Cautious...
615 Words
Chapter 4: Cautious..
Anna barely slept that night.
The unknown message kept replaying in her mind.
Stop asking questions about your mother.
She had no idea who sent it.
And that frightened her more than the message itself.
By morning, she had made a decision.
She would find out the truth.
But first, she had to survive her second day at The Crown Table.
Anna arrived early.
The restaurant was unusually quiet, with only a few employees preparing for the day's customers.
She was arranging the menus when the manager approached her.
"Anna."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Anderson wants to see you."
Her hands stopped.
"Michael?"
The manager nodded.
"His office."
Anna sighed.
"Did I do something wrong already?"
"I don't know."
She wiped her hands and headed upstairs.
She knocked.
"Come in."
Michael was standing beside the window, his phone in one hand.
He turned when she entered.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes."
He placed his phone on the desk.
"How did you sleep?"
Anna frowned.
"Fine."
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because you look like you spent the night fighting with someone."
Anna stiffened.
"That's none of your business."
Michael studied her face.
"You're right."
He picked up a file.
"I called you here because there's a problem."
Anna's expression changed.
"What problem?"
"One of our regular clients complained about you."
Anna immediately remembered the previous day.
"What did I do?"
"You apparently told him that his behavior toward one of the waitresses was unacceptable."
"He was insulting her."
Michael's eyes remained on her.
"And you confronted him."
"Yes."
"You could have called security."
"He wasn't dangerous."
"You don't know that."
Anna folded her arms.
"He was hurting someone."
Michael stared at her for a moment.
Then he placed the file down.
"You're brave."
Anna blinked.
"Was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it."
She almost smiled.
Then Michael continued.
"But bravery without judgment can get you into trouble."
Anna nodded reluctantly.
"I understand."
Michael's phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
"Excuse me."
He answered.
Anna turned toward the door.
She hadn't taken two steps when she heard him say:
"She's here."
Anna stopped.
Michael continued quietly.
"No. She doesn't know anything."
Anna slowly turned around.
Michael was facing away from her.
"Keep watching her."
Her heart began pounding.
Who was he talking about?
Her?
She quietly opened the door and walked out.
Downstairs, Anna couldn't concentrate.
Michael's words wouldn't leave her mind.
She doesn't know anything.
Was he talking about her?
She grabbed a tray and headed toward the dining area.
Then she noticed a man sitting alone at a corner table.
He wasn't eating.
He was staring at her.
Anna slowed down.
Their eyes met.
The man immediately looked away.
She continued walking.
But something felt wrong.
A few minutes later, she passed his table again.
He was gone.
Only a folded piece of paper remained.
Anna looked around before picking it up.
Her fingers trembled as she opened it.
There were only five words written inside.
Your mother didn't die naturally.
Anna's breath caught.
The restaurant suddenly felt too quiet.
She looked toward the staircase leading to Michael's office.
Then back at the note.
Someone knew about her mother.
And they were getting closer.
Anna folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket.
She didn't notice the man standing outside the restaurant across the street.
He was watching her through the glass.
And he wasn't alone.
Beside him, another man whispered,
"She has the note."
The first man nodded.
"Good."
"Should we tell him?"
A cold smile appeared on his face.
"No."
He looked toward the restaurant.
"Let Michael find out himself."
for the day.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD