Liam gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as the car lurched to the side. He cursed under his breath, quickly pulling over to the curb and bringing the vehicle to a stop. Stepping out of the car, he let out a frustrated sigh as he inspected the left rear tire - completely flat.
"Damn it!" he growled, kicking the deflated rubber with the sole of his shoe. Liam opened the car door and retrieved his phone, quickly dialing a number as he paced the sidewalk.
"I have a flat," he said, his voice terse. "I might be late."
There was a pause as the person on the other end responded, and Liam nodded, even though they couldn't see him.
"Maybe a few minutes, but you can start without me. That's fine," he said, disconnecting the call with a heavy sigh.
Liam glanced around, his gaze settling on a cozy-looking café just down the street. Without a second thought, he made his way inside, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloping him. As he approached the counter, he couldn't help but notice a group of familiar faces seated at a table in the corner, their animated conversation and stack of papers catching his eye.
"Can I get a cup of coffee?" he asked the barista, his voice weary.
"Do you want it black or with cream?" she inquired.
"Black, please," Liam replied, then added, "And can I get a muffin too?"
"Okay, I'll get that for you," she said, quickly wrapping up a muffin and pouring the steaming coffee into a to-go cup.
"That'll be $2.99, sir," the barista announced, handing Liam his order.
Liam fished out his wallet and handed her his card, his gaze once again drawn to the group in the corner. As he waited for his card to be processed.
"Your card, Sir.", the barista said to him.
He turns around to take his card.
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Alicia stood up from her chair, her coffee mug in hand. "Does anyone want a refill?" she asked her friends.
"I'm fine, but I'll get your dad's corn bread, please," Nissa replied.
"Yes, please. I'll get a coffee too," Sarah chimed in.
"I got you girls," Alicia said, making her way to the counter. As she approached, a man suddenly turned around, colliding with her and causing the mugs to slip from her hands. The ceramic shattered on the floor, coffee splashing everywhere.
"Can you look where you're going?" Liam snapped, his voice laced with irritation.
Alicia stared at him, stunned. "Excuse me?" she responded, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"I'm sure I didn't stutter when I said you should look where you're going," Liam repeated, his tone harsh as he brushed past her and exited the café.
Nissa and Sarah rushed over to Alicia, quickly helping her pick up the broken pieces of the mugs.
"Are you okay, Alicia?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with concern.
"What a jerk!" Nissa exclaimed, angrily gathering the shards.
A waiter approached them, holding a broom. "I'll clean that up," she said, beginning to sweep the floor.
Alicia and her friends stood up, stepping back from the mess.
"You should sit," Sarah offered, giving Alicia's arm a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you," Alicia replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she followed Nissa and Sarah back to their table.
"Licia, are you sure you're okay? You look pale," Nissa said, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Yes... yeah, I'm fine," Alicia responded, sinking into her chair and trying to make sense of the unexpected encounter. She couldn't help but feel shaken, the man's harsh words and careless actions leaving her unsettled.
The waiter approached their table, her polite tone cutting through the silence. "Miss Alicia, shall I bring over the coffee?"
Alicia looked up, her gaze meeting the waitress's. "Yes, please," she replied, her voice slightly strained. "And Nissa would like the cornbread as well."
Alicia's eyes drifted back to Nissa, the earlier incident still weighing heavily on her mind. An uncomfortable tension hung in the air, and Nissa could sense the lingering unease in her friend's demeanor.
Determined to break the awkward silence, Nissa leaned in slightly. "Alicia, about what happened back there..." she began, her voice soft and sympathetic. "I'm here for you, you know that, right?"
The waitress, sensing the need for privacy, quickly made her way back to the counter to retrieve the coffee and cornbread. As she moved away, the three friends were left alone to navigate the aftermath of the earlier event.
Alicia took a deep breath, her gaze meeting Nissa's. "I know," she replied, her words laced with a vulnerability she rarely allowed to surface. "I just... I'm still trying to process it all."
Sarah reached across the table, giving Alicia's hand a gentle squeeze. "Take your time," she reassured her friend. "We are not going anywhere."
The simple gesture of support was enough to coax a faint smile from Alicia's lips, as she drew strength from Nissa and Sarah's unwavering presence. In the midst of the turmoil, the three friends found solace in each other, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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Liam made his way back to his car, his steps heavy with the weight of the day's events. As he approached, another vehicle suddenly pulled up beside him, coming to a stop.
A young man emerged from the car, moving swiftly towards Liam. "The keys, sir," he said, holding them out.
Liam accepted the keys, nodding in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Martins. You'll need to get the car towed back," he instructed, his tone matter-of-fact.
"I'll take care of it, sir," Martins replied, his expression resolute.
With a small sigh, Liam turned and made his way to the driver's side of his own vehicle. Sliding behind the wheel, he inserted the key into the ignition, the familiar rumble of the engine providing a small sense of comfort.
As Liam pulled out, he glanced in the rearview mirror, watching as Martins moved to Liam's abandoned car, already making arrangements for its retrieval. Liam's shoulders tensed momentarily, but he forced himself to focus on the road ahead, determined to put the day's troubles behind him, if only for the moment.
The drive was a silent one, Liam's mind racing with the implications of what had transpired. But with Martins handling the logistics, he could at least momentarily set aside the logistical concerns and allow himself to process the emotional turmoil that lingered.