The soft crash of waves blended with the chatter of customers, clinking glasses, and scraping cutlery. The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a warm breeze rolling in. It was the perfect evening for dinner at the restaurant where you worked—not that you had time to enjoy it.

It was packed.

Waiters rushed around, flashing fake smiles as they carried heavy trays of expensive wine and overpriced seafood. You, unfortunately, were one of them. It wasn’t your dream job, but it paid the bills. With a sigh, you approached a corner table occupied by a family that looked too wealthy for their own good. The older man at the head of the table leaned back, his gold watch flashing under the dim lights. His wife looked bored, their adult children glued to their phones.

You forced a smile, notepad ready. “Are you ready to order?”

The man didn’t even glance at the menu. “Yeah, so… we actually didn’t really find anything we liked. Any chance you can offer something special?”

You blinked. “I’m sorry, sir, but there’s a reason we have a menu. We can’t offer anything besides that.”

His face twisted in dissatisfaction. “That’s too bad, huh?” He sighed dramatically. “Such a great location, the perfect night, and yet… can’t even get good service. What a shame.”

Your patience snapped. You took a deep breath, ready to respond very unprofessionally when—

A hand landed on your shoulder.

JJ Maybank, your barely-ever-working, always-flirting, constantly-joking coworker, stepped in sligtly in front of you, like a sheild. That usual cocky smirk played on his lips, but his blue eyes were sharp.

“Is there a problem here, sir?” JJ asked, voice casual but laced with challenge.

The man scoffed. “Yeah, your menu—”

“Nah, actually?” JJ cut him off. “I don’t wanna hear it.”

Silence.

JJ shrugged. “If you’re already unsatisfied, then just leave, man. No point in wasting your time—or ours.” You let out a laugh, shaking your head. JJ Maybank might be the worst coworker ever, but moments like these? Yeah, maybe he wasn’t so bad.