CHAPTER 3: The many shades of trouble

The dinner kicked off at exactly eight p.m., although not all the guest was present, over two-thirds of them were already present and available and with the guest, the dinner kicked off while in anticipation of others. There was music, art and comedy, as well as a brief talk section and the dinner was going to be filled with fun activities than last week's birthday party, from the look of it.

The ushers were to direct the guest to the table, while the waiters served the guest already seated. George was right. Although they were in the same uniform, each of them knew their various roles for the night and they carried it out in perfection.

Jasmin noticed that Anita and she were the only waiters from their restaurant as the rest faces looked new and when she told Anita, she confirmed her observation.

"You're right, Jasmin, we are the only ones from Royal Palace restaurant." Anita confirmed and moved ahead to explain, "the host, Mrs Richie, requested for waiters specifically from Grand Square, but since it was good money, George thought to inform and include me and I fought to bring you on board."

"Oh," was all Jasmin could say.

"What's wrong?" Anita asked, looking a little weary as she stared at her friend.

"Nothing, I just think what you did was nice, you know, including me and all." She finally admitted. She knew Anita was fond of her since the first day they met, but she didn't know she would gown the extra mile for her and it causes her heart to tingle.

Anita smiled and pulled out a bottle of red wine from the freezer and set it on the stainless tray on the counter in the centre of the kitchen. She then grabbed two wine glasses and set them beside the bottle.

"That's what friends do." She picked the tray up and made her way out.

The host of the show went up the stage for the second time tonight; the first being when she kicked off the show about an hour ago. Mrs Richie was a fifty years ago businesswoman and philanthropist. She was very famous for her many charity organisations across the country and, according to Anita; the dinner aimed at raising fund for the families who lost a loved one in the bombing of the car park about three weeks ago, which took countless lives. Mrs Richie was an angel of her time and she always did her best to raise fund immediately after the news broke and even up to this moment. She had enough influence to bring together the rich and the wealthy to support and make provision whenever the need arises.

"Hello and good evening to every distinguished guest present today. Just like the invitation stated, we will only be here for three hours and an hour already passed, leaving us with two more. Remember, this dinner aims at raising fund for the families affected by the bombing of the Mile-two park and all contributions you make, as little as they may be, are important. Enjoy the night because there is more to come."

Musical performances were the next in line while Jasmin and the rest waiters served the guest present and unlike thirty minutes ago, there were more guests present now and they almost filled the hall up.

"The last table to your left need coconut rice and chicken with a bottle of red wine," announced Beatrice, one of the waiters as she stepped into the kitchen where Jasmin was getting a bottle of red wine out. "Is that for my order?" She asked, and Jasmin almost rolled her eyes.

"No, this is for table six at the front roll, since you took the order. Why not just take it to them?"

"I have other orders as well." She mumbled.

She didn't have orders and Jasmin knew it because she had already done that to her earlier, although their job was to take orders and to wait, Beatrice wanted to give instructions instead of doing her job and the first time was the last time for Jasmin. "We all have orders you don't see me giving you mine, due you?" Jasmin turned and began heading out.

She scoffed and shook her head, "You shouldn't even be here." She sneered under her breath.

Jasmin heard and turned to her, "Oh well, I already am." She backed her words up with a hard glare before walking away to the table that was supposed to bring her order.

"Sorry it came a bit late," she politely apologised to the lady who was sitting beside her man.

"Why did it come late, though?" The lady demanded, her voice no longer as friendly as it was when she was making the request three minutes ago.

Jasmin's throat ran dry as she wondered what the right answer to her question would be. This was the reason people lie, she thought. Being on the spot didn't feel cool at all.

Lying was never a problem. In fact, she did it every day at work, but no reasonable one was coming forth. "Um." Her eyes caught the gold chain around her wrist and she loses her sense but brushed it off and focus.

"What? You have no reason, you just keep people waiting. You're clumsy and unprofessional."