Chapter 2: Angela pov

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?”