Cafe de Amor

Chapter 1

Lovino trudged out of the tall, windowed business office with his paint canvases in hand. "That bastardo doesn't know good art when he sees it! My art is magnifico!" He shoved through the crowds of people getting out of work into the cafe across the street. "Try different styles! Get a new subject! Go for different perspectives! Well, he can get a new perspective of my-" He banged into the counter with the cash register, causing him to break out of his ranting.

A man with tan skin, brown hair, and green eyes stood behind the cash register and smiled at him. "Hi! What'd you like to order today?" His bright eyes twinkled in the sunlight, but Lovino just looked past him at the menu, finding something to get.

'Ah, I don't care. I'll just get whatever you would. Could be a bowl of merda for all I care." The cashier handed him a number card and Lovino walked over to an open table in the corner and placed the card in the holder. He stared at his canvases next to him and tipped them over so they fell to the ground. "I never even should've tried. Maybe I should just go work at fratello's market." He sighed and leaned up against his chair, blowing air into his bangs.

The cashier came to the table with a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and a plate of churros with chocolate sauce. "Here you go! Freshly made, too! I recommend dipping the churros in the chocolate sauce, it's delicious!"
Lovino was surprised at his kind gesture and tried one of the churros. The cinnamon flavor filled his mouth, and the crunchy, fried exterior turned into warm, soft dough. He took the other end and dipped it into the chocolate. The smooth chocolate complimented the churro and combined with the cinnamon for a sweet delicacy. Lovino

reached into his pocket for his wallet once he finished eating it. "Ah, I'm sorry I didn't pay earlier, here you-"

The cashier pushed his wallet away and smiled. "It's on the house, I could tell you needed it. My name is Antonio, by the way, so if you ever want that again, just ask whoever's at the front for me. I work every weekday from 7 to 6." He left a receipt on the table that read "1 Hot Chocolate, 1 Churros w/ Chocolate, Price: $0" and it had a small smiley face at the bottom. Lovino finished his churros, then stuffed the receipt in his wallet and into his pants pocket, and picked up his canvases and walked out the door. "Maybe I should come back again tomorrow," he thought as he walked down the street to his apartment.