The maffiaboss who saved me

Chapter 3

Nora POV

I walk around the corner and see Eliza waiting for me outside of the bakery. She’s wearing sunglasses though it’s not that sunny outside, and she looks a bit pale.

“There you are, I am in desperate need for coffee and some food” she says while she hugs me tight.

“Yeah, me too. This headache is killing me” hugging her back.

“You really shouldn’t drink that much, you know?” She laughs.

I glare at her with a raised eyebrow.

“You were the one who kept filling up my glass!”

We both burst out laughing.

“Come on, lets get some food” Eliza says while she pulls me by my arm to go inside.

“What can I get the two beautiful ladies on this wonderful friday morning?” The man behind the counter asks us with a smile. He’s a middle aged african man named Earl and in some way he always finds a way to brighten up my day. He’s is always so genuinely cheerful and makes the best caramel macchiato’s on this side the city.

“What do you suggest for a throbbing headache, Earl?” Eliza asks with a moaning sigh.

“Depends on what kind of headache it is. Is it from a lack of vitamines or dehydration from a hangover?” He grins and looks from her to me while leaning on the counter. I can’t help but chuckle because he knows us too well.

“Do you see this trainwreck?” I ask him while I point at Eliza. She pushes me slightly.

“Hey, watch your mouth!”

Earl bursts out laughing.

“You two always make my day. Keep up that good vibes between you two, it’s rarely that I see a friendship like that.”

My heart warms at his words and Eliza and I look at eachother. She really feels like a sister that I never had, we met at college and bonded right away. We have been there for one another through good and bad times, through break-ups and mourning periods. And now we work in the same building. She works for another company a few floors below me but it still feels nice to know that my best friend is nearby.

“So, what do you have for these two trainwrecks who obviously don’t learn to not have movie-nights on a weekday?” I ask him with a smile.

“I recommend a superjuice with apple, cucumber, watermelon and some mint. For the hydration of your body, coffee will only make the headache worse. And for food you should try the blueberry-muffins, it has lots of taste but isn’t to heavy for your stomach at this moment. Better wait until noon before you eat something heavier otherwise you might throw up.” He gives us a warm smile.

“Oh Earl, what should we do without you? We’ll take that, and for also for me one of your delicious brownies” Eliza gives him her biggest smile.

“Get yourself a seat ladies, I will bring it to your table.”

While we take a seat in the corner of the bakery a shiver runs down my spine again and I look out of the window. Lots of people pass by, some with briefcases others in workuniforms. Then I see a man across the street, the same one that has been staring at me in the park earlier. I start to feel very uncomfortable and shuffle in my seat. I frown while I stare back at him. A few people pass him by and he disappeared with the blink of an eye.

“Is everything ok Nora?” Eliza asks me and she puts her hand on mine. I shake my head and turn back to her.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Earl arrives with our order and places it on the table. I immediately take a sip from the juice and it surprises me how good it tastes.

“Hmm, this is better than I thought.” Before I take another sip. I look at Eliza and see how she just attacks the muffin like she was starved for 2 days.

“Thank you Earl, you really did a great job making these. Like always.” She mutters with her mouth full of muffin.

Earl gives us his lovely smile.

“Enjoy your breakfast ladies.”

After we’re finished we get up and put our plates on the counter.

“Thank you again Earl, it really was delicious.” Eliza says while wiping off the last crumbs on her face.

“You’re welcome ladies, and thank you for making each friday a bit brighter for me.”

“Oh you’re such a sweet man.” I sigh at him.

“Goodbye Earl!” We wave him goodbye and when we’re at the door he shouts

“Have a nice day ladies, and see you next friday!” While waving enthusiastically.

We cross the street and enter the building through the big glass doors. We walk over to the elevator and press button 4 and 9. Eliza leans against the wall and looks at herself in the mirror next to her.

“I look like I pulled an all-nighter, how is it possible that you look so gorgeous?” She asks me with a sigh.

“I put on a nice outfit to try and keep the attention off my face.” I chuckle.

The elevator stops at the fourth floor and the doors open.

“Have a nice day trainwreck.” I snigger when she lifts herself from the wall and steps out of the elevator. She flips her middlefinger at me and says

“You better join me to the club tomorrow.”

She looks at me over her shoulder and grins when she sees that I wanted to say something back but the doors close before I could speak. A few seconds later the doors open again and I step out. I walk over to my little office in the corner of the workplace and sit myself behind my desk looking at the pile of documents that are waiting for me to handle them.

“This is going to be a long day”. I sigh and I open my computer to start working.