“Don’t keep customers waiting!”
Elina Brooke instantly pick up the tray containing the customer orders. How she hates Saturday, the diner was mostly occupied with teens. And most times were her mates from high school. Now in college. Flirting around here and there. Without the slightest shame. Or maybe she was just jealous, neither of them had swung their head around to look at her the second time whenever she walks past, their eyes were always down whenever she attends to him and when they stare at her, it come a withering glare. And a disgust look.
Mondays were more better, though It was always long and tedious and customer were mostly grouchy. And she received less glare and nothing seems to ruin her mood. Except her sassy boss. Lady Carol.
Well. She had come to accept her fate.
Hurrying towards the table at the corner of the diner where the order was been made at that moment one of the departing customers, pulled out of a chair and stepped backward without looking. Crushed into Elina, sending her careening to her to the right. And face down unto the next table. The tray slipped from her hands and splitters on the ground. She fell on the table, grateful the plate on the table were empty. She observed the water and coffee jolted wildly, while the plate skidded to the edge.
The Man on the table took the brunt of the accident as hot and cold liquid sloshed on his thigh and tie.
“I’m so sorry” she apologized to the man as he leaped off from his seat. With a glare, brushing the pants.
“Oh sorry “ muttered the coward who’d bumped her. Those stupid teens. He hurried away leaving her to face the wrath of the angry man.
“Are you that clumsy?”
“I’m really sorry.”
“Use this”
A napkin was thrust into her hands. She carefully blotted the the man’s tie.
“Am sorry.”
“Good for you “
“It wasn’t her fault, someone crushed into her.”
She swung her head around in recognition of the voice. And she met his cool gray eyes of the person who gave her the napkin.
“Raymond!” That was all she could say out of surprise, she couldn’t think of any other word, he doesn’t visit the diner on Saturdays.
Raymond was the very attractive friend of Elina, the only one she had keep so close or he had kept her close. Her childhood friend. Their mothers had forced them to be friends, even their mothers ain’t friends anymore but here they are still friends after ten years. He didn’t like Elina at first Because was fat. And unattractive. With her glasses. He teased her and made fun of her. But she was smart and was always helping him with school work. That was probably what got them sticking together. So she could help him pass his grades.
“Elina!” Lady Carol brawls
“You should leave.” She jabbed him on his back. A signal to leave now. Pronto! He did. But he didn’t leave the diner. He waited outside. Waiting for her to be done with her shift. It was just an hour left.
Without another word, her hand went directly to her cheek. Twice!
“What is wrong with you?”
Then she turned to the customer. Apologizing to him. And the other customer whose order didn’t get to him. But got devour by the cold floor instead.
“Get rid of that mess on the floor!”
She had no choice but to comply, squatting, she picked up the broken glasses and cups and the plate both the ones on the floor and the table, put them all in the tray and shamefully walked away into the kitchen and return with a wipe and began scrubbing the spot. Luckily for her, her glasses wasn’t broken but sustained a little crack. Nevertheless she still had to get it replaced.
“Are you okay?” That was the first thing he asked, when he spotted her coming out of the diner, holding her handbag. She back on her causal wears since she had taken off her uniform. Her skirt were buggy and long down to her feet. Her glasses were almost covering her face, he wasn’t new to her type of dressing, but still gets to him every time.
She smile radiantly.
“I wasn’t fired.”
He laughed. And stretched out his hands for a hug which she gladly accepted falling into his arms.
“You always look good Raymond What’s the secret.”
She pouted. Earning another laugh from Raymond. As they disengaged.
“Am not sure you wanna know that.” He winked.
“You’re so full of yourself Ray.”
“You’ve been so busy, there hasn’t been a chance to see you these days....”
She sighed and leaned on the railing.
“..For college isn’t?”
He was in college already, making her jealous she wasn’t.
“Yeah, That’s What have been saving for
Am alone now, you know that.” She didn’t say more than that, he knew that wasn’t a topic he should trend on. So he let it slide. And place a hand over her shoulders.
“I’m having a sleep over at your house tonight El. Movie night”
“Ewww, no way, you ate the entire cereal in the house, drink up all the soda. Decided to watch an horror movie. And left my house empty of stock. Leaving me with nothing. Just a night you spent. Am not doing that with you again.”
“Am taking beer tonight..”
She pat her head. Like a pet. Then stroke it. And smile down at her.
“What are friends for?”
“Then I stop being friends with you. Humph!” She pulled his hands of her shoulders and walked ahead of him.
Raymond laughed.
“I know you miss me.” He chuckled. Running up to catch up with her. His hands went to her shoulders again. Humming to her favorite song which he knew she couldn’t resist.
“Don’t test me!”
“Am just humming.”
“Yeah yeah.” She said sarcastically. And they walked further into the street. Until they were completely, out of sight.
The wooden plank squeak as they crossed the front porch. She opened the door, letting him in. He survey the room, just like the first time he came here. It was small and awash with blue. With a door adjacent to the kitchen, which was her room. The room was clean and neat. He settled down on the couch. Facing the TV set.
She dropped her bag, taking off her shoe. She went into the kitchen and held up a questioning glance. He nodded, and she poured them each a cup of coffee.
Taking the spot next to him.
“Tired?”
She nods, taking a sip from the coffee. And breath out.
“I hate saying it but it is what it’s”
His hand snooped around her again, placing her head on his shoulders.
“Am always here to help.”
“I know that, cause the next morning you’re traveling to Miami. And you phone would be unreachable till you’re back.”
“Am gonna be around for the next couple of months.” He stood up, unannounced, leaving her head falling on the couch.
Jerk!
Dropping the empty coffee cup on the table, opened the fridge, bringing out five bottles of beer. Lifting them up, so she could see them.
Returning to her side, she had the Tv switch on, looking for a particular movie to watch.
“Stranger things?”
“No, something else.” He set the beer on the table and uncap one for himself and Elina.
“And certainly not a Korean movie..” He chugged down the liquor.
“Are so annoying Ray. You should do this yourself instead.”
He didn’t hesitate to jump out of the couch, pulled her away from her TV set, and took her position, finding the movie contrary to his taste. And the perfect movie for tonight.
Nobody sleeps in the wood.
Returning to his spot, he held the bottle of beer and drink from it.
“It’s starting...”
He turned to her beside him. Already sleeping. Her head falling, he lay her properly on the couch. And sat beside her. Taking off her glasses. And admire her for a while. Elina was one weird girl he knew. Who became independent before she clock sixteen. His fingers lingers on her face more than he intended.
Withdrawing his hands, he slide to the ground, drinking.
Elina’s eyes flapped open, the first thing she saw was the ceiling, looking ugly to her, with the spider web, glaring at her. Just above her head. Coiling to the side, her head hits the table. Ouch!She whines, having a moue face. She remembered sleeping on the couch but she was now, she was on the floor. And Ray was laying comfortable on the couch. It was Sunday. There was something about the Sunday that doesn’t feel right. Standing up, she pick up the bottles from last night. Dumping the three empty bottles on the trash can. And fixing the two other bottles back in the fridge. Sauntering to the kitchen. Making a hangover tea for Ray. Cause he was gonna look like shit when he wakes up. Then brew a tea for he
“Am so sorry” Carol apologized, offering a hand to clean up his shirt. He slaps her hands off him. Ordering Elina to step forward. Carol rushed to Elina, pushing her towards the stranger. “I want her fired now!” Who the hell was he, to order her to get fired. Because he wore fancy designers jean and T-shirt. Just who the hell is the good looking imbecile. Because she has no idea who he was. “I really am sorry. For everything.” Carol pleads, while sending daggers stares her way, she knew she had to deal with Carol when he’s gone. She might as well, burn her alive or have her thrown out throw the window. She bows slightly and kick Elina by the knee to do same, which she reluctantly did. “Am gonna cl
“You haven’t said a word for about five minutes you’ve been here.” His voice was deep baritone. And calm. Ethan has forgotten why he was here for a moment. He was occupied in thought. “Why do you want to see me, Ethan.” Hearing his name from Kenzo lips brought a smile to his face. But he couldn’t tell him the reason for his visit, it would sound stupid and childish. And he doesn’t want Kenzo to look at him that way. “I came to see you.” He said instead. “Really?”“You hardly come over to the house, no one has seen you or heard from you for the past couple of months, you don’t pick calls. you didn’t visit. That’s why am here.”
Elina keep glancing at the clock on the wall, that has been the only thing she’s been doing for the past hour while eating her pancakes. She wanted a distraction, something to take off her mind off Ray, the look in his eyes, when she asked him out. He looked disgusted and totally off it. That’s what she’s been so scared of. Being rejected. Shithead!Who would want her anyway, she’s pretty. Plump and clumsy. Partially blind, couldn’t see a thing without her glasses. Tears prickle at the corner of her eyes. She’s not wanted. Shove the plate of pancakes aside and buried her face in her hands. With an already lost appetite. How’ll she face him no
“Is this some kind of joke. Ethan.” “Do I look like someone who jokes around.” Ethan inquired, standing so close to her now. Her jaw was down, she still couldn’t find the right words to say. “You’re not thinking of rejecting the offer are you?” “What am I gonna do there?” “The same thing you’re doing at Carols..”He bit his lips, there was a sinister smile at his lips, which Elina was too dump to see. Her head was banging at the amount. A million bunk. In a month. Her college fee is settled, her rent. Everything is settled with just that million bunk. She could even buy new clothes, shoes and bags. If she works for three months it would be wow!
The ringing alarm rang directly at Elina’s ear. She groaned, using her left hand to pick up the alarm and pulled out the battery, hurl the alarm aside. Covered herself property with the duvet, it was still quite early, just a little sleep would do, maybe thirty minutes and she will be up. She had slept late. About 3:00 am, while writing to Carol..“Get your crazy ass up!” “Wwwhat..” she spurred. Turning to her side. “Oh El. You’re so dead!” Why was she hearing Barbra voice in her sleep, probably a dream. “Get up.” She felt the duvet rolled out of her body, the comfort she was feeling was gone.“And you were saying
Raymond hurried to the door of Elina’s apartment. The door was locked. She wasn’t in, maybe she already at work. He ran out again, getting in his car and drove off. He’d missed her calls last night, she might have thought he didn’t want to pick them but that wasn’t it. When he tried calling her back she didn’t pick. It rang for hours. She wasn’t picking and he was calling her now. And the phone was switched off. He was damn worried. When she told him, she liked him, he was confused at first, he like Elina a lot. He didn’t expect to be so straightforward with him. He’d thought she won’t never confess. Because he knew she liked him. And he like her too. He just couldn’t bring himself to tell her. And he was so stupid to tell her, he didn’t like her. It just sl
Elina cried, curling herself in a tight ball around the corner. Her head was pounding, her entire body quivers. Like a chicken. The room was too dark she couldn’t see a thing, her glasses had fallen off when he dragged her down here. He buried her head in between Her thighs. Crying her eyes out. This wasn’t what she had expected, it was true, life doesn’t turn out the way we planned. Not the way she planned. She couldn’t wear lenses cause she do cry a lot, if she had decided to wear her contact lens, it would have pull off as well. “Oh gawd..” she cried. Wishing she could disappear or something. Far from here. From this monster of a man. She just had to be far from here! She cried. Quietly, she heard the door opened, but she couldn’t see who cam