Caffeine and Alcohol

Riley It's 3 AM and I'm still here at my brother's café. It's kind of boring because there's no customer right now and I have no clue what to do to keep myself entertained. There are few kinds of people that dine in cafés during such witching hours. The studious-hardworking people, those who take all night to do tasks. Then there's those who just likes coffee, spending their fortune on café-based coffee. Most of all, those who came from bars, trying to ease up the drunkenness they're experiencing. Speaking of. The door opened, revealing a handsome guy who can't seem to walk straight. His hair messy and he was wet, probably from sweat. All the time, since he came in, he didn't look up, he was looking at his shoes. Oh god, please don't puke here. He walked towards the counter. He's probably drunk because he reeks of alcohol. He looked up and as handsome as he may be, God sure has His favorites. But his eyes, they were sad and angry. I don't know why but as a lonely person myself, I tend to read other people's eyes. "Hello sir, welcome to Café Louvre, what's your order?" I asked politely, smiling at him while he's looking at the menu behind me. "Your signature coffee, with 2 shots of espresso," the guy said, putting his money on the counter. I picked it up and gave him his change. "To-go or for dine-in?" "I'll drink it here, thank you," he said, looking around, smiling. "Okay sir, I'll bring your coffee to you," I said, walking towards the back to prepare his coffee. "Uhm, do you have a toilet here?" the guy asked, probably flushed from the alcohol. "It's over there," I pointed towards the door with the signage of the toilet. "Okay, thank you." I started preparing his coffee. I was near to finishing it when he came out of the toilet and took a sit. I looked at him and he fished out his phone from his pocket, took a look at it, and then slammed it at the table out of frustration. I finished making his coffee and went towards him. He has his eyes close with his head down, focusing on the table. "Here's your coffee, sir," I said, placing the coffee on the table. "Thank you," he said, smiling at me. I don't know why but that smile seems to be so sad and angry just like his eyes. "If you need anything else, do tell," I was about to go back when he called. "If you don't mind accompanying me tonight?" he asked, he tried making puppy eyes. I looked around and since there's no customer other than him, I sat down in front of him. "But as soon as there's a customer that comes in, I get to leave, okay?" "Sure, sure. Riley?" he said, looking at my name tag. "Yes, and you are?" I asked, and he gave me a smile as he stirs his coffee. "I'm Dexter, but you can call me Dex," he introduced himself, offering his hand for a handshake. I accepted it. "So Dex, what brought you here at such lonely hour, smelling like alcohol?" I asked, as he gave me a smile. For someone whose eyes are so sad, he sure does smile a lot. "Well, you're right, if what you're thinking is that I came from a nearby bar, I had a talk with my ex," he said, taking an interest in his coffee. "Oh, for closure?" I asked, taking an interest in his story. "Supposed to be, but I found out that he was emotionally cheating on me when we were still together, that's the real reason he broke up with me," he said, trying not to cry. I looked at him and I was right when I found sadness and anger in his eyes. "I hate cheaters," I commented, and he chuckled at it. "He was already loving someone else while falling out of love for me, sucks right?" he said, laughing bitterly. "If he cheated on you then he's not worth it. People who cheat are really not worth it," I said, comforting him with my words. "I guess they were right," he commented, taking a sip of his coffee. "Right about what?" I asked, looking at him with curiosity about what he is talking about. "That you can talk about anything to a stranger," he answered, giving me a smile. "Anything to help a dear customer, tips are highly recommended," I joked, which he laughed. "I'll note that," he said. At that moment the door opened revealing a new customer. "Guess that's my cue to leave," I said, standing up. "I guess so," he said, smiling so sadly. "You can always find me here if you need someone to talk to," I suggested, turning around to walk towards the counter. I faced the customer, but I gave him one last glance. He put his phone in his pocket and he gave me a look. He waved a goodbye, and so did I. He left, with a smile on his face, and so do I. Maybe this night wasn't so boring after all.