One

27 5 2

by OnPaper

by OnPaper

Andrea Palestine
-60 days prior-

A heavy gust of wind along with the incessent sound of pounding raindrops hit the windows that held strong in the storm. The outside was a blur, the downpour fogging my view and the glass window I was sat next to.

"Would you like to order, ma'am?" A young man asked, holding onto his notebook tightly.

"A hot latte would be nice." I mumbled softly, smiling.

With that he left, bouncing off to the next table to take much expensive orders. Of course, they were the crumpets, the higher community. But it was surprising though, to see them in this local coffee shop which held a more ordinary nature. Must be the unexcepted storm. Has to be.

Mrs. Devita Crumpet, wore a stunning red gown, a matte finish that brough out her flawless skin while Sir.Crumpet himself showed of his physique with a well suited suit that hugged his slim body firmly. Talia, the ever so infamous daughter of their's, pulled off her tight fitted black jeans and white crop top rather nicely. On the whole, you could easily make them out in a crowd, so out of place!

"Your latte ma'am."

"That was fast. Thank you."

"Your welcome. If....if you dont mind, can I ask you your name?"

I looked up, frowing at the man standing there while I realised he was a completely different waiter. A young boy to be specific. A young boy with weak eyes and a brutal scar running down his lips. An involuntary gasp escaped my mouth but the fake smile plastered on my face seemed to overshadow it.

"Andrea. Andrea palestine."

"Your father is Mr.Clifford Palestine, isnt he?" He tutted excitedly while eyeing the store cautiously. When he made sure no one was looking, he leaned in to my ear, whispering, "He is a devil of a man, Clifford."

"How old are you anyway?" I asked nonchalantly, trying to sound unfazed by his abnormally disturbing comment.

"Thirteen, ma'am." He bowed, as a sign of respect that the young ones, these days, were taught. But soon enough he was back to being his bubbly self. "But I am more mature than you think."

"Are you now?" I teased, shifting in my seat to fully face him. He nodded his head curtly in reply, before abruptly leaving me to myself again. Sighing, I sipped the hot coffee that soothed my senses in the cold. He seemed like a nice boy but his sense of percieving things was abnormal yet accurate and not to forget, frightening

He is a devil of a man, Clifford.

Those very words seemed painfully familiar though the boy was first to tell me that. Devil of a man? I didnt even know what that was supposed to mean.

I scanned the diner in search of him, but he was nowhere in sight. His scar, that ragged line, his harelipped face was tripping me. He made me curious. He made me shudder.I swiftly gulped down the rest of the cup, gazing at the Crumpets, who were now neatly cutting into a muffin with a butter knife in their right hand and fork in the left. Talia seemed disgusted though, munching itsy-bitsy small pieces to avoid the taste completely. I chuckled to myself, placing a five dollar bill into the jar on my table and walking away.

"Mr and Mrs.Crumpet. Ms.Talia."

I nodded, acknowledging their presence. They seemed surprised at first but were quick to react.

"Ah! Ms.Andrea. What a pleasure. How have you been, darling?" Mr. Crumpet asked politely, standing up to give me a hug. The women followed. I grinned lightly shaking my head.

"Very well. How have you all been?"

"I have been fantastic personally. My parents seem good, but its really up to them to know, you know?" Talia piped in carelessly, while frowning slightly which didnt go down well with Mrs.Devita. She glared at Talia, telling her to behave, but Talia just shrugged it off as usual. Her genuiness was something to admire really and I respected Talia for that.

"We are good Andrea." Mrs.Devita answered afterwards, smiling slightly.

"Well it was a pleasure seeing you, but I better get going now. The rain is ceasing." I spoke almost immediately and inapropriately, nodding one last time before heading off to the doors. But they waved anyway, sitting back down to resume their snack and caring less about my behavior. In all honesty, the rain was still shatteringly strong, but I couldnt stay in there any longer. The harelip was haunting me and I knew the rain could take my mind of things, in general.

Devil of a man.