Sorrow | 18+

1 No nicknames

Song to listen: Solar (솔라) - HONEY (꿀)

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Vivienne

"Fuck off... FUCK OFF" I groaned to my reflection. It was my tradition before every night shift. Be rough, be tough. No smiling for rude customers. No whispering what I'm saying. Over the last year my resting bitch face had improved a lot, or at least Zara said so and she looked pissed all the time. I made my blue eyes appear sharper to have an icier look in them. The 18 years of training to appear as a sweet, quiet girl in front of everyone did not work with drunk customers in the middle of night. Even though weeknights at the café were super slow and quiet.

I straightened my white apron and attached a workpen to it before coming out of the staffroom to check if any customers had popped by as my  lovely coworker Min-young had left 5 minutes ago when the café was still empty. I dimmed the hurting bright lights a bit to not reflect the white stained floors and to accent more the cozy atmosphere that came with dark wood tables and forest green sofas. Our café was small, earthy type with warm feelings, open at any time for anyone, Joel's words not mine. I truly believed the café didn't make any money but Joel, the owner, was either too old or too high to care. Okay that again was not my words but what Zara said when she had heard about him. In my opinion, the café was Joel's retirement hobby and he didn't need the money, just something to do to not get bored. Even though his schedule was full with teaching martial arts and getting into different charity projects every other week so who knows.

In front of the left side's bold leaf pattern wallpaper, Joel had put three booths that were more suitable for a classic diner. Regardless, now the booth closest to the front door was occupied by two men dressed in all black. Their aura was thick with danger. When you have lived your whole life surrounded by entitled criminals you learn to recognize rich people and criminals and well people who are both. I took a deep breath. Tout va bien, Vivi, they are just some people, now put your customer smile on. I took a few menus, as Joel said that serving the table was a crucial part of good customer service. In his café nobody will get their drinks served by someone screaming their name from the counter.

"Hi there! Do you know what to order or would you like to take a look at our menu?" I asked with a bright smile and put the menus on the table. The man closest to me turned and looked at me from head to toe. He had dark eyes with high cheekbones which were made visible by his short black hair that clearly was deranged by someone and not brushed afterwards. Quickly he got a smile on his face that was even bigger than mine. "Hi there honey, lucky to have as stunning waitress as you today, I'm Rem", he grinned and I let the smile drop on my face. Rule number hundred something, if you don't like the customer's attitude, be rude and not nice. Flirty customers were always a no-go even if they were as handsome as he was.

"Name is Vivienne, not honey" I said firmly and pointed at the name tag on my green shirt.

"Pretty name for pretty girl" Rem continued to grin and I saw his company groaned next to him.

"We will take three coffees. One black, one with oat milk and another with soy milk if you have" the other man said and offered the menus back. He had similar features to Rem. Maybe relatives.

"Okay, I got you" I smiled at him and turned to return to the counter until Rem's flirty voice bothered me once again.

"Viv, sweetie, may I have some chocolate biscuits if you have any as well?"

"As I said, it is Vivienne, we do not do nicknames on the night shift. Next one and I'll kick your ass out of here", I proclaimed to him and his grin only got wider while his eyes shot above my shoulder.

"No nicknames, huh? Then I guess Zero has to have his coffee somewhere else"

My skin got goosebumps as I sensed a person standing right next to me and when I turned around, I wanted to congratulate myself for not screaming aloud. "Fuck" I gasped as I locked eyes with the man, Zero, behind me. He was tall, too tall. Unlike the other two dressed in black jeans, t-shirts and leather jackets, Zero had white dress shirt with a few buttons open tucked to his more formal straight black trousers. He had rolled his sleeves up so I could see his muscular arms decorated with pretty flower tattoos. He clearly was also related to Rem with his high cheekbones. He had kind features but his dark eyes made me shiver. Not only did they have a strict look on them, but I recognized his eyes. I believed I would recognize them forever. I felt my hands tremble and noticed I had dropped the menus to the floor. I started to reach them but Zero was faster. He snatched the menus from the floor when my brain tried to adjust to the situation. Act normal, why would he recognize who you are. "Here", his smooth, deep voice burned to my soul, even if it was a second ever word I had heard him say. "Thank you, sorry I got startled, you were just suddenly behind me", I blurted out fast and rushed away. Before I could get inside the staff room, I heard him say: "Remi, stop harassing the waitress, she clearly isn't into your charms."

I splashed some ice cold water to my cheeks, trying to not wash away my mascara and brow powder at the same time. Respire Viv, breathe. Just make some coffee and he will be on his way eventually. My dark brown hair on a low bun with a pink scrunchie and my dark pink lipstick didn't match the girl I was once. I looked confident, nothing like the scared, plain girl who he had seen for a few seconds over a year ago. Tu es très belle. He cannot recognize you, why would he? Just act normal.

I prepared the coffees while trying not to glance at the group. They were discussing in a hushed voice that did not carry the content of discussion to my ears. My hand gripped the tray so hard my knuckles turned white.

"Hey, which is for who?" I asked.

"Black is for Zero, I'll take the soy milk one and the awful oat milk one is for our cousin Cris here", Remi answered and I sorted the coffees for them. Zero and their cousin murmured thanks before I again rushed back to the counter. They stayed for half an hour. Talking quietly about something that made Remi have various different odd facial expressions. Cris' lips or eyebrows switched from time to time, but Zero was the curious one. He remained cold, serious, not giving anything away. Only time something really moved on his face expect from speaking, was when he catched me staring and his eyebrow raised. I flushed red and continued my non-existing tasks. Do not stare him. Idiote, Viv.

When they finally left, the cousin nodded bye to me and exited the café, but Rem lingered behind with Zero.

"Thank you for the coffees, I expect to get extra cookies next time when we meet, honey", Rem flirted and put some cash at the counter.

"Rem", I smiled at him.

"Yes, gorgeous?"

"Fuck off, please", I smiled even wider and he looked almost stunned. However, Zero behind him clearly enjoyed the situation and got to see his sly, quick grin before he groaned: "Time to fucking leave." And with the front door's bell clicking, I truly wished they would not return to this café.

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I name dropped so many people in this first chapter already oh my, but yeah we are not waiting around the plot has to move, but I hope we'll get to know everyone properly later on. Also, my prologue was so short (oops), but it was just supposed to be a dramatic start to this story lol. And well 1st chapter might not be the longest, but let's get into the story and longer chapters on the way yey.

On other note, I have to comment that I'm not an extremely visual person so I'm trying my best to describe stuff, but if everything feels a bit hazy, that's just how it is in my head so please bear with me.

Comment and vote if you would like to, hope to see you in the next chapter <3