Short Changed || #ONC2022

Chapter I

Shimmering blue eyes. Perfect, messy ringlets of brown hair. And, goodness, was it weird that she thought his forearms were hot? In one of his pictures, his shirt had been rolled up to his elbows, and there was something about those tanned, slim arms that had her weak in the knees.

Those gorgeous forearms would be worth the long wait. She was sure of it.

Not to mention his name. Al Moitzi. It just had a perfect ring to it.

Two minutes.

Besides, even if he was late, at least the scenery was nice. There were thorny roses crawling up along the fences, as well as marble statues of cherubs by each table. Her cherub seemed particularly special -- it was by a rippling water fountain, aiming its little arrow at her face.

In all honestly, she didn't appreciate the judgemental stare. It was hard enough being surrounded by the clutter of tinkling cutlery and flirty debates from all the couples across the neighbouring tables. The last thing she needed was this chubby marble baby aiming its arrow between her eyes.

One minute.

If he wasn't here in one more minute--

"Your drink is served."

Annabelle glanced up sharply. The waiter was there, a tray in his hand, his cheeks a faint pink from the drink he was lowering onto her table.

"Oh," Annabelle quickly said, "I didn't order--"

Then, she saw the drink.

Bright, bubbling crimson. Thin and deep, with even the ice cubes stained red along the surface.

"Cow blood," the waiter told her. "Just like you asked."

Annabelle tried not to gape. "I didn't ask for... You guys serve cow blood?"

"Yes. Would you like a slice of lemon in it?"

"Why would I want a slice of lemon in it? For flavour?"

"...Yes?"

She felt herself pale. The waiter laughed aloud -- a gentle, distant sound.

"I'm just joking," he told her. "It's just a Bloody Mary. The cocktail."

"Not cow blood?"

"Nope."

"Not even human blood?"

"Only if you take your hands off the knife, ma'am."

Annabelle lowered her gaze. Her hand had curled around the steak knife handle, and she hadn't even realised it. Go figure.

"It's not alcoholic," the waiter continued. "I didn't know if you drank or not. I asked them to just make a mocktail, so you don't need to worry about that. If you are, you know, worried. But if you do want it alcoholic, I can ask--"

"Don't worry," Annabelle cut in. "I didn't want to drink. But, really, you didn't have to do this."

He gave her a look that was almost sympathetic. "You've been waiting a long time. I think you definitely needed a drink."

She couldn't argue with that. Especially since the nine minutes had ended.

"Besides," he added, "I won't make you pay for it. It's on the house."

Then, with another one of those irritating winks, he was gone. Annabelle reached for the drink, stirring the straw, and sighed.

Perhaps the waiter had known, all along, that she was considering burning down the restaurant. Perhaps this Bloody Mary was just here to placate her.