You are the Answer {boyxboy} ✓ (Dogs, Bats & Monkeys series, Book I | Riley)

Chapter 2

A/N: I entered You are the Answer into the wattpad4 contest and guess what? It won! There are three other winners since each of the wattpad4 girls chooses one and you can see who they are and a link to their stories on my wall. Enjoy :)

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I buttoned down my white shirt and stood in front of the mirror for one final check; brown hair fashionably ruffled, no leftover food between my teeth and a collar perfectly folded. Was I a model employee or what?

You wouldn't be if you don't hurry up, I mentally reprimanded myself after glancing at the time on my phone.

I grabbed my jacket and walked out of the apartment, double checking if I'd locked the door, then trotted down the stairs, greeting some of my neighbors as I went. Stepping outside of the building, I shielded my eyes with my hand until they adjusted to the bright summer light. I then turned left, taking all the necessary shortcuts to get to work on time.

I'd recently found a new, more satisfying job. Employment at the mall definitely had its perks: better working conditions, a higher salary and security guards just a scream away; a big step up from the dump I'd previously labored in. And it all had happened at the stroke of luck. The car belonging to Mr. Philips – my current employer – had broken down and he'd had it pulled to the nearest service-station which just happened to be right across the street from the dingy café I'd worked at back then. He'd come in, ordering coffee and cream, as he waited for some minor fault to be repaired. Seeing his long face, I'd used the cream and a spoon to draw over his drink. End result? Not only did my doodle lift his mood, but he'd said it was a nice touch and that he could use my talent in his own coffee shop. About two weeks later, I was addressing him as boss.

The pleasant smell of coffee and baked sweets reached my nostrils as soon as I'd opened the door to the Milk & Cream and I smiled in greeting to the regular costumers on my way to the bar. We had waiters and waitresses, of course, but many of the clients preferred to order from me; even though I drew on orders which did not come directly to me, the patrons enjoyed watching the process which led to the unique designs in their cups and they could only do that if they sat at my 'drawing table' as my colleagues jokingly called the bar.

I tied the small black mandatory apron with the café logo around my waist and got to work. My shift started as every other day but an hour into it, a new client came in. He walked steadily towards me, ignoring the confused and anxious glances from the costumers and other members of the staff, his leather jacket and naturally faded jeans contrasting with the family-friendly theme of the establishment. He held my eyes from the moment he'd entered and didn't let go even as he sat right before me. He leaned forwards, elbows on the bar, and greeted me with a hello and a small smile.

"Hi," I squealed, grimacing at the way my voice had come out. "Hey," I tried again, this time without sounding like an overly excited cheerleader. One of my colleagues – Tim, a fit guy in his thirties – gave me a questioning look, silently asking whether I needed him to step in. I shook my head and turned back to the brunet who had given me a ride home less than a week ago.

"What are you having?" I asked, doing my best to imitate the carefree tone I used on every other client. After all, he didn't look like he came here to cause trouble so I should treat him like any other paying costumer.

He was going to pay, right?

Uneasiness settled in my stomach and I very much wanted to take a deep breath, but I was scared I might offend him; I still remembered how I thought he sounded disappointed in the car when he realized he frightened me. That brought me some comfort; if he didn't want to intimidate me, he might not be as bad as the rest of them. He certainly didn't seem as a threat with the way he looked at me with the small, kind smile that still graced his features also showing in his eyes.