The Hidden Royals (ON HOLD)

5.

"You mean to tell me, that I can get five kolaches for free?" Anastasios said, his eyes wide

"Yup. Now, are you going to take it or should I give it to Lukas?" Esther taunted

"No, it's mine, but I still want the chocolate twist," Anastasios reached for the bag, holding it close to his chest

"Yes, your highness," Esther joked, grabbing a chocolate twist

When she looked back up, the two of them were frozen and looked like they were founded out.

"Hey, are the both of you okay?" Esther asked, setting the bag on the counter

"Y-yeah, you just gave my ego a boost," Lukas coughed, grabbing his bags and setting his money on the counter

"Welp. I just made his Ego bigger then his brain," Esther sighed, shaking her head

"Hey, my brain is not small," Lukas defended himself while Anastasios laughed

"Hey, what's going on over here?" Elliana stood beside Esther, looking at Lukas and Anastasios, "Hi, I'm Elliana, Esther's sister," Elliana waved

"Hello, I'm Anastasios and this is Lukas. Nice to meet you," Anastasios gave her a quick smile, "It was nice meeting you, Elliana, but we have to get a table,"

"Hey, wait. My hot chocolate," Lukas whined

"I'll bring it," Esther said

"Don't forget," Lukas said, keeping his eye on Esther as Anastasios dragged him to a empty table

Esther let out a chuckle and walked to the hot chocolate machine. She placed a cover on the cup and was about to walk, but was caught off.

"Elliana, I could've burned you," Esther said, her heart pounding

"I can give it to them," Elliana stated, reaching for the cup

"No, it's fine. You just keep watch behind here," Esther said, walking around her

"Esther, you know I'm not good with the register, so why don't I help you with delivering the hot chocolate," Elliana reached for the cup again

"Elliana, what the hell are you doing? St- fuck!" Esther let go of the cup which Elliana caught and walked away

Esther's hand shook from the hotness of the chocolate. She walked in the kitchen and rinsed it under water.

"Esther, are you alright?" Nathaniel asked, watching her

"Yeah, I'm just watching my hands," Esther nodded to the sink, but bit her lip when the pain became too much

"Okay, don't take too long. There could be customers," Esther nodded

She wetted a paper before turning the water off and dried her hands slowly and careful. She wrapped the paper around her burn and left the kitchen to the register. Elliana wasn't there, she was chatting with Lukas and Anastasios. 'Well, I just lost two good friends.'

♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧

"Esther, can you just give me one more blueberry muffin," Lukas whined

"No, now leave," Esther said shooing him off as she took the order of a customer

Several days after that incident, Elliana did apologize and took care of the burn, but still made efforts to communicate with them. Esther shook it off and focused on her friendship with them as that's what brought her more happiness and laughter.

"Esther," Lukas whined, his head on the counter

"Jesus, Lukas. I'll give you one, but your going to have to pay for it,"

"What? Why does Anastasios get to get his for free, but I have to pay," Lukas whined even more

"Fine then. Here," Esther handed him a bag with the blueberry muffin

"Thank you, Esther. You're the best," Lukas smiled widely at her and skipped back to Anastasios

'He's just like a kid.' Esther laughed and shook her head
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"Esther, here," Anastasios held out a envelope to her

"What is this?" Esther asked, grabbing the envelope, but there were two

"Read it after your done with work," Anastasios said

"Why?"

"Just please," Anastasios begged, a small smile on his face

"Okay," Esther nodded

"Bye, Esther," Lukas waved

"Bye Esther," Anastasios waved also

But there was something that made Esther feel uneasy when they said goodbye.
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Esther sat on her bed, looking at the two envelopes that laid before her. Both of them addressed to her, but had different handwriting. The cafe was closed and Elliana was asleep while Nathaniel was downstairs in the kitchen prepping. Esther grabbed one and carefully ripped it open.

'Esther,

It's me the ego that's bigger than my brain, which is not funny. Its hurtful. In all seriousness, it's Lukas. I really don't know how to write a letter since I've never wrote one to a friend beside Anastasios. So, I'll just say it. Today was the last day, you'll ever see us. Me and Anastasios have to go back to our regular and boring lives since we were caught a.k.a. me. I'm sorry, this is all sprung on you, but it was nice meeting you, Esther. I do hope we can meet again in the future. I can't wait to beat you in monopoly because I'll be practicing. Either way, see you later in life, Esther.

- Ego bigger than his brain'

Esther stared at the letter, trying to comprehend what was happening. Today was their last day? I'll never see them again. Esther ripped open the last one, knowing it was Anastasios.

'Dear Esther,

By the time you read this, I'll be on my way home. Today was our last day in the town before we went back home and went back to living our regular lives. In all honesty, I didn't want to write this letter, but I had to as I couldn't tell you in person. I couldn't bare to see your sad face once I tell you we're leaving and I don't know when we'll come back. I'm glad we got to know each other and become great friends, that was the best decision in my life beside befriending Lukas. You were different, Esther. A good different and I liked that, but I'm sad that I won't get to see you again. So, don't cry or feel sad when were not there. I shouldn't be saying that because you have every right to cry and feel sad, but you can't. You can only do it once every two weeks. You should be showing everyone your bright smile everyday because it lifts up their mood. I wrote enough, but I can't seem to say goodbye because if I do then this is the last time I'll ever see you until the future.
So, I hope you do well in maintaining the cafe and taking care of yourself. Don't push yourself too hard or think bad of yourself because if you do, you'll see me in your dreams, complimenting you until your ears bleed. So, Esther, let's meet again in the future and be together.

Goodbye,
Anastasios'

Esther covered her mouth to stop the sobs, but it was no use. Her two good friends are gone and she'll probably never see them again. Esther grabbed a pillow and left the room to the bathroom where she cried into the pillow for the lost of a friendship that just barely begun.