Elliot is in the back baking some cakes and preparing some coffees, while Amber is serving and wiping the tables that customers already used. Maya on the other hand was in the cashier, taking their order and bringing it to Elliot in the back. Its just a usual day for them, now that Maya is with them, the work become easy for Elliot since he doesn't need to move around anymore. After a old couple order some coffees and cakes, a young man step forward, and suddenly hold her hand.
"...i can't believe how gorgeous you are, your beauty is going to waste if you continue working on this puny trash cafe...", he said which makes Maya uncomfortable.
Amber seems scared at the man so he goes inside and call Elliot. The young man continue flirting with Maya but she keep denying him, and doesn't want to be with this ugly shit. Elliot's younger brother, Victor, was a stark contrast to him in every way. His face was harsh and unkind, with a crooked nose and a thin-lipped sneer that seemed permanent. Despite his unappealing features, Victor dressed like a man who wanted to be noticed—his tailored suit, gold watch, and gem-studded rings screamed wealth. Yet, beneath the veneer of riches, his arrogance and the overpowering scent of cologne made his presence more grating than impressive.
"...so would you go out with me?", he ask with a stupid smile.
"...actually she is only seventeen so stop flirting with my friend...", Elliot said while leaning at the wall, and crossing his arm.
Victor who hears his brother's voice makes him sigh, and look disgust at him." Seriously brother? You look terrible...and disgusting in your clothing, maybe that's why father didn't give you anything...because you look like a failure...ow...you really are HA HA HA HA!", he laughs and this makes Maya and Amber pissed.
"Brother is not a failure!!", Amber yell.
"Yeah yeah!! Mr. Elliot is not, he took us and take care the two of us!! So he's not a failure, Pig!!", Maya yell and its make Victor lose confidence after calling him a Pig.
"SHUT UP PEASANT!! You girl, don't talk to your future husband like that! Its not appropriate!", he said pointing Maya.
"Yuck!! Not a chance pig!!", Maya said with a disgusted expression.
"Oink oink!", Amber mock him.
Elliot chuckles, he walk infront of them and stare at his little brother. Victor didn't flinches he stood also and gives Elliot a gang expression.
"Huh!? What? Gonna push me away?", he said.
"...nuh uh Victor, i'm glad father took care of you...how are you?", Elliot ask with a warm smile.
Victor gets pissed and push Elliot away from him,"Stop doing that!!! Everytime we see each other, you keep smiling like that!! I hate you for leaving me with father!! I hate you so stop doing that!!".
Few years ago, after our mother died from an illness we don't have any money to spend anymore and i tried to steal some foods, but its not enough to feed my little brother and me. My father came to the house to talk to me, lucky for him Victor was not in the house that time so we have some time to talk alone.
"Elliot, i will take your brother...he's not gonna survive if he continue living with you...", his father said.
"What about me!? You don't want me to come too!? Do you think Victor will like that!?", Elliot yell.
"...i'm sorry but your Aunt Clara only want him, she said that you have some humors that stealing some stuff...", his father answer.
"Wow!! What a great father are you!! You've become a slave to that woman!! Take him if you want i don't care anymore!! I don't have anyone...but myself..", he said and run away from the house.
As Victor came to the house, his clothes was already packed and my father is waiting at him outside, while i'm inside of the house mad and envious...but he was right, Victor will not gonna live if he continue to be with me...i can see his eyes that time, i can hear his scream and his cry...i can't look back...i'm scared...i'm weak..
"Brother!!! Help me!! I don't want to go with father!! BROTHER!!", Victor scream out of fear and crying so loud.
I was behind our house wall, crying so bad. I'm hurt no one cares about me that time, no one those...but myself only me...
On a market in the central town, Elliot was carrying some sack of rice towards the shop that he was working. He suddenly bump into a young man who wearing a expensive clothes.
"Watch it peasant!!", he said and turn around it was Victor.
"...V-victor..", Elliot whispers.
"...oh, my brother...look guys its my brother..", Elliot smile that he was not mad and happy to see him.
"...my brother who abandoned me...what a suck brother..", Victor said with his eyes full of anger and disgust on him.
"...how are you?", Elliot said with a smile.
Victor suddenly flinch, tears slowly coming out of his eyes but he wipes it, and change his expression to angry.
"I'm fine!! Thanks to you, worst brother!!", he said and left with his friends.
It hurts that he embarrassed me infront of his friends, but i understand it. It was my fault why he look at me like that. But even that, we continue seeing each other not just in the town but anywhere in the countryside, and now in my cafe.
Victor clenches his fist, and swung his arm towards Elliot's chin, Elliot was smiling and a split of second he dodges it effortlessly. Maya and Amber was shock at the fast attack that his little brother did.
"Stop being cool...because i'm the most cool than you!! In here and in the countryside!!! I'm more famous than you!!!", Victor yell and swing his arm again throwing a punch.
The tension in the café was palpable as Victor stepped forward, his fists clenched tightly.
"You've always been like this, Elliot", Victor spat, throwing a sharp jab aimed at Elliot's face.
Elliot tilted his head effortlessly, the punch sailing past him as he stayed calm. "You haven't changed, still holding the hate on me", he muttered.
Victor growled and followed up with a quick combination, his boxing skills evident in the precision of his strikes. But Elliot sidestepped each punch with a fluidity that seemed almost mocking. His movements were light and calculated, a smirk playing on his lips. As Victor overextended on a hook, Elliot capitalized. He spun low and delivered a precise kick to Victor's side, sending him stumbling into a table. The plates rattled, one crashing to the floor as Victor straightened up, glaring.
"You're faster than I remember, like those stealing stuff you did before..", Victor hissed, wiping his mouth and charging again.
Elliot ducked under the next blow and swiftly kicked Victor's legs out from under him. Victor landed hard on the floor, gasping for air as Elliot stood over him.
"You might be good with your fists," Elliot said, his voice even, "but you're terrible at thinking ahead. This is my café. Don't bring your mess here".
"...everyone sorry for the commotions, enjoy your coffee and drinks, i'll give you a free refill later...", Elliot smile, which Victor saw it.
Victor groaned, clutching his side, as Amber peeked out from behind the counter, wide-eyed. The fight was over before it truly began, leaving Victor to nurse his pride while Elliot calmly straightened a chair. He start picking the piece of shattered plate, Maya came to her snd help her. Amber is sticking her tongue out to Victor, when he gets up Amber runs away and hide behind Elliot.
"...tch, looks like you didn't waste your time being a failure to the family...i can't believe i lose to someone like you..", he said.
Victor get up and dust off his clothes. He was mad because he didn't embarrassed his brother, instead he was the one who got embarrassed infront of the others. He walk away towards the door, and was about to leave, he look behind and stare at his brother.
"...we are not done yet, i'll take that beautiful girl and i will make this cafe fall on its ground..", he said and walk out the cafe.
Elliot didn't do anything and just smile to his brother. Maya was kind of worried about what the man said, it seems she need to be careful on him, as she look at the clock, he saw that its already twelve o'clock which is the class is almost to start.
"Wahh!! I'm going to late! I'll go now Mr. Elliot!!", she said and took her backpack.
"Use my bicycle, it will help you for sure..", he said and took the plastic of shattered plate.
Amber took the coffee container and put it on the push cart, she start serving the customers some free refill of coffees. Elliot was happy that he saw his brother again, and it seems he was doing fine since the time he left rhe countryside. On a taxi, Victor was done calling someone, he suddenly remember his brother's word earlier which makes him smiles and chuckled.
"...what a old dude, don't need to ask those questions...he knows i'm doing alright..", he said and the taxi drove away from the cafe.
The day continue and the two of them become super busy in the cafe. Elliot stood behind the counter, making coffee as soft chatter filled the space. The smell of fresh coffee and warm bread made everything feel cozy.
Amber walked around with a tray, carrying coffee and snacks to a table. She smiled at the customers and said,"Here you go! Let me know if you need anything else!", Her voice was cheerful, adding life to the café.
Elliot handed her a cup of coffee with foam shaped like a heart. "For table three," he said, pointing to a couple sitting in the corner.
Amber looked at the cup and laughed. "Trying to impress them with your foam art?"
Elliot shrugged. "People like it."
The café doorbell rang, and a boy came in with his mom. His eyes lit up when he saw the muffins. Amber leaned down and said, "These just came out of the oven. Want to try one?"
While she helped the boy, Elliot wiped the counter, glancing at her. "You're good with other kids," he said as she came back.
Amber smiled. "Kids like me are easier to deal than people who haven't had their coffee yet," she joked, looking at a grumpy man drinking his cup.
The morning went by smoothly. Elliot and Amber worked together, serving drinks and snacks. They joked now and then, making the work feel less like work. In the afternoon, the café got quiet. Amber sat on a stool, sipping iced tea.
"Not bad for a Tuesday," she said, brushing her hair back.
Elliot leaned on the counter. "Yeah, thanks for your help."
Amber grinned. "Come on, like i'm not always here...", she chuckle.
Elliot didn't argue, just smiled a little as the day slowed down. Night has come and the two of them was tired once again, they are in the counter lying their face.
"...i'm tired so much...", Elliot said.
"...i'm hungry..", Amber mumbles.
Maya was confused why the cafe is still not closed, she enter inside seeing the two lying their face on the counter and seems tired. She chuckles and start closing the gate of the cafe, Elliot and Amber look at the door and saw Maya outside. She came inside using the back door, she stand behind them and just smile.
"...you two, tired? Well i guess you did a great job today, i'll cook for dinner..", she said and the two suddenly excite since she was a good cook.