OPEN LATE ;; PENGUIN

.0.1.

I was always slightly jealous of my roommate and best friend, Margo Page, in the kindest way possible.

" Lyla! Look! "

" What is it? " I asked, washing dishes while I looked at her. I was jealous of how social she was, and how social she could be. I was always shy, unable to function.

" It's him. "

" Who is 'him' exactly? "

" Oswald. Cobblepot. " I paused for a moment, then continued washing the dishes. Margo and I were roomates, as I mentioned before. And we both worked as waitresses, in a small restaurant located in Gotham. But we also washed the dishes every now and then, due to lack of staff. And I would often take the longer shifts, due to having nothing to do, honestly. But I was never focusing on that. I was focusing on the fact that the infamous Oswald Cobblepot just walked into this restaurant, and it was 1 am.

" Lyla. " she repreated, snapping me out of my daydream.

" Right, that. " I replied, putting down a plate, shaking my hands, and walking out to see he had already sat himself down at the booth. Almost the very moment we made eye contact, he smirked as I blushed, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. " What can I get you? " I asked standing at his table.

" Coffee, please. "

" Right away sir. " I turned to go get his coffee when he stopped me, right in my tracks with the sound of his voice.

" Put some extra sugar in it, please. " I tilted my head.

" It's 1 am. "

" And? " I shrugged.

" Well alright, sir. It's not a problem. "

" Please--call me Oswald. "

" Oh um...alright...Oswald...I'll go get that for you. " I started again to the kitchen.

" Wait. " he held up two fingers, his index and middle tightly clenched together. " I didn't say you could leave me yet. "

" Excuse me-- "

" Do you know...my last name? "

" Why do you ask? "

" Just. tell. me. " I hesitated in the slightest, then I spoke.

" Cobblepot. You. are. Oswald Cobblepot. "

" Good. Now--your first and last name?  "

" Lilly. Lilly Aug. But everyone calls me Lyla. "

" What a beautiful name. " he chuckled back, sending chills down my spine.

" Thanks...I'll go get your coffee now. " he smiled, putting down his hand and nodding.

" Good. " I walked back into the kitchen quickly, and ignored Margo as I poured his coffee. I walked back to his table, set the coffee down quietly, and faked a smile.

" Here's your coffee. Anything else? " he laughed, wickedly.

" Please, sit down. " I raised an eyebrow. " Oh c'mon, you have no other work to do, dont you? " he insisted as I sighed.

" I guess it wouldn't hurt. "