If Only

C H A P T E R 6

TRAP AND SACRIFICE

MIRANDA

The holidays were over and summer has gone. I was enjoying working in the newly opened cafe. Though I have a degree in college, I opt to deviate from the norm of office life.

Working as a waitress was tiring but it made it easier for me to sleep at night. Simple work and simple life, I am already used to it after almost six months. I have already established a routine.

"Miranda, can you please get this to table seven?" Paul, my coworker, asked. "My shift has already ended and I have to run." He was already pulling his apron off.

"Sure thing," I eyed the Americano on the tray.

"Thanks, hun," he scurried off to the employee's room before Allison, the one manning the register, could stop him.

"Here you go again, Miranda," she sighed, "he's making a habit of making you pick up after him. There's still fifteen minutes before his clock out."

"It's ok, Allison," I took the tray up and went to find the table. Seven was one among the tables stationed near the windows. Looking at the people walking outside, the customer's back was to me, "good afternoon. I'm sorry for the delay, here is your order."

After placing the cup on the table, I turned to leave but stopped when the customer called.

"Miranda Alves," the voice was feminine and somehow familiar. However, the surname Alves was not mine. It was the name I was born in but it wasn't the one I was using.

"My name is Miranda but I am not Miranda Alves."

For all intents and purposes, I am Miranda Montenegro.

Alves was the name given to me when I was taken in and the name written in the legal documents as well. Miranda Alves was no more.

It will stay that way.

"Miranda," with face aglow with happiness, she was looked at me. The green eyes were catching but I could not place them in my memory.

Standing and unmoving, I was waiting for her to say more. Seconds later, the most gorgeous dimpled smile greeted me.

"You don't remember me, do you?" she ran a hand through her short wavy hair. The boyish cut I never thought could possibly look lovely on a woman before, "and here I thought I was the one with the defective memory."

"I am sorry." Try as I might, I was not able to recall her name. "Are you sure I am the one you are looking for?"

The smile dipped then later turn into a mischievous grin, "The one and only." She immediately stood and grabbed me by the waist. "Let me refresh your memory."

Fingers under my chin, she tilted my head up towards hers then landed me a solid kiss on the lips. With a clatter, the tray dropped to the floor as my hand moved to try to push her away.

Chuckling, she slowly let me go. "Remember me, now?" One side of her lips upturned, she gave me a wink.

The only one who has not met the immediate end of a fist in the face nor a knee in the groin after taking liberty.

A hand covered my tingling lips, I was grateful that it hid the smile that came unbidden, "Raven?"

The last time we saw each other was before Christmas. We hadn't had a proper goodbye as she left for the city so quickly. When I came down from my room, the lounge was empty save from the hired help.

Her answering smile sent a flurry of butterflies in my stomach and electrifying waves in my flesh. I saw her lips form the words, "have dinner with me."