"Adri!!!"
Everyone's head snapped toward the exciting source, excluding the cocky guy. He rolled his eyes with annoyance. In seconds, the cops who were standing stiff and idol gave out a relaxed sigh at the arrival of the man.
Alice had her eyes on sauces.
"Seems like the very minute you were transferred, you've got your hands full. Man! Not surprised at all," she heard the exciting intruder walk into the cafe, his eyes focused on the cocky guy. The latter seemed to care less of him as he busied himself on questioning the trembling girl, who was none other than Naomi. Beside her stood Bryan.
A frown formed on Alicia's forehead. If Bryan was here, did Malissa go to the hospital with her lost lover all alone? Her mind started to question, but the loud 'click-clack' of the boots had her eyes trailing behind the intruder's steps curiously.
What was the relationship between the two men?
The man did not seem to notice her, or that was what she thought as she approached Naomi and Bryan, in thoughts of questioning Malissa's whereabouts.
As she neared Bryan, she pulled him away and asked him in a low voice under the scrutinizing gaze of the man who was now inquiring the docile girl about the incidents that had conspired.
For their bad, there wasn't a CCTV device attached anywhere nearby the cafe, so the only thing was... to interrogate the witnesses and confirm the case.
As for Malissa's whereabouts, she had gone to the hospital along with the nurses who had allowed only one of them to tag along with them. By the look of how Bryan had the saying, the nurses didn't seem to like it when Malissa had her tag along with them, but she still did go with them. After all, they had no sayings when it came to who was to come, thought Alicia, pondering over the thing that Bryan was stating her about.
"Alice?!"
The sudden call of her name pulled her out of the little conversation she was having with Bryan.
"What are you doing here?" The surprised look was pretty evident on the guy's face as he questioned.
"Uh... It's... uhh... our cafe?" Her gaze traveled from Zavior to the cocky interrogator who had his eyes on her.
"And the sudden rush..." he dragged it intentionally, waiting for her to fill it up, which she did mindlessly.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, I was at your place. I had to rush in here, and by the time I came in, I was showcased with a heartless rogue, a lifeless staff, and a badly injured staff of mine," as soon as she said it all at once, she bit her tongue, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-"
"No no... I understand you. My condolence for your loss," he patted her shoulder, trying to console her, "I'm glad I did invite you for breakfast," he said at the end, only to earn a light chuckle, but that was it. The smile didn't last long.
"Why don't you guys find a nice place while I prepare a cup of coffee," questioned the cocky guy sarcastically as he folded his hands over his chest, protruding his biceps.
"Chill, bro... you see-" before he could finish what he was to tell, the man left the place before speaking a few words with Mr. Trovorrow paying no heed to Zavior.
"Uff... never mind," Zavior waved his hands, "Just give us some time. We'll get to know the information. Your bike's on me, and this one's on my grumpy friend," he gave an assuring smile and left just like the grumpy guy but with a warm shoulder.
Mr. Trovorrow came walking toward Alice, "Thank you, all, for cooperating with us," he nodded his head and gestured for Alice to talk with the cop in private, "It's best the cafe's closed till the case would solve, Ms. Anderson," said the man before he bid farewell.
Alicia sighed out loud as he walked out of the cafe seeing the cops leaving one after another.
"Now, that Sir Adrien has been transferred to our side, guess this ain't gonna end like any other case out there."
"Yeah... he seems to look too serious. Better not mess with him, buddy. Our lucky times are gone for real," she heard the two cops speak to each other about the cocky guy before they got on their police bikes and left.
She shook her head and glanced over the street. People sent pitied looks at her as if it would bring back everything. There was no doubt they were rejoicing in the little murder mess.
She let a tired sigh as she turned about, and looked at the damaged cafe. If what the cops spoke of was true, the future of their cafe was all on the guy named Adrien. Gloria's heart would break more than it already was at the news. She had to speak to Mr. Cocky. No matter what.
So much to everyone's relief, Diego hit his unconscious state soon after the syringe was injected into his neck. The drug was working. The doctor continued the first aid easily. Afterward, Diego was taken to the hospital. Edgar was taken to the hospital before Diego, given the reason he had lost his life on the very spot. The crowd at the cafe was dispersed. Everyone was devasted.
How could they not?
Melissa had long left the cafe and not soon, Gloria and Bryan did so too. Alicia, Tony, and Naomi were the only ones left at the cafe. Tracie the other girl left feeling sick at the sight. She was not ok with bloodshed. So, the three got together and started cleaning the mess at the cafe.
"Miss? Your phone!" Tony came running with Alicia's phone in his hand.
"Must be my mom. Guys, leave the rest to me. It's enough for today."
"But-"
"No buts... You guys must be tired of all that has happened. I'll let you know if anything is up. Just keep me updated on Diego's health," she said, giving them a reassuring smile. Both the staff took off their aprons and left the cafe. They didn't need to change their outfits like usual as they'd already done it.
Rubbing her face, she answered the phone ringing for the umpteenth time.
"Hey, mo-"
"Alice, my dear, Are you alright?" silence preached for a while but didn't last long. Mrs. Anderson was restless. Alicia was aware of it, "Our neighbors were speaking of a rogue vampire attacking a cafe. Don't tell me it was yours. They weren't clear with the information, so I thought of ringing you. Is everything alright, Hun," the panicking voice of Anderson came from the other side of the phone.
"Yes, mom. I'm totally fine," Alicia's voice came broken. But she tried her best to sound good.
"Oh my gosh, baby! That's a big relief," she heard her mom leave a big sigh of relief. She could hear the muffled voices of their neighbors in the background. Surely they were all waiting for the news expectantly.
"Mama?" she spoke weakly, holding back her sobs, and sat on one of the cafe chairs.
"Don't worry. You're mom's unaware of the situation. No one's gonna break the news till you do so. Just come home safe. I'll be around her," she heard her neighbor Ms. Lisa's voice after a little while.
"Thank you, Ms. Lisa! I owe you for this," Alicia replied, relieved her mother was unaware of it, and Ms. Lisa was helping her.
"Oh silly girl, just make sure I get pretty offers at your cafe," she cracked a joke which made a chuckle escape her lips.
"If you would not mind, could you inform mom I'd be late home? There are some things to clear up in here," she requested weakly and ended the call with Ms. Lisa agreeing to her.
She let the tears flow freely like the water released from the dam, as soon as the call ended. She cried out loud for a long time resting her head on the wooden table. The tears in her soul became the tears in her eyes. They came as if her pain had at last condensed into a deluge of rain.