Chapter X

I thought my day would end just like that but at around eight in the evening, I got a text from Mr. Shinohara saying that he wants me to take a double shift. So, at around half-past eight, I was back at the café in my tux. But to my surprise, the café looked totally different from earlier. The lights were dimmed, and a jazz tune was playing from somewhere. A lot of older men and women were inside taking shots.

Mr. Shinohara came up to my chuckling. "Oh my, I apologize. I may have forgotten to tell you that the café doubles up as a bar by this time of the day." He said it so calmly I wondered if he really meant to surprise me with this.

He looked at me, the calmness still in his eyes. "You still want to work here kid?"

"Well, it's bad manners to resign on the first day." I said truthfully. "And besides, the women pretty much have it under control. Honestly, I don't see a need for me here at this time." Then I saw him eyeing the piano at the right side of the café near the plants. I smiled to myself upon realizing how cunning this man's eye is.

"You have thickly calloused fingertips arched and spread out, only way to get that is through rigorous musical instrument training. Now, I may not be a musician, but most guitar players also play the piano. Given your look, I'd say you're into a more relaxing feel of music. Long hair that covers your face, no piercings, the typical alternative kid."

I waved a hand and slowly walked to the piano. As if on cue, the jazz tune faded, and the chattering of the people inside the café echoed. I wanted to play an arrangement Liebesleid by Fritz Keisler. It was a long time since I last played the piano, so I felt the keys and prepared myself for a lot of sweating after playing.

The first note reverberated throughout the entire shop, like thunder shaking what remains of the stillness of day, giving way to the rain as she passes through all she reigns over. The first few moments felt hollow, the feeling of "Love's Sorrow" really didn't catch onto me as it is now. I slowed down the pace and started thinking of everything that had the slightest thing to do with pain. Even the lonely zephyr spying its way inside my room could do.

The room fell silent; I could only hear my playing, my own heart beating, and the slight tremble in my breath as I play a note. After the first rift, I repeated half of it before proceeding to the rest of the song. After playing for what felt for half an eternity, I stopped to breathe for air. The room was still silent, all eyes on me. I stood up, faced them and bowed. Sweat traced the side of my face, stinging the spot from the debacle from earlier. I slowly waked away as if nothing happened. I proceeded to taking the orders by the counter.

It wasn't all that bad since an elder lady, Ms. Ramón if I remember correctly, was the one in charge of making the cocktails. I was the one handing out beer to those who have no money to give themselves a glass of mojito.

A tall figure walked into the bar. In the dim light, her silhouette seemed like a specter casted out of heaven and sent to this realm to shed some Grace. She had hair tied in a long ponytail, a glittering, black skin-tight dress that did not fail to emphasize her curves. Her face wasn't really visible as she stood by the door. She had laced high heels that gave off this sophisticated aura. Most people would've stopped and stared, not me.

I only know a few people who can pull off a simple look to make it sexy; my sister is one of them. And as if on cue, she pulled me by my caller and said, "Hello brother dear, care to give me a glass of mojito?"

"Minerva, what the crap are you doing here?" I asked in a yelling whisper.

"Oh, I came to watch my brother work hard."

I gave her a doubtful look. "We both know that's not the case. What's the deal?"

She held my face in a single hand, that is to say, she was squeezing it. She turned my face to the side and leaned in. “Huh, you heal oddly fast. I can hardly see the bruise now.” she said.

“We iced it, remember?” I asked sarcastically. “So, what brings you here?”

"I am monitoring your activities. You really think your poor acting skills would be enough to hide that you were up to something. Given your reaction the first time we met, I know you were processing something. You came back the next day acting like nothing happened. If it was any idiot, I would've believed it, but you're not that stupid."

She took a quick look at the bar and the people drinking and smiled softly. “I just didn’t know you’d work in a place like this.”

It is really hard living in a world where you're constantly surrounded by Sherlock Holmes. I got Ms. Ramón to get Minerva a glass of mojito and just put it in her tab. I am not treating her here. But Mr. Shinohara walked in and asked her to discuss some matters in private.

After finishing her glass in one go, Minerva walked to one table with the shop owner and they were quiet. I went around the shop to fix everyone’s glasses and tables and to see if they needed anything. Even if Minerva was here, I was on the clock and I had work to do. Plus, it’s good distraction from everything that has happened lately. My shift ended at around one in the early morning and I was in my bed trying to get some sleep by around half-past one.

I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. Instantly, I fell into a slumber worthy of a hundred medals. The night birds lulled the tiredness out of my system and the lonely zephyr circling from my fan came and went. With a last sigh, I close my eyes and faded to slumber.

That night I had another dream. But it wasn’t like any of the dreams I’ve been having recently. I dreamt I was in a nice eastern-style house with wooden floors, sliding doors and tatami mats. The colors of autumn were grandiosely painted in a heart-melting scenery of the maple-tree lined mountain side. A gray cat meekly snuggled to my side and purred contently.

“Rivera-dono, here is your tea.” said an old lady in a gray yukata. She placed a tray with a bowl of green tea in front of me before bowing her head and walking away. I took a sip off of the bowl. A sliding door opened from behind me and emerged a woman I can’t recognize. Her face was blurry, and I can’t make out anything, even her expression. She was wearing a beautiful kimono, the color of the night sky. The pink ribbon tied around her waist like a sash resembled the wings of a butterfly. Her hair, tied to a clean bun and held tight by a pair of sticks, kept changing colors from blonde, to red, to black.

“How’s your tea?” she asked. To be honest I wasn’t sure she was a ‘she’. The voice was all distorted, like listening to a recording underwater. Every second of the dream was giving me a headache. “Hope you slept well last night, coz you and I will be busy tonight.”

“Huh?” I managed to mumble.

“Don’t tell me you forgot already.” she said with a soft giggle. The giggle was pleasant, and eerie at the same time. “Minerva asked us to come to the Gala here in Kyoto. That’s exactly why we are staying at this wonderful in and had an even more wonderful time last night.

My vision went blurry and I felt my head hit wood. I woke up with a start, covered in sweat. I looked around me, I was in my room. The gentle buzz of the fan was the only company I had. I looked at my watch; 3:43am. I got up and headed for the sink.

After washing my face with cold water, my soul and will were now awake. I sat on the couch in the dark, consumed in thought. I couldn’t get my head around the dream and trying to think about it was giving me a fresh headache. Sure enough, I will forget about it soon. That’s what dreams are for; to be forgotten.

But now, I guess that the thought of going back to Japan seems more real than it ever was. I guess my subconscious had already accepted that. Why else would I dream of the place? But honestly, Japan is all good. Hell, it’s one of the best places in the world. But it’s not exactly the easiest place to live in for non-Japanese folks. But I guess if you are part of a family with an international business line, the perks come a long way.

I just can’t stomach the thought of being part of the Rivera name again. I did so good for so long, detachment felt so good. But all this thinking made me tired, so I rested my head on the armrest. And before I knew it, bright daylight showered the room from outside, waking me up with an unpleasant splash of brightness.

“Here we go again. . .” I tell myself under my breath.