Arcana

Two

Who's that?

When the glass door opened, that was the first question that came to my mind. I had thought of this because of the manner the door was opened. I dropped my tray on the counter and turned swiftly to the door.

As soon as the face appeared, Tanner ran past me to the guest. It was a black haired lady who had her brown coat over her shoulders and a black gown under. Her countenance was serious and I wondered who she was for Tanner to welcome her in that manner. I watched him show her a seat and run to me.

"Don't just look! Attend to her," he told me.

"Who's she anyway?" I asked.

" The heiress of Putin Global," he told me hastily. "Hurry!"

'Why does it matter,' I muttered as I walked to her in my normal manners.

She was pressing her phone when I got to her and I cleared my throat and said," And what would your order be?"

She looked up at me in arrogance but her face soften when our gazes met. But in some seconds, her serious countenance returned.

"My usual," She said in an unfriendly way.

"Actually I don't know your usual so can you spell it out?" I asked her wondering if she was dumb. " You haven't seen me before so you should know I'm new without me saying it."

" Are you actually speaking to me in that manner?" she asked in disbelief. " Who are you to speak like that to me? Do you even know who I am?"

" Well I'm someone who respect those who respect me and you're the heiress of Putin Global, so what," I replied. " So tell me your usuals and I'll be out of your presence, princess."

Get hold of yourself, Todd. You can't get anyway by antagonising the rich, I told myself.

She looked exasperated and was flushed now staring at me in horror. "Why you..."

" Calm down, Miss," I heard behind me and turned to see Tanner. " Go over to the counter,now," he ordered.

"Why..." I was saying.

" Go over," he insisted and I went hearing her complain and him trying to soothe her. He arrived at the counter after some seconds.

" Your looks is the one that secured your job. It's better you stay behind the counter."

I was thankful because being a waiter was stressful.

I got home by nine pm, tired. U had to sneak into the neighborhood because of the girls. Work has been especially tiring this night as more female flooded in tonight. Instead of waiting for the waiter, they would come over to the counter to place their orders. Ugh.

Mom had already made the sitting room into a personal cinema when I got in. She was watching a K-drama which I totally hated with a pop corn beside her.

"Looks like someone was successful," she said after pausing the film and turned to me.

" Yeah I got a job," I said and put off my coat. Then I sat down.

" Over at Tanner's, huh?" she asked munching her popcorn, wanting to be sure.

"Yeah although it was stressful," I replied.

"Too much attention, right?"

"Right," I answered. She was always guessing what was in my mind right.

"Your dad faced that too... and yeah, aren't you hungry? Your food's in the kitchen," she informed me.

I stood up and walked to the kitchen. It was spick and span. The utensils and cutleries were either stacked, hanged or arranged in the cupboard. On the cabinet was a bowl of fried potato and egg. I took it and a glass of milk along to the sitting room.

"Mrs. Grundy gave me the eggs. Her hen laid a lot," mom said as I sat down.

"Are you still working there?" I asked her as I dropped my glass on the table and started eating.

" No I'm working shift at the bakery now," she answered. "My shift tomorrow is mainly based at night. Just going in the morning to assist. I got to sleep."

She stood up and patted my shoulder before walking in.

' I need to sleep too,' I muttered and took a drink of my glass.

The next day was predicted to be sunny so I just wore a doublet and trouser. I resumed early. Tanner was just opening.

"Hey kid. You're pretty early," he said which surprised me. "And make more of deep coffee today."

"Yeah, yeah whatever boss," I replied and took the shaker. I added extra caffeine and then shaked it violently.

That morning work was fun because I danced as I shake hearing words like:

"A trio." "A couple." "A dozen!" and me replying, "Right up." or "Coming up."

As usual girls came over to the counter to look at my face. There was a lady; a blonde who came by 7:30 rushing to the counter. I was backing the counter when she came.

"Give me two cups of coffee and be quick for I am in a hurry," I heard and after preparing two coffees, turned to her.

She stared at me looking dazed for a moment before regaining herself. "Uh, hi."

"Here's your order," I said giving her the coffees.

"Uh, thanks," she said and collected it from me. Then she turned and zoomed out of the shop.