Traitorous Love

Chapter 62- Coffee and Cream

"What are you doing here? Are you the contact my parents were talking about?"

Maria or Miranda looked nervous. She scanned her eyes around the room, as if searching to find something, or making sure that no one was around, "Follow me," she said in a hushed tone, and led me to the back of the store. 

When I had first walked in the coffee shop, Coffee and Cream, was adorable. It had an earthy vibe with the wood colored tables, the plants, the chalkboards labeling the specials and types of coffee available. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the back room and saw an array of weapons on the table. Miranda sat down, and pulled off her ginger hair. I gasped when I saw a Brunette woman underneath, rather than the blonde I was used to. 

Noticing my shock she smiles sheepishly, "Yeah, I'm not actually a blonde, and yes I know your parents, although, I had no idea who or what they were sending,"

"Wait what? take me through the beginning,"

And so she did, explaining how my parents contacted her when I first told them I was moving in with her. Apparently they had known Miranda's mother, Maria, who passed, but Miranda took on her debt, and helped us- me- out. 

"That doesn't explain the hair...or why your here,"

She touched her hair, "Well, I'm here because I'm trying to work on a case involving some of the drug cartels in this area,"

I nodded, touching my now changed blonde hair, "It doesn't suit you," She blurted out.

"What doesn't?"

"The blonde hair, green eyes, broken expression," her brown eyes, soft and sympathetic. 

I chuckle humorlessly, "A lot has happened. I can't help but have a broken expression,"

"I heard about the Hawks' betrayal and the Commissions thinking you're a missing person. What I don't understand is why you ran away from the Commissions who're trying to protect you,"

I shook my head, "They weren't trying to protect me. They were using me as bait so that they could lure the League out. And it worked, but my safety is not their priority, so if I have to fend for myself then I will,"

Miranda shakes her head in disgust, "Bunch of idiots. They always play the long game, even though sometimes the long game isn't what needs to be played,"

She walks me into the office and hands me an apron, "Hold this. I know where your living right now, so if you need me just call, my number should be in the burner," I nodded remembering the third number, "and just live like a normal civilian. I have a file with information about who you are, as well as documents, passports, drivers license, all the good stuff,"

The file was thick. I opened it on the table, and there is all was: a completely new identity. My new name was Jenny Martinez "My picture isn't in the passport or the driver's license,"

"I know," she said behind me with a camera, "stand over there, in front of the white wall and don't smile so I can take the picture and insert it in," I did as I was told and stood infant of the wall. I rested my face, and looked straight into the camera. 

"Okay, don't look like a criminal and add some life in your eyes,"

"The guy that I looked up to, and dated for almost a year turns out to have just been in a relationship with me for the sole purpose of fulfilling a task for Dabi. There is no life in my eyes," I snapped. 

I expected some kind of sympathy but my expectations are wrong, "This is the world of being a spy, Y/N. You once told me you wanted this life? This is it. This is the life. Where even though you're having a really bad day, and life feels like it's over, you have to put the mask on your face and survive. Because if you don't you might as well be dead,"

I didn't say anything in response and instead just tried to remember a happy moment and took the picture. Miranda printed it out and started to place the pictures on the documents, "Start using the machines. Believe it or not I do get customers and I do have to serve them. When I'm done, I'll give you a rundown on my mission because while you're here I might as well give you your test,"

"My test?" I asked placing the apron back on and turning around so she could tie it. 

"Your license test," she stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "spies-in-training don't take the pro-hero license test, because we aren't pro-heroes. Sure we take the pro-hero course with the other heroes, but you also took the supplementary classes yes?" I nod, "So you can take your test now,"

"What's the test?"

"Survive through a mission," she smiled, her eyes shining, "good luck,"

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I walked out of the room in a daze. I have to help her on the mission? But what if this attracts Dabi's attention? He too was working with some drug cartels if I remember correctly. It's true my name and appearance has changed, and I could switch into the Australian accent I perfected in my supplementary classes. It's still risky though. 

Since when was I so worried about taking risks. If I pass this test, my entire life will be about taking risks. Besides by doing this, I'm making sure that I still have a future to come back to. 

I shoved all of that away from my mind and focused on the machines and the instruction manuals. I looked at the recipes for the drinks, all of which were a base of brewed coffee or espresso and adding different amounts of water, milk, creamer, and flavoring. This is going to be a nightmare to memorize. 

 I started to practice making espresso shots like Miranda, or Maria, as she said I was supposed to call her had said. They came out pretty strong, so I started to dial it back a little. Apparently the average person gets two shots in their coffee, but if you make it strong you have to balance it out with more mild and more flavors. If you make the coffee weaker then you can add less of everything. 

Business tactics. 

I spent the morning there, doing barista training. Miranda put on her wig, which actually fit her more than the blonde, and added green contacts into her eyes, "Now I'm ready," she said staring at her reflection in the mirror. 

"Do people not come to get coffee in the morning?" I asked, wondering why the place was so empty. 

She busied herself to making espresso, "They get coffee in the early morning, and then the place gets pretty empty at around 11ish," She nodded to the clock, "but once that clock strikes four pm, everyone needs that extra boost of caffeine to finish out their day,"

I nodded helping her refill on the milk for cappuccino froth. The door opened, and I heard Miranda talk in a thick British accent, "Welcome to Coffee and Cream! What can I get started for you?"

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Word Count: 1216