One Thursday afternoon, the time just ticked past 2:30.
In their family bar, Claire walked around and tended to anyone who needed assistance, to pay or order more from the menu.
Clouds ruled most of the sky, but still, the blue of the atmosphere managed to peek through all the white and grey.
31 degrees Celsius was the forecasted temperature. The thermometer by the opened door showed that it was 29 degrees in the shade.
Claire gave out an ordered batch of drinks before she returned to the register. With that, people paid and left.
Oddly, today was quieter than the usual. Normally, there would be people come in constantly. Normally, most of the seats would be taken. But looks like today was an exception.
And usually, she would have enjoyed this crowd-less atmosphere. It would have allowed to rest that bit more, to enjoy the site of people conversing, enjoying their time. The contentment of her customers made Claire happy as well.
But ever since Garrett told them about the war, every moment she didn't have work to do, his words, which were written on that letter of his, dwelled on her mind. 'I... I wonder what Garrett is doing right now... is he out on the battlefield?' Claire thought to herself. But before she could have had the time speculated an answer herself, the sound of a truck startled her.
Claire noted her mother as she walked right beside her. "A-a truck??".
Claire didn't reply, instead, she moved towards the door with grave caution. Those who were in the bar quietened down as they switched their glances between Claire and the truck outside.
Getting a clearer view, she saw that the truck was camouflaged. Just like the one that Garrett went on only weeks ago.
Claire widened her eyes, she turned around to her mother - who was now beside her. "It's... it's the same truck like the one Garrett went on...". A pause. Her gaze returned to the truck. 'Could it be that they brought him back?... but it doesn't make sense... why would they drop him off here?".
Then, a man hopped off. A soldier.
He didn't look like the solider the morning when Garrett left. This soldier looked bigger, and that bit more muscular. His attired seemed to differ from that soldier that checked Garrett in.
Which meant that whoever they were, they weren't from Garrett's team.
Suddenly, the realisation set in. "Why are these soldiers here?" Claire asked, turning to her mother who was still beside her.
Her mother gave her no reply. She attempted to say something, bit choked up on her words. She was just as clueless as Claire. In the end, all that managed to come out of her mother was a slight shrug, "I-I am not sure...".
Inside of the bar was dead silent, if let fall, even a pin drop could have been heard. Only the chatter from the soldiers outside was audible.
Both Claire and her mother kept their eyes on the soldier, he had a writing pad in his hands. Suddenly, soldiers upon soldiers jumped out of the truck. They all began their way towards the bar.
"Perhaps, this is like their stop?" Claire's mother suggested when she noticed the fact that they all approached their bar.
They all entered the local. What was once a silent place, now became a loud, thunderous site.
The men that walked in all took their places by the vacant tables.
Claire looked at her mother and she looked at her, with a nod, they both went to serve their customers.
One by one, the men ordered what they wanted to drink. Most of the the drinks that were requested were beers.
Completing the requested orders, the two waitresses went walked over to behind the cash register.
Once more, Claire looked at her mother as she looked at Claire. They were both in need of answers as to why these soldiers were here.
"Was there an attack nearby? Is that why they all are here?" Claire asked.
Her mother took in a deep breath, "I wish I knew, but I don't. Whatever business they have to do, whatever mission they are on, it has something got to do with this area...". A pause. Her mother looked at the solider, the one who they saw first. "Why don't you ask him? He looks like he is in charge of the group. He might know something.".
"Is he their Captain or something?" Claire couldn't have helped her curiosity. "Maybe even their General?".
The man who they were talking about turned. He didn't face them, but it allowed both Claire and her mother to see the soldier's face that bit clearer.
"No..." her mother began. "He looks too young to be a General...". A pause. "Captain, perhaps. Maybe even their Major. But General? No.".
Then, suddenly, as if he felt they were talking about him, the soldier steered his gaze towards Claire and her mom, to which the two women replied by looking elsewhere.
"I'll let you be, you know where I am if you need any help. There are some nice looking men about...". Claire couldn't help but roll her eyes to her mother's words. With that, she walked over to Claire. "I am already married, I don't want him to get the wrong idea!" Mother whispered to Claire, to which Claire couldn't help but chuckle.
The soldier furrowed his brows ever so slightly when he saw that the waitress to the left laughed. When he saw that Claire laughed.
'Was it something on me that evoked such a reaction?' he thought to himself, looking down at his body, his clothes.
Suddenly, a loud whistle startled both the soldier and Claire.
Claire looked up only to see a hand up, waving. "Waitress!". The voice was deep, masculine. Claire didn't have to look for the guy to figure out that he was one of the soldiers.
For some reason, panic and fear began to build up within Claire. She felt like this encounter wouldn't end all that well. She felt unsettled.
But brushing off all the negativity she felt, Claire picked up her pad and pen which she used to write down orders. She rushed over to the customer who requested her assistance.
Reaching the man, she saw that he was cleanly shaven and laid back in his seat. He had a smirk on his lips as his eyes travelled up and down her body, undressing her.
His lips and teeth had their grip upon a toothpick.
But freeing his lips by taking a hold of the toothpick with his thumb and index finger of his left hand, he began, "Hey beautiful. I would like to order another beer, drafted, please.".
Claire nodded to his words, jotting down his order. "Would that be all, Sir?".
He was about to say something but stopped himself. He looked up at her, at her face. Eyes, lips... nose. "Actually, can you take a step closer to me?".
Claire furrowed her brows, but nonetheless, obeyed his request. She moved a step towards him.
Another smile grew on his lips as he placed the toothpick back into his mouth. He placed his hands behind his head, intertwining his fingers.
Once again, his eyes travelled up and down her body. "Do you really need to wear so many clothes on your beautiful body?" he asked her. Other soldiers around him couldn't help but burst into laughter at his words.
Claire froze, trying to comprehend his words. "I-I am not too sure what you mean by that..." she replied.
"Do you know how long it has been since I last saw a girl naked?".
Claire couldn't believe the words that were spoken by this soldier. She felt her cheeks redden.
She felt second-hand embarrassment.
Disregarding his words, she cleared her throat. "Would that be all for your order, Sir?".
His smile dropped ever so slightly. He wasn't satisfied with her response. He replied with a simple nod. "Yes.".
Relief traveled through her body, at least that was over.
With her order down, she turned around. Suddenly...
SMACK.
Claire jumped before turning around. The cocky soldier had a smile on his face as he receded himself back to his place. He hit Claire's ass.
Heaviness accumulated in her chest. She turned around and walked off, but she was put off guard when she heard steps approaching her. Looking up, it was him, the main man, the one who was most likely in charge of all of these men.
"Umm, Sir, is everything ok-" she began, but quickly enough, confusion aroused within Claire when she saw that he ignored her.
But she kept her eyes on him. She watched him as he approached where she stood only moments ago.
'What is he doing?' Claire thought to herself. Moments later, she got the answer to her question.
He grabbed the cocky soldier by his shirt and with his right hand, he formed a fist before punching him right across his face.
With that, the room went silent. All that was heard was the landing of the toothpick that flew from the soldier's mouth.
With that, he let the soldier go. The victim from the hit cupped his left cheek.
"What the fuck was that for, Captain!?".
'So he's a Captain. Their Captain,' Claire thought to herself.
"How many times do I have to say to treat women with respect, huh!?". A pause. "No wonder why you still don't have a girlfriend. Marriage is looking very damn slim for you, soldier!".
He shook his head before stepping back, with that, he turned around, facing Claire. He approached her before speaking anything.
"My sincere apologies, Miss. I hope he didn't cause you any distress.".
Immediately, Claire shook her head. "N-no, no worried at all," she voiced. 'Truth be told, I got used to it... but it never fails to cause a rain of terror within me...' she thought to herself, looking down at the ground.
From there, as if she was prompted to look away, she rose her gaze. Consequently, as she looked up - he was about a head or two taller than her - her eyes met his.
They both froze, looking into each others' eyes.
'H-his eyes...'Claire thought to herself. Then, she felt a sensation unlike any other she felt today. She felt her heart flutter ever so slightly. 'I-I I don't think I have seen eyes more beautiful than his...'.
A loud burst of laughter kicked them both out of their trance.
With that, Claire cleared her throat. "May I ask, what's the reason for your visit, Captain? Did something happen?".
"We stopped by to take a short break before continuing our way to Ponte Vecchio," he replied. "I hope we are not a nuisance.".
Claire furrowed her brows. "Nuisance, please! Not at all...".
Then, silence descended between them both, before he cleared his throat.
"Once again... I am sorry for the behaviour of one of my men.".
A small, sympathetic smile grew on Claire's lips. "Hey, no worries at all! Like I said, it's totally okay...". Then, Claire turned around and looked at the soldier. He still had a hand on his left cheek. "He's lucky it wasn't me who punched him...".
With those words, the soldier who stood in front of her couldn't help himself, he let out a slight chuckle.
And from there, Claire looked back at him, the Captain.
Slowly, the smile that was on her face began to recede. From his face, her gaze fell to his broad chest. 'Should I ask him? Should I ask about Garrett? If he even knows who Garrett is?...'.
Taking a deep breath. "C-can I ask you something?".
"Yes, of course.".
She rose her eyes so that their gazes met once more.
"W-would you happen to know a Garrett Emerson?" she asked.
Claire noticed the grimace he made. But in the end, he let a small, sheepish smile find its way on his lips. He shook his head. "Sorry, I don't...". Seconds passed before he asked, "Why do you ask? Is he a friend?".
"No..." Claire started. "He... he is my brother...".
The Captain widened his eyes to her words. "Your bro-".
Suddenly... the sound of a plane doing a low pass over the bar interrupted the soldier. Not only that, but the whole site went quiet.
"Shit! Fuck!" and other profanities echoed throughout the bar.
With that, a soldier ran over to his Captain. "Captain, I suggest us making a move. Our cover might get blown.".
He nodded to his colleague's words. "Tell me tho, was that a friendly plane?".
The soldier shrugged ever so slightly. "I'm sorry, Captain. By the time I got to see the plane, my view got blocked off by trees.". A pause followed. "But one thing is for sure. That was in no way a commercial plane.".
Once more, the Captain nodded to his soldier's words. "Alright... we have to make a move on. We can't afford to risk it, mainly because of the presence of civilians.".
With that, the soldier saluted his Captain. "Yes, sir!". He walked off.
The Captain pulled out a stack of money. Separating some from the pile, he handed it over to Claire. "Keep all the change, use it for whatever is necessary. Thank you for the drinks.". A very brief pause occurred. "I wish we could have stayed that bit longer, but we have to go now. It was an honour meeting you, Miss.".
He took Claire's hand into his before rising it to his lips. With that, he walked passed Claire and joined his group.
The crowd of soldiers exited the bar and went into their vehicles.
Only when he exited the local did Claire remember that she forgot to ask the Captain his name.
But she figured that it was too late for her to go out and chase him only to get his name.
'The next time we meet... I really, really want to find out what your name is...'.