Draven's History
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Dining table.
Norah was already halfway through her breakfast as she was getting ready for work. She was a waitress and barista at La Belle Epoque, a small yet elegantly chic restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. Its charm was irresistible, drawing in customers like moths to a flame. The ambiance was warm, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries that made even the grumpiest of patrons crack a smile.
After completing her shift, she would attend classes at school, a bright high schooler juggling responsibilities like a pro.
Norah had been working at La Belle Epoque for four years now, which was no small feat for someone her age. Yeah, you heard it right, or better yet, read it right, she was sixteen years old and had been working her ass off in that restaurant ever since she was twelve. La Belle Epoque felt like her second home, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the occasional drama that came with working in a bustling eatery.
Unlike your regular teen who might be egocentric or caught up in the ridiculous trends of today's generation, Norah was different. She had seen things that most kids her age couldn't even begin to comprehend. When her dad had disappeared with that good-for-nothing mistress of his, Norah was the only child present who witnessed not just her father's infidelity but also his failed role as a father. It left a mark on her soul, a scar that shaped how she viewed relationships and trust.
Her brother Cale had always been the opposite of their father Gordon. Cale respected women and treated them with kindness and dignity. It baffled Norah how someone could be so selfish as to betray their family for fleeting pleasures. Cale had been a virgin at thirty when he finally married his beautiful wife, Halia. Meanwhile, Gordon's soul goal revolved around partying and sleeping around with whoever caught his eye.
Like seriously, the guy was over forty years, yuck!
Gordon's free spirit led him down a dark path after he crossed paths with Maria-Sable back in the '80s. He fell head over heels for Sable and married her in what seemed like a fairy tale ending. Cale was born in the early '90s alongside their sister Naveah, completing what appeared to be a perfect family picture, until it all unraveled.
The cracks began to show when Gordon's demons emerged from their slumber again; his sex addiction resurfaced after being buried for so long. Sable had forgiven him once after cheating on her during their sixteen years of marriage; she couldn't throw away all those memories or have her children fatherless. As a mother, she represented both strength and vulnerability, a pillar holding together what remained of their family.
Norah was still young then; she didn't understand much about these complex emotions and relationships. She lived in her own world, one filled with preschool innocence and Barbie fantasies, while her siblings remained blissfully unaware as Sable concealed the truth from them.
Things turned sour when Gordon was caught cheating again nine years later. He had been sneaking around with women while pretending to be a devoted husband, a badass master manipulator who played his cards right until fate dealt him an unexpected blow. [Serves him right...]
By that point, Sable exploded with rage; she moved him out of their bedroom into the living room to avoid any physical intimacy with him, fearing for her health after surviving STDs and almost loosing her life from his first betrayal.
Gordon seized the opportunity to elope with his mistress months later while chasing Sable for forgiveness, a desperate attempt to reclaim what he had lost but failed miserably at achieving. [There goes the phrase: full me once , shame on you. Full me twice, shame on me.]
His departure shattered Sable tremendously; she transformed from the sweet and caring mother into someone cold and aloof, a stark contrast to the woman who once held everything together with grace.
The warmth of their home faded away like smoke in the wind.
Shortly after Gordon left, Cale made the decision to leave as well; he packed his bags and moved abroad to start fresh while happily marrying Halia. Norah felt abandoned yet again as she watched her brother leave without looking back, like a ship sailing off into uncharted waters without its anchor.
In this tumultuous sea of chaos, Norah took it upon herself to help her mother manage the household expenses. It was daunting for someone so young but necessary given their circumstances; luck smiled upon her when she landed a job at La Belle Epoque, becoming not only the youngest but also one of the most successful waiters and baristas among her peers.
Her days were filled with laughter shared among colleagues who became friends over time the kind of friendships forged in the heat of busy shifts where teamwork made everything possible. They supported each other through thick and thin; jokes were exchanged over steaming cups of coffee while they navigated through demanding customers together.
Every day brought new challenges: handling difficult patrons who demanded perfection or dealing with spills caused by clumsy hands rushing to serve tables before they got cold, the thrill kept Norah on her toes like an athlete sprinting towards victory!
But beyond those daily struggles lurked moments where joy flourished amid adversity, a birthday celebration for one coworker turned into an impromptu dance party behind the counter when reggaeton blared from speakers late at night after closing time! They would laugh until their stomachs hurt while practicing silly dance moves under dim lights illuminated by fairy lights strung across shelves filled with pastries waiting patiently for morning customers.
As Norah balanced work and school life seamlessly (most days), she often found solace within books during breaks or quiet moments spent sipping coffee alone, a chance to escape reality momentarily before diving back into responsibilities awaiting her return.
Yet despite all these distractions surrounding her daily life, the laughter echoed through La Belle Epoque's walls, the weight of familial burdens loomed overhead like dark clouds threatening rain at any moment…
One evening after closing time when everyone else had left except for Norah finishing up cleaning duties alone; she stumbled upon an old photo album tucked away behind stacks of menus collecting dust since forever ago! Curiosity piqued as she flipped through pages filled with images capturing joyful memories long forgotten, smiles frozen in time radiated warmth reminiscent of happier days before everything spiraled downward into chaos…
Suddenly overwhelmed by nostalgia mixed with sadness washed over Norah like waves crashing against rocks along shorelines, memories flooded back uninvited reminding her how quickly life could change!
Tears welled up as she gazed upon pictures showcasing celebrations shared amongst family members laughing together under blue skies without care in world… until reality hit hard reminding herself those moments were now just remnants buried deep within past lost forever…
Determined not let darkness consume her spirit nor allow history repeat itself, Norah vowed silently standing amidst shadows lingering inside restaurant walls watching golden light fade outside windows, that she'd create new memories filled with joy rather than sorrow moving forward!
With renewed strength coursing through veins igniting fire passion deep within the heart, she embraced challenges ahead knowing every step taken would lead towards brighter future waiting eagerly beyond the horizon just out of reach…