Devastation (Paused)

Chapter 1: Coffee...?

"Look I ain'ts helpin ya if you fuck ya self over, ight? Get dis fuckin outfit on before he gets here!" The "manager" screamed at me as he shoved me towards the bathroom. "For fucks sake! Why the hell did that damn nut job hire a fuckin slow harlot! You'd better be ready in 2 or else!!!"

Stripping from my coat I put on the ugly gray dress that felt tighter than my own skin. Once I came out in uniform the man took my clothes as a woman pulled me behind the counter.

"Listen closely. I will take care of the other customers but you need to focus on the boss. He loves coffee so anything with coffee will do but make sure it is fresh. Once he walks in, make a pot and do not spill it on him! He sits in that corner with his four men. They don't get anything except on Friday's." This woman spoke so quickly it was hard to keep pace. "Also..."

I let her trail on as my stomach sank. It's coffee... Why am I scared of making coffee? Am I scared of getting burned? No... I've never gotten burned. Maybe it's just stress. Yes, it just-

The woman stopped talking and paled as I turned towards the door. Four men dressed in black entered along with the same tall man from before. This time I caught his gaze. It wasn't cold nor warm. He wasn't even looking at me but through me. For a moment my heart stopped as I simply watched him.

I felt a sharp yank on my arm causing me to look away. "Don't stare." Oh... Glancing back I noticed the men walking over the corner table where the woman said they would sit. "Coffee. Now."

My body moved numbly as I made the coffee and grabbed a mug. I noticed some honey and decided to put some honey, milk, and coffee to make his drink. Naturally sweet with a slightly bitter note. To make it even more different I whipped some milk to make some art on top of it. I didn't have an idea in mind but once it was done I knew it. That's when I noticed my favorite spice in the kitchen. Bringing the mug with me I went to the back and grabbed the secret ingredient that would make this heavenly. Pumpkin spice. This is it... I sprinkled a little onto the art letting it melt into the cream.

"Wait a moment. What did you make?! Why is it so light??? The boss drinks black coffee! Sometimes with a little milk but not this!" The woman yanked on my arm as I grabbed a tray laying nearby.

"I was told to make a drink to catch his attention. This should do." Yes it looks quite light in comparison to the dark coffee I brewed yet the scent was enticingly sweet. Almost intoxication... "Either this will get his attention or else..."

The woman stared at me in disbelief as I grabbed the mug carefully, placed it on the tray, and brought it over to the boss's table. Once I sat it down before him, a hand grabbed me. It was harsh but frightening nevertheless. I clenched the tray as I tried to remain calm.

"...What is dis...?" I felt my body chill at the uncertain tone. He was not angry yet I was still scared to speak. As if sensing my distress he let go and simply asked, "...It has coffee, yes?". I nodded before taking a few steps back. He watched the cup closely before picking it up. Holding my breath I waited for him to taste it. I watched his adam's apple drop for a moment before he immediately set the cup down. His men looked surprised for a moment before they surrounded me with guns drawn.

Oh no... A loud clunk on the tray startled me as I began to panic. I couldn't breathe. Hot... It's too hot... Closing my eyes flashes of fire and scream rippled around me.

"She is fine." The boss said at last. I was nearly burning with fear yet those words made my racing heart relax for a moment. "I was taken aback by the flavor. This is very unique. I like it." He... Does he like it? I don't know what happened after I picked up the tray and returned to the counter. The woman seemed stunned into silence as I was.

"He likes it... What do I now?" I asked.

"Umm. I don't know. You stepped onto death's door then returned unharmed... This has never happened. He has never taken a liking to anything this...different." That's when she began to look behind me with startled eyes. "Girl... They are requesting you..." Glancing back I noticed the boss staring at me intently. "I-I, just go."

I hurried over to the table where the boss waited patiently. "I have a request for ya. Make this drink again but... make it In Front of me. I would like to see how it is done."

"O-oh... Ok. I'll be right back." Gathering all the ingredients I placed them on my tray along with the coffee pot, including the pumpkin spice. Slowly walking back to the table I prepared to make the drink again. I poured a half cup of coffee then filled the rest with milk, drizzled in the honey and stirred it a little, then whipped the milk into cream. Slowly I made some art before sprinkling the pumpkin spice onto it and watching it dissolve into the thin foam. Slowly I moved the cup in front of him while he watched.

"What do ya call dis?" Grabbing his mug he took a sip before looking at me.

"Oh umm... It's a honey spiced latte..."

"Where did ya learn to make dis?"

"My mother... She taught me all kinds of coffee recipes." It was true. Before my mother came to America she was a pub owner in Scotland. Then she decided to move here once she met my dad. A few years later I was born with my brother and sister... Realizing I was fiddling with the pendant, a cough caught my attention.

"I see. I hope to try a new recipe tomorrow."

I stood aside as the boss finished his mug and left. With a quick wipe of the table I cleaned the mug and put all the ingredients back. Letting out a sigh I felt exhausted as the woman quickly checked in on me.

"Wow... I've never seen the boss look so excited... What did you do???" I was turned around in an instant as the woman gazed at me excitedly.

"Oh um. I made a latte? It isn't something fancy. Just coffee, milk, and honey with a little bit of pumpkin spice." Grabbing a cloth I cleaned up a coffee spill on the counter as customers seemed to spill in.

"Really know? Something so simple yet enough to bewitch the mafia boss? I don't believe it. You must have slipped something into his drink..." I watched the woman take order's in such a way that she did not appear as a normal human. She moved quickly while pouring coffee for the men sitting at the counter while also tending to the others waiting at the tables.

"No... If that was the case then he would have seen it once I made the drink again. I did as I said." I gathered the food for those on the counter while trying to keep up with the coffee pots.

"You are too slow. Move." The manager spoke coldly as he moved me aside. He took on my task just as swiftly as the lady. "Go to the office and start making recipes for tomorrow instead of standing in the way."

How rude! Rolling my eyes I walked into the dark office. Grabbing a pencil and paper I sat down on the couch near the desk. The clock read 3 o'clock which means the boss must arrive at around 2:30. If he comes at around this time everyday then it should be easy to prepare his drink. Grabbing a pencil and paper I began to think of all the drinks that my mom taught me. Firstly, coffee... Latte, Cappuccino, Americano, Expresso...? Hmm well there isn't much of a difference between the latte and cappuccino. They both have art design yet one has more milk. Maybe an Americano with some roasted vanilla beans? Ooh what if I steep the beans to give them more aroma and add some cinnamon? Yes!!! This will be the best drink the boss has ever had!!!

Smiling, I made quite a long list of the four main coffee's with different ingredients. Then an idea came to mind. What if I mixed tea with coffee? If I use black tea with milk and coffee then surely it will make something far more enticing! Checking the time I noticed how late it had gotten. 7 o'clock already? The office door opened to reveal the worn out manager.

"Ya finish the recipes?" He didn't hesitate to plop down on his chair as I stayed sitting.

"I did. Would you like to see it?"