel stained with blood, his face way too close to hers.
Everything inside Andrea twisted.
Rage. Jealousy. Panic.
"Move," he said sharply, striding forward.
Liam flinched, still holding Teresa's hand. "She's hurt."
"I said move."
Andrea was already leaning down, trying to scoop Teresa into his arms, but she jerked back.
"Don't touch me," she said, breathless.
His hands froze midair.
"Let me help," he said, softer now. "Please."
But Teresa shook her head. Her voice cracked when she said, "Liam will help me."
Silence. Thicker than blood.
Liam gently helped her up, and Andrea's hands dropped to his sides.
She didn't look at Andrea. Not once.
Not even as she limped slightly on her left knee, leaning on Liam for balance.
He stepped back.
He got it.
He walked out.
Andrea didn't go home that night. He sat in his car for two hours outside the restaurant, headlights off, listening to the low hum of traffic and replaying the scene in his head again and again.
Liam. Her hand. Her voice. Her rejection.
And what haunted him the most?
She looked safer in Liam's arms than she had ever looked in his.
⸻
Back inside, the girls were tending to Teresa's cuts in the staff room, scolding her for being clumsy and hugging her gently.
Liam hovered by the door, unsure if he should leave or stay.
"Thank you for helping Tess," Priya said to him with a wink.
He blushed. "It's fine."
Teresa smiled softly through her pain. "Thank you, Liam."
Something shifted in her then.
Liam consumed her thoughts has she continued with her job. She started remembering how he'd lean slightly closer when she spoke, his brown eyes steady and warm. He didn't try too hard, didn't crowd her. Just paid attention. Always.
Liam hadn't tried to make her speak when she doesn't want to.
He'd simply show up and care without using questions to bother her.
And right now… that was all she needed.
———
Later that afternoon, Teresa slipped away to the ladies' room, needing a minute to breathe. The lunch rush had left her dizzy, and Liam's concern had shaken something loose in her chest, something she didn't want to feel.
She washed her hands slowly, head bowed, when the door creaked open.
She turned.
Andrea.
He locked the door behind him.
"What are you—?" she started.
"Calm down," he said, voice low. "I just need to talk to you."
His eyes were stormy. Restless. And his presence made her heart pound for all the wrong and right reasons.
"You keep avoiding me like you don't want to see me," he said, stepping closer.
She backed up.
"Do you really want to stay away from me?" he whispered.
She didn't answer.
"Should I stay away from you?"
He moved like a shadow smooth, and cupped her cheek with one hand, the other settling lightly on her waist. Her body betrayed her, she didn't move.
The electricity was instant, like every nerve in her body remembered what it was like to be kissed by him.
She hated that she still craved it.
He leaned in, brushing his thumb across her lips. "Do you want me to leave?," he said has he placed a kiss on her neck.
She closed her eyes has she felt his lips on her neck.
His kissed her neck and cheeks, his hand slipping lower on her waist. She leaned into him, breath hitching, heart wild.
And then
"Do you love me?" she asked, voice barely a whisper.
Silence.
He froze. His hand stilled.
Her chest tightened.
"Answer me," she breathed. "Do you love me, Andrea?"
He looked away. Said nothing.
And just like that, the spell shattered.
Her face hardened. "You've been deceiving me," she snapped, stepping back.
"Teresa—"
"You don't love me. You never did. You're just bored and I was stupid enough to believe it meant something!"
He reached for her.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted, fury in her eyes.
He tried to calm her, grabbing her arm, but the look she gave him
Deadly.
"Let go of me."
He slowly released her, chest heaving.
"I never want to speak to you again," she said through gritted teeth.
She stormed out, her cheeks wet, shoulders trembling.
And right outside, by the hallway leading to the kitchen, she bumped into Liam.
He caught her by the arms, steadying her. His smile faded when he saw her face.
"Where are you off to, beautiful?" he asked gently.
She tried to answer, but her voice cracked.
"Tessa?" he murmured, concern lacing his tone. He cupped her cheeks delicately, thumbs brushing the tears.
Without thinking, he pulled her into his chest, holding her like no one had in a long time. No questions. No conditions. Just comfort.
She sobbed harder, the weight of everything unraveling all at once. He held her tighter.
Eventually, she quieted.
They pulled apart, just enough to look at each other.
And for a moment, the world blurred. His eyes, kind, soft, and steady. It mesmerized her.
Her breath caught.
She didn't know what she was doing. Maybe she needed a distraction. Maybe she needed something real.
Their faces were close, too close.
Then, without warning, Andrea burst in, wild-eyed and furious.
His fists grabbed Liam by the collar, and in one swift motion, he slammed him against the wall, choking him with raw, blind rage.
"ANDREA, STOP!" Teresa screamed.
Liam gasped, trying to pry Andrea's hands off, but he couldn't overpower him. Andrea's fury was too strong. He was shaking with it.
Teresa grabbed Andrea's arm, nails digging into his skin. "LET HIM GO!"
Voices echoed down the hallway. Staff gathered. Tracy. Priya. Jane.
"ANDREA!" Teresa screamed again, locking eyes with him. "You're going to kill him!"
The rage cracked.
Andrea let go.
Liam crumpled to the floor, coughing, gasping for breath.
Andrea turned on his heel and stormed out of the restaurant, slamming the back door open. Moments later, the roar of his car engine filled the air.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Teresa fell to her knees beside Liam. "I'm so sorry."
He looked up at her, still panting. "What the hell was that? Are you two… together?"
She shook her head. "No. I don't know why he did that. It's weird."
Liam nodded slowly, swallowing the pain in his throat. "I'm fine," he said hoarsely. "Let's just… get back to work."
And somehow, they did.
But nothing felt the same.