Stranger To Kind ✔

EPI 37

The blender whirred on the counter, mixing the watermelon and green apples into one. As I wait for it to finish, I readied a slice of vanilla cake on a plate. The cake had a black coating on its body with white cream frosting. To complete its look, I added two wafer rolls on top.

"Titanic looks so delicious," July commented, she leaned on the side of the wall next to me with a grin. "Take it to table 5," she added.

After a quick nod, I poured the requested juice into two glass mug and placed it on the tray with the waiting dessert. I patted my overall before making my way towards the cafe's dining area.

Noticing me coming, the women sitting on table 5 looked up from their devices. A smile sprawled instantly on my lips to greet them. "Here are your orders, ladies--" I set down each of the juice on top of their side of table mats and the cake on the middle "--If you need anything else, don't be shy to call, " I finished with a simple bow and twirl.

In most times, the customers were pleased after seeing the bow and twirl signature. So it was quite awkward when the two sitting women on table 5 just looked at me blankly.

Before I walked further, one of them suddenly called. "You must be new. We have been a regular for months now. What's your name?" She asked. Her voice seemed to appease the situation, but her eyes said otherwise.

When she gave me a once-over, I couldn't help but feel unease.

"Yes, I am. My name is Charis, " I answered graciously, pushing aside my wrong thoughts. She was probably conservative, I told myself.

However, the screen of her phone captured my attention more. Standing close to her permitted me a clear view of what was on it. My eyes bulged up when I saw what was playing; it was a visual of a man strangling a redhead on a bed. I was so disturbed with it that I didn't realise what the woman I was conversing with was saying; her voice sounded muffled to my ears.

"Are you okay?"

Only when I felt a gentle nudge on my back that I managed to break out of the reverie. When I spun, a worried July engulfed my sight. Table 5 occupants also looked perturbed.

"I was saying... If you are interested, give me a call." The woman held out a piece of card to me; it probably had something to do with whatever she was talking about while I was delved in the video.

Trying my hardest to control my shaking hand, I reached for the card and placed it into my pocket. July curled a hand on my arm and helped me to the back of the cafe. As soon as we reached the lounge area, she pulled out a seat for me.

"What happened? Did they say or do something bad to you?" She started.

I shook my head impassively, still in shocked.

"Then, what is wrong? You are making me worry."

I gulped, the knot in my stomach kept tightening as if ready to tear apart if I didn't release the matter. "She was watching a video, in it, it was a man, it was--" I staggered.

"You mean that viral CCTV footage of that redhead girl?" July put one and one together. She scooted near me and pulled out her phone.

"Yes, who is she?" I impatiently asked.

"Wait, I'll show you."

I fidgeted with my fingers while July scrolled on her phone. The moment she showed me the photo of the girl, a heavy gasp jumped out of my mouth. The fact that I knew her sent shivers down my spine.

"The girl's name is Amy. She and her mom were murdered two weeks ago. I didn't know how the footage leaked, but it was all over the internet since day one. They are pretty famous since the mom is Amry, she reprogrammed the internet."