Moments later...
"Austin? What are you doing here today? Giving up your off day?" Nicole, a waitress at Royal Blossom cafe restaurant asked when Austin walked in.
"Hey Nicole," he greeted with a smile as he moved over to the counter. "So many people are here today, much more than usual. Are we giving out free food?"
"You haven't heard? The boss came here today," she said in a gossipy mood.
Austin was shocked. "H-How come? Is something wrong? Did he come to inspect our work or something?"
"No, not at all. He came to meet up with a woman. Rumour has it that they might be in..."
"Quit the gossip and get back to work. We have a lot to do," Yvonne scolded through gritted teeth, interrupting her. Nicole then started to set the tray of food ordered by a table as though she was already doing it.
"I believe today is your day off. Did you come to extend a helping hand, seeing that we have a full house?" Yvonne asked.
"Actually I had no idea we had a full house before I came," he said, taking a look around once again.
"I bet if you did, you wouldn't be here," she said with a chuckle.
"Oh you have no idea," he thought out loud and felt embarrassed when he realized he did. He tried to fix the damage his tongue had done by saying that wasn't what he meant but Yvonne wasn't interested.
"Why are you here? To gossip with Nicole or to order something?"
"I'm here for a date," he said with a full smile.
Yvonne and Nicole shared a meaningful look, Nicole looking unhappy, which was oblivious to Austin who was clearly daydreaming about his date.
"And you decided to have it here? Why? You want a free meal?" Yvonne asked.
"No, no, no, I didn't pick here. She did. It's Lana's sister, Andrea, the YouTuber," he explained.
"And you like her?" Nicole asked, causing Austin's face to turn a light shade of red.
"Wh-What? Pftt, why would you ask that?" he stuttered with a scoff, clearly indicating nervousness. "Andrea is a friend's sister, hopefully my friend too, but there's nothing going on between us...at the moment," he said and looked away, avoiding their piercing gazes. Nicole was about to speak but he interrupted her, "Please don't ask anymore questions. Fine, you know what? I'll help out till she arrives," he said and rushed in to get dressed.
★★★
Meanwhile...
Andrea's apartment...
Andrea had been crying her eyes out since she got home. "I'm never going to get over it. I'm damaged...completely," she wept and took a sleeping pill so she could fall asleep....totally forgetting about the date.
★★★
Noon...
Robles Construction Company...
"Mr Antonio Robles, good afternoon," Detective Donovan greeted as he was ushered into A Antonio's office by his secretary.
"Please have a seat Detective. I believe you have what I asked for."
"Almost," he said, trying to avoid eye contact with him but failing miserably. He knew disappointing Antonio was never an option and that always led to terrible consequences for the guilty party. Antonio gave him a lifted brow and that was definitely not a good sign. "I-I have what you asked for on the Marcus' issue..."
"Everything?" he asked taking the file being handed to him by Donovan.
"Yes boss and I believe it will be very helpful," he said confidently.
"I'll be the one to decide that," Antonio said with a one second fake smile, killing the confidence of the detective. "Looks good though."
"Thank you sir. This file," he said, handing over another file, "...contains all I currently have on Liliana Andrea Cabrera. Unfortunately, there's more, much more behind her and I don't think it's possible to get it..."
"You don't think it's possible?" Antonio asked, a hint of anger in his voice as he leaned forward in his seat. "I didn't hire you to tell me your job is impossible 'Detective'," he emphasized his title, "...I pay you because I need the best which you are believed to be...hence, you dare not tell me what the worst rookie would say. Even a mafia was discovered by you. What's a little kitten got to hide that you can't dig up?!" Anger was evident on his face and in his voice.
"W-What I mean is that it would take longer than I anticipated which was today b-by now," he stuttered.
"Why is that?"
"Well because, to get accurate details, which is what I do, I'd have to take a trip to Bronx State and from there, I'd have to go further. She was taken in by her foster family when she was 12 but before then, she lived with her mother and late brother in a town not too far away. Everyone who seems to know her speak rather of hearsay, not much certainty. I'd have to dig deeper and that would take some time. There isn't much to her on the internet but what you has let out about herself on her social media accounts. But I assure you that you'll have more information soon."
"I'll hold you to your word. See Lauren for your advance payment," he said and Donovan excused himself.
'What is really up with you Andrea Cabrera? I'll find out soon, rest assured,' Antonio said, glancing through her documents.
★★★
Royal Blossom (RB) café restaurant...
"By the Austin, was it a breakfast or lunch date you two were supposed to have," Yvonne asked.
"More like diner, you mean," Nicole said teasingly.
"Uh...she texted already," Austin lied, feigning focus on a menu. "She said she's a little under the weather so she's love for us to postpone the date."
"Oh okay," Nicole said with a disappointment.
"Aren't you going to check up on her?" Yvonne asked.
"I will...just not now. She's probably resting by now. She's really more of a night person actually," he said, still checking the menu, avoiding eye contact.
"Like a witch?" Nicole said in a low tone, not low enough to skip their ears, therefore, earning her a death glare. "It was just a joke guys. C'mon."
"Anyways, the first shift is over now so I should get going since I already wasted my off day," Austin said, trying hard to contain his disappointment.
"I'm leaving too," Nicole said hastily. "Maybe we can hangout if you've got nothing doing."
"I'm a bit tired now. I think I'll just go get some rest."
"Thanks for today Austin. Oh and don't worry, you can have your off day whenever you want. You've earned it," Yvonne said with a lot of appreciation.
Nicole was rather elated by the fact that Andrea bailed out on him. She never really liked Andrea because she thought she was cold and unfriendly. What made her dislike her even more was the fact that she thought Andrea got along with Austin so well and she didn't like how excited Austin got whenever she came around. 'Now, she's going out with him and even dared to stand him up?! How arrogant can she possibly be?! What does he even see in her?' she thought, fueled with envy and rage.
"Now I really hate her," Nicole said through gritted teeth.
"Oh c'mon cousin. It's not her fault he clearly likes her. She's probably trying to turn him off easy," Yvonne said.
"What on Earth does she have that I don't?"
"Absolutely nothing. If you love him that much, fight for him."