Curiosity is a dangerous thing

Chapter 4

I'm on my laptop watching a video, but my mind wonders around what happened yesterday. I feel so happy I met Kate. Everything I hopped for comes eventually to me.

One hour later, Kate and I are going to her workplace so I can talk with her boss. I'm a bit nervous. My introvert friends, where you at?

Feeling thirsty, I go to the kitchen to grab some water. I open the door and a strong sense of alcohol hits my nose. Mom is in front of the oven smoking. But the alcohol smell is too strong. I start to panick.

"What are you doing?" I ask her coldly.
"Smoking" she responds whithout looking at me.
"Were you drinking?" I ask again.

This time she looks at me. Her eyes are watery, but she has a blank expression. What do I do, what do I do.

I take a glass and fill it with water. "I'm going to the cafè with Kate to get the job" I say. Why did I change the subject? I feel awful right now. I thought everything was getting right. But I was wrong. In the past one and a half year, every time something good happens, there is always so much more wrong things waiting in the corner.

"Nice. Have fun." She says with a lifeless smile.
I don't say anything and get out of there. My mind is a straight line. Why again? We were happy, we made a fresh start!

I get dressed, trying not to think too hard. I put some make-up on and leave the apartment. I didn't say goodbye. In fact, I don't want to talk to her until I feel more stable. Because right now my mind is a mess.

I walk down the stairs and ring Kate's doorbell.
"Coming" she shouts. Two minutes later, she appears at the door. She hugs me and shut the door.

"Are you okay?" she asks.
"Yeah, just nervous" I lie.
"Oh don't be. My boss is a great man and besides that, he has a really hot son who works at the cafè, too" she smiles and winks at me. I laugh not knowing what to say. To be honest, boys are the last thing on my mind right now.

We pass the park and walk on a road with many shops and cafès. Today is Friday and a lot of people are out shopping or watching the colours of the sunset, sipping their coffee. The streets are busy. It helps me feel invisible, which I so want right now. Although it's not a known neighbourhood, on weekend it seems to be.

Kate stops infront of a cafè, with a vintage feeling to it. The entrance has a door made of wood,carved with a design which resembles flowers and a red little carpet welcoming the customers. It's called "Castello".
"Here it is" she says happily. I nod and we walk inside.

The inside of it gives a warm feeling. It's not very big, but the decoration is great. Near the entrance, there are big windows, allowing you to see the street. The other walls are full of vintage phones, newspapers, recipes, books, farytails and a really big photo of Rome at night with vintage colours, hanging. The carpet on the floor is dark red with woody tables and chairs on it.

In the bar, so many sweets for every demanding customer are displayed. Chocolate cake, cherry cake, vanilla cake, blueberry cake, cupcakes, muffins, biscuits, orange pie ,lemon pie and a lot of colourful ice creams. Is this paradise??

I was so occupied looking around, that I didn't notice Kate was talking to a man.

"You must be Anna" a manly voice says. I turn around and see a tall man in his mid-fourties smiling at me.
"Yes, nice to meet you" I reply shyly.

He reaches for a handshake.
"I'm Luciano, nice to meet you, too. Kate said a lot of things about you. We need new staff, because on weekends the cafè is full. Are you interested in part-time or full-time?"
"I prefer part-time, so I can cope with college, too."
"Good. From me you have the green light. You can start tomorrow."
"Thank you so much" I say and give him a big smile. I'm indeed happy.

After all, an opportunity to get out of my life, even for a minute, is welcomed.
I saying goodbye to him and Kate, I walk to the front door.

As I leave the cafè, I look at the tables outside and the people enjoying the summer breeze with their friends.
Oh, how I love summer. The hot air and beautiful skies hug you and give you hope. That everything can change, that you're relaxed, that, after all, you have to keep moving forward.

A group of boys are laughing really loud. They stand out, as there are mostly families or older people around them. It's refreshing in a way.

But one of them is not laughing. A pair of black almond eyes is staring at me. He has dark shinny hair with some curls falling on his forhead. He smirks and, only then, I realize that I stare as well, so I start walking. Fast. With his eyes on my mind.

Why did I stare back at him? He was handsome, though.
Ah, my hormones are not cooperating, I tell to myself as I look at the night sky.