Superhero

Chapter 140

Fiolina appeared an hour before her shift, but Addison didn't talk much. She didn't breathe a word about the whole ordeal that happened last night too.
"Addie, you seem upset," Fiolina said. "Is everything alright?"
Addison shrugged. "I walked in to work to meet Jeff, but found the Crawfish sitting here instead."
Fiolina wanted to laugh at the nickname, but she gave Addison a sympathetic smile instead.
"It's never fun to see him," she said. "I once walked in to see him when you were on holiday as well."
"Yeah, I remember that day," Addison smirked. "I wonder what happened to Jeff."
"He didn't tell you?" Fiolina asked, to which Addison shook her head. "Huh. I would've thought he would've told you something. Maybe he's just really busy."
"I'm not sure," Addison sighed. "He didn't reply to my messages and didn't answer my calls. Not sure if he's just busy or if he's just ghosting me."
Fiolina couldn't help but snort. "Why on earth would he be ghosting you?"
Addison shrugged. "I'm not sure. It wouldn't be the first time someone has done something like that to me, though."
"Oh, girl," Fiolina sighed and came up to her, then reached over the counter and placed her hands onto her shoulders. "I'm sure Jeff wouldn't do something like that, especially not after you told us what happened with your secondary school friends."
Addison frowned and gently took Fiolina's hands off her shoulders and placed them on the counter. "You will be surprised. One of my pre-university friends did the exact same thing even after I poured the contents of my heart out to them. I'm not taking any chances."
"Eh, I'm sure Jeff will reply to you soon," Fiolina smirked. "If he doesn't, just ambush him when he comes up for work tomorrow."
Addison nodded, although she was wondering if Jeff would even show up for work anymore. Fiolina told her not to worry and went over to the snack section and picked up a pack of caramel popcorn and chips, then placed them on the cover before going over to the food warmer to pick up a cheese-filled sausage on a stick. After she paid for everything, she handed the sausage to Addison with a smile, then went to sit at the table.
"Thanks, Fio," Addison sighed as she sat on her stool and started nibbling on her sausage.
Both women quietly ate their snacks, with Fiolina chiming in once in a while to talk about school or Jordan. Apparently, he did get her flowers earlier last night, which Addison was glad to her. At least one good thing happened on that fateful night.
Maybe Giuseppe's advice was finally started to sink into his skull.
"So, he suddenly shows up with a bouquet of roses yesterday, right here in the shop, after you left," Fiolina said. "So I was shocked since I'm the one who's giving out bouquets while he's giving me single flowers. Also, there's this florist that participates in my college's bazaar and the ones who are buying are always girls. I guess not many men buy flowers for their ladies nowadays. Girls have to buy on their own."
"Yes," Addison sighed, remembering how even she had bought herself flowers once or twice on Valentine's Day. It did seem like Fiolina was right.
Fiolina then went on to ramble about her group mate for an assignment when the welcome tune suddenly interrupted her. Both women turned to look at the customer and were surprised to see Jeff walk in.
"'Sup, ladies," he greeted with a smirk, then turned to look at Addison for a moment before making his way to the back of the shop as he stretched his arms back.
Addison and Fiolina exchanged surprised glances, with the latter looking gleeful as she mouthed 'I told you!' to the other woman. Addison couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Jeff get a drink from the fridge, then make his way to the food warmer to get a chicken pie.
"You guys don't mind if I settle here for a few minutes, do you?" Jeff asked, smirking at Addison. "Also, sorry I gave you that jump scare. What did Crawfish say?"
Fiolina burst into laughter at that moment. "Crawfish! Seriously, you guys come up with the craziest nicknames."
Jeff turned to look at Fiolina. "Your boyfriend's nickname is literally Hoodie since he's always wearing the same one if he doesn't have it on his shoulders. And I'm guessing it also stinks."
"It actually doesn't," Fiolina said. "Because he gave it to me one time when we went for a walk since it was quite cold."
"I didn't know Jordan was so chivalrous," Addison couldn't help but say as she pointed at the card reader for Jeff to pay.
Fiolina snorted. "Yeah, but he's pretty sweet."
Jeff smiled as he collected his receipt, then went to sit at the table with his chicken pie and kombucha. "By the way, Addie, you didn't tell me what Crawfish said."
"He said I looked really sad and must've missed you," Addison sighed. "Also, he referred to you as 'that boy' instead of by name."
"Not surprised," Jeff shrugged before cracking open his bottle of kombucha. "Also, thanks for suggesting I take something healthier like kombucha. It's beginning to grow on me."
Addison couldn't help but smile slightly. "You're welcome. Was that the first time you had kombucha?"
Jeff grinned. "Yes. You should try it too. It's really good."
"Sure," Addison shrugged.
"By the way, what brings you here so late in the day?" Fiolina couldn't hide the wicked smile that was creeping onto her face. "Seems kinda like you're just here to meet Addie."
Jeff smirked as he turned to look at Addison, then turned back to her. "As a matter of fact, I am." He sighed. "Something happened last night and I didn't get home. Superhero, that is my dog, got quite agitated at my absence and barked the night away. When I arrived this morning, my landlord found out about my dog and kicked us out."
"Oh darn," Fiolina was concerned now. "Is everything okay? Did you find a new place to stay?"
"Yep," Jeff smiled as he turned to look at Addison again. "That's why I couldn't come to work earlier. My phone was dead as well since I didn't get to recharge before getting the boot, so I spent half the day packing up what little stuff I had, then moved into my new place."
"How did you find a place so fast?" Addison chimed in.
Jeff smirked as he once again turned to look at her, stuffing the last of his chicken pie into his mouth as he turned to look at her. "I just called my friend since his mom accepted tenants. Rent price seemed pretty good too, and they didn't even ask for an deposit. Also, I think you know him, Addie. Name's Jake."
Addison's eyes widened in surprise. "You're staying at... the Kennedy home?"
"That's right, I am," Jeff grinned. "That reminds me. I'm actually here to collect you since I don't want you walking back home like you did yesterday."
"How did you know she walked back home yesterday?" Fiolina asked.
"Jake told me," Jeff simply shrugged. "He said he was held up at work quite late. It's happening again, so that's why I'm here."
Addison sighed. "I guess I'm glad that you showed up. Thank you, Jeff."