Chapter Text
"One coffee for Karen!" I call out into the busy coffee shop.
One professionaly dressed woman grabs the hot steaming up and quickly walks out like she'll be late for a meeting. It's happened three times this week. I wonder if she's being run ragged.
Not as ragged as I, I think to myself.
More orders come, I try and put on a smile as best I can. Hour by hour I toil at the register and make sure to ignore the flirtatious men as they come and go. We all get good tips working at the Cat Tail, but it still irks me when some guy doesn't tip because I didn't show all my teeth. I day dream about ripping his throat out.
I'm checking the time on the screen when I see someone approach in my peripheral.
"Can I get a coffee, please?"
I recognize that voice.
I look up and my eyes widen, body stiffens.
His eyes meet mine.
Terzo Emeritus gives that smile that I want to slap and kiss him with. I want the hand print to stay on his face for a week. I need to have his hand prints all over me.
"H-Hello, tesoro.."
"Don't you-" I cough, "What can I get for you today, sir?"
I need to stay calm. I must remember where I am.
"You know my drink."
I stare at him for a long time. I just look down and put his order in.
"It'll be ready in a few minutes." I say with the most professional but friendly voice I can muster. I swear my voice cracks. Suddenly Terzo's hand grabs my wrist before I can pull away.
"Please. Talk to me." His lip is trembling. I've never seen him so scared in my life. There's swear forming on his brow. His cologne covers his anxiety. How long has he been in the shop?
"Terzo.. I'm at work."
"Then take a break." He lets out quickly.
"I just- I just took one." I lie.
He tilts his head with that look of he knows, he knows I'm lying. I'm a terrible liar. I've always been a terrible liar with him. I want to cry.
"Hey, man. Can you hurry up?" Someone behind Terzo speaks up. He looks behind him and gives the guy an half-apologetic smile before letting my wrist go. The warmth is removed immediately from the cold of the AC.
"I have another hour." I tell him. He nods, then moves down the line to wait for his order.
"Merde!" Terzo immediately shuffles back hurriedly beside the next customer and takes out his wallet, dropping a ten down on the counter before scuffling away again.
-
I pull off my apron then place it on the hook with a sigh. I didn't think I'd ever have to confront something like this ever again. How would he have known that I went back to working at the Cat Tail after I left him and the Ministry? So many other questions run through my head as I try and relax, my shoulders are so tense a sword would break trying to cut through them.
I move after what feels like forever, leaving the break room and clocking out. I let out a shaky breath. I feel like I'm trying to keep tight the last of the only composure I have left. I grab my purse with my belongings in them then head out.
When I feel anxiety, I feel like everything is slowly spreading out far away from me. Like I am being separated from everyone and everything. The people are being pulled back, the chairs, the tables. Just. Everything.
Everything except for him. He's standing outside smoking a cigarette. He's still holding on to the coffee he ordered earlier. He's doesn't notice me watching him from the other side of the glass. Too many people. I had to get outside. I want the ground to swallow me whole.
He must have been watching the door the whole time because he immediately makes eye contact with me. He approaches, but slowly, patiently, as if not to scare a cowering animal.
"Uh.." He scratches the back of his head with the hand he holds his cigarette in.
"Hi.." I finish.
It's silent for a really long time, both of us are moving our mouths but nothing comes out. We're both trying to come up with something to say.
"Terzo, I don't mean to sound rude but.. How- Why are you here?" I finally break the silence.
"I-" He glances down at his shoes. "I came to, eh, see you."
With a apologetic smile he looks back up to me, "Hello… ?"
I honestly don't know how else to respond other than turn around and start walking away. I hear him walk behind me, he grabs my wrist the second time that day.
"Wait wait wait, dolcezza, wait."
I whirl back around on my heel, "Terzo. You just.. came back here to, say hi? Are you serious?"
"I-I know this looks bad but I-"
"Yeah! It does!" I shout and throw my hands up from my sides. "What are you doing here? I- We aren't together anymore. You should be back at the Ministry, signing paperwork and-"
He puts up a hand and glances around to make sure nobody is eavesdropping on our conversation. He steps closer and I wish he hadn't. His cologne. The shampoo. It's overwhelming my senses. He looks back down at me.
"Let's talk somewhere else, per favore? Please. I will explain everything. Everything. But not in public.." His voice lowers to a whisper while his eyes scan the environment around us.
I can't stand secrecy in relationships. He's always known that. I have no reason to doubt him though. He has always been honest with me, even on the worst nights.
"This better be good, Terzo Emeritus." I whisper back, getting the hint that he doesn't want his name shouted into an open crowd like this. He nods then takes out a piece of paper from his back pocket and hands it to me. I try my best to glare at him but the anger I was expecting to fuel it isn't even there.
"This address. Tonight. Between 7 or 9, it is your choice. If you do not arrive I will understand." He sighs, Lucifer, even his breath smells alluring. "But everything and more will be explained. Also, I.. I miss you. I want to see you. I'm hoping you will come."
His fingers slowly leave the piece of paper in my palm and just like earlier today, his warmth fades too quickly. He promptly leaves, fading away into the crowd behind me as I just stand there and let people walk around me.