Chapter 4

Vanilla late

I sure do beat the clock. I just got in, in time for my shift. One of the best feeling ever.

I quickly went to the locker room and changed into my cafe's uniform. I walk over the counter and check the equipment and ingredients for coffee making while waiting for the customers to arrive.

One of the things I love is coffee that's why I love this job of mine. I've been working here a month after my dad died. I already knew that time that we have financial scarcity so I initiated to find some part time jobs to help my mom and Amie.

To my luck, all the part times I have is related to something I'm passionate about. Well, except for housekeeping. I don't like cleaning.

"One vanilla latte, please", a familiar husky voice uttered. I turn with a fake smile plastered on my face to serve the familiar customer. The face, I mean but not in this shop.

What a great coincidence. Just a while ago, he and I were eating a soft ice cream in a park while babysitting our brothers and now here he is, buying the thing that made me remember something that happened a year ago in a cafe near the hospital where my dad was admitted.

Well, I giess he doesn't know me so it's no big deal.

I typed in his order in the touchscreen monitor.

"That'll be 3.95 dollars, Sir", I said in a monotone voice.

I look at him and waited for him to hand me some cash or card to pay his order.

He hand me a classy looking black card. I stop myself from being intimidated by him just because of an effin' card. It's not my thing to be curious about others' lives.

I don't know a lot of stuffs about rich people but by looking at this card, I know he is.

I quickly swipe the card and process his receipt. He, on the other hand, just stand there waiting not for the coffee but for my composure to finally break. Or is it just me who thinks that way. Damn, I never thought this guy is making me nervous. What the heck?

"I'll serve your coffee in a minute. You can take a sit while waiting, Sir. By the way, can you write your name here so I can put it in the cup, Sir?", I ask him. Keep yourself together, Eli.

The corner of his lips raised a little as if mocking me. Oh yeah. What a stupid question. As if I don't know his name. We had a little intro earlier. Well... maybe he wants other name, like Buggy or Gastino whatever.

He picked a piece of paper and wrote something in it. He handed it to me and I put it in my pocket without looking at it. I turn to the coffee machine and make his order.

I pull the paper from the pocket of my apron to write his name on the cup.

Van- +1-***-189-0717

What the? I make a sour face while looking at the paper. What an arrogant guy.

I shake my head in dismay while writing his name and number on his own cup. I don't want to assume things. It wasn't actually for me. Maybe he wants to write his name on the cup so if he see some pretty, hot girl anywhere who seem interested with him, they can just contact him through this number. That's it! That's why.

I put the paper to the trash can nearby.

"Van", I called his attention because he is pretty busy with his phone. He turned and walk to the counter.

"Thank you", he said while still looking at his phone. He then left to nowhere.

Hours passed like seconds. You can't really notice the time if you are doing something you enjoy. It's already 11 pm when I finished changing and left the shop. I took my bike and ride my way home.

The street look dark so I turned my bike lights on.

I was turning the left when I bump to someone. Shit. I quickly got off my bike and help him get up.

"What the hell, kid?!", a middle aged man shouted at me. I was startled.

"I'm sorry, Sir. It was just dark in this corner and I didn't see you coming",

I apologize. I can sense that he is not in his normal state. He seemed drunk. He pointed some flashlight at me to see me better.

"Hmmm. You look beautiful. How old are you, little lady?", he asked sending a series of chills down my spine.

"I'm...I-I'm sorry, Sir. I see that you're okay. I-I have to go home now", I said nervously while turning my bike away from him.

"No, I'm not okay. You see, you hit me with your bike. My body hurts. Especially here", he said while pointing down his pants.

Shit. I'm scared as hell. My hands are already trembling with an unknown fear. A fear that makes me feel disgusted and scared. Really scared.

My mom always tell me to be careful especially of this moment. I never take it seriously since I know I will never encounter one until now.

"I'm sorry, Sir but I really need to go", I still manage to plead.

I tried to turn steer of my bike but the man grab by wrist in a forceful manner. I flinch strongly and escape his grip. I quickly ride my bike and pedal as fast as I could.

"Joe! She's going your way!", he shouted behind me.

Suddenly, another man jumped in front of me, losing my balance and I fell roughly on the cold ground. I can hear a part of my bike broke from the fall.

Numb with the pain, I tried running away from them. Of course, they chase after me.

I run for my life. I run as fast as i could, that I forget how to breathe. The air won't enter my lungs anyway. Fear and pain are consuming me. I lost my voice to scream for help. There is no air for the voice to come out. Oh God, help me.

I saw some huge trash bins beside a dull streetlight. I opened one of it and throw the garbage bags out. I slip inside and pray curl myself to fit in. I close the lid and it was now pitch black. I taking my bag from my back and searched for my phone.

With trembling hands, I quickly scan my contacts and call my mom.

Ringing....

Ringing....

Ringing....

"The number you have-", I ended the call and call her again.

After five tries, I realized that my mom must be already sleeping. She's also tired from work.

My fear is increasing per minute that pass. I can hear fast footsteps outside and low voices. It's them. Oh God.

My breathing became more uneven.

I scan my contacts again and call Joana.

Ringing....

Ringing....

"The number you have diale-", Damn it! She must be watching anime at the moment. She silenced her phone again. No! Please. Help me.

I called her multiple times again until I finally gave up. I feel like I've been in this bin for hours but it has only been few minutes.

I scan my contacts again. There I realized I know only a few people. I have no one to call anymore.

My hope is crumbling down. I feel like crying but no tears fall out due to fear of being discovered.

I decided to dial the emergency hotline. I don't want to this but I guess I have no choice anymore. I'm scared that they won't believe me or they came too late just like what I watched in suspense and horror movies.

I was dialing 911 when my eyes noticed a cup of coffee beside my knee. On normal circumstances, I wouldn't mind it, but not at this moment. This cup can save my life. I grab the cup and dialed the number I just wrote a while ago. My karma is fast.

After two rings, he finally picked up

"Hello-",

"Help me. Please. Please. Help me", I cut him and whispered for help.

"Eli?", he remembers me?

"Please, help me", I continue to ask him.

"Where are you?", he said seriously.

"I'm inside a trash bin beside a streetlight. Some guys are chasing me. Please. If you are far, please ask someone to help me. I'm scared",

I told him. I didn't notice that I was now crying. Maybe because someone finally answered me. The relief and fear mixing up.

My phone vibrated in a long second. I looked at it only to see the brand logo showing up before shutting down. Oh no. No. No. How much did he hear? At what part did it start shutting down? Oh,God.

The relief vanished like blown air and replaced by panic and outraging fear.

Oh my God. What am I going to do? Should I just step out and run? Are they still there? What if they are just outside waiting?

My fear is consuming me. I can't think. My hands are trembling really hard as well as my lips. I bit my fingernails. My anxiety is kicking in. I'm looking around for holes that they can peek on.

I've been contemplating with myself for the next minutes when I heard footsteps coming my way.

My heart skipped then beat rapidly. My blood is slowly going down as if leaving my body. I felt cold and stiff. I looked up the lid. In pitch black, I'm waiting for the light that will consume my life. I don't dream of dying like this. I'd rather hit by a car than suffer a disgusting torture before death.

The lid opened and I curled myself more burying my face in my folded knees. With hard closed eyes, I pray for help. For the last time, help me. Someone. Hel-

"Eli", a breathy voice called out. I can hear his fast breathing. Like he run 10 laps.

I look up and saw Van extending his hand at me while the other is holding the lid of the trashbin.

"I'm glad I made it in time", he said and smiled brightly at me. Brighter than the dull light of the streetlight.