Luca

2. The Stop

At the café…

“welcome, dear, what can I get you?” the only waiter was an older woman with crinkled eyed, a sign that she was easy to smile.

“I would like a cup of coffee and your breakfast specialty if it is okay.”

“Coming right up, sweetness.”

While waiting, Elle texted her aunt.

“Currently, taking breakfast at a small café. I think I need more than 4 hours driving, aunt. Seems the road is not easy breezy as I thought.”

“ What do you mean honeybunch? Should I send your uncle George to pick you up? Where are you now?” Aunt Beth replied immediately.

“No, no, aunt, its okay, its no big deal. You see, I got a lil bit lost when I was looking for a breakfast, luckily I found a nice local to help me find the café.”

“She—et, I completely forgot about your almost-zero ability to read maps. I’ll just send George to you. Send me the location, will you?”

Gasp.. “Aunt Beth, how could you? I’m able to read maps, I just need a longer time to figure it out. You don’t have to send Uncle George to rescue me. Thank you”

While Elle was busy typing, the café got busier with new arrivals.

Three large muscled men, with leather jackets, biker boots walked in and sat at the corner.

“Good morning, Luca, Nick and Marcus, what can I get you?” the friendly older waiter greeted them familiarly.

“Trudy, we’ll have black coffee and I want the usual breakfast, “ Luca answered.

“Same for me, sweets” Nick answered, smiling.

“Me also” Marcus grunt.

“Okay, wait a lil bit” Trudy said.

As is their old habit when they were in the military, they took their surroundings, stay on guard even if it was just a small café.

Luca’s eyes suddenly caught by a redheaded beauty seated alone in the middle of the café. He saw her busy texting with her phone and was surprised when Trudy walked up to her to deliver her order.

GASP

“ Oh my God, you surprise me. I’m sorry”

Smiling, Trudy said “I’m sorry, dear, I thought you saw me from the corner of your eyes that I walk up to you. And you see, I’m not exactly silent with these shoes of mine.”

“That’s true. Well, I’ve always been said to be alarmingly unaware of my surroundings when I’m busy with the phone or work. Excuse me.” Said Elle regretfully.

Trudy said: “Don’t worry, dear… It’s not just your problem, I think it’s almost everyone's problem nowadays with their phone. But my advice, you need to be more aware next time for your own safety.”

“I will, thank you.” Then she started to sip her coffee and eat her omellette.

“Woow, this is so delicious, did you somehow use a crème fraiche in the omellete?” asked Elle while enjoying the food.

Trudy looked at her with surprised. “it is really refreshing to look at a beautiful girl still enjoying her food. I got tired looking at girls who compete to be size zero. I’m Trudy, and yes, we use our own crème fraiche in the omellete.”

“I’m Elle, and I cant be a size zero since I love food too much”

“Well, you are on the right track, I believe. Food is too enjoyable to be avoided, like viruses. What’s made you come all the way here, honey?”

The beautiful violet eyes got dimmed. “Ehhm, I want to visit my aunt and uncle”

Trudy looked at the beautiful girl and felt there was more to the story, but she didn’t want to ask further.

“ Well honey, safe journey and enjoy your visit”.

“I will, thank you, Trudy.”