The Older Guy

Chapter IX

The ever so familiar jingle of the overhead bell drew Karrah's attention away from the table she'd been wiping down. She was surprised that someone would be coming in this early. No one ever really showed up at opening time. It usually took about an hour or two before people started flocking in. But there at the door stood a tall, brown haired man clad in an all-black suit. His shoulders were slightly hunched over as he took slow, heavy steps towards a table near the back of the pub. As he sat there, eyes trained on his phone, Karrah couldn't help but regard him with curious eyes. There was something about him that didn't sit right with her. He didn't look like someone who'd spend time in a pub. He seemed too formal for this type of setting but to each his own. Karrah hadn't noticed how focused she was on him until his eyes met her own. She quickly looked away as she felt heat rise to her cheeks.

"Is anyone going to take my order or do I have to come up there and serve myself?"

Karrah couldn't help but flinch at his voice. It wasn't deep and thunderous nor was it sinister and menacing. It was smooth in a mischievous way. As if his words could sway you into doing whatever it was he wanted you to. And even though he'd only spoken but a handful of words, Karrah could tell that he was a man that no one could easily say no to. Again, not because he was threatening in any way, but because he spoke with an unwavering confidence. The type of confidence that made people step aside when they saw you coming. He must be someone important.

"Sorry sir. What would you like to drink?" Karrah forced a smile as she approached his table, pulling out a note pad from the pocket of her apron.

"Hmm..." he hummed as he tapped his chin as if he really was putting some deep thought into his choice. He smirked up at Karrah, his cold blue eyes locked onto her own "Why don't you just surprise me. I'm in a good mood today."

"I'll see what I can whip up." Karrah smiled once more and turned to head towards the bar

"Thank you, Karrah." The man said as he smirked at her back

Karrah whipped around to meet his grin, shocked that he knew her name. The shock must have been evident on her face as the man let out an amused chuckle.

"Sorry, is that not your name?" he tilted his head to the side "If it isn't then I think you grabbed the wrong name tag."

The shiver that had ran up her spine had disappeared as fast as it had made itself present. Of course he read my name tag...why else would he know my name? I'm being jumpy over nothing!

"Right...let me get that drink for you."

Just as she finished speaking, the grin that sat on his lips fell and his eyes trailed back to his phone. His expression was stoic, as if he wasn't the same man who'd been smiling at her a moment ago. Karrah quickly minced over to the bar and asked Samuel to put together any drink that came to mind.

"Who is that?" Samuel questioned as he grabbed different drinks and mixers from the shelves that sat behind the counter. His curiosity had also been sparked when he saw the mysterious man walk through the door of the pub and just like Karrah, Samuel felt there was something off about him.

"I don't know..." Karrah answered more to herself as she glanced at him over her shoulder. He was still looking at his phone "Just gimmie the drink so he can get out of here, okay?"

Samuel handed her a tray with the drink sat atop it and she was off to face the mysterious man once more. Before she could make it to the table, however, he was on his feet tucking his phone into his jacket. He smiled down at Karrah who raised a brow at him.

"Unfortunately, something has come up and I need to leave right away so I won't have time to indulge in whatever surprise you conjured up for me." He furrowed his brows as if he was genuinely touched at the fact that he had to leave "But since I wasted your time, I'll still pay what I owe."

He pulled out a note from his wallet and dropped it on the tray before making his way to the door. Karrah examined the note and saw it was a hundred, pound note.

"Wait this is too muc-" Karrah tried to say

"You can keep the change, Karrah. Consider it a...gift." He smiled "From your friend Joseph. I'll be seeing you."

And just like that, he was gone; overhead bell jingling. Karrah looked over at Samuel who had his lips slightly parted in awe. He looked back at Karrah, her eyes now on the door.

What just happened?

~~~~

Finally an update. Short yes I know. But I'm just getting back into the swing of things so I'll try to make them longer going forward. Thank you for being patient with me and THANK YOU ALL for getting TOG to over 30k reads. Words can't express how touched I am at your continued support. And thank you to all those that have been leaving supportive comments. You have no idea how much they mean to me. I'm doing much better now so don't worry you won't have to wait another year for the next update.  Tell me who you think Joseph is and why Karrah felt uneasy around him. See you soon

Abigail M.