March 14th.
The distinctive aroma of coffee and aromatherapy candles lit by the coffee shop owner immediately caught Roselyn's scent. Before she walked into the tavern. She glanced at the coffee shop name sign, which made Roselyn immediately think hard. Butterfly Cafe.
She found a comfortable seat by the window. Not long after that, a servant came over.
"What do you want to order, Miss?" a young man came carrying a note with a pen.
"I'll have an Americano!"
"All right, what else?" asked the servant.
Roselyn didn't eat anything yet, she was seen looking at the large menu board in front of her.
"One portion of a croissant with meat," said Roselyn, glancing at the opposite table. A man seemed absorbed in reading a thick book.
"Alright miss, the order will be delivered soon." The waiter then turned to the table to hand over Roselyn's order.
Roselyn was the first time visiting this coffee shop. So she feels foreign and a little strange about this coffee shop. It's because the name of the shop was super quirky other than coffee shop names, but the atmosphere of this shop does feel different. Not many visitors, the interior decoration seems gloomy.
Roselyn's gaze, who was sweeping the whole corner of the shop, stopped at the table opposite her. The man looks serious with his reading.
"At this hour, I'm still actively reading, nerdy!" muttered Roselyn. But somehow even though Roselyn was muttering to herself it seemed like he heard it. The man turned towards her with a sharp gaze. His eyes looked unfriendly. Roselyn hurriedly looked away from the gazes of the other customers from the coffee shop.
Roselyn's order finally came. A plate of croissants and a cup of coffee were already on the table. Then Roselyn slowly ate it slowly as she continued to keep an eye on the state of the shop.
"Sorry, is this coffee shop open 24 hours?" Roselyn asked another employee who happened to be passing by after clearing a table that had been left by a customer.
"Just for today. Once a year," replied the employee kindly answering Roselyn's question.
"What? Once a year. So how come?" asked Roselyn, even becoming curious.
"Because today, our boss is specifically open 24 hours in the framework of an annual routine event. Every March 14th this shop will be open for 24 hours only on that date," the employee replied as he said goodbye to continue his work.
"Oh yes, thank you sorry for disturbing your work," said Roselyn and then let the employee go.
'So, I came here by chance that this coffee shop will be open until morning. So I don't have to walk all the way from Selena's house, 'grumbled Roselyn as she chewed her croissant.
Brruuuph. Book sound closed.
Roselyn turned to the voice. The nerdy man closed the thick book. Roselyn glanced at the man's cold face. His gaze was blank staring at the tavern window. Like someone was waiting for him.
Roselyn stole the man's glances. He was tall and stocky, his face was quite handsome but Roselyn had no interest in him. She was just curious about the man's attitude. Why is it that in the middle of the night he is sitting alone in a coffee shop reading a thick book and looks like he is waiting for someone?
*** ***
Roselyn finished her coffee and croissants and paid for them at the checkout. After that, she will return home. It's been an hour more she was in the coffee shop. And once again, Roselyn looked at the cold-faced man who was still in the same position.
With hasty steps as it started drizzling, Roselyn left Butterfly coffee shop. While walking Roselyn daydreamed.
"Good coffee and bread, maybe I'll come there again if I have time." Roselyn then took her cellphone into her bag and put a mark on her note. March 14th.
'I'm still curious about that shop, why is it only open 24 hours every March 14th. Is that a special date? Could it be the owner's birth date? ' Roselyn thought to herself.
The streets were quiet but there were still few pedestrians, Roselyn wasn't afraid to walk alone like this. Roselyn then saw a husband and wife making out on the street. They might be a couple who just came back from somewhere.
Roselyn was reminded of Selena and Sean. Have they finished making love? Is Sean home yet? Roselyn felt uncomfortable with a man at home. Even though it was not her house, Roselyn still didn't feel free to do anything there.
"Miss!"
Suddenly there was an old woman's voice that startled Roselyn. She turned her head towards the voice. A grandmother was standing behind her.
"D-did you call me?" asked Roselyn.
"Yes, I called you," replied the grandmother then walked over.
"What is wrong?" Roselyn felt strange about the appearance of the grandmother. Wasn't it that grandmother who followed her when she was going to the coffee shop earlier?
"I want to ask for your help," replied the grandmother slowly raising her face.
"Is Grandma lost?" Roselyn asked, looking at the grandmother's face, which seemed to be confused.
"No, Miss, I'm looking for my grandson in this city. How many days ago I came to this city to find my grandson," said the grandmother in a trembling voice.
Roselyn heard it with pity. Because it was midnight like this, she was running around looking for her grandson.
"Grandma is getting late, where do you live. Where is your grandson's address?" asked Roselyn, trying to help.
"I come from a very far place, my granddaughter lives in this city. I can't find my granddaughter. I haven't seen her for a long time. And she rarely visits me. So I came here to see her."
"Where is your granddaughter's address?" asked Roselyn again.
The grandmother looked dazed, Roselyn guessed that the grandmother had dementia. She couldn't remember and was already senile.
"Then, how about tomorrow I help you find your granddaughter. Where did Grandma live in this city?" asked Roselyn.
"Then, tomorrow morning I will see you, Miss, are you really going to help me find my granddaughter?" the grandmother asked, making Roselyn awry.
"Then, I can ask the police to help you, Grandma, tomorrow morning I have to work," said Roselyn reasoned. Actually, tomorrow is a holiday. But Roselyn, who doesn't know that grandmother, is worried that she is just a con artist.
"Isn't it Sunday tomorrow. I'm not a con, I'll meet you tomorrow at the coffee shop earlier at 10. How?" asked the grandmother as if she knew what Roselyn was thinking and was a little pushy.
Roselyn went awry if she refused.
"Sure," said Roselyn. And before Roselyn had time to say a few more words. The grandmother then turned and left. Somehow where it came from, a black car approached and the grandmother got into the car and immediately left.
Roselyn was still shocked and couldn't believe what had just happened. Why the grandmother could appear and leave without giving any explanation. Making Roselyn even more confused.
"Ah, I didn't even have time to ask her name," muttered Roselyn.
*** ****