LOVE ME MY OLDER BRIDE

"Miss Ava".

Ava looked up and noticed the anxious expression on the Clara's face.

Clara, one of the younger waitresses and a co-worker.

She was barely out of her teens. She looked kind of tense as she clutched her tray, nervously.

"What's wrong, Clara?" Ava asked curiously.

Clara hesitated a bit, glancing over towards a table of four men in the corner.

The men were loud, whistling at every passing waitress.

"I... I'm scared to serve that table," Clara said and lowered her gaze. "They're always... touching, groping. And they laugh it off like it's nothing. I really tried to tell them off last time, but they just got worse."

Ava's eyes followed Clara's gaze to the men, who were currently making rude gestures toward another waitress. Her brows arched into a tight brown.

 Men like them piss her off.

They all looked like middle-aged men, making passes at an 18-year-old for what exactly?!

 They were clearly old disgusting creeps .

"They've been bothering you?"

Ava asked softly.

Clara nodded quickly.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm supposed to do my job, but-"

"Hey," Ava interrupted gently, placing a hand on Clara's shoulder.

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize for not wanting to deal with creeps like them. I'll handle them. Don't worry about it."

Clara looked up at her, eyes wide with relief.

"Really?"

 Ava smiled back.

"I'm older, and maybe that'll intimidate them enough to behave. You just focus on your other tables, okay?"

Clara sighed in relief.

"Oh my goodness thank you, Ava. Thank you so so much".

"Don't mention it."

Ava smiled back and with that, Ava grabbed her tray and headed toward that particular table.

As she approached, the men's laughter died down, and  as they turned their attention to her.

"Evening, gentlemen," Ava said, trying to keep her tone professional, wearing a polite smile.

"What can I get you?"

One of the men, a middle-aged guy with a receding hairline and an arrogant smirk, leaned back in his chair, checking her up and down.

"Well, well. They sent a mature lady to serve us this time."

Another one smirked.

"Yeah, no more of those little girls. You've got experience, don't you?"

Ava ignored there comments , pulling out her notepad.

"What drinks do you want, sir?"

The first man chuckled, leaning closer.

"What's your name...pretty thing, can I call you mummy?"

The others laughed loudly.

Ava ignored them, still forcing a smile, trying to stay ....professional.

"Ready to order?"

The third man, with a cockier appearance added.