The waitress |✓ [not edited]

The familiar jingle of the diner bell cut through the usual hum of conversation, followed by an unnerving silence. Venessa glanced up, pen still poised over her order pad, and her breath hitched. Standing in the doorway was the most striking man she had ever seen.

He was tall, commanding, and dressed in a suit that screamed wealth, with eyes so dark they were almost black, holding an intensity that made her stomach clench. Two equally sharp-suited men stood behind him, forming an intimidating trio.

As he walked, a path seemed to clear effortlessly, every gaze in the diner fixed on him. Venessa quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to be caught staring. "Go and take their orders," Tina whispered beside her, making Venessa almost choke on her spit.

"Why in the bloody hell not?" Tina questioned, seeing Venessa's shake of the head. But Venessa knew she couldn't go near him without making a fool of herself. Her palms were already sweating, and her heart hammered against her ribs.