Perception

6. Truth

4th October 2017,
Café Artysana
Carrer de Denia, 49, 46004, Valencia, Spain

8:17 pm

"Just one question Abby." Sarah said, looking at me sternly. "How can I rely on you? People say that you're taking me being lenient for granted and shit. I could probably get fired for this do you know?"

"Sarah I told you, I'll stay over the night and clean up the whole place in compensa-..."

"It doesn't always work that way Abby." She said, crossing her arms before her. "I think I have to fire you."

"Sarah please, nobody has understood me like you. They'll think I'm a maniac. They'll think I'm a lunatic of sorts. No one's going to give me a job or-..."

"Or be this lenient with you." She sighed. "This is the last straw Abby. One more, just one more chance Abby. Do or die."

"THANKYOU. YOU WONT REGRET THIS.

***

9:57pm

I never thought I'd be doing so many dishes in one go. But it's okay. I have the whole night to myself. I need to do some thinking.

Okay I know what you're thinking Abby, it's so easy, just go along. He's got free tickets for the match, he sounds fine to be going along with, but no. I still just cannot let it be that cliché. Like, that's how most people get into the wrong sort of friendships. I can't just trust someone who I just met so recently. What if he's a bully in disguise? What if he's trying to secretly lure me into some sort of trap. What if I'm overthinking as usual, again?

***

10.42pm

I was just going to throw the mop back into the kitchen after mopping the whole place, and was about to leave. A faint knock on the cafe's entrance door stopped me. I walk slowly to the door with the mop in my hand aiming towards whatever is outside the door, and as I get closer to the door, the knocks increase, louder this time. I drop the mop instantly, shaking. I try to pick it up, with each knock on the door, the mop doesn't stay in my trembling hands. I pick it up with both hands, and I go for the door.

"Stefano?! What the heck are you doing here?" I screamed, horrified. "You scared the living light out of me."

"Abbs? Why are you yelling at me?" He said, rolling his eyes and tried walking in, when I stopped him with the mop.

"No no we're closed for the day." I protested.

"Oh come on, I literally walked up and down these streets for like half an hour now, and I'm starving." He whined.

"But, I really don't think we have much in here. Maybe a few fartons, croissants, coffee, will that serve the purpose?" I asked, letting him in. "Careful, don't slip. I've been mopping the place."

"Yes. Anything I can eat right now." He said, carefully avoiding the wet floor, and sat down at the nearest table. "What, I mean, do you work here? And why are you here so late at night?"

"I'm uhh, just covering up for someone who couldn't do this today." I lied. "I work here yes. Like an adhoc person. You know, I don't do one specific task. Sometimes I'm in the kitchen, sometimes I clean up the place, or as the cashier, you get it right?"

Stefano's POV

She sounds so dull. So moody. I'm not even that close to her to be asking her all this but, I wish I could tell her I'm ready to help her. And I don't think anyone is this willing to cover up for people by cleaning up the place at night.