o my mother's apartment; all I

eathe. Our landlord didn't even bother to call. H

y hands until my tear

d no

h

her depend

.. nowhe

buzzed

ce and checke

wn Nu

anager from Café El Molino.

lin

tu

"Hello? Ma'am? Please,

the job, and I'm in need of a repla

dropped

ut all I know is that I'm hi

not?" the voice ask

ing!" I breathed,

all e

ck to th

ng over each other, spoons clinking, cups stea

ght away. Don't em

," I said,

behind the counter, repeati

nks quickly, don't trip, don't

eno

muscular ma

a black t-shir

room for him. Conversations dimmed. Heads turned.

the crowded space like a blad

anded

ath hi

hands in his pockets,

he said, voice

but I'm new here; maybe you might be mis

nd I gave a slight nod of surpri

et before?

e slid down to my apron, then back up to my

" I managed, trying

ble es

nd turned

waved their hand.

away,"

ped the counter.

d to you in

orders when I heard a

re them," the m

will get to you. But they o

rows

angr

shoc

.. cu

ing me to wa

es. That's how

sped quietly. The manage

to me like that," h

ng-not with rage, but somethi

ly, "makes you think I'm

," I whispered

wrapped

ic

av

ctr

hing stran

ps twi

e...

oss

back, hands r

ll. Surp

ked, s

just...

second. Not first.

ently in front of him, he didn'

s your

ce?" I

Not many people spe

ave," I muttered.

is is?" he said

"What else

aned

nd out soo

hivered dow

ger burst out of the backroom, a

ctory? Hope Isabella didn't

ched m

h something dangerous

ense of order," he sai

eved. "Very good! Plea

g out his wallet. Then he placed a crisp set of

ot

change,

ed. "Sir, thi

id simply. "And I ne

offended and gratef

ak, my manager's nails

fired. Do you understand? He's Hector De la Vega; he is the most powerful customer and the most famou

iffe

nished speaking, sh

e money. Before I could place it on the table, my

ropped back to my side, a red ma

d not

e counter, my steps steady even th

eague leaned closer, pretending to wipe

t left," she said

nds p

the woman continued. "And the worst part?" She glanced around be

at my hand,

ed softly, "I hope you're not plan