Chapter 9-"Hidden Meaning"

                                    

                                          
A few days later, I was an employee at Bliss Express, the restaurant run by Kayla and Karla's parents. I started off as a dishwasher, washing up dishes, and although it was tedious, I enjoyed talking to Ralph, a fellow dishwasher. Ralph was a 28-year-old man who started working here a year ago to help to pay for his brother's college tuition. I respected him for that, especially since he was the sole carer to his brother. 
I wish I had a big brother. 
After working there for almost five days, I had settled in. It was 11pm at night, and the restaurant was closing, so we rested in the dining area, slumped over at the table. It was me, Ralph, and a 30-year-old chef, Sophia, who had starred in a food show years ago. She was a veteran. Sophia Severa undid her ponytail and shook her hair. Sophia had bouncy shoulder length blonde curly hair that reminded me of my science teacher in high school. It was strange. 
"Today was a long day, right?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah," Ralph agreed. "But hard work pays off."
Sophia smiled, looking at me. 
"Do you know how to cook, Zairo?"
"C-cook? I can…a little."
"Do you cook at home?"
"Most of the time I do, but I'm not ready to be a chef yet, I've still got a lot to learn," I replied. 
"That's alright, I can teach you a few tricks one day."
I was trying not to fawn over her because she was Sophia Severa, a well-known celebrity. I had no idea she had settled at Kayla's parents restaurant. 
"I'd be delighted to learn a trick from you, Sophia," I said, grinning. 
"You really are here, Zairo," a voice from behind said. 
I turned to see Karla walking towards me dressed in a white apron over her clothes, and her smile alone ignited the warmth in my heart.
"No way! You're a chef too?" I exclaimed. 
I couldn't believe it. I had no idea Karla worked there. I hadn't even noticed, although I spent most of my time in the dining area with Ralph. 
"Of course I'm a chef, this is my restaurant too y'know?"
"Uh…right…"
We looked at each other wordlessly, our eyes locked in silence. Ralph got up, breaking the awkward silence with the clatter of his chair. 
"So…" he cleared his throat. "I'm going home now, I'm exhausted, man," he said, stretching his arms. 
My eyes fixed on him. I nodded, smiling. 
"Same here," I said, getting up. "I can't wait for a good night's sleep…"
"Me too," Karla added. "It's been a looong day…"
Sophia rose from her seat, grinning as she tucked the chair under the table neatly. 
"I'm not ready to go to bed yet, I'm gonna party all night, it's Friday," she said boisterously. 
"I really don't understand Fridays," I said. "People would rather spend the entire night partying than sleeping. I just…I don't understand it."
Karla let out a snort of laughter.
"Maybe you'd understand if they were gaming all night just like you," Karla said. 
When Sophia and Ralph broke into laughter, I began to blush, embarrassed that Karla had revealed my secret. Well, not really a secret, since I stopped doing that. But at the same time, I was kind of glad I got a glimpse at Karla's sense of humor. Kayla seemed like a rock compared to her.