Working in a Café is pretty much interesting. You meet a lot of people with different characters, some wild and some reserved, you meet the generous tippers and the stingy fellows, those that couldn't let go of even a single cent. It was also very exhausting, lunch break was thirty minutes only from twelve to twelve-thirty.
Dusty's Cafe was pretty famous around the area, so we had lots of customers pouring in every single minute.
"Give me a break, don't they ever stop coming?" this was like the I don't even know the number of coffee I've made today.
As one customer was leaving, fifteen more were entering.
I've never felt much happier when it was time for a lunch break.
"God I'm exhausted" My fingers ached from all the work.
I plopped on a space on the couch next to Carlos.
"It's your first time here, you'll soon get used to it"
Carlos grabbed my hands and massaged my fingers, then he attempted to crack a few.
I turned my head slightly to get a better view of him.
Carlos was more of that innocent exterior-looking, naughty interior kind of person. He had short dirty blonde hair left in a wavy messy appearance, his gray eyes sparkled with mischief and he was never caught without a smile, typical playboy vibes. He had holes for piercings but didn't wear anything except two pin earrings. His palm was calloused, meaning he worked out on a regular...
"Are you checking me out?" his voice contained humor.
Whoops! Caught in the act.
"And if I am?"
"I'm afraid I can't indulge you, your brother would hang me on a stake"
"You know my brother?"
All long-lasting conversations began with a common point of interest and I had found one.
"Yes. We were close friends"
"Were? Are you two no longer friends?"
"That one is my fault" he looked at me, this time a little more serious than the Carlos I had seen before, and suddenly he smiled.
"All done"
He left my hands and I flexed my fingers. It didn't hurt as bad as before.
"You worked a miracle" I clenched and unclenched my fists.
"Special doctor Carlos in the house"
"More like special pervert Carlos in the house" Lena walked past swinging her hips and Carlos didn't even look away, he shamelessly ogled it then he wolf-whistled.
"You shameless scum! Keep your eyes off my behind"
James cleared his throat loudly.
"Seriously Elena? We have young adults in the house, you're corrupting their minds"
"Blame it on Carlos"
"Me? What exactly did I do? I just whistled, you're the one who said the forbidden words"
Lena glared at him and Carlos gave her a sly smile.
"Shameless" Lena turned and continued walking.
Mariah entered with Troy behind her.
"We're all here, so we can start"
Linnea passed hot coffee around.
"First of all, as the manager, I want to welcome our newest recruit, Selene Orlando, to the establishment, I hope you enjoy working with us as much as we enjoy working with you"
"Here, here"
The rest was something about customer relationships and salary increases, something that didn't concern me since I was a recruit.
"... Lastly, I was thinking of rotating our areas. What do you guys think?"
"Can I work the VIP section?" Lily raised her hand and then asked.
"If you agree to rotate it?"
"Who exactly works VIP section?" I whispered to Carlos.
"Daniel"
"That means he gets more tips, doesn't it?"
"Depends on how many people are willing to sit in the VIP section"
I see.
It was easy to understand. The VIP section had more tip opportunities but that depended on how many people decided to sit there.
If he got at least six to seven people, he would make a lot of tips but if he got only one or two, he would make less than normal.
It was like sweet alcoholic wine, sweet and poisonous.
The clock chimed and I suppressed the urge to groan.
"That's all for today's meeting. Let's get back to work"
"Selene, you work the counter for two hours, it would help the hand"
I felt so much relieved.
"Thank you"
Minutes passed and I was already hating working the counter. People preferred to eat in than take out, which means I was left for so long doing nothing but just staring at the customers that entered and trying to memorize their faces.
"How's it going honey bunny?" James snuck a piece of tart from the tray he was carrying and pushed it into my hands.
"Slow. The counter is so boring–"
"You're not there because Elena doesn't want you working, your fingers need a break"
"I know but I'm not doing anything"
"That's the point"
I hate being unoccupied and yet here I was complaining of my aching fingers when I had suffered much worse.
"You should eat that before it cools, it tastes better when it's hot"
I took a bite.
My did it taste good.
"What's this?"
"Sablé Breton Tart with Cranberry Curd. I added a bit of my family's secret syrup recipe to it. What do you think?"
"It's delicious. I love the way the raspberry melts in the mouth and I can still taste the cranberry"
"You a gourmet?"
"Nope"
I ate everything.
"I have to go now. If you're sure you're well rested, tell Elena"
"Thank you, for the slice of tart too"
"No problem"
I gritted my teeth and bore it until an hour was over before I told Lena I was well-rested and continued working.
I sat on a chair and stretched my aching arms.
Who would have thought the day would finally come to an end. From the glass windows, I could see the sun setting.
The Café was still occupied.
"Are you okay?" Lena took a seat next to mine.
"Yes. Just a little sore in my arms"
"Wanna come over? I'll make you dinner. You can bring Kelvin too"
"I'm afraid Kelvin is very busy today, he might not make it"
"Ohh! Well, then you come over"
"What are you going to make?"
"Something spicy"
"Okay"
Soon it was time to go home, I waved the crew bye, told Lena she was going to see me at nine and then set off for the taxi stand.
"Where to?"
I gave the man the address, halfway through the ride I decided to take a lone tour so I had the taxi stop me at somewhere I didn't know.
I raided a pastry shop and had sat on a bench to enjoy the spoils when a huge man suddenly towered over me, I swallowed down my fear and asked in a clear voice.
"Can I help you?"
"The Boss wants to see you"
"I'm sorry? Who?"
"Follow me"
Who does he think he is? How would anybody in their right senses follow a total stranger?
He stopped and turned around.
"I'll carry you if you don't walk, either way, you're coming with me"
I was in the middle of a park, people were still around, wasn't that termed broad daylight kidnapping or broad evening light kidnapping as in my case?
"Go bug someone else" I hoped that shooed him away and I turned back to my pastries.
I felt myself being lifted. The man had me slung over his shoulders.
"Put me down this instant" I pounded my fists against his back but he didn't even flinch.
He put me down before a sleek sports car and stood blocking the exit so that I couldn't run away.
"I'll scream if you don't move away"
"I advise you not to waste your breath and save it for when you'll need it. Go in" he pointed to the car I was currently trapped against.
I filled my lungs and let out a scream.
People turned, looked at me then at the tall man then at the car, and then back at me, some threw me sympathetic looks and continued walking without bothering to help, and some didn't even turn.
What was wrong with these people? Didn't they see this man bullying me?
"Go in. You're wasting your time, I can stand here all night"
I opened the door while facing him in case he wanted to try something behind my back, not that I could stop him if he did.
When I turned to the driver, my heart fled from my chest, up and out of my mouth, and dissipated into thin air.
Mafia Jason was resting his head on his steering wheel and looking at me.
"You took your sweet time"
I focused on breathing anything other than the aura he radiated.
"W-w-where are y-you taking me t-t-to?" I couldn't help but stutter.
"I have a job for you"
"W-what?"
"Did your screaming damage your ears?"
He leaned back on his seat and watched me.
I felt my stomach grumble.
He started the car and soon we were speeding down the road to somewhere unknown.
After some minutes we stopped at a bustling street, people were still gathered as though it was daytime.
"What is this place?"
"The night market. Now here's what you're going to do for me. See that man over there..." He leaned closer to me and pointed to a Chinese noodles stall where a man was making Chinese noodles, I found myself breathing him in. He smelt like alcohol mixed with a hint of spice and the musky, masculine scent that was uniquely his. The scent of him coated my tongue and I swear I could taste him.
"...Are you even listening to me?"
His cold words snapped me out of my reverie.
"Of course. What did you want me to do again?"
"Pay attention next time"
"Okay?" Next time?
"Get him to green fall gardens, it's not too far from here"
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
"Think of a way, you have ten minutes. Now, get out"
I got out of the car and he drove off before I could close the door.
"Asshole"
I spent minutes replaying in my mind which method I would use to get the man to escort me to green fall gardens.
Mustering up courage, I walked to his stall.
"Hi"
"Hi. What can I get you?"
"I'm lost, could you direct me to green fall gardens?"
"Green fall gardens?"
"Yes or perhaps you can show me the place if you're not too busy–"
"I'm not" He closed his pots and locked his stall. "Shall we get going?"
Why was he so willing? Shouldn't he be at least suspicious?
We rode a taxi and it might be my imagination but I think I saw him looking at me while licking his lips, even the taxi driver was giving me strange looks.
What was going on?
We stopped at the large park covered from the outside world with large thick trees and shrubs.
Now, where the hell was Mafia Jason? Didn't he ask me to bring the man here?
Two big palms grabbed my butt cheeks. I turned to face the man while moving away to keep my distance.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean? You invited me here and you're asking what we're about to do?" He removed his tee and flung it somewhere on the grass then he unbuckled his belt, pulled off his pants, and tossed it aside also. He stood in his boxer shorts which bulged due to his erection.
"What are you doing?" I asked again when I didn't get a clear answer.
"I've waited for so long, I almost lost my self-control in the taxi" he moved closer and I stepped backward. He suddenly sprinted and pushed me against a tree.
"I don't have all night to play tag with you dearie"
Cold fear gripped my spine.
"Step away from the lady"
I'd never been so glad to hear his voice in the two minutes we knew each other.
Jason had his gun placed behind the man's head.
The man's name which I came to know as Jackson stepped away from me.
"Men like you are easily ensnared, just send a fine face and you're already letting your guard down. Do you think Siegel Costello would cover your back forever?"
Fine face? I was more than a fine face.
"Where are they?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, I only did–"
A silenced shot rang out and the man was on his butt holding his leg. The bullet had passed from the back of his knee, straight into the bone, and then out of the femur.
He swore and held his leg.
"Where are they?"
The man didn't answer.
"One last chance before I put a bullet into your skull. You tell me and I'll let you walk away or rather limp away alive but if you don't–"
"Give me your word that you won't kill me"
Jason scoffed.
"I give you my word"
"Salvatore has them. He's holed in Bulls & Balls motel" he groaned again and clutched his legs.
"That's nice to hear"
A tall man appeared from the shadow and cocked his gun.
"Wait, you gave your word. You said I would live"
"I said I wouldn't kill you, I never said someone couldn't do it for me"
"You despicable..." a muffled shot and the sentence hung in the air with the smell of gunpowder.
My ears were still ringing, and the smell of metallic blood reached my nose.
"It's not nice for a lady to see such things Maverick, you should have done it after we had gone"
"Sorry Boss"
"Let's go"
It was the first time in my life that I had seen the light leave someone's eyes.
"Do you want to walk or are you coming miss Orlando"
I followed behind him as he walked to his car.
"Maverick, do you have a cigarette?"
"I'm out Boss"
"I need a smoke, all this tension is killing me. You head on to meet Minx, I'll take this one home"
"Yes Boss"
We entered the sports car.
Jason bent down to search the glove compartment for a cigarette.
"Fuck! I should always keep extras"
"Did he have to die?"
I finally said what was weighing my mind.
Jason looked up from where he was bent.
"That's not how the mafia works, we cut loose ends or threads, threads that might cause the structure to weaken. Jackson was a loose end, he ran a business for me for three years and all it took to get him to deflect to the Skulls was a fine face and a not-sexy naked body, he should have been long dead if I had time for him. Fuck!, no cigarettes. Don't tell me you feel sorry for him?"
I did.
"He almost raped you and you still feel sorry, do you know what would have happened if I wasn't there?"
"And whose fault was it that I was there at that time with him?"
"Don't shift blames" his voice deepened and a hint of threat was audible.
I shifted in my seat.
"He's dead anyway and there's nothing you can do about it. No word to the fucking cops or I'll come after you too"
He started the ignition and stepped on the gas.
"Where do you live?"
"Fifty-three Whisp Lane"
If I knew what was in store for me, I wouldn't have given him my address, but then again, I'm not clairvoyant so I didn't know.
"Buckle up"
"Hmm?" Jason's sudden command was strange.
"I said buckle up" he attached his seatbelt securely around his waist and waited until I had done so too before he stepped hard on the gas.
The car picked up speed and I felt myself lunge forward.