🥀Raven and Wolf🥀

Chapter 7- Sit With Me

By the time I wake up to my alarm, there's no sign of anyone throughout the house. And a glance outside confirms that both cars are gone, leaving my shiny, black Mercedes alone.

I go about getting ready as I always do, only this time deciding that it might be best to at least pretend I'm still alive with everyone that I'll be around today. Rook has already proved to be far more observant than last I saw, and walking around as if I never did wake up after they pulled me from that tub... might not be the best idea anymore.

When I'm ready, my complexion tells a story of health with radiant cheeks and plump lips, my skin bright and glowing. Its a miracle what a little bit of paint can do. But still, my eyes hold the same empty expression.

If eyes are the window to the soul, than its clear mine is long dead.

I dress myself and complete my ritual, going out to the kitchen to eat something. I lied to Lili yesterday, I didn't have dinner when I got home. And now I'm paying for it with my stomach screaming at me that the last substantial meal I had was when Saint made that Alfredo.

I go with eggs and sausages, sipping down my coffee while cooking them.

Not twenty minutes later I'm out the door and in my car. The guards open my gates for me and I wave at them by way of thanks.

When I park something very strange has happened... a small bit of blue shines through the cover of thick, grey clouds. The sky?

I marvel at it on my way to Mandy's, probably not the safest idea considering the fact I have to cross a street to get there.

Lili is already inside, playing on her phone, and I'm not sure if she notices that I've joined her in the building or not. I get my answer when I step up beside her and she shrieks. "Oh... my God, don't do that again. I know you have a legacy to live up to, but this is not the place to do it, Ghost."

I laugh as best I can at her surprise. "Was everything clean when you got here or do I need to start threatening the night shift workers?"

She shakes her head. "Nope. They wiped down the tables and everything. And the floor doesn't look too dirty."

I nod, going to brew the pots of coffee, making a mental note to remember which pot it which. When I'm finished with that, I refill the sugar holders and the door chimes open.

A moment later, Lili is huddled over the sugar with me. Her sweet, cherry perfume filling the space. "Hey, Ghost." She whispers. "The guy from yesterday is here again I think. He's sitting in your section again."

My heart races a little at her news and I glance over my shoulder to the table I know, on a cellular level, that he's occupying. And for all my hoping that she might be wrong, she isn't. The same man is sitting in the same place.

"Thanks, I'll get to him in a moment."

She nods, an evil smirk spreading across her face. "Just make sure you take care of him while he's here, Kris needs the money."

I swat at her for the implications, but she's too quick and gets away before I can reach her. So with her insinuations still rattling around in my head, I walk over to him. I notice that it doesn't take very long before he sees and tracks each of my steps.

"Welcome back." I place the menu down. "Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"Coffee, please."

And, before I can stop myself "Let me guess, regular this time?" The words fall out of me. I resist the urge to look too shocked by myself... was that a joke? When the hell was the last time I made a joke?