Businesses... 13.2

"What did you talk about?"

"Who?" Lexie took a seat in front of Nathan and took one of the fries.

"The guy you were talking to just now." Seeing Lexie just holding the fries, he took one and immediately placed it in his mouth. He learned that once Lexie see people eating, she usually follows subconsciously.

"Oh, you mean Anthony? Nothing, I just served him his beer."

"You know his name?" Nathan opened both their beer cans and handed one to Lexie who took a sip.

"Yeah, he told me the first time he went here."

"The first time?? So he's been here before?" Nathan took a burger from and held out the plate to Lexie.

"Yeah. A couple times, why? What's the problem with him? Do you know him?" Lexie got a burger from the plate and started eating, she winced when she tasted tomatoes and started picking them out of her burger, placing them on the plate.

"I don't know him. Do you?" Nathan took the tomatoes Lexie placed on the plate and put them in his own burger.

"No, I mean he's a customer, I've talked to him a few times."

"Don't talk to that guy anymore." Nathan's voice was so serious that Lexie wanted to laugh.

"Why?" Lexie was about to take a bite but was startled with Nathan.

"I don't think his a good guy. I can feel it." Nathan was looking at the plate, then at the door, then at the beer cans, anywhere but at Lexie.

"You can feel it?" Lexie's brows were furrowed. How could Nathan judge Anthony that quickly when they haven't even said a thing to each other?

"Yes. Just… trust me alright." Nathan finally looked up at Lexie who was still holding her burger, staring confusedly at him. He made a show of taking a bite and Lexie remembered her burger.

"I mean, I have to talk to him, he's a customer."

"Have Jana or Brit serve him." Nathan pushed the plate towards Lexie who then took a couple of fries.

"I have to serve him if he calls Nathan, it's my job." Lexie chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Nathan didn't answer, he was too lost in his own thoughts. They ate in silence for the rest of their break, with Nathan pushing the plate closer to Lexie every now and then.

After their break, Lexie tried to serve the tables farthest away from the booths but heard Anthony calling her out in a few minutes. She sighed and walked towards him, noticing Nathan watching at the corner of her eye.

After their shift, Nathan was nowhere to be seen. Lexie asked around but was told that Nathan left as soon as the doors were closed. Lexie went out back to see Nathan's motorcycle gone, she sighed loudly thinking about having to take the bus today. She was a little annoyed, Nathan only used to leave her at the bar if he was bringing home some girl. Lexie started thinking about things to annoy Nathan and his girl once she gets home. I guess we're starting this game again Nathan.

==

Anthony watched as Nathan parked his motorcycle at the other side of the street. He knew he would have to have a conversation with him at one point, frankly he was a little surprised Nathan haven't noticed him earlier, he wasn't exactly hiding.

Nathan saw him as soon as he walked in the cafe, he was sitting by the windows smiling at him. Nathan took a seat and a waiter immediately moved to take their orders.

"Just coffee, black." Nathan didn't bother looking at the menu, he had no intention of prolonging his stay here anyway.

Nobody said a word as they waited for the waiter to come back, the two men looked each other up and down, sizing each other up.

"Thanks." Nathan smiled at the waiter as he placed his coffee on the table.

"So…" The man in front of him begun.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked, not bothering to cover up the disdain in his voice.

"Do you mean here in this seat? This Cafe? Or…?"

"Cut the crap Anthony. I'm in no mood to joke around." Nathan stared at Anthony, eyes focused.

Anthony laughed lightly but his eyes were cold, he took a sip of his coffee. "Well, I was here for business."

"Then finish your business and leave." Nathan stood up, ready to leave.

"Oh but unfortunately, I found a new business, which you actually interrupted earlier."

Nathan stopped in his tracks and looked back at Anthony who was smiling up at him mockingly, he had his eyebrows raised like they were challenging him. Nathan returned to his seat.

"Leave Lexie out of this." Nathan struggled to keep his voice down.

"Oh I'm sorry my brother but I can't, I am very interested in her." Anthony stared at Nathan, wondering what he knows about Lexie. He seems to be very protective of her and it was getting him more and more interested with Lexie.

"I.am.not.your.brother." Nathan said the words slowly, hoping it to be true. "And since when have you ever been interested in anyone but yourself?"

Anthony chuckled, Nathan hated the sound, he leaned in towards Nathan. "Since I met Lexie, but are you interested in her? Why, what do you know about her?"

The question took Nathan off guard and for a second he wondered if Anthony meant something by that. "Whoever I'm interested in is none of your business."

"You don't even know who she is, do you?" Anthony noticed a shift in Nathan's eyes and he laughed. "Oh Nathan, it seems a little strange don't you think? A girl from out of nowhere suddenly working at a place she obviously doesn't belong at, I mean you see it too right? So did she just waltz in, introduced herself, picked up a tray and started working? I mean is Lexie even her real name?" Anthony was enjoying teasing Anthony, he knew something Nathan didn't and he loved mocking him with it.

"It's not her real name."

"What?" Anthony stopped, does Nathan know her somehow?

"I gave her that name." Nathan announced. He remembered seeing Lexie for the first time that one night, he of course knew there was something strange about the girl that came in looking for a job. She was dressed in expensive clothes, she looked expensive, hell she even smelled expensive. He knew she didn't belong in that place, everybody knew just by looking at how she moved, how she carried herself. He knew her name was Alexandra, he asked her that question the very first night, and he gave her that nickname. He knew those, but Anthony didn't, so what does Anthony know?

Nathan stood up no longer wanting to be near Anthony. "Stay away from me and Lexie." He cautioned over his shoulder before leaving Anthony alone at the cafe.