~Chapter 49~
Katya
"Welco to ’The Cozy Cup,’ what can I get for you on this beautiful morning?" I flashed a warm, radiant smile as I greeted the elderly woman.
My voice smooth, lodious, and welcoming, standing in a white shirt and dark slacks, my hair neatly tied in a sleek bun, and my pen poised over my notepad, ready to take her order like I was taught.
The soft light of the café danced across my face, illuminating the faint scars and bruises that still lingered from my ordeal.
It had been two days since my near death experience and three days since my narrowed escape from Mr Salvatore’s estate, and I was still on high alert.
The mories still lingered and so was the injuries, etched in my mind like a vivid nightmare and my body.
I was still on high alert, senses heightened, and heart racing with every sudden noise. But I knew I had to keep moving, to blend in, stay hidden, and work tirelessly to pay off the debts and the twins’ mom’s bills.
I’d taken on a daunting task of juggling not one, but two jobs. By day, I work as friendly waiter at ’The Cozy Cup,’ a charming, quaint little café nestled in the heart of the town
The café was renowned for serving the most delicious pastries and aromatic coffee in town, or so I’d heard from the friendly regulars who frequented the space.
My shift ran from the crack of dawn till late afternoon, and I so how manage to find solace in the bustling atmosphere, the clinking of cups, and the warm chatter of the friendly regular.
And by night, I work as a bartender at ’Midnight’ a trendy bar that served up craft cocktails and drew in a lively crowd.
It was the perfect cover for a girl on the run– who would ever think to look for in a busy bar or càfe?
Aria and Frank had also secured additional jobs, which was a blessing, considering the staggering amount they owed.
The more jobs we landed, the better our chances of paying off their debts. I recalled the day we went job hunting, and how both of my prospective bosses had taken one look at my battered face and asked what had happened.
"I was jumped. They stole everything I had, beat almost to death, and now I have no job and no money." I rembered Aria’s lie, the one she had concocted to explain my injuries, and how surprisingly effective it had been.
The sympathy was high, and both bosses took pity on , offering the job on the spot.
I felt guilty because of how sympathetic they were but it was a small white lie and it worked wonders.
*****
"A cappuccino with a slice of lemon pound cake, please," the elderly woman said, gently.
Snapping my eyes back to hers, my pen poised over my notepad as I carefully took down her order. The words barely readable as I still learnt how to write correctly.
"Coming right up," I chid, forcing a bright smile onto my face.
Smiling was an unwritten rule at ’The Cozy Cup,’ and I knew I wouldn’t dare not greet a custor with a warm, welcoming smile.
I walked back to the counter, the elderly woman’s order clutched in my hand, and made my way to the espresso machine.
"Cappuccino and a slice of lemon pound cake," I said to John, the chef, as I handed him the order.
He looked up from the pastry he was arranging, a charming grin spreading across his face. "Well, good morning to you too, Katya," he said, straightening his posture and abandoning the task at hand.
For a mont, he just gazed at , his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. A flutter in my chest, but I quickly pushed it aside.
Focus! Custors were waiting, and I had a job to do.
"Good morning," I mumbled the words slowly, barely above a whisper. John was standing in front of , his warm smile and piercing gaze making feel uncomfortable.
Recalling our first eting, when he had surprisingly expressed his interest in , despite my battered face. His words still lingered in my mind: "You’re beautiful, Katya...if I ever find the guys who did this to you, I’ll take them down."
Ofcourse I had brushed off his comnt, attributing it to re politeness, but his sincerity had left shock or flustered.
I’d lied to him too, spinning the sa yarn I’d told my boss - that I’d been jumped, beaten, and left for dead. It was a unbelievable tale but still good.
John’s voice broke the silence. "Why the long face, my love?" He took a step closer, his eyes searching mine, but I instinctively stepped back, creating so distance between us.
Hastily handing him the order. "A cappuccino, a slice of lemon pound cake, and I’ll be on my way." My words were curt, but I couldn’t help it. John’s proximity made feel uneasy, and I needed to escape.
I turned on my heels, scanning the café for my next custor. A young lady, seated at a table by the window, her eyes glued to her phone.
Typical. She didn’t even look up as I neared, too oblivious to her surroundings, her fingers flying across the screen as she typed away.
I approached her table, my fake smile plastered on my face, ready to take her order.
"Welco to ’The Cozy Cup,’ what can I get for you on this beautiful morning?" My voice bright and cheerful, as I stood beside her table.
These words had beco my water, a familiar refrain that I repeated countless tis throughout my shift.
Yet, despite the repetition, they never seed to lose their warmth or sincerity, maybe.
The girl didn’t even flinch. She didn’t raise her head, didn’t make eye contact, and didn’t respond.
Deep breaths, Katya deep breaths. I pushed it aside, taking a deep breath as I reminded myself to remain patient and professional.
Smiling again, my lips curling upward in a warm, inviting smile. "Welco to ’The Cozy Cup,’ what can I get for you on this beautiful morning?" I repeated, my voice slightly louder this ti, as I tried to pierce the bubble of her distraction.
I paused, waiting for a response, willing her to look up and engage with .
But she remained engrossed , her fingers flying across the screen of her phone as she typed away.
Frustrated but composed, I suppressed my annoyance, knowing I couldn’t let it get the better of .
With a quiet sigh, I decided to move on, leaving her to her phone-induced trance. But just as I was about to shift my attention to the next table, she finally responded.
"Just tea," she said, curt and dismissive.
Rude! I nodded politely, struggling not to show my irritation. "Cup of tea," I repeated, my tone neutral, as I dropped the order onto my notepad.
I quickly moved on to pick up the elderly lady’s order, which John had already prepared.
As I reached for the tray, I expected John to make so comnt or joke, but instead, he remained silent, his attention focused elsewhere.
That’s weird, I thought, looking back at him. But John wasn’t even acknowledging .
I followed his eyes direction and that’s when I spotted them- His eyes were fixed on two n who had just walked into the café, dressed in suits, one holding a briefcase.
Who are they? My heart rate spiked, racing with anticipation as I feared the worst.
Have I been caught? Has Mr. Salvatore finally tracked down? A chill ran down my spine, and my hands began to shake.
Forcing myself to take slow, cautious steps towards the elderly lady’s table, trying to maintain my anxiety.
I pasted a kind smile on my face, giving out the cheerful sound, "Enjoy your al!" I bead, dropping my eyes to my feet as I hastily retreated from the table.
The worst-case scenarios, was what my mind was conjuring and I dreaded the thought of approaching the two n in suits.
Hoping against all odds that they weren’t who my paranoid mind was making them to be, I steeled myself, wiping my sweaty palms and approached their table.
My fake smile spread across my face like a mask, and I began the usual greeting. Here goes nothing, "Welco to ’The Cozy Cup,’ what can I get for both of you on this beautiful morning?"
Both n snapped their eyes towards my face, their gazes piercing. I almost fainted, my heart skipping a beat.
Their eyes seed to bore into my soul, and I felt like drowning in their intense gaze.
Why are they looking at like that? Oh lord, this is not good. Just order your damned al and be on your way, I silently pleaded.
My smile was slowly dipping, my lips trembling with the effort of maintaining a facade of calmness.
Stop being paranoid! I scread in my head, my inner voice in jumbled panic.
Shutting my eyes, taking a deep breath as I tried to calm my racing thoughts. But as I opened my eyes and looked back at the two n, my heart sank. I knew, with a sinking feeling, that I had spoken those words out loud.
The air around us thicken, my face burning with embarrassnt at my slip-up.
What had I just done?
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