Broken Together

Chapter 17: Shadow

CHAPTER 17

AMELIA

We sat opposite each other inside the restaurant that I work at. He looks at me puzzled why I chose this place, completely clueless that I also work here.

“You really didn’t know?” I asked him. I thought at first that he knew because he found out I worked at the bookstore.

“No. I thought you only worked at the bookstore.” He replied as he looked around the restaurant, eyes furrowed.

“Mel!” Gavin greeted me as he approached our table. Gavin is one of my colleagues and he’s also a part timer.

“Hey, Gavin. You’re also working during weekends?” I asked Gavin as he pulled out a notebook and a pen from his back pocket.

“Yeah. I have nothing else to do during weekends, anyway.” He smiled brightly at me. Vincent is scowling at Gavin. He stares him down and Gavin finally noticed.

Gavin smiled at Vincent, but his smile slowly fades when Vincent looked elsewhere but still scowling.

“How’s Ted?” I asked Gavin, making him turn to look at me instead.

“Well, he’s talking to the owner of the land to ask for more time. He’s devastated.” Gavin replied, and we both frowned thinking about Ted. We both know how important this place is for Ted. “Well, on a lighter note, I can make you that strawberry shake you like since you’re a customer today.” He said cheerfully. Gavin is like a little brother to me, his ginger hair and chubby cheeks always looked adorable and he’s extremely cheerful. I’ve never seen him getting mad or frustrated.

I smiled back at him, “Thank you, Gavin.” I don’t need to look at Vincent to see that he’s not happy because I can sense his furious gaze at me and I don’t understand the reason he’s getting worked up.

Gavin glanced at Vincent and then back to me, “Is your friend okay? He looks mad.” He whispered. I shut my eyes, knowing that Gavin just pressed a very dangerous button to send Vincent exploding. I peeked in Vincent’s direction to see his reaction. And he’s clearly not happy. He’s clenching his jaw and eyebrows furrowed.

“Gavin, right?” Vincent spoke, and I almost jumped then I shot a look at him hoping he can see me pleading for him to control his temper. He ignored my gaze and surprisingly, he looked at Gavin with a polite smile. “I’ll also have what my girlfriend’s having.” He said to Gavin and I can hear a passive aggressive tone in his voice.

Gavin’s eyes grew wide open and his mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ as he looks back and forth between Vincent and me. That makes the two of us, Gavin. After a few awkward seconds, Gavin nodded slowly as he pretends to write our order then he gave me a small smile before leaving the table.

“What was that?” I asked Vincent, and he smiles smugly at me.

“I just told the kid our orders.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him, “Thank you for not being a total jerk towards Gavin. He’s a sweet guy.”

“Jerk?!” He snorted, “As long as the kid keeps his hands off you, I’ll tolerate him.”

“Gavin. His name is Gavin.” I leaned forward on the table, “You know, relax. Not everyone is trying to get in my pants.” I said, matter-of-factly.

“Well, you had little experience with guys before, so you wouldn’t actually know.” He retorted, He leaned forward, placing his arms on the table and shot me a mocking look.

“And you do?” I replied, raising an eyebrow at him.

He smirked, leaning back to his chair, “Yes, because I wanted to get into your pants the first time, I laid eyes on you.” He gave me a familiar look that he always does before he goes down between my legs, or before he enters my…

“Here you go.” Gavin’s voice snapped me back to reality as he placed two strawberry milk shakes on our table.

I shook my head slightly and I feel my cheeks heating as I try to hide my face from Gavin and Vincent.

“Thank you.” I glanced at Gavin, giving him a small smile before he leaves our table.

“I’m not a fan of milkshakes, but this is not bad.” Vincent stated as he drinks more of the milkshake.

Looking at him, I feel a smile slowly creeping on my face as I admire the view. Vincent, in his leather jacket, tousled blonde hair, blue eyes and all his glory while his background is Josie’s vintage walls. Josie’s has that vintage theme with its vintage posters and a jukebox. I mentally captured the view in my head and keep it in my memory.

Vincent noticed my eyes on him, so he stares back at me with a charming smile. “What is going on again in that beautiful?” He asked and my cheeks immediately flushed.

“I just thought of something.” I said, focusing on my strawberry milkshake.

“And what would that be?” He inquired.

“I just think that it’s so nice of you to join the old man to play the piano. What’s the name of that piece, by the way?” I asked.

“Salut d’Amour.” He responded plainly, then took another sip of the milkshake.

“That was beautiful. Did he choose that song?” I have little knowledge of music, especially classical music, but I’ve read that title before and translation back when I was working at the bookstore. If my memory serves me right, it translates to “Hello, love.”

“I’ll leave that to your imagination.” He smirked, deliberately teasing me.

As I drink down my favorite milkshake, Vincent ordered us food. He didn’t even need to ask me what I like to eat because he ordered exactly what I want which is burger and fries. I didn’t even notice that Gavin have previously set our food on our table because my mind was so focused on Vincent as he talks about his tech business and his interest in real estate which shocked me at first but he proceeded to disclose that he used his father’s money to help start the business but the rest is all him and so far, he’s earning much more than his father.

“You thought I’m just a rich, spoiled brat using my parent’s money?” He spoke accusingly but in a joking manner.

“That’s what you call first impression.” I shrugged, and he chuckled.

“How’s New York? You’re going back soon, right?” I asked, looking down to my burger and fries as sadness fills my heart realizing that he’ll move back to New York soon for college.

“Yes.” He replied and I can’t make out the tone in his voice and I don’t want to see his face right now or I might cry. It scares me knowing that he’ll go back to his life there and I’m stuck here, he might just forget about me. or worse… he might never come back. I glanced outside through the window and something caught my eye, a familiar black car parked just outside the restaurant. I narrowed my eyes to see the person sitting inside it through its open window.

The person inside the car saw me staring and slowly smiled. A taunting smile spreads across her face and it finally hit me as her face came into view. Rebecca.