Greatest Idol C10 Intimidation

Despite my satisfaction at their comeuppance, guilt crept in as I saw their barely-touched meals.

I processed the blonde's payment, but she snatched her card back with a pout. "Complete waste of money," she muttered.

"I'm sorry," I said, scratching the back of my head while my inner self wrestled with genuine remorse. "Those really are my favorite dishes. Had no idea they wouldn't suit your taste."

"Obviously," the redhead rolled her eyes. "Who actually enjoys food that spicy? It's just common sense!"

She gestured at her plate. "The extra jalapeños would've been fine, but this is like eating liquid fire!"

"Really sorry about that," I offered.

"Whatever, damage's done," the girl with purple streaks shrugged, then her expression softened. "Besides, we'll let it slide because..."

She gave me an appreciative once-over. "You're pretty cute. First day here?"

"Actually, I've been working here for months," I said, fighting back a smirk. "Guess you just never noticed."

"No way," the blonde's eyebrows shot up. "I'm here all the time. I definitely would have remembered you."

"Yeah, there's no chance we missed you," the redhead insisted, the others nodding in agreement.

"Strange, right?" I smiled. "I distinctly remember serving you before."

"Remember when you rejected my service and asked for my coworker instead?"

The girls exchanged confused glances. "No way. We'd definitely remember someone like you."

"Yeah, absolutely."

"For sure."

The redhead frowned. "The only server we ever rejected was that ugly guy with the—" She stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening as she studied my face more closely.

The others followed her gaze, recognition flickering briefly before denial set in.

"No, no way," the blonde shook her head emphatically. "This cutie's just messing with us."

She tossed her hair. "Today's meal was a bust, but next time—" she winked, "—I expect better recommendations. Come on, girls."

I shook my head as they sashayed out. While cleaning their barely-touched food, an idea struck me.

During our break, I carried the plates to the kitchen. "Hey guys, want these leftovers?"

Veronica looked up from her prep work. "Thanks, but I avoid spicy food."

"I never say no to free food," Alan grinned. "Let's dig in."

"Perfect," I smiled, joining him at the break table. Maybe some good could come from my petty revenge after all.

Alan showed no trouble with the spicy food, devouring it with obvious enjoyment. His spice tolerance was impressive.

"So, Jacob's brother," he said between bites of burger, "you never told us your real name. It's fine, you can trust us."

I sighed. "It's exhausting repeating the truth. My name is Jacob, but if you insist on not believing me, just call me Jake."

"So that is your name." Kyle's voice cut in as he slammed his hand on our table, making the plates rattle as he and Mallory joined us.

His eyes burned with barely contained anger.

"What's wrong?" Alan asked.

Kyle jabbed a finger in my direction. "This guy... he just sabotaged some customers' experience. He could get the whole restaurant in trouble. If management finds out, we'll all be implicated."

"What happened?" Veronica turned from her station.

Mallory rolled her eyes but wouldn't quite meet my gaze. "Jake here recommended completely inedible meals to some customers. So spicy they couldn't even finish."

Alan's chewing slowed as he looked at me with fresh understanding. His eyes said it all: So that's why there's so much leftover food.

Veronica's gaze held judgment too. Of course she knew—she'd prepared the orders herself.

"Yeah, and they were just innocent teenage girls," Kyle slammed the table again, glaring at me. "You've got no heart, Jake."

He snatched the burger from my hand. "I'm confiscating this for all the trouble you're going to cause when management finds out!"

Taking a huge bite, he jabbed his finger at me. "You're nothing like your brother! Jacob may not be much to look at, but at least he has a kind heart—"

His words cut off abruptly. His face turned red. "Holy shit! This is burning!"

He threw the burger back on the table and lunged for his water bottle, chugging desperately. "Goddammit! Don't tell me this is the leftover from those girls!"

Everyone, myself included, burst out laughing at his predicament.

Kyle's face darkened further as he fanned his mouth. "You set me up, didn't you?!"

"How? You're the one who grabbed my food," I pointed out. Kyle's mouth opened and closed, but he had no response.

He looked to Mallory for support, his eyes pleading, 'Back me up here!'

But she just shrugged as if to say, 'You did this to yourself.' Kyle's expression of betrayal only made the moment sweeter.

I watched the scene unfold with quiet satisfaction. Amazing how a slight improvement in appearance had completely shifted the power dynamic.

Usually, it was Kyle embarrassing me, drawing laughs at my expense. Karma, it seemed, had a sense of irony.

We continued our break, laughing as Kyle kept chugging water. "Damn it, I can't eat anymore. My stomach's full of water."

This brought another round of laughter, especially when Alan quipped, "Never knew you had such comedic talent, Kyle."

"Watch your mouth, old man. I'm holding back because of your age—" Kyle's sneer cut off abruptly as Alan yanked him up by the collar.

"I'm the one holding back here, kid." Alan's usually quiet demeanor vanished, replaced by cold fury. "I'm your elder, not some pushover like Jacob. You don't get to disrespect me like you do him."

Kyle's face paled. Part of me wanted to intervene, but another part wanted to see Kyle finally face consequences.

"Break it up!" Mallory cut in. "If Samantha sees this, you'll both be out without references."

Alan shoved Kyle back into his seat. Kyle tried to maintain his tough act with a dismissive snort.

But Alan wasn't finished. He stood over Kyle, clapping a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Remember this moment. I'm not Jacob. Try your usual tricks with me, and you'll regret it." He kicked Kyle's chair, making him stumble.

As Alan walked away, Kyle muttered under his breath, "Fucking old man thinks he's tough shit."

But his voice lacked its usual confidence. For once, Kyle had met someone he couldn't intimidate.

"What are you all staring at?!" Kyle snapped at Veronica and Mallory.

Veronica just shrugged while Mallory shook her head.

Kyle turned on me. "And you, newbie! Don't think I've forgotten what you did! I'm telling Samantha every—"

In one fluid motion, I stood and grabbed his collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. Everyone's eyes widened at the display of strength.

Kyle's face registered pure shock. Even I was surprised by how easily I could lift him.

I met his eyes directly. "I'm not the Jacob you knew. Don't think you can push me around like before."

I tossed him aside. He stumbled badly, tripping over his own feet and landing face-first.

"Tell Samantha whatever you want. But know this—you can't bully me anymore." I stood over him. "I'm not the Jacob you once knew."

As I walked away, my enhanced hearing caught Mallory's words: "Things have changed around here. You can't just show off like before, Kyle."

"Shut up," Kyle muttered.

"Jake keeps insisting he's Jacob," Veronica mused. "After talking with him and seeing that... I'm starting to believe him."

Silence followed. I couldn't help but smirk.

They can call me Jake or Jacob—doesn't matter anymore. I'll just be myself.

When work resumed, Kyle couldn't even look at me. His former swagger had vanished completely. I noticed Mallory distancing herself from him too.

At shift's end, Samantha called us all in—Kyle, Alan, Veronica, Mallory, and me. Kyle shot me a smug look.

Did he actually report me? I thought. Fine. With my new looks, I can find work anywhere.

But instead of reprimanding me, Samantha smiled. "Excellent work today, Jake. Your customer service has been outstanding."

Kyle's jaw dropped. "What? But boss, he—"

Samantha's eyes flashed. "When I'm speaking, I don't appreciate interruptions. Mind your manners."