Three

Melody

He was staring at me! I was blushing so hard and I couldn't stop it from happening. I served him espresso then went to the kitchen. Why am I feeling this way? 

I need to focus on my job, I can't lose my focus. I need to earn so I can go to college. Next year, I'm going to turn 18 and my foster parents are going to kick me out for sure. I need to secure my future before I get distracted by things like this. I went back and continued to wipe the tables.

Another customer walked in and I turned to greet them but my eyes fell on the people who came in. Steven and his group came in. What is he doing here? Did he find out I was working here and came here on purpose so he could bully me out of school as well?

They sat in the middle of the cafe and on my table. I can't even see Aliya anywhere. Where did this girl go when I needed her!?

I felt two gazes burning through my soul. And I knew for sure one of them was Steven's. I turned around to look at the other one but the seat was empty. Where did he go? I saw the cup pressing down some money. So he left. I sighed. 

Wait, why would I sigh? What is happening to me? I went to collect the money and put it on the cash register. He gets ninety six dollars in return. 

I went to take orders from the new customers. Hope it goes not how I expect it to.

"Good evening, how may I help you?" I asked professionally.

"Is this not our little mouse." One of the guy said while smirking. Here it goes.

"Sir, this is my workplace. Please don't cause a scene here. Can I please take your order now or do you guys need a minute?" I said politely.

"We will do whatever we want. Got a problem with that?" Another guy said.

"Hey guys, stop it. We are here to eat, let's not make a scene here. Also it's not her place that if we mess up, she would get in trouble. We are the ones who will get into trouble. So just leave it." Steven spoke up. 

I was stunned. When did he get so nice and considerate? Last time I checked, he never missed any chance to mess with me. He looked at me for a moment then spoke up.

"We would like 5 plates of chicken sandwich, 5 colas and 3 croissants." He ordered and I wrote them down. 

I went to the kitchen to drop the orders when I saw Aliya clinging to the chef while they kissed. Totally wrong time.

Before I could leave, they broke apart and both looked at me. I gave them an awkward smile and left the order note on the table. I didn't know there was something going on between them. I need holy water to wash my eyes with. 

The guys were talking and laughing loudly when I got back there. I don't have much work as there aren't many customers today. So I went to the changing room to rest for a bit. I don't think our boss is going to visit today. Actually, she barely comes to visit this place. I heard she's a pretty wealthy woman. I heard she even has a son. I wonder what he looks like. Our boss is a drop dead gorgeous lady. She looks like she walked right out of a fashion show. The way she walks through the cafe to see if everything is alright. 

Sometimes I wonder how it feels to be that pretty. I am not a jealous kind of person but my insecurities sometimes seem that way. Often my mind wanders around things that make me upset. I should be happy that I have a roof over my head and food to eat. There are so many people out there begging on the road so they could have some food. Even at the foster care centre, we could barely eat a good amount of food. Not to mention the quality of food. 

I should be glad that I got taken in at a young age. My foster mom, Anna took me in when I was 10 years old. From then, I lived with Anna and her husband Robert. I heard they are Asians but neither of their names said so. I don't have that kind of relationship with them either to ask about personal questions. I only ever talk to them if necessary. Anna is a very serious kind of lady and she scares me. So I don't talk to her much. Robert on the other hand used to be friendly when I was younger but day by day, he also got distant. I wonder if Ashley got something to do with it.

Ashley is our typical nosy neighbour. It's like she knows everything happening inside a house. And the smith house seems to be her favourite to keep up with. I don't even know where she gets all those energies to enquire about people like that. Ashley saw me with Steven one time. I don't know how. Steven was bullying me and I guess we were standing very close. I was holding tears so my cheeks were pretty red and she assumed something else. 

Aliya came with the orders and left them on the counter. I went to collect them and served them to the group of boys. The whole time, Steven was looking at me. I was so uncomfortable but couldn't say anything either. I know there is a bully session coming in at school. I literally despise the way I get treated by them. But I can do nothing about it.

"Where are the croissants?" Steven asked me. That's when I noticed there were no croissants on the tray. 

"Sorry sir, there must be a mistake. I will go inside to check on it." I said 

“It’s fine. Just cancel that order. I don’t have the whole day to wait.” He said nonchalantly. But there was a silent warning looming. I could feel it. 

“Sir, wait just a minute, I will be back with croissants.” I said pleadingly. He can report me and I might lose this job. I can’t let that happen.

“I said, cancel the order. Don’t you understand english? I am pretty sure I’m not using  any accents either.” He said with an evil grin. 

“I’m sorry sir. This won’t happen ever again.”

“What if it does happen? What will you do? Lick my shoes clean? Clean our desks everyday? Do all of our homeworks? Oh wait, you will do them either way. Won’t you, little mouse?” He said with a sense of mockery. He knows what he can make me do. He is from a rich family while I live with my foster parents. He knows I can’t hold a candle against him.

“Sir, please for once respect what I said. This is my workplace, not highschool.”

“Okay, okay. Since the little mouse grew up, we will ‘respect’ what she said. Won’t we, boys?” He asked his friends.

They smirked. “Of course we will.” they said in unison.

“Wait, do you guys smell it?” Steven said.

“Yes we do.” the guys said while sniffing. Here it goes.

A glass of cola was thrown at me. I closed my eyes and felt the droplets spilling down from my head. 

“Next time you dare talk back to me, be prepared for the consequences.” He and his group walked out after that. 

I went to the washroom to clean up again. I came back with the cleaning tool to mop the floor. I still feel sticky all over. Why does he have to bully me on every chance he gets? I never troubled him. Neither did I do anything that might upset him. Then why he does these mean stuff to hurt me?

Aliya came after a few minutes with the croissants in her hand. She looked at me questioningly. I sighed.

"Where are they?" she asked.

"They left." I said.

"Why is your hair wet?" She asked me again.

"They spilled cola on me because the croissants weren't on the tray." I tried to explain.

"That's weird. Well I think you need a shower. You go home early today. I can manage and it's your half day today anyways."

"It's too early to go-"

"Don't worry about that. Just go. It will be alright." She took the mopping brush from my hand and pushed me towards the door.

"Okay but I'm feeling up for you when you need  me."

"You don't need to. Now go, you stink." she said the last part jokingly.

I chuckled and went back to the dressing room to get my bag.

I was walking down the main street when I bumped into someone. 

"I am so sorry-" I apologised and lifted up my face when my eyes met the same grey once I saw earlier today.

He stared right back at me. He looked stunned. "It's alright." he said after sometime and took someone's hand and walked away. I met the handsome man again. Does he work at the 'Salvatore industries'!? He must be  very intelligent. And way out of my league.