CHAPTER 15 - Walk Me Home

There’s no customer right now in Coffee Stop except for a few of them having their coffee as Maeve already completed the service for them.

Maeve placed her chin on her palm and stared into space still thinking about Demi, Shun, and Brie. Her behavior draws Mr. Bran’s attention and he asks her what might happen to her today.

Maeve averted her gaze towards him with lazy eyes as Mr. Bran’s voice poked her.

“You have a little sister at the same age as I named Brie, right?” She seeking confirmation.

“You know her?!” Mr. Bran asked excitedly.

“Yeah, we’re not in the same class, though. But I knew her.” Maeve admitted.

“I see…” Mr. Bran beamed.

As she look at him, she thought about how Brie always acted the same as her big brother. Sweet, warm, and friendly. Maybe she is wrong to hold a little suspicion towards her. She’s just natural like her brother.

“She is a nice girl, unlike me.” She commented.

Mr. Bran smiles lightly before turning serious.

“But we’re not close like we used to. She is a very sweet and happy-go-lucky girl back then, but now she’s changed. We barely talk now.” Mr. Bran shared with a sad tone in his words.

Maeve raised her brow when what she heard just now sounds new to her. Did she change? She thought Brie her know right now is the same sweet and happy-go-lucky girl like how Mr. Bran mentioned. But she won’t argue about it. Maybe it was a sibling matter so she won’t interfere.

She admitted herself, she still bothered with Demi. There’s something wrong about her lately, and whenever she mentioned her part-time work, there’s always sadness and fear hinted at her face.

Maeve decided to check on her today.

“Mr. Bran, can I take an hour off today?” She blurts out.

Mr. Bran was confused a bit but later like always, this guy never said no to her request.

She will end her shift at 4 today so she can go check on Demi at the bookstore where she doing her part-time work. That’s what she planned.

“What a rude unfriendly staff…” A mumble can be heard coming from a customer who just got out from the bookstore. It’s confusing Maeve.

Unfriendly staff?

She was certain Demi didn’t have any problem with her job, and in the matter of ‘friendly’, Demi surely kills it. She has that basic soft skill. There’s no way she treats customers in an unfriendly manner.

She stepped into the store anyway so maybe she can get the answer about that confusion later.

The moment she stepped in, she cannot see any sign of Demi. Just a bunch of guys talking among them at the counter. Nobody gives intention towards her or greets her for entering the store.

Since she had nothing to buy there because she came just to talk to Demi, she proceed to the counter to ask them about Demi.

“Err... Excuse me…” She began. Their vibrant chit-chat paused and they all shift their gaze towards her. All with a serious and uneasy expression.

“What?” One of them asked.

Err... Can I know where is the blonde girl who used to be the cashier here?” She continued with her question.

“Demi? Who are you anyway?” The guy questioned her.

Maeve frowned at how unfriendly that guy response towards her. The customer earlier wasn’t talking nonsense, this bookstore staff is so rude.

“I am Maeve, Demi’s friend.” She asserted.

“She got another work at the back. Consider not to disturb her.” The guy finally speak up.

“What? Isn’t she supposed to work here in front?” Maeve is a bit shocked by the answer. She supposed working at the back is for man since it probably concludes lifting and unloading goods.

“Yes she is, but just until 4 o’clock. After that, she got to continue work at the back. My house is at the back so she’s working there.” The guy explained.

“Are you the owner?” Maeve guessed.

“I am.” He admitted.

“Don’t joke with me, what kind of work did she do in your house? I thought she working on a bookstore.” Maeve retorted.

“Her responsibility, mind your own business, brat!” He provoked.

“You’re interrupting us in our serious discussion, brat. If you’re not buying anything, we don’t have anything to assist to.” Another guy blurts in.

‘Serious discussion, my ass!’ She swore in her mind.

“Fine, excuse me.” She excused herself.

Now new things added regarding Demi, Shun, and Brie. She doesn’t know what to handle first.

Then she decided, maybe she should call the day and go home. She will talk to Demi later.

She walked with weak and low energy steps thinking about all concerns growing on her today. As she walks by the park, near Rou’s resident, she saw Mr. Kai walking. As he saw her, he waves at her and she waves back. He made his way to his car parked at the side of the road. Maeve stopped walking to give some respect, at least she can send him gone.

Kai started the engine and drive in her direction, he stopped by and offers her a ride. She politely declined and he didn’t insist. Maybe he is in hurry. He drove away.

She continues walking. A couple of steps and she stopped when Rou suddenly appears before her. He comes from the park as well.

“Ah, you..” She voiced.

“Yeah, what are you doing at this hour?” He questioned.

“Going home. What about you?” She returned.

“Nothing, just talking with my uncle.” He answered without hiding.

“Why didn’t you come home along with him?” She wondered.

“My house isn’t far away from here. I can just walk.” He stated.

“You’re right.” She agreed.

“You know my uncle?” Rou inquired.

“Yup. That day when I meet you at the library, on my way back home, we bumped and he invited me to a cafe.” Maeve admitted.

Rou just gives her an ‘oh’ expression.

They remain silent for a moment. Maeve glanced at her wristwatch and it shows 5:50 in the evening.

It will take about 20 minutes to walk to her home.

“Say, do you have time?” She began.

“I have nothing to do in particular.” He responded.

“Why, though?” He continued.

“Somehow, I need someone to keep me company on my way back home. Can you walk me home?” She requested.

Rou dumbfounded for a moment.

“Sure,” He agreed.

She let out a smile and slowly steps towards him. They began walking together.

- CHAPTER 15 ENDS -