Proper Introductions

Norman came in again, followed this time by Frank. Everyone was busy, so Leigha was the one to receive them.

“Hi, table for two?”

Leigha took out two menus.

“You must be the new hire. I’m Frank Vanowen, the regional manager from corporate. This is Norman Overland, my associate, and the new district manager.” Frank flashed his business card.

“Oh, I know Norman,” Leigha took the business card from Frank, reading it over, “So you’re the actual manager of Tormino’s? Not Cyrus?”

Frank laughed, Leigha, looking over to her co-workers. Anita noticed the situation, skipping over to them.

“Norman, I didn’t know you knew Frank?”

“You know Norman too?” asked Frank as he calmed down from laughing.

“Yes, he came in to have lunch the other day.” Anita looked back over to Norman, who was casting shy glances, causing her to blush. Frank looked back and forth between Anita and Norman, eyes squinting in confusion. Then he looked back to Leigha.

“Cyrus manages this Tormino’s,” he explained. “Norman will be overseeing the ones in the district, which is what I used to do before I got promoted.”

“Congratulations on your promotion,” announced Anita.

“Thanks, it’s very much needed so I can take care of my grandmother.”

“How is she?”

Frank seemed depressed, looking elsewhere. “She’s living as best she can for her age.”

Anita smiled, “I’ll let Cyrus know you’re here.” Anita skipped to the back. Frank looked back at Leigha, squinting his eyes again before walking away. Norman smiled and followed after Frank.

“Cyrus, Frank is here.” Anita knocked on the door.

“I’m busy right now. Tell Frank to come back later.”

“But he needs you to meet someone.”

After a few moments of silence, Cyrus opened the door, looking taller than other men present.

“Nice to meet you. Bye.” Cyrus slammed the door shut.

“Cyrus,” tried Frank, knocking at the door.

“This is Norman Overland, and he’s going to be the new district manager.”

“So, you got fired?”

“No,” Frank beamed a fake cheerful smile at that, “I got promoted to regional manager.”

“Sounds nice. Tell your grandmother I said hello.”

“Cyrus, please open up, I need to show Norman the process.”

“Then come back later.”

“Cyrus, please!”

Frank continued knocking on the door, his pounding becoming more erratic as Cyrus refused.

“Cyrus, please open up! We have a lot of restaurants to go to today! Please!”

“Everything alright?”

Frank jumped out of his skin at the new voice. Then he spotted Miles, dressed from school and accompanied by the timid Ramona. Frank squinted at Miles then looked back to the dining area then back to Miles.

“Weren’t you…” he started to ask as Cyrus flung open the door. He thrust a bunch of papers into Frank’s arms before shutting it.

“And that’s how we work with Cyrus,” informed Frank, turning to his protégée, who was paying more attention to Anita.

“Excuse us, we need to get ready for work.” Miles led Ramona around the others and into the breakroom.

“Since we are tight on time, we’ll review this at the office. Let’s take a look at the kitchen.”

Frank composed himself as he led Norman and Anita to the kitchen. Shasta stood guard at the entrance, giving Norman a death glare.

“Um, Shasta, can you let us in, please?” Frank peeked around Shasta to see Sierra crossing her hand in front of her neck.

“Um, ok, then um, well, this is Norman Overland, who will be the new district manager. So be sure to give him your report the next time he stops by.”

Shasta glared at Norman, Norman was looking at Anita, who was looking between Norman and Shasta.

“Shasta, do you think you can let him at least look into your kitchen?” asked Anita. Shasta’s gaze softened as he looked at her. He moved a little out of the doorway, enough for Frank to see inside.

“See, Norman, Shasta is one of the top chefs at keeping the kitchen clean and orderly. I find it easy to model other kitchens after his.”

“What?” Norman turned back to Frank then peered inside the kitchen. “Oh yeah, it’s pretty clean in here. Can we look around?” He looked at Anita.

“Sorry um, Shasta is particular about who can enter the kitchen to maintain the cleanliness.”

Only at the name did Norman notice Shasta’s deadly gaze. Norman frowned, not exactly sure what to make of the head chef.

“Alright, Norman, let’s go, still other restaurants to look at,” urged Frank. He pushed Norman towards the dining area.

“Good work, everyone,” he complimented as they passed. He noticed Leigha and Miles talking at the bar. Miles was irritated and Leigha as cheerful as ever.

Frank looked at the two in surprise then looked at Anita.

“The two of them?”

“Yes, brother and sister.”

Frank blinked a couple more times, shaking his head as he walked out.

“I guess I’ll be seeing you more often then,” teased Norman, turning back to Anita. Anita shifted in place, her cheeks pink from his attention.

“I would like that. I can help you next time. With getting reports from Cyrus and Shasta.”

“I would appreciate that. Take care.”

He left the building, jogging a little to catch up to Frank.

“So, did you see his hand?” asked Leigha? Anita immediately fretted that she had forgotten about searching for his soulmate mark again.