NOTE: This is a work of fiction entirely imagined by the author. Although the name of some of the places referenced in this story is real, the companies, people and events are pure fiction.
Special thanks to
neuroparenthetical
for editing this story. He is a volunteer in Literotica.com's Volunteer Editors program. The mistakes that you may still find in this story are entirely my doing and my fault.
© Copyright 2023 WhiteBeard50 - All rights reserved
Friday morning, early June - Beaux Mecs Restaurant - The Village - Montréal.
A warm and beautiful rising sun bathes the whole Village. The sliding doors are all open, creating the impression that the terrace is seamlessly melding with the restaurant's interior. The high ceiling helps to bring the warm yellow morning light inside the noisy dining room. Many people take advantage of the unseasonably high temperature. I take a deep breath and continue running around doing what's necessary to please our clients.
"There you go Mr. Leblanc," I tell my old client with my usual warm and welcoming voice while I set down a huge mug of hot, steaming black coffee in front of him. I mean a huge mug, which contains twice the size of our usual large morning coffee mugs. He's a very special client. He's been coming for breakfast every morning since the opening of the restaurant fifteen years ago. He sits at the same table every time, tucked in a corner right next to the terrace but inside the restaurant. From that corner, the entire dining room, plus the terrace and beyond, amuse, anger, or pique his insatiable curiosity. He's the gossip queen of the Village.
"You're the best, Oliver, and good morning to you," Mr. Leblanc tells his preferred waiter. Me. Of course. "I'll have my usual breakfast, my sweet little man."
"I've already ordered it. Shouldn't be long." I bend down and add in a secretive voice, "I've asked for extra crispy bacon."
"You're so sweet, darling," Mr. Leblanc, playing along, answers in a low, conspiratorial voice.
I disappear into the morning crowd, helping out the waiters running around with breakfast platters and pots of coffee. The chatter is light, and everyone seems to be in a good mood. I stand in the middle of the restaurant for a few seconds; I take a deep breath and smile. I'm a small guy. Someone sitting at a table a little further wouldn't even see me through that crowd.
A small table set in the corner of the terrace becomes available. I rush to clean it up for the next client, a big, burly man who's patiently waiting to be seated. He's watching me set everything for him. Never seen him before. He's dressed in loose-fitting jeans—too bad—and a green plaid shirt with big construction boots on his feet. I make a little hand signal, inviting him to come and sit down.
"Thank you," he says politely. He's enormous. He's at least twice my size. His hands are large, rough, and callused.
"My pleasure, sir. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you before, so, welcome, and thank you for your visit. Here's the breakfast menu..."
"What's your biggest?" he asks before I tell him about the menu. His voice is a low baritone, pleasant and calm. His green eyes scan me from head to toe. I hope he likes what he sees. One can get lost in those eyes: me first, please.
"Number three, on the menu. I warn you: it is enormous. You get everything and lots of it."
"Okay. I'll have that. What's your name?" He almost sounds shy about asking.
"Oliver, sir." I smile.
"Vic." He tenders his hand, and we shake firmly. He's careful not to crush my little spoon-size digits holder, I think. So strong. I like that.
I rush to the kitchen, place his order on the computer, and return to the dining room with Mr. Leblanc's breakfast complete with a ton of crispy bacon.
"Oh, my gawd!" His eyes are popping out of his head when he sees the massive pile. "You're so sweet, Oliver. I love you, little one."
"Have a great breakfast, Mr. Leblanc." I smile and rush away to help somebody else.
A few minutes later, Vic's breakfast is ready. I grab a handful of extra-crispy bacon and two additional pieces of toast and add them to his already-loaded plate. Heads turn around as I pass through the dining room, and I feel all those eyes watching what table this gigantic breakfast feast will land at.
I can't help but smile when I see the eyes popping out of Vic's head.
"Wow! Fantastic." Impressed by what he sees. "You weren't kidding, really."
"I stole a handful of very crispy bacon and two more pieces of toast. Our secret, of course."
He laughs heartily and says thank you. Again, I rush away. It's a non-stop running game this morning. The line-up is getting longer. We can't help it; we only have so many tables. Some of the faces are long, and I can expect a few unpleasant comments. That comes with the job.
A while later, I return to Mr. Leblanc to refill his coffee mug.
"You know this mountain of a man," he says, pointing with his chin towards Vic, "he's been watching you all this time. He likes you. I think." Mr. Leblanc winks at me.
I didn't notice, of course. I'm way too busy. I look in his direction, and sure enough, he is looking at me. I go towards him with a big smile plastered onto my face, with my big pot of coffee to refill the big mug I brought with his big breakfast plate.
"More coffee, Vic?" Then I startle; his plate is empty. "Woah! You ate it all! Were you deprived of food for the past week?" I keep my tone friendly, but play up my surprise, complete with bulging eyes.
"Was hungry, little one. And, Oliver, thanks for the extras and this big mug. Very thoughtful of you. Can I have my check, please? Gotta go work. Construction. Just down there." His big thumb points towards the new project down on René-Lévesque Blvd.
"No problem, sir." I take my electronic pad tucked in my apron and get his check. "You can pay by simply touching my pad, Vic." A sneaky smile paints my blushing face.
He gets his bank app on his phone, points to my tablet, and gives me a big smile. Then he asks, "What about the tip?"
"Next time, Vic," I tell him. I'd rather have the tip of his...
Down boy
, I tell myself.