The Wallflower's Revenge

AWR Chapter 44: Better in time

I can’t even believe it myself. I was able to keep my mouth shut from telling Sheira about my stalker. I was able to stop myself from sharing what I know and what I am scared of. From it, I have become proud of myself somehow.

Now, without my best friend, I need to be more cautious this time. I don't know if my stalker is going to follow me again. Somehow, I am happy that I have never been a burden to Sheira up until the last minute. I never wanted her to think about me and my concerns even if she’s already in Europe.

I have to support her being both ‘love and home sick’. I need to be the big sister this time. She needed me the most today and I don’t want to be the first of the reasons that she has to return to our place again. She needed focus and attention to what her new life awaits her.

However, I can’t help it.

It is scarier this time, though. It is because I have to face things all alone. I suddenly remembered Gavin and on how he's becoming my silent hero whenever these kinds of situations would arise. I would often resort to him by calling him or letting him stay inside the house to accompany me.

That was before everything messed up. Before Klaire appeared inside our big picture. The picture of us, being sweet. I almost accepted his love but reality slapped me. Reality told me that there could never be us. That both of us were not compatible with one another.

I went home, tired and exhausted. I just went inside my house and locked the front door right away. I unbuttoned my blouse as I passed beside the flat screen. I undressed as I went upstairs, almost closing my eyes. When I opened the door of my room, I almost dived on my bed with my brassiere on. With my back pressing the soft mattress, I suddenly felt comfortable that I couldn’t help but to close my eyes.

The next morning, since school is almost over, I decided to get a day job just to keep myself from being bored. I entered a small cafe that mainly served coffee and some biscuits. The other day, I saw an advert pasted outside of their door that said ‘wanted waitress’. I got my resume ready. I inserted it inside a clear, white folder. I took a deep breath as I went inside the door.

The employer is a petite woman. She looked very professional despite wearing a plain pink blouse and a skirt below her knee. She also wore two-inch heels that completed that sleek, professional look that is great to the eye. She glanced at me from head to toe as she adjusted her eyeglasses. She took a deep breath and kept her cool as she smiled at me. I noticed that she is already exhausted from all the work done within the four corners of this office.

“Thank you, ma’am for giving me the chance.”

“You’re not starting yet.” She smiled as she said those words. Those were gentle but firm. I nodded and put both of my hands on my lap. I can’t help but chew my inner lower lip by not being too obvious for her. She’s been reading my resume over and over again, holding her eyeglasses to maybe see it well.

“Hmm, not bad.” She said at last. It made me smile with full relief.

“I don’t know but there’s something in you that I can’t help but put my trust right away.”

“Really, ma’am? Thank you so much! I promise I will try to do my best for the cafe.”

“When you promise, you do it. You just don’t try it, alright?” She smiled as we shook hands.

“Yes, ma’am. I will.”

“I have a lot of applicants but I want to give you the chance since you’re the only one who hasn’t got any experience yet,”

“Really, ma’am? But, would you mind me asking why you hired me instead of them?”

“Well, your aura speaks about your smile. You’re beautiful and you have a pleasing personality. I am looking at these traits since you’re going to face a lot of customers of this cafe. Some of the applicants only wanted the salary and not actually working here.”

“I will do my best, ma’am.”

“You can start tomorrow, dear. I know you will because I trust you on this.”

We shook hands again and I stood up, said goodbye and left. I decided to go to the mall all by myself to buy my favorite meal in one of the restaurants that I went to with mom when she was still alive.

As soon as I entered the restaurant, a familiar lady greeted me.

“Hello Rebecca! Long time no see!” She was the long-time cashier of Alfred’s pasta and pizzas. She’s also one of my mom’s best friends. I smiled as I hugged her tight as she walked towards me. I can still remember how they both greeted each other, also hugging like this and kissing each other’s cheeks.

“I miss you, sweetie! Please come and dine here. My treat, alright?” She told me. She let me sit at one of the tables near the counter. I saw her calling the other employees inside the restaurant as they were having a small conversation. There were times that she’s pointing at me. The other lady agreed as she nodded while looking at my direction.

“Sorry for that. I let my other colleague do my job for the meantime. Anyway, I am just three minutes away from signing out as your official cashier for the day.”

“Wow, miss Pia, I never thought this restaurant would be this big now. The last time I remembered, it was only you who does the job every time.” She giggled as soon as she heard those words from me.

“Yes, this restaurant has expanded since your mom left this world.” Her smile faded a little when she mentioned my mom. I held her hand and looked into her eyes.

“I love to go here, especially if I celebrate small victories in life.” I changed the topic for us to become less emotional for a moment.

“What do you mean?” She answered. I can see her eyes glistened as she looked at my facial expression as well.

“I tried to apply for a day job so that I will not feel totally all alone.” She smiled even more. I suddenly remembered my mom and her same expression as I look at Miss Pia right now. They were best friends with my mom. I could see her the way Miss Pia smiles at me at the moment.

“I am sure she will be very proud of you when she will also hear it herself.”

“That’s why I went here. I want to see your exact facial expression. That way, I will not really miss her that much.” I never noticed the tears rolled on my cheeks again. I realized I missed my mom so much that her memory is still very fresh until now. It’s almost a year since she passed away.

“Thank you my dear. I appreciate your time going here. If only you applied here, too. I will be glad of help.”

“I’d love to, Miss Pia. It actually crossed my mind to apply here. The only thing that’s stopping me is the memory of this place. I might break down a lot everyday if I see this place that used to only have the best memories.”

“Y-Yeah, you have a point, dear.”

“Besides, I want to try being independent. I’ve been dependent on a lot of people lately that I didn’t know how it feels like being alone as you do things on your own.”

“Why? Are you on bad terms with Sheira?” Miss Pia gave me a worried look. I chuckled because of how she looked at me.

“Actually, more than that.” I said between chuckles. She never changed her facial expression.

“Miss Pia, she studied abroad. That’s why I am left all alone inside of my house.”

“Oh, that’s terrible news to hear. I should agree to you now that it’s more of a painful moment than a good news for me.”

“Yup, so it means I am really alone. That’s why I try to keep myself busy so that I will not feel lonely all the time.”

“It’s a nice idea, my dear. I will support you all the way.” Miss Pia tapped my shoulders. She also made sure I ate my favorite snack which is fish and dips and a white pasta paired with a blue lemonade.

I thanked her for the meal and the good chit chat. I bid goodbye to her and I was about to stand up when someone entered the cafe. It made me sit down again to have a look at him as well. Miss Pia also glued her attention to the newcomer. He was an attractive man at first glance. He’s wearing fashionable eyeglasses and a wicked smile. I can say he’s between 37-45 years old. He has broad shoulders and a lean body. Most of the girl customers paid their attention to him because he’s oozing with s*x appeal as well.

“Wow,” I muttered.

“Are you going now?” Miss Pia told me as she still glues her attention to the guy. I can’t also help but to admire him. His presence makes me believe that even if a guy won’t do anything if he’s attractive, it will really show.

“Ah, y-yes. Thank you so much once again miss Pia. I will pay a visit more often if I am not busy.” I stood up once again but my eyes were fixed on the guy. She nudged her on the shoulders as well.

“Keep going dear.” Miss Pia gently pushed me to the exit door as she chuckled. That instance also made me giggle because it’s as if she’s pushing me away. Does it mean I am already disturbing her, too?

I shook my head as I unlocked my car. However, I can’t help but to look through the window of Alfred’s pasta and pizzas again. I wonder what the man is doing right now at this very moment. Now that he already caught the attention of all the people, especially the customers who were women.

I was a bit surprised when the man’s gaze was on me even if I was already outside the restaurant. It gave me goosebumps. However, I tried to look composed and I didn't even mind those looks. However, there’s something in me that made my heart race very fast.

I went inside my car, praying so hard that every single cell in me would calm. I don’t want to look so nervous that I will mess up things. Now that I have a job of my own, I should have a great start. Upon reaching the house, I researched more about the cafe I will be serving. They were running for the last fifteen years. There were more than ten branches of them all over our city alone. I can say this cafe is quite popular, especially for coffee lovers and geeks who want to be alone in their life like me. Thinking about meeting different people with my same personality would be a thrill I guess.

I want to observe what they are also into, or what things they want to do with their lives. The next morning, I was thirty minutes early than the cafe’s opening. It made my employer smile because of the initial commitment that she’s seeing within me.

“Call me Mrs. Leveigne.” She smiled as she offered me a hot cup of coffee served in a plain cup.

“Thank you, Mrs. Leveigne.” I answered meekly. She chuckled by the way I mimicked what she almost said to me.

“You have to be yourself when handling customers. You have to show them your own personality as well as abiding to the cafe rules as well. Just be yourself, alright?”

“I get what you mean, Mrs. Leveigne. Thank you so much for telling me these things.”

“If ever you needed help, you know where to go. Be responsible in reporting rude customers as well. They don’t deserve to be in here.”

“I will, Mrs. Leveigne.”

I nodded as I started to wait tables. I noticed the customers were almost middle-class teenagers and young professionals alike. Also, I could see some familiar faces of those employees in a bank and the other nearby department stores. So, I guess this is their place of haven.

“One cup of black coffee please.” A gorgeous man busy scrolling his cellphone ordered in front of me. He even put the paper bill on the counter and he’s still busy touching his phone. I nodded and went to the counter to get his order after three to five minutes. I gave it to him right away with a smile.

“Please be careful with your coffee, sir. Enjoy!”

As soon as he heard my voice, he was able to lift his head up and smiled right away. “Oh, sorry, I never saw you. Thank you so much! Keep the change!” I was shocked when it was a one-hundred dollar bill.

“Thank you sir! I appreciate it!”

The day ended with a bang. I really love how to deal with different kinds of customers. The reality that Mrs. Leveigne told me earlier this morning was just an exaggeration, I guess. Most customers were considerate and kind at the same time. I even received a lot of tips coming from them. Others also admired my smile and beauty which is a humbling sight to recall.

I went home with a smile and it never really faded away. Even if I am alone here in our house, I felt comfortable and secure because I already locked each door before I went to work this morning. As I stepped on the stairs going to my room, I heard some heavy footsteps.

My heart raced very fast in an instant.

Who was the other person except for me? I am all alone here and I am hearing heavy footsteps. Am I being tricked by my ears? I slowly looked around and everything was quite normal. I looked out of the window and all I could hear were the rustling trees and the leaves being blown by the wind.

I went back to my bed to sit down when I felt that my back already touched the mattress. I took a deep breath and looked at our plain,while ceiling.

“Yes, this is life,” I muttered. The last time I was able to say these words was when Sheira was still here. My tone of voice as I say these words were more of struggling rather than enjoying every moment of it. I hope it will not last forever. I was about to really sleep when I heard the footsteps going upstairs.

I jumped out of the bed and locked the door of my room. So, it was a real person! It was not just an illusion or hallucinations. Who could it be? Does he/she know that I am here already? Is he/she eyeing me as a target tonight? This is crazy!

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