Macy's Corner Cafe

Chapter 17

The cafe is busy. Macy is helping Sandra with the orders, while John and Peter are working their magic in the kitchen and at the counter.

It’s been two weeks since the incident at John’s house. All seems calm, but an uneasiness keeps bugging. Macy’s gut is twisting and she keeps looking over her shoulder. It’s as if she’s expecting someone to jump her. A feeling like she’s being watched keeps haunting her.

She’s also noticed that John, Peter and Sandra all have their guards up, their eyes trained. Like they are looking for something, watching the shadows. Expecting something to happen. They're all on edge.

It brings back memories. So many bad, painful memories. The first few weeks after she was rescued from The Warehouse and back at her home, she had the same uneasiness. Like she waited for the cartel to come back for her again.

A secret she would take to her grave. One that she would not even tell John, is that the McCullen g**g gave her to the cartel. She was sold once again by the people who were supposed to love and care for her. Sold to be used by men as they saw fit. She was not kidn*pped as the reports stated. It was all a cover-up.

The horrors she saw, experienced and heard is not something one tells as a bedtime story. It is something you want to forget, but it is burned into you mind, into every fiber of your being. If one is not cautious, it will consume your very soul.

Sometimes, she can still hear the young girls cry and scream as they are being brutally assaulted or beaten. She remembers the beatings. Tied to a pole like a dog and beaten with a whip till you passed out. With the last beating she got, she was unable to walk for a week.She was almost healed when John and his men rescued them.

She can still feel their hands on her body. Touching her, making her skin crawl with disgust. She was one of the lucky ones. It never went further than touching or oral. She was saved before that could happen.

The nightmares consumes her every night. Derek used to make fun of her. Saying she was a cry baby. He was heartless and cold. He broke her down, leaving her in an emotional mess. He even got physically violent when she refused to do his bidding. Leaving her to whimper in a corner. Bruises covering her body.

Now that she thinks back, it was supposed to be the warning signs. Derek’s whole attitude towards her was a warning, but she was too stubborn and naive to acknowledge any of it. In the end she paid the price and burned.

The day John Lance and Peter Drew walked through those doors of the cafe, her whole world changed. Her two heroes were standing in front of her once again. Not dressed in camouflage and armed to the teeth with weapons but equipped with a Barista and Chef certification, applying for the vacancies. She hired them on the spot.

Sandra Morris, a student at the Police Academy and was looking for a part time job. She’s a friendly, talkative girl with blond hair, green eyes and a body of an athlete. She is a feisty one, though. Macy witnessed a robber getting owned by her. Lets just say, the robber made other plans for his future.

Since the three of them started to work at Macy’s Corner Cafe, life was more bearable. She could breathe. Her walls came down and she took the first step to invite others into her life once again.

The feelings she developed for John Lance was not something she expected. After the relationship with Derek went sour, Macy locked her heart, protecting herself from another downfall. John came in and broke all the chains. She felt safe and worthy in his presence. He was gentle, yet protective of her. She felt content and wanted.

Peter and Sandra took the roles of siblings. Always bickering and sizing each other up. In reality, the cafe is Macy’s home and the employees, her family. Since she is alone in this world.

Her mother’s brother died late last year and Christmas was tough without him. Even though they never really celebrated it as a family, the McCullens did have their traditions that was followed. They had the family gatherings three times a year. Posh functions where money was thrown around and status was key.

Uncle Bennet Carrington always had something up his sleeve when it came to Macy. She adored him. The only one who made time for her. To listen to her troubles with teachers and her crushes at school. There was always a gift waiting for her whenever he visited. He was the closest thing to family she had left.

"Macy!" John's voice brings her back to reality. "If you wipe any longer, the varnish will start to peel." He laughs as she hides the rag with embarrassment. "Anyway. Are you free tomorrow night? I've got a friend who is dying to meet you." He says, giving her his brightest smile. A friend?

"John, you know how I get when meeting new people. I'm a stuttering mess, not making sense at all." She tries to work herself out but John is not having it. "You actually saw him quite a few times already. So he is technically not a stranger anymore." He simply states and closes the discussion.

"Fine, I'll go. On one condition. You'll be there all the way." She says, giving him a half pout. She will be the death of him. He crosses his heart and steals a kiss from her mouth before anyone can see. Smiling, she goes back to the office.

Concentration is zero. Her mind keeps wandering to tomorrow's meeting. What should she wear? A dress or will jeans do? Frustrating. She'll have to go through her whole wardrobe tonight. She forgot to ask John the dress code.

Walking out towards the counter, her eye catches a black SUV from across the street. Her throat tightens. Derek's guys. They're still watching her. John follows her line of sight. He's become familiar with these Jokers. They are making it so obvious. He walks over to Macy and pulls her into an embrace.

"Relax. If you don't show fear, they will be worthless." He whispers into her ear, making her shiver slightly. She nods and walks off towards the counter. "Oh, yeah. What is tomorrow's dress code?" She asks as she turns towards him behind the counter. "Casual." He says as he starts to brew her a Arabic imported espresso. Will work for the nerves.