The Regret

sore throat

The next morning when I woke up my throat felt dry. I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed some bruises around my neck , finger prints.

I grabbed my concealer and a foundation and covered it up as much as I could before I headed down the stairs to the kitchen.
my mum had already left for work , I was alone again , giving a sigh I  poured myself some cereal and a glass of milk.
When i I finished up i went upstairs and got dressed into some leggings and a crop top , slipping on my shoes ,
I left my house earlier than usual and walked to my bus stop and caught the bus , it was a long ride buying was glad  when  i headed into school.

When I arrived at school saw Lola and her boyfriend Standing together with our friends Minty, Roman, laura, Archie , Toby , Eddie , Jessica, Kate, Tom, Noah and Joe.

They gave me smiles and 'good mornings' at my arrival.
"sooooooo, how's Charlie?" Lola asked as she hugged me.
"he's great he got into uni and he had a few job interviews we just spoke in the cafe ." I said with a smile .

"that's amazing, so what did you do after that cafe!?" she probed, I gulped, I didn't want to lie to her but if she knew the truth she would get upset.

"um- I went home and watched Netflix." I hesitated , Lola picked up on it but never said anything.

The day carried on as normal except for the throbbing bruises on my neck , when i got home i changed into a black turtle neck jumper and skinny jeans before up dating my makeup.
I checked my calender.

Work today , shift in an hour.
I had just enough time to heat up some pasta and leave a note for my mum for when she came back from work.

I made my way to the cafe and got into my apron , tying it tightly around my back.

Today wasn't very busy so i just went around emptying and refilling the coffee machines and going round cleaning the tables.

I was just finishing my drink behind the counter when two men in grey hoodies walked in , with their brief case , i gave a small gulp and pulled up my turtle neck to hide the bruises , the two were already at the counter and i forced a smile onto my face.

"Hi , welcome to Francos cafe what can i get you ?" I smiled as warmly as i could, the two men took down their hoods.
one was well built and quite handsome he was about two years older which surprised me he had his hair styled into a pompadour cut , it was sandy brown in colour.
h

is eyes were a dark amber he had a handsome yet intimidating look on his face it was hard to tell if he was the same man who had nearly left me for dead in an alley way , i was able to take in his height now 6.5ft maybe taller he towered above my 5,4 stature and the boy next to him .

the boy was younger , about 15 he was slim and pale with black hair.

it was scary how different the man looked when he wasn't trying to kill you and beat up a guy over drugs.
(Although I couldn't be certain it was him he just resembled him so much)

" I'll have a double expresso and two bacon butty's please , and my brother here will have a hot chocolate."
He said in a low smooth voice, it was hard to concentrate.
o

ne minute he was a deadly drug dealer and the next he was a charming and hot gentle man.

I took his order and got it ready as quick as i could , handing it over, my hands quivering slightly.

The guy noticed he put his hand over mine on the coffee cup , firmly , it lingered there longer than necessary before I removed my hand quickly his touch made me shudder as i remembered his vice grip around my neck.

I flinched away from his touch and gave half hearted smile.
"Are you okay ?" He asked seeming concerned.

" i'm f-ine" i chocked out taking his payment and rushing to clear up a table.

They sat down murmuring slightly and kept glancing back at me i hoped they didn't recognise me.

I carried on serving other customers until they left , as i went over to their table i saw a note under a coaster.

It was £5.50 with a little tag attached it read:
'A pretty penny for a pretty girl , hope you feel better.' I felt sick if he was the guy from last night and he recognised me it would be a different story. I took my tip and threw it in Franco's decor pot in a temper.

I carried on until my end of shift and closed up shop.

the men had left one of their phones on the table so with a sigh i decided to take it to keep it safe then walked down the road , i heard the same clatter from the same alley way again , i decided to call down it this time in my cafe girl voice.

"Hello?" I said loudly ,the shuffling stopped and i heard footsteps , the man emerged out of the dark menacingly.

He saw me and gave an embarrassed smile .
" you shouldnt be here." He said sternly , i gave a gulp.

"Is every thing okay , you left your phone on the table ,lucky to have bumped into you huh." I chuckled innocently.

His menace faltered slightly and he reached out and took the phone out my hand gently.

"Thank you , did you get the tip ?" He asked seeming slightly hurried.

" oh yes thanks, im flattered "i said a nervous edge to my tone.

" well anyway you better get going its dangerous at night, if you want I can walk you home I was just ... Finishing up a drink with a friend." He says bluntly with a smile but i hear the warning in his tone that makes me shudder , i shake my head.
" No it's okay , I don't want to ruin your fun , thanks" I smiled  and turned on my heels then walk off to the bus stop.

*willow what the fuck are you doing.*
i hiss to myself as i walk home.