Song: ...baby one more time - The Marias
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Luscious
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"You'll start on Monday, you are dismissed." He said, picking up the paper with my signature on the bottom.
Without even looking in his direction, I stood up and left the room, making my way back to the common room to break the bad news to Angel and Brandi.
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I woke up the next morning to the blaring of my alarm as it read 9.00.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes as I slammed the alarm off, not wanting to start the day so early as I had just gotten back to my apartment at 5.00.
With only four hours of sleep behind me, I abruptly sat up and, in an attempt to wake myself up, splashed some cold water on my face which only left me cold, wet and annoyed.
I got ready for the day and went into the kitchen, glancing at what there was left, which wasn't very much, and pursed my lips as I took out the last two eggs and started to fry them. As they were cooking, I knocked on Robbie's door, trying to wake him up.
Saturday mornings were never his thing.
"Robbie, time to get up if you want to make it to practice," I called out through the door, loud enough to wake up the whole building before returning to my eggs.
I placed two pieces of toast in the toaster and put on the kettle, setting out two mugs for us.
Though we lived in New York, my parents had bought this apartment when they first moved which had now become a blessing since it had two bedrooms, which is a hard thing to find for a cheap rate, as well as the fact that we didn't have to pay rent.
The bills still came through though, and they were never kind.
Mumbling and grumbling, Robbie exited his room and headed to the bathroom, dragging his feet behind him.
I chuckled to myself at his hate for waking up early, especially on a Saturday, though he had no choice if he wanted to continue playing football.
I placed the fried eggs and toast on a plate as well as some butter on the side for him and finished the teas, taking mine into my room to get ready for my day jobs.
I fished my drab uniform out of the back of my closet and put on the ugly collared shirt and black trousers, tucking it in to make it just a little bit more fashionable, and swiped on some eyeliner and mascara.
I grabbed my bag, something that had started to come apart from the seams, and stuffed it with all my necessities before quickly finishing my tea and entering the kitchen yet again.
"Hey Robs," I said, lightly ruffling his hair, "Have a game today?"
He nodded, his mouth full of toast and eggs.
"Okay, buena suerte, se que lo haras asombroso."
Translation: Good luck, I know you'll do amazing
I washed my mug, placing it in the drying rack.
"¿Yendo a trabajar?" He asked, finally taking a break from stuffing his mouth to take a sip of his tea.
Translation: Going to work?
"Si, when's your game end?" I asked, turning around and leaning on the sink.
I watched with obvious disgust as he shoved half a piece of toast in his mouth at once.
"Around 1ish, I think."
I nodded, checking the time and quickly realizing that I was going to be late if I didn't leave now. I rushed over to the shoe rack and started shoving my feet into some shoes.
"Okay, come to the cafe to get some food afterwards, if you bring your friends, they're paying for their food and they don't get to use my discount," I informed him, shrugging into my very oversized coat.
Robbie started to protest but before he could, I slammed the door behind me and started my walk to the cafe.
I took the elevator down, placing my earphones in my ear and blocking out all the people rushing to get to their work, just as I was.
My fingers were just starting to feel the coolness of the air as I reached the cafe, pushing the door and immediately being relieved by the heat within.
"Hey Margot," I greeted her behind the cashier, pushing away at the buttons, so busy she barely got a greeting out to me.
I put my things in the back and informed my boss, Angelique, that I had arrived before being assigned some tables to wait on and my day started.
The rude customers never startled me as I had plenty of practice due to my nighttime employment, but still, they were never a welcome sight, and today there seemed to be an influx of them.
I checked the clock hanging up and read that it was 1 PM, meaning that Robbie would most likely be coming soon for a break and something to eat.
My shift would end at around 2 PM so I'd walk him back to practice after he ate, if his friends didn't show up.
I stood behind the cashier, no longer waitressing but instead taking orders from the counter.
My head was down as I took a customers order, noting down all of the complications, no pickles, skimmed milk, extra cream, extra salted caramel, as an incredibly familiar voice broke me out of my trance like state.
"Ophelia."
I looked up, shock taking over my body as I came face to face with the boss from my other work.
It took me a second for me to realize that he had said my name as I stood there, frozen to the spot. I cleared my throat and looked back down at the machine, still typing in the previous customer's order.
"I use Ambrose here," I replied quickly, finally finishing up the other lady's order, printing it out and handing it to the kitchen staff, writing her name on a cup and sticking the various complications on it and handing it to the barista.
When I returned to the boss, my usual wide customer smile was on as I asked him, "Welcome to our cafe, what can I do for you today, sir?"
I saw a flicker of amusement glint in his eyes as he took in my obviously fake smile.
"Flat white and a ham and cheese sandwich." He said, still studying me as I punched in his order.
"Is that all you'll be having today, sir?"
"Yes."
I pressed enter and told him the price.
"And what's the name for the order?"
He handed me the money, his eyes narrowing as I mentioned that he would have to give up his name.
"Why would you need my name?" He questioned, causing an annoyed customer behind him to sigh profusely.
"We need it to know which order is yours after they're made, sir," I explained, my hand hovering over the empty cup and looking at him expectantly.
He sighed, not happy about this complication.
"Alessandro." He said, his voice strong and unwavering, watching me patiently as I scribbled his name on the cup.
I couldn't help but notice the way his tongue rolled over the r in his name, his almost non existent accent pushing its way forward.
"Thank you Alessandro, just take a seat and listen out for when your name is called," I said, smiling a little as I passed on the cup and order.
His eyes whipped to mine as his name slipped out of my mouth.
"I much prefer you keep to sir," He stated, sitting down at the furthest corner of the cafe, leaving me a little shocked as I continued to serve the other customers.
I continued to glance at the clock as I served, though I couldn't help but steal some looks at my boss, Alessandro, his eyes glued to his phone screen.
I couldn't help but conclude that he was my private booking, who else had a voice like his? Though a little trickle of doubt continuously wriggled its way into my brain.
I was 99% sure it was him, but that other 1% told me a different story.
Loud laughs and the jingle of the door snapped me out of my thoughts, causing me to look up, my face instantly melting into a smile as Robbie came into view.
Two other boys trailed behind him all with wide smiles.
They must've won.
"Hey," He said, obviously brimming over with excitement.
Before I could question him about his excitement, he blurted out, "We won!"
A large smile split my face in two as I congratulated them all.
After all the congratulations had been said, I asked them what they wanted to get today, making sure to tell the other two boys that my employee discount only applied for Robbie, which made them laugh and shrug it off.
They didn't have the same money problems, judging from the designer sports bags they carried with them.
"I've got some other customers, but I'll come sit with you all afterwards and you can tell me all about it," I said, and the boys nodded and sat off in a booth, close to where Alessandro silently brooded on his phone, too wrapped up in their world of winning to notice anything.
I rushed around with their orders, making someone else take over the cashier as my shift was close to finished anyways.
When I had finished their orders I brought it over to them and my shift was officially finished.
With a sigh, I collapsed next to Robbie, and just let their conversation of the match blow over my head, sneaking some chips from his plate every once in a while.
"Has comido hoy?" He leaned down to whisper in my ear, only speaking to me in Spanish in public when he didn't want his friends to understand.
Translation: Have you eaten today?
I shook my head at him, sneaking some more food from his plate, "I'll get something from the back."
He nodded, easily slipping back into the conversation.
I looked at my phone and saw that it was getting onto 2.30.
"Do you boys want me to walk you to practice or are you good?" I asked, making sure to look at Robbie as I did so.
"I think we'll be fine, Ms Morales," One of his friends said, his cheeks flaming a little red.
I smiled at him, "Call me Lia hun," I told him before looking back at Robbie, "¿Necesitas dinero para el autobús?"
Translation: Do you need money for the bus?
His hand immediately went to the back of his neck, rubbing it slightly.
"Creo que sí," He admitted, seeming a little guilty.
Translation: I think so
I quickly took out my purse and took out $10, discreetly slipping it into his hand.
"Lia, esta es-," he started to protest but I quickly quieted him.
Translation: Lia, this is-
"Ganaste el juego, consíguete algo bueno después de la práctica, no es que ganes muy a menudo," I said cheekily though his team was one of the best in the state.
Translation: You won the game, get yourself something nice after practice, its not like you win very often
As I stood up, I snatched his beanie from his head, he tried to snatch it back but I quickly evaded him, sending a grin in his direction.
I was about to exit the shop but a shout quickly stopped me, "Come algo!" Robbie shouted from the other side of the cafe, making everyone inside quiet down and look between the two of us for a short moment.
Translation: Eat something!
I waved him off, quickly dashing behind the counter and grabbing a scone, letting Angelique know to take it off my salary. Shrugging on my coat, I left the shop with a small wave to Robbie and his friends.
I only enjoyed around two minutes of silence before large footsteps shook me out of my silence, causing me to look back and meet the face of Alessandro.
"Ophelia," He said, now walking beside me.
I looked at him with wide eyes as I chewed some of my scone.
"Good afternoon, Sir"
I saw a small smile tug at the corner of his lips at the way I addressed him.
"I didn't know you had a day job," He admitted, not looking in my direction.
I took another bite of my scone, which was doing a good job of filling me up, sitting like a rock at the bottom of my stomach.
"I met you a month ago."
He hummed, glancing at me through the corner of his eye, still sticking to my side as I took a right turn.
Where was he going?
"Does your boyfriend mind your work? He seemed a bit on the younger side."
Confusion overtook me when the word boyfriend, passed his lips. For all I knew, I didn't have a boyfriend, it wouldn't be fair to him knowing how busy I was to make ends meet as it was.
"I, uh, I don't have a boyfriend," I admitted, slowing my pace and feeling a little sheepish.
His head snapped in my direction and, noticing my slowed pace, slowed his.
"Oh I thought that boy was-"
Then it clicked in my brain, he thought Robbie and I were together.
"Do you mean Robbie? Tall, dark hair, came in with his friends?" I described, the picture starting to click together.
"Yes."
I made a face of disgust and started to walk again, thoroughly disgusted by his thoughts.
"He's my stupid brother, that's gross," I said, finishing off my scone.
His face stayed stony as he mulled this over.
"I hope this job and your brother won't get in the way of your new responsibilities," He stated, retreating into the strict boss I knew.
"Of course not, Sir," I replied, remembering my new 'promotion' which led me to a smaller paycheck.
We walked in silence for a few moments before I reached where I needed to be, my next job. To my surprise, Alessandro followed me inside the small flower shop.
He watched as I greeted Matthew before I disappeared into the back for only a short moment to grab my apron but when I came back out, he had gone.
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a new look into her life, I hope you enjoy.
don't forget to check out my other novels.
2294 words
okay bye ly all thank you sm for any and all support