3
1307 Words
Chapter Three
Emma
Lumiel sits as a massive superstructure in the town centre.
As we drive past, its various buildings seem to never end.
It's almost like the Du-Montes own all of Southlake, seeing as most of the land here belongs to them and they have almost all the other organisations under their name.
The sight of the luxurious cars parked along the building facades could make anyone crumble in envy. I've never been that interested in vehicles but these ones have an allure that makes me wish I could own one, even if I'd never bother to drive one.
Just to pretend I'm in the same class with the richest family in Southlake, even though I'm more than content with having to take the bus to work every week.
I turn away from the window and hold the pole of the bus, ready to stop once I reach the café
Then I catch someone staring at me from my periphery.
It's a man with curls tied firmly into a ponytail while holding a camera in his hand.
Once he notices me staring at him, he quickly looks away.
All of a sudden I feel very uncomfortable.
Layla told me that what happened that night was nothing to be thinking too much about, but every time someone looks my way, It feels like they know more about it than I do.
I hope the day runs out before anyone tries to remind me of what happened.
Something tells me that if I do remember, I'll be more paranoid than I already am.
I walk through the café door and see a few of my co-workers gathered around something in the back. They're talking and snickering as they throw very weird glances at me.
I don't know why but my heart jumps to my throat.
“You're late” someone interrupts my thoughts.
My manager stands next to me, his hands buried in his pockets as he looks down at me with not so much of an expression in his eyes.
“I'm sorry. I got caught up in… something “
He nods, though not really acknowledging what I just said. “Get to work.” He bellows.
“All of you. Now!”
Everyone in the back scurries back to their posts, so I hurriedly join them and change to my uniform before returning to the counter.
There Noélle stands alone, writing down an order for the customer in front of her.
Once she notices me by her side, her face contorts into a smile. I smile as well, happy that at least someone here isn't snickering and glaring at me.
We both have something in common; we hate everyone else here; that's why we always work together.
“Didn't think you'd be able to make it to work today” She says, tucking strands of her short purple hair inside her head tie.
“Why not?”
“Nothing, Just that you left work in a haze the other day. Are you okay?”
“To be honest, I can't remember much that happened on Saturday. The whole weekend was a haze.” I sigh.
“Happens to the best of us” She says just as the bell on the door rings to announce the arrival of a new customer.
The man from earlier on in the bus, walks into the café, the camera now hung around his neck.
He plods toward the counter before finally looking at me.
I hold a perplexed look on my face, sort of certain he's following me.
Then again, why would he?
“Can I get a cappuccino please?” he says.
“Sure thing. Anything else?”
“Can you make that six cappuccinos?” He refrains.
“Okay. That's twelve Euros. Can I get your name?”
“Albert”
I quickly write it down and pass it on to Noélle, who goes on to prepare his orders.
“Thank You, Emma.” he says, and this time my heart jumps.
He notices my shock as a playful smirk plays on his lips, before gesturing to the name tag on my chest.
As if satisfied with my reaction, Albert then takes a seat at the far end of the café, his eyes never leaving the counter.
His camera, especially, never leaving his table top, and never facing any other direction but the counter.
“Do you know who that is?” I whisper to Noélle, hoping she's just as creeped out as I am.
“I thought he was a friend of yours.” she replies.
“He isn't. He's been following me since I got here. What does he want?”
Her eyes widen a bit in concern, “I… I think it's best if you stay in the back while I stay here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Just go to the back Emma; I'll take it from here.”
I trust Noélle—at least just this once—that she knows what the hell she's doing.
So I go to the kitchen and resume making the coffee, all the while my hands are shivering so much that I can barely hold the cups.
I close my eyes and take deep breaths.
I need to trust Noélle to handle—
“Bonjour” a gentle voice from beside me startles me.
I look at the owner of the voice; it's five foot tall Renée, looking me up and down in disdain.
“Bonjour” I reply smugly.
She still stands next to me which is very unlike her. It starts to make me feel uncomfortable, again.
What's with everyone and behaving out of character today?
“How did it feel?” Renée asks, her lips twisting like she's holding something back.
“How did what feel?”
“Being that close to a Du-Monte”
“What do you mean?—” I ask, my eyebrows furrowed.
She looks around before gently pulling out a piece of paper from behind the boiler.
Her hands are gentle, just like every other part of her; You'd hardly realise that she was the biggest b***h in the Café.
Renée hands me the paper and I soon realise it's a picture of Zavier Du-Montes in a colourful room, most likely a bar, with a lady beside him.
A lady clad in a tight black dress, just like the one I have in my closet that stinks of alcohol from the night I can't remember.
“That's you, isn't it? In the picture.” Renée asks, watching my expression change from confused to horrified.
The lady's face in the picture isn't shown, but somehow Renée recognises that it's me.
“Where did you get this?” I ask, the memories of that night suddenly flooding into my head all at once.
“Manon works for the local newspaper during the weekends. She found this among others.” She says, like that answer helps at all. “So, have you two always had a thing?”
“Emma, how's the cappuccinos going?” Noélle suddenly appears from the counter, her presence saving me more than it should.
I glance over the cups I've prepared. They're up to six already.
I glance at my fingers; they're shaking even more than before.
“Are you okay?” Noélle asks with an eyebrow arched.
“I'm fine” I reply, feeling my heart beating hard in my chest.
“I'll help you with that” Renée says to Noélle, taking the cups into a tray.
As Renée goes to serve the man, Noélle turns back to me and asks the same question again.
This time I nod my
head, but as soon as she leaves, I run to the changing rooms and lock myself up before anyone can hear me scream.
- Writer
