I frown before opening the door and see Anya looking uncomfortable.
“What is it?”
“They left this and told me to make sure it came directly to you. It was a little scary, they were quite serious and intimidating.”
I look at her hands and she is holding a small pocketbook, when I open it my mouth falls open in shock.
“Oh my god! What did you do for them to leave you that?!”
“I served them coffee and a latte, then left them alone.”
“Really that’s it? Oh wait, was it your special latte?”
I nod and she grins knowingly.
“Stop it Anya, I don’t do anything to it that no one else would.”
“Nuh uh, actually you do, everyone comments that it’s the best they have had anywhere. That’s why they keep coming back. You are special girl, and you don’t even see it.”
“Whatever, it’s not like I’m going to be a waitress my whole life. I will eventually need to find a career.”
“No don’t say that! My bestie can’t leave me here alone with all the teen pervs!”
I laugh, she is so dramatic sometimes.
“Who’s leaving?”
We see Jack walk in from his break holding a cigarette in one hand. He is handsome and takes great care with his looks, he has bleached blonde hair with a blue streak through it. The top is long and flops into his eyes, dark thick eyebrows frame his hazel eyes, and he has long lashes as well. A medium size nose and narrow jaw, but lips that most women have to get surgery for, plump and pink.
I have seen him on the weight machines once or twice when I pass his gym during my runs. He keeps fit and has a six-pack hidden beneath his chef uniform, but he is not bulky and actually walks with a saunter instead of a swagger.
It was a shock to me the day he started working here a year ago and he introduced himself saying, “Hello beautiful ladies, I look forward to working with you, but you will be disappointed to learn that you won’t be able to woo me as I am already taken by my sexy boyfriend.”
Anya had groaned in pure heartbreak causing us all to laugh and I found I felt comfortable to be around him knowing he wouldn’t try to date me. I jolt back to the present when I realise, I still haven’t answered him.
“No one, Anya is just being Anya.”
She looks at me with a wounded expression and I chuckle again, closing the notebook around the money they left me. I put it in my locker and return to the customers.
The rest of my six-hour shift passes calmly and before I know it, I am taking off my uniform and putting on my still damp hoodie to head home. Thankfully, the rain has stopped so the walk back is more pleasant, but I am still feeling cold and remembering what Mrs. B said this morning, I run myself a hot bath as soon as I get in.
I put my damp clothes straight into the washing machine and while that does its thing, I soak my weary limbs in the suds feeling the heat seep in deep down to my bones.
“Achoo!”
I sneeze and am shocked for a moment but pass it off as my body temperature adjusting and think no more of it. Once I am clean, I step out and wrap my fluffy black towel around myself and put my hair in another. Walking to my bed, I sit and use my hair dryer while looking out of the window at the afternoon sun.
My mind travels back to the two businessmen and that tip they left me. It was easily enough to cover the cost of three hours in the chair with Anton. But what I don’t understand is why they would leave it.
I finish my hair and braid it before putting on my favourite baggy T-shirt and jogging trousers. I watch some tv while I eat my dinner but soon my head feels heavy and I get tired, so I decide to get an early night and head to bed.
The next morning my head feels worse, I have a pounding headache and my skin feels hot to the touch. But I have to work today, so I drag my aching body out of bed and into the shower hoping it will help. Once I arrive for my shift I quickly dress in my uniform and head into the kitchen to check on the preparations for the day.
“Achoo!”
“Aaahh!! Angel, don’t scare me like that!”
“Sorry Jack, you look funny though, is that tea cake batter on your head?”
He grimaces and looks at the mirror.
“Urgh my hair! You owe me for the hairdresser bill I’m going to get from this.”
“Oh please, don’t be so dramatic you diva. Besides, I didn’t know I was going to sneeze.”
“Speaking of, are you okay? You look pale and you’re shivering.”
“Yeah, it’s just a cold, I will be okay.”
“Alright but take it easy today okay? Tom will have my head if anything happens to his favourite employee.”
“Noted, thanks Jack.”
I walk out to the front of house, but my movements are sluggish, and my head is getting worse.
“Angel dear, are you okay?”
“Hmm? Oh, Mrs. B good morning.”
“Sweetheart you look like you are fighting to stand. Maybe you should ask for some time off.”
“No, it’s okay, I’m fine I promise. Coffee and pancakes?”
“Sure.”
I pour them their coffee, but I notice my hand is shaking from the strain and I head to the kitchen before they can ask me more questions.
Unfortunately, it seems I moved too fast because when I attempt to take the pancakes from Jack my vision darkens, and I feel myself fall to the floor before blacking out.
I am unaware how long I have been out for but as I regain consciousness, I hear voices around me, my head hurts, and I can’t open my eyes.
“Sir it’s about Angela.... yes well, no, actually she collapsed.... I have her in the back room resting but she has a temperature and I’m worried.... can you give me leave to take her home? Actually, I need the address.... uh huh. okay got it.... yes, I will let you know when she is awake... bye.”
My mind drifts away to the dark once more as I pass out after hearing Jack talking. The next time I wake up I can tell I am in my own bed, tucked under the covers. There is a cool cloth on my forehead and I slowly force my eyes open to glance around me. I turn to my right and almost scream when I see someone next to my bed. But I calm down as I realise it is Jack, and he is kneeling on the floor with his head on my mattress sleeping.
I am still in my clothes I wore to work and it’s dark outside, so I quietly slip out from the covers and sneak out of the room. I’m hungry, so I walk to the kitchen to prepare some soup and put the coffee machine on.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Aaahh!! Jack!”
I scream and drop the milk from my hands at the sound of his voice behind me, but he is quick and catches it before it lands.
“That was close, and I’m sorry I startled you.”
“No worries. Thank you for bringing me home and staying with me. Would you like a coffee?”
“Could I have an Angel latte?”
“Sorry, nothing here to make that with, it’s just basic coffee.”
“Shame but I am sure I will enjoy it anyway.”
I turn back to my task as the microwave pings to signal my soup is done.
“I don’t have much, but I can make you a sandwich if you like.”
“No Angel, I’m fine. You focus on yourself, you scared me and a few of the regulars when you fainted.”
“Sorry, I thought I would be okay.”
“You really need to take better care of yourself girl.”
“I did get straight into a hot bath when I got home, but I suppose I just spent too long in my damp clothes yesterday.”
“Oh, that reminds me, Tom said to take a few days off to rest properly and not to worry about wages, as he will let you have full pay.”
“What?! That’s crazy! I can’t let him do that.”
“See, that is why everyone loves you, you’re so selfless and kind. Take the time and rest well. Then you can come brighten our days again once you are better.”
I smile and we sit in comfortable silence as I eat, and he drinks his coffee. Jack's lack of interest in women makes me feel safe in his company, but it isn't just that, he is a genuinely sweet person and I enjoy his presence at work. I never thought he would be sitting in my flat with me, but here he is, and I find his company pleasant. An hour later he leaves, once I promise I will stay home and rest as ordered, and I shower before settling in to watch a movie.
For three days I remain cooped up in my flat, boredom set in on day one and I was already calling Tom to let me go back to work. But he resolutely shut me down and insisted I take a minimum of three days to recover.
Today is my first day back and I am so happy I think that I am a little crazy.
As I walk out from the back room to begin my shift there is a commotion that makes me snap my gaze up and I see our regulars are all looking at me with huge smiles.
“Angel!”
“You’re back!”
“Finally, it’s lovely to see you sweetie.”
I blush and thank everyone for their kindness before making sure everyone has what they ordered and then spend some time cleaning down the empty tables. It’s a little later, when I am returning to the front after taking my break, that a shout comes from the front door.
“Where is she?”
I peek out and see Tom, standing at the counter looking around, and customers are staring at him in shock. He has a fatherly aura around him, and I instantly felt a connection with him during my interview.
He is in his early forties about six foot tall with dark brown hair that is peppered with grey now. His blue eyes have a warmth in them that draws me in and makes me feel protected. His jaw is stubbly from where he hasn’t shaved in a few days and he has a crooked nose, as though it was broken and reset poorly at some point.
He doesn’t take particularly good care of his health though and I am always on at him about his diet and smoking habits. I have seen pictures of him from when he was my age, and he had a footballer’s body back then. Lean muscle and broad shoulders, but since his divorce last year he has gained weight around his stomach and smokes too much.
“Tom?” I ask as I step out from the back room. “Are you okay?”
“So, are you ready to go?” “Mmm.” “Come on Grant, I know you’re hungry, maybe today we can order those tea cakes.” “What is it with you and that tiny cafe anyway?” “Best coffee in town and great service. Although, she hasn’t been there the last couple of days and no one will answer me when I ask.” That catches my attention, I know who he is talking about, the goth girl who served us on Monday, and made me that latte with the wing in the foam. I was surprised by the choice of decoration and was suspicious of Ellis when he sat staring at me over his regular coffee as I took a sip. I was shocked when the flavour hit my tongue, I am usually particular about how I like my coffee made but this was definitely the best latte I have ever tasted. A shame I was still in a bad mood, from my earlier run-in with some punk in the rain. Who bumps into someone else and doesn’t even apologise, then has the audacity to call me, rude? I didn’t see where they went as the rain was too heavy and I wa
“Hahaha, I told you not to.” “Oh, shut up.” He pouts like a child and not the twenty-eight-year-old man I know he is, and I laugh harder, causing him to throw his napkin at me. We get a few curious looks but for once I don’t care. “Come on I have a meeting at two, it’s time to leave.” “Ugh fine.” Ellis stands with me and we begin to make our way to the counter to pay. “You owe me for the coke stains on my jeans and you are going to pay for them to be cleaned.” “No, I don’t and no I am not, now if you would please leave, you are causing distress to the other customers.” “Bullshit! You poured my drink in my lap, I should have you fired.” “You are disrupting the peace, please leave.” He reaches out and grabs her wrist and in that moment is when I see it, just like when Ellis held her hand on Monday. Her body freezes and her pupils dilate, then her breathing begins to increase and I see perspiration forming on her brow. “That is quite enough.” My voice rings out clear, even tho
I thought he was going to touch my cheek and instinctively flinched but then he surprised me by pulling away. No one has ever noticed in time to stop before and I wonder if he is just naturally observant. But the severe expression on his face was more frightening to me than the idea of being touched by him, the similarity to my stepdad was enough for me to have flashbacks and I don’t like it. Once they leave, I get up and take a look at myself in the mirror, my makeup is a streaky mess but thankfully it is just my eyes. Everything else is still fine, so I rinse and reapply my eye makeup, while Anya watches from the doorway. “You know, despite the fact that the two of you argued so fiercely, I think he likes you.” “Ha! What, ever would make you think that a guy like him, would ever want anything to do with a person like me.” “Oh, just the fact that he marched your attacker off premises and then came looking for you to make sure you were okay. Broke the door down to help you and cau
“What are you trying to say Anya?” “Either he hates the way I make latte, or he was just there to check on you.” “Or both.” Says Jack between chews. I stare between the two of them as though they have both gone mad. “You are kidding me, right? It’s a public cafe, anyone can enter at any time for any reason. Maybe he just wanted a latte then changed his mind.” “He was sat down for a maximum of about ten minutes before he left.” “I still don’t believe he was there for me.” “Well, I may have a way to convince you.” I frown at her; I knew she wasn’t saying everything. “What now?” “Oh, only his business card that he left and asked me to give to you and only you. Also, a picture I took of him from my phone.” “Anya! You paparazzied a customer?” Jack shrieks. “No Jack, I took a quick picture, to show Angel that under the crisp suit, is a man who is just like the rest of us, but sexier.” “Oooh really let me see. I love ogling sexy men whenever I get a chance.” I roll my eyes at J
I was disappointed when I found out that she was not working on the weekend as I had wanted to attempt to clear the air before my flight. I stayed up late the night before plagued by thoughts of her and how we were unable to have a civil conversation, which only continued to annoy me more and more, as time passed by.I cannot understand why the thought of her disliking me upsets me so much. I never had this issue with my ex, in fact I only married her because our families insisted on it, there was never any love there.Attraction was not necessary for me to be able to coexist with her in our home and the sex was fine, but even when the frequency became less, I didn’t care.Now I see it for what it was, a sign that she was playing around outside of our relationship, whereas I remained loyal to her all the way through. It is hurting her now, which I relish because she broke the terms of our marriage by cheating and therefore, I have the right to demand a divorce and am not obligated to
I am gripping the phone with such force that my knuckles are white. My fury at what I just heard is frightening, even to me, but I don’t like the idea of her having another male close to her. I know she isn’t breaking any rules because there is nothing going on between us, but still, the idea of another man in her life is painful to me. The only thing that is able to calm me is the sound of my name on her lips. It’s the first time she has said it and somehow, it calms the rage in my blood, and I am able to even out my breathing a little. “Who was that Angel?” “Huh? Who? Oh, it doesn’t matter.” “It does to me, I would like to know who is with you.” “Why?” “Please tell me.” I can hear the edge in my voice as my anger is beginning to grow again at her avoidance of my question. “Grant, are you the jealous type? Because there is nothing between us, so what would give you that right?” “Angel, you are right, I am the jealous type; however, I also am right to be concerned for your we
I have no idea what possessed me to call him, but I am glad I did. Talking with him is so natural, it is just like breathing. There is never a time that we struggle to find a topic and before I know it, dawn is breaking on the horizon and I have spent the entire night talking to this man. His voice rolls over me like warm syrup and holds my attention like no other person ever has. It’s been an entire week since that first call and so far, we have spoken every night until either, really late or until dawn. I’ve managed to avoid telling him about my insomnia, as he either takes me at my word for not being tired or he insists on hanging up, when he realises how late it is, which I find really sweet. I never thought that I would place Grant and sweet in the same sentence, but it happened, and I was a giggling mess for about ten minutes afterwards. Jack and Anya have noticed a change in my mood, but I have not told them that I’m talking to him. Something is holding me back from saying a
“Buzzzz! Buzzzz! Buzzzz!” I am still wearing the clothes I wore to the shops. My over-large black hoodie, on top of my long sleeve top and baggy black jeans. My buzzer is still being pressed so I drag myself up and cross my flat, in the dark, since it’s not the first time and peak through the viewfinder in the door. Shock ripples through my veins and my heart begins beating faster as I see who is standing on the other side of my door. I don’t believe my eyes, a part of me is excited to find out why he is here, but at the same time, I am scared to let him in. As I watch he presses the buzzer again and I can tell he is not going to go away anytime soon, so I take a deep breath and gingerly open the door. “Grant?” “Hello, Angel.” “What are you doing here? How do you know my address?” “I came to see you. I just returned from my business trip and called to talk, but you weren’t answering