Maeve's one fleeting high

7. Lots of interaction

The next day everything presumed like nothing happened. Everyone was downstairs for breakfast, including Lemon and Madeline. After that everyone slowly went their own way. Dad and I headed off to work, Gio and mom stayed home for his education, and Madd, Lemon and Kai went to school. 

It was noon when I was eating my sandwich on my break, with Yasmine on the other side of the table in the staff room. Soon later, Mark and another colleague showed up. We talked and ate until the break was over and got back to work. 

Yasmine and I were behind the counter while Mark was tending the posters on the wall and some other tasks. It was quite pecked for some reason. That's normal for a Friday but not for this time of day. I gave three customers their tickets and bid them a good time. 

I twirl around and groan at Yasmine. ''I was hoping for a slow day. What's this all about, man?'' She was cleaning the surfaces with a towel and firmly agreed with me. 

''Believe me, me too. I'm actually not well so this couldn't have come at a worse time.''

''You're not well?'' I take two step toward her and place my hand on her forehead. ''You're slightly burning. Why don't you go home? I'll manage. The people will just have to be more patient,'' I reason. I don't work whenever I'm sick because I'm weak so Yasmine must be really uncomfortable. 

Yasmine contemplated for a second before shaking her head. ''No, I won't leave you. Besides, we only have two hours left.''

''Okay, but you hand this''—I snatch the towel from her—''over to me and sit on the stool and only be smiley to customers.'' The rest of the hour I wipe everything clean while Yasmine tells me stories from her childhood. She was about to tell me about her crush on this one teacher, when I felt my phone buzzing. I retrieve my phone from my back pocket and glance at my home screen.

A wolf in sheep's clothing

I halt my move and urgently send a screenshot to the girls. 

''Is everything all right?'' I look up at Yasmine who was gesturing to my phone. 

''Yes,'' I wave away, ''everything's fine.'' 

Ding

Limoncello: Let's meet at my place tonight, 7. Suit everyone?

Blake Lively: Duh

I confirm as well and after that I try to push it all the way back in my head. I need to focus on work. As Yasmine was about to continue her thrilling story, more and more customers started pooling in. We both got back to work. Yasmine took their orders from her stool while I did the rest in the back.

Two hours flew by without realizing because we were swamped with work. Somehow Yasmine sensed my anxiety throughout work. It was probably obvious because I messed up a lot. Who says good morning thrice in a row when it's four in the afternoon? 

She offered me a ride home, which I gladly took her upon. Her boyfriend picked her up so they both kindly dropped me off. I thanked them and quickly headed inside. I sprinted down the hallway and checked who was in the living room. 

Kai was talking on his phone but as soon as he saw me, he gestured for me to wait. ''I'll certainly make sure your expectations are met. Good evening, Sir.'' He ended the call and rose from the couch. ''Maeve, can I talk to you for a sec?'' It's 6 so I still got time before I had to go. 

''Of course, what's up?'' I take the arm chair across from him and sit on my hands to hide my jitters. 

He reclaimed the couch and gave me a sad look. ''I'm worried about Madeline,'' he sighs. ''I can sense something's wrong. She's been more in her bedroom than ever and she doesn't talk to us anymore besides greetings.''