Bound By Blood

Chapter 1 - Little Robbin

"Ding ding" the little bell on top of the door rung out to signal the final customer leaving the small coffee shop. It's chairs and tables empty and clean ready for the next day, the small oak coffee tables still wet from cleaning, the brown leather chairs tucked away for the floor to be cleaned ready for a new day tomorrow.

The white tiles behind the counter had a dusting of freshly ground coffee waiting to be swept away. The counter was full of dirty cups and glasses, some half full some empty and one that wasn't even touched.

"Ding ding" the little bell sung out.
"Sorry we're closed" I shouted from the back room of the coffee shop. I had just taken some cups and plates to the back to load them into the dishwasher. 'Maybe I didn't change the sign around.. wait.. they haven't left yet I' walk out from the back to tell the customer we are closed. I was greeted by a fine gentleman with slick back brown hair, wearing what I can only assume is a very expensive suit.
"I'm sorry but we are closed" I say again
"I heard you the first time" his voice was rough, harsh. Not what I was expecting from a man that was so finely dressed.
"I'll take a double espresso" he ordered.
"I'll make it first thing in the morning then. We're closed." I said firmly but he didn't move.
"I said. We. Are. Closed" I repeated, he clenched his jaw but didn't say anything else before he stormed out of the coffee shop.
"What a dick" I sighed.

I finished cleaning up the shop and locked up and started my walk home. What a fucking awful day that was I swear people are just assholes and lack basic manners these days I continue to internally mock the majority of my customers while on the way home. I wanted this job, how stupid was that? I wanted to prove to my family that I could make it without their filthy money. Money is everything to them, I was just another way for them to make money, I was never a daughter they wanted. They had me perform like some show dog in their parties to make people cough up more of their money for their bullshit cause.

"Just a bunch of money grabbing bastards" I mutter to myself, I always work myself up over them but I can guarantee they don't even think about me anymore now that I'm out of their hair and cut myself off completely. I barely even realised I was at my front door when I got them out of my head. So fucking stupid. I unlock my front door and chuck my bag and coat on the side table before even shutting the door and locking it behind me. I can't wait to crawl into bed and rot away for a while. I waddle my sore legs over to the fridge for a quick meal before I head to bed. "Of course it's fucking empty" I huff to myself I'll have to go shopping tomorrow. I wanted nothing more than to rot away on my day off but now I have to go shopping. Fantastic. I walk into my room and flop onto my bed and within seconds my eyes are too heavy to open and my limbs stiffen. Well there go my plans of ordering food and binge watching my show. I gladly welcome sleep with open arms.

"Meooooooow" I was dragged out of my sleep by Bear, his yellow eyes judging me for daring to stay in bed at breakfast time. How dare I, the audacity. Honestly, he could probably use a diet but I love him too much and he always makes me feel guilty when I don't give him any treats. The only thing that would be scared of this apex predator is a fucking bowling pin. I love this cat more than anything in this world, a few years ago I saw a carrier bag wriggling and decided to investigate. Inside was this tiny bundle of fur and small meows and it broke my heart how someone could do that to such a small innocent creature. Since that day I decided I would show him nothing but unconditional love and affection. He did the same in return.

I drag my sorry ass out of bed to feed my unemployed freeloader. "Meoooooooooooooow"
"Who are you shouting at mister? You can shot at me when you start paying bills" man I love this cat even if he does shout at me all the time. I walk over to the kitchen counter and open his food and place it in his bowl. "Meow" bear thanks me very quickly by nudging his face as if he's giving me a kiss and starts eating as if he's been starved for months. 'I really should leave to grab some food before we both starve' I head back to my room and get ready for the day. I fucking hate shopping.