Sweet Licorice

Introduction

TW//: Mature Themes, Violence, Strong Language, Possibly Upsetting Scenarios of Kidnapping. Please be safe and mindful when reading ♡

Edited.

Stephanie's POV:

"Order up, table 2!" A male voice calls from the café kitchen.

"Yes chef!" I respond curtly, walking over to the window bay and grabbing the two hot plates of food, rushing through the swaying doors as I approach the sweet elderly couple sat at table 2. "Here you are guys, the Caesar salad and the BLT wrap. Is there anything else I can get for you?" I give them a professional and friendly nod as they tell me they have all they need and dismiss me, allowing me to turn and make my way back to the kitchen. 

As I pass by the front entrance, seeing two friends heading towards the doors, I give them a small smile as I call out, "See you later, thanks so much for visiting the Indulge Delights Café!" to which they return the smile and wave.

Just as I am heading back to the kitchen doors, one of our regulars, an old lady named Ruth, gave me a small wave over, "Excuse me dear can I get some more sugar?" She asks in her shaking voice, motioning to the sugar satchet container which was empty.

She had a very odd habit of coming in, staying all day but having only one cup of tea, and stealing all our sugar satchels from the table.

"Sure thing." I give her a nod, quickly walking behind the counter, grabbing a handful and walking back over, dropping them into the container.

"Oh thank you so much dear, you are always so nice miss..." She gushes, leaning in and squinting at my name badge, "Steph.. Stephanie! My what a beautiful name, you know, I have a great nephew in Milwaukee named Stephen."

"Oh really? that's lovely, and you are very welcome, you enjoy your tea Ruth." I respond kindly before excusing myself. 

Finally pushing back into the kitchen with a sigh, my 19 year old co-worker Natasha gives me sympathetic smile, and I almost cringe at the glimpse of my pathetically exhausted reflection in her eyes, "I'm fine.." I huff with a playful smile, already knowing what she was going to say.

"I know I just feel awful! I totally understand if you want to be mad at me.." Natasha whines, causing me to roll my eyes. "Tash, I wouldn't have agreed to come in if I didn't want to."

She pouts further, leaning against the counter beside me as I stack the dishwasher,
"..But it was your one day off and of course I just couldn't handle the shop on my own and needed to call you to come rescue me." It was clear that she was bitter with herself for her dependence on me. 

"Oh stop! I'm serious, I really don't mind. Besides I needed the money anyways, a day off is a luxury I cannot afford right now." I joke, trying to lighten the mood. I worked pretty much 7 days a week, and sometimes even worked 12 hour shifts a day, so working so tirelessly wasn't exactly uncommon to me.

She smiles softly, her sad demeanour starting to fade, "So are you close to buying the car yet?"
I look up at her eager expression, a small hint of a smile creeping onto my face as I close the dishwasher and press start.

"So close, I think next month is gonna be it, finally.." I sigh, feeling a hint of excitement fill me at the thought of finally being able to stop catching public transport.
Natasha can't help but reach over to grip my hand, hopping up and down on the spot as she grins excitedly, "Oh I am so excited for you! We can go on road trips, and beach trips, and car rides and-"

I hold up my hands slowing her down a little, "Woah woah, slow down," I chuckle, speaking in a teasing tone, but it was hard to pretend I wasn't also excited.
"Let me just get the car first, then we can go crazy planning road trips."