The two strange men were almost ritualistic, in their behavior. After my day off, I worked the next four days before my next one. I had either worked the day or graveyard shifts. Tiffany and the other four waiting staff-- Priyanka, Josh, Martin and Jocelyn-- were dotted around me during this time. Tiffany, Priyanka, and Martin were students, so they primarily worked the night shifts until we weekend when they became more available. It was Friday night, and I was wandering in for my graveyard shift, ready for my Saturday off. I had a suspicion that it would not be, as Tiffany locked eyes on me as soon as I walked in.
"Hey sweetie," She sauntered over to me in the empty looking diner, "Can you do me a huge favor?" My body turned cold at her request. Every time Tiffany did this, she wanted a shift taken. If I didn't take it, she usually called in sick anyways. The only reason she had this job was to look like a hard working students to her rich parents that paid for her amenities and tuition. Her eyes were sharp as she was probing me and my weakened state.
"What is it?" It was a useless to ask, but her supple lips curled into a venomous smile.
"My boyfriend wanted to take me out to dinner tomorrow, can you take my shift?" She was turning on her heels as she tried to look cute to manipulate me. It really wasn't working.
"I really need to have a day off Tiffany. Can you take my Sunday graveyard then?" Immediately her nose scrunched with disgust and she made a chortling noise. It was the entitlement seeping through her prior sweet façade.
"Why?" Her question was almost baffling, as if she didn't understand that favors usually were reciprocated.
"Because if I took you shift I wouldn't have a day off until Wednesday?" She sighed and rolled her eyes, putting her manicured hands on her slender hips.
"And that's my problem how?"
"Well how is your dinner with your boyfriend my problem?" I snapped at her. I was done with her attitude, and I leaned onto the bar. As I did so, through the reflection of a glass, I could see two figures huddled in a far corner. I didn't even need her to tell me anything to know who it was back there. She looked like she had eaten a lemon and her face was turning red. She tried to make an argument, but my eyes were sharp even though my bones were dull.
"Fine," There was a devious glint in her eyes and it made me suspicious, but I shook off the feeling of dread and nodded.
"Fine then. Is Chris or Johnny in today?" She rolled her eyes, causing a wave of floral air wafting into my nose from her shampoo.
"I don't know." That was her final words before she rushed over to the POS and clocked out. She made a beeline for the door.
"Hey what about the guys in the back?" I snapped at her as she reached it, really getting annoyed at her lazy and entitled demeanor.
"They already paid!" She huffed, acting as if I was in the wrong for a fairly standard question. The doorbell rang and it shot my nerves even more, making me quake with anger. I just took a deep breath into my fractured lungs and sighed, some tension melting away. Peeling off my black hoodie I walked around the bar towards the door to it, catching the eyes of the men in the back. Both of them were peeled out of their coats and hats, leaving them in dress shirts and black pants. Luca was talking in a language completely unknown language to me. It wasn't Italian, which is what he usually spoke around me. It was more fluid, and almost magical. There was a sharpness to it, but most the words were soft and musical. It was definitely nothing I heard before Elijah's, but it was still familiar in way. Elijah's eyes flickered over to me for a second and I waved my fingers at him in a kind gesture. He straightened up, his dark navy silk dress shirt moving in a way that looked like the ocean projecting a night sky. Luca barely noticed his movement and paid no mind to my presence as I tossed the hoodie under the bar. The kitchen staff was unusually quiet, probably in the back ally having a cigarette. I looked out of the corner of my eye to see a stone faced Elijah, quietly listening to the younger man. I hobbled over, noticing that they each had a cup of coffee.
"Do you gentlemen need a refill?" I felt bad about interrupting Luca's speaking, but I felt even worse that their cups were empty and I was assuming Tiffany hadn't checked on them after they paid. She was spent the last few days flirting with them, but two days ago when I relieved her she was scowling at them. I never asked why, even though I was insanely curious. Luca snapped too and looked over to me to give me a wild grin. His sharp canines were prominent in his toothy grin.
"Bella! Lovely to see you again!" He shot me a wink, gold shimmering in his eyes. Elijah narrowed his for a moment, but was still as stiff as a statue. He only moved to move his white saucer and cup closer to me, silently asking for another cup.
"Another cup would be lovely, but take your time!" Luca waved his hands as if trying to snatch something from the air. I just smiled at him, and grabbed each of their saucers. I waddled back, hearing Elijah whisper something to Luca. I did not know what he said, but his tone was cold and it sent shivers down my own spine as if I was being reprimanded. I walked over to the coffee maker, picking up the heavy glass pot and placing it under. It took me a few minutes to get the grinds ready, but I wanted to make sure they had a fresh pot instead of the old and cold pot of coffee that looked depression and unappealing. The machine whirled to life and the black liquid spilled into the basin below. They were still whispering, and it made me feel uncomfortable. I felt like I was under a microscope, being stared at and judged as I worked. It was like I was having a assessment done by head office, but we didn't have a head office. I heard some chatter from the back, but it wasn't as lively meaning that Gordon was working. He was a kitchen lead that was fairly quiet and stayed on his phone most the time, and usually he worked with Omar and Kevin. They were two boys studying medicine at the University of Toronto. Both were super smart, sweet, and hardworking. Chris and Johnny had given them permission to work on their homework and notes when there were no orders which was ideal for a graveyard shift. The silence didn't bother me, as I watched the coffee spill, almost getting into a daze as I did so. The thing that pulled me out of it was the sudden sputtering from the coffee machine as it signified that it was done. I reached out, still in a bit of a daze and went to pour the coffee into the old cups. I went to pull back-- realizing I should change them out for hygienic purposes-- but hot coffee spilled over the side and onto the back of my left hand. I hissed and pain and put them both on the counter, waving my hand as the burning pain seeped into my skin and nerves and sending shooting waves of pain. Tears pricked in my eyes but I managed to calm myself and hold back tears. My skin was overly sensitive, so small burns like this that most people could brush off made me feel like acid was thrown on me. After a minute of pain, I went back and started to pour the coffee into fresh porcelain mugs. My hand still hurt but not nearly as bad, the quick hot flash of pain not just a stinging reminder on my skin. I hobbled back over to the men, still cringing from the burning pain. They seemed to noticed as they both peered over to me when I set the scalding cups in front of them.
"Careful, its hot." It was ironic to say, but necessary. Suddenly there was something both rough and soft, and extremely cold over my burned hand. I jerked it back a bit when I realized that Elijah had placed his hand over my burn. His concern on his face vanished in a flash and he went back to stoic and unfeeling.
"You need to be more careful." Luca frowned, looking at the red patch of skin on my hand and I pulled my hand back. I was wary and concerned, but also flush from Elijah grabbing my hand so suddenly. It caused my heart to pick up speed, and I sped away as fast as my statue legs could carry me. It wasn't fast, and it wasn't far but it was enough to settle my pounding heart.