Silver Rain

Chapter 3

Olivia sat behind the counter at The Brew Haven, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished surface as she absently glanced at her phone. The soft chatter of the café's patrons filled the air, accompanied by the occasional clink of coffee cups and the whirring of the espresso machine.

As she adjusted her apron, Olivia couldn't shake the events of the previous day from her mind. She had barely gotten any sleep. Ethan's unwanted advances still lingered, leaving her feeling unsettled and on edge. She glanced up from her phone, her gaze scanning the familiar faces of the morning crowd, seeking a distraction from her thoughts.

Just then, the door swung open, the bell above the door ringing. A tall figure stepped inside and Olivia's knees became weak. It was the same guy who had come to her rescue yesterday, his presence commanding attention as he made his way to the counter. Murmurs rippled through the café as heads turned to catch a glimpse of him, and Olivia felt a knot form in her stomach.

As he approached the counter, murmurs turned to 'hello' and 'have a nice day', heads turning to acknowledge him. The man's presence seemed to cast a shadow over The Brew Haven, his stature commanding attention as he stepped inside. He exuded an aura of authority that seemed to affect everyone in the café.

"What can I get started for you today?" Olivia asked, tapping on the ordering board.

Gasps went around the room.

"How dare she..."

"...Good for nothing human..."

"Deserves to rot..."

Olivia's nose and eyebrows scrunched. Sure the wolves were normally bad, but what did she do this time? What unnamed law had she broken this time?

"Olivia, dear," Mrs. Cooper appeared out of nowhere, and lightly placed her hands on Olivia's arms, turning her away from the man. They shook ever so slightly and her face was washed of its usual color. "Why don't you check on the ovens in the back?"

Olivia blinked. Was Mrs. Cooper making her leave? Was Mrs. Cooper now subjected to prejudice too?

With a frown, Olivia rounded to the back. When she reached the ovens, she realized there was nothing in them. Nothing had been prepared to be made to put into the ovens.

As Olivia stood in the back, frustration simmering beneath the surface, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. Mrs. Cooper's strange behavior, coupled with the hostile murmurs directed at her, left her feeling isolated and vulnerable.

Olivia walked towards the front of the cafe and stopped before she could be seen. Mrs. Cooper, usually the epitome of composure, seemed oddly flustered as she greeted the newcomer, her hands fumbling with the coffee cups as she took his order. Olivia watched, intrigued, as the stranger exchanged a few words with Mrs. Cooper, their conversation tinged with an air of familiarity that she couldn't quite place.

"What can I get you, sir?" Mrs. Cooper smoothed out her apron. "An honor to have you here,"

The mysterious man looked out of place in The Brew Haven. The man's dark long sleeves, tattooed arms, and stoic personality were stark in contrast to the colorful walls and decorations Mrs. Cooper gave the cafe.

The man's eyes scanned the menu board briefly before he spoke, his voice deep and commanding. "Just a black coffee, please."

Typical, Olivia rolled her eyes. As if that wasn't expected.

As Mrs. Cooper busied herself preparing his order, Olivia observed the interaction with growing curiosity. There was something about the way Mrs. Cooper's demeanor shifted in the presence of this man, a subtle tension that hung in the air like a silent storm.