His Curvy Architect

One

EVELYN

Sitting outside, I was currently enjoying the feeling of warmth against my skin as I soaked up the sun on this summer day. Right next to me was my best friend, Janet, as we worked on the garden in front of her home. Every now and then, I would enjoy doing small projects such as sprucing up a small garden like this one.

“I really appreciate you doing this for me,” she told me with a growing smile. “I don’t know how you don’t get tired of doing this kind of thing everyday.”

Most people probably would get bored of this if they didn’t do it all the time like I did. I enjoyed my job whether I was being paid for it or not. At this point, it just felt like a hobby. “I don’t mind,” I told her as I continued patting down the fresh fertilized soil we had just bought. “It’s not as often that I get to do something so hands on. Normally I hire people to do the work while I just plan.” I explained to her.

Being a landscape architect had its perks but it also had its downside. So even if it was just planting some flowers in this small garden, I appreciated it nonetheless. “I’m going to be pretty busy soon anyway, so I’m glad you asked me to help you now.” I explained to her as I glanced her way.

“Another job?” she asked curiously.

Nodding my head, I dusted my hands clean before sitting back on my heels. “Some guy hired me to work on the outside of his restaurant. I don’t really know too much about it, but tomorrow I get to look at the place to see what I can do.” It was going to be a big job and just like normal, I was pretty excited to get started. It was not often that the more bigger jobs came my way, so I was prepared to go all out with this next one. Then if I did a good enough job, more would come my way. “I think it’s called Le Palais Peint,” I explained, probably pronouncing it terribly. It was french, that was all I really knew about it.

I noticed her nose scrunch up at the name, “You mean that fancy place?” she asked curiously. “I heard the owner is quite the asshole.”

I laughed, “I hope not since he’s my client, I’ll have to see a lot of him.” While I have yet to actually meet him, the emails we had sent back and forth to each other didn’t really give him away as someone who was a jerk of any sort. I guess I would have to wait until tomorrow to see who he really was. I probably have dealt with people who were worse. I had no plan on letting anyone step all over me, I was confident that I could handle whatever he threw my way. “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I tried to reassure her.

“As long as you didn’t stack your plate too high with this one, I’m sure you will be.” Was she making a food related pun to me? What a dork.

The eagerness I felt for starting the project remained in me until the next morning arrived. After dressing casual like I normally did when first meeting a client, I hopped in my car and drove towards the location. Having never been there before, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. But I was glad that this place was in the same area where I lived so the drive wasn’t too far.

I noticed that the parking lot was large, yet only a few of the spots were taken by cars. I guess it could have been explained as it being early and this place could have gotten its business more during the evening hours. Once I was out of the car, I took in the appearance of the restaurant. While it did look more nice compared to the other buildings in the area, there wasn’t really anything special about the place. I could see why I was contacted. There was something missing, I just couldn’t put my finger on it just yet. I need to do further investigating.

After getting my camera out of my bag, I left my car and approached the restaurant. Bringing the camera up to my eye, I snapped a few photos. From what I was told, the guy wanted me to attach something to the side of his building that would help attract customers. He didn’t exactly ask for anything specific, it seemed like he was giving me the opportunity to let my imagination run its gears for this particular job. Even though it would be extra work, I didn’t mind. It was rare for opportunities like this to come across my way. My imagination was vast.

Overall, I was sure this would only take me a few weeks to complete. I was confident I could get it done in two weeks if I pushed myself.

Spending the next ten minutes of my time, I made sure to get as many pictures as I possibly could. Once I was happy with what I got, I turned my attention to the restaurant itself. Binding the cord of the camera around my wrist, I traveled up to the front door. Wrapping my hand around the fancy gold handle, I pulled it open and stepped inside.

Unlike the summer heat wave going on outside, a nice air-conditioned coolness pressed against my bare skin. It was a slight relief as I approached the host stand. Looking around, I could tell that this place was just as Janet described it as, very fancy. Someone like myself, wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, probably didn’t belong in a place like this. I was sticking out like a sore thumb.

Seeing a man behind the host stand, I approached him with a smile. Unlike the warmth and friendliness that radiated off of me, this guy eyed me with a judgmental suspicion. I noticed his eyes travel downward as he took in my appearance before meeting me in the eye once more.

“Do you have a reservation?” he asked curiously. “We do have a dress code,” he immediately pointed out, looking at my outfit with a growing frown. I was pretty sure he was already prepared to tell me to leave.

While I had been looked at like that before, it still made me feel slightly uncomfortable. I was a more heavier set woman but that didn’t mean that I didn’t wear my curves with confidence. Unfortunately, his kind of judgmental stare was kind of getting to me. I wouldn’t let that show on my face, so instead, I laughed. Swatting my hand, I shook my head. “I’m not here for a meal, I’m here to see your boss. Is he around?”

“He is probably busy running the kitchen so you might be waiting around for a while.” He explained shortly, making me feel like he was just trying to get rid of me. So far, this guy wasn’t doing too well at first impressions. Made me wonder if Janet mistook who the boss actually was.

Instead of letting him bother me, I gave him a smile instead. “I charge by the hour so I can wait as long as he needs me to.” I then looked around me, “Where can I sit while I wait?”

The guy had the audacity to groan as he pointed behind me at a bench by the door.

“Thank you,” I then turned and walked over, taking a seat on the bench. Giving the guy another smile, I watched him turn away from the stand and disappear back into the kitchen.

The moment I was alone, a frown formed on my lips. I hoped they didn’t treat all of their customers like that. It’s no wonder why the business is down. Just some outdoor adjustment can’t make them come back if they don’t treat them right to begin with. Sitting there, all I could do was let my thoughts wander as I waited.