How's one to know? / I'd meet you where the spirit meets the bones / In a faith-forgotten land

Today, I began my work at 'Bean There Done That'. Considering it was the weekend, Dav accompanied me to work and even ordered a caramel latte. About twenty-five minutes later, her boyfriend picked her up, and she left with him. Although not before she made him bought an Americano in a to-go cup.

Lukas had been really helpful. He'd given me the menu and asked me to stand by the register with him. Whenever Caleb, the barista who was working right now, had done an order, Lukas would first tell me which coffee was which, and then after a few rounds, he would quiz me in order to help me memorize everything on the menu.

"You're not making the coffee but it's important for you to know the basics just in case a customer asks you something or would like your recommendation," said Lukas when there was no one queueing. "So how many espresso shots is a latte?"

"Two," I answered, recalling what he'd told me fifteen minutes ago.

The upward turn of his lips indicated that I had succeeded.

"That's right. How about a cappuccino?"

It took me two seconds to remember. "One."

Lukas bobbed his head. "If you're not lactose intolerant and are okay with caffeine, you can taste some of the drinks that you've never tried before during break. That way, you'll know how they taste, and next time a customer asks you, you'll have the answer."

"I can drink coffee," I told him, despite only having had it in the morning and it being past noon.

"Okay. Enough with the lesson. We're usually very busy in the morning and at lunchtime, which is between twelve to two PM. For now, I want you to help clean the tables, take the dishes to Felix at the back, and deliver coffees for the dine-in customers." Then he preceded by telling me the table number of each table and showed me where I needed to put the dishes at the back. He also introduced me to Felix, the dishwasher guy. "If Felix has too much in his hands, you need to help bring the clean cups and plates to Caleb. Especially cups because most folks come here for a cup of coffee or tea."

"Okay. I can do that."

"Good, good," said Lukas. He reached into his apron pocket and withdrew a name tag. "Oh right. I almost forgot. Here. Wear this. I've printed your name there, but if you want to change it to something else, just let me know."

"Why would I want to change it?" I asked curiously.

Lukas responded with a shrug. "People have their own reasons. I got an employee who likes to be called by their middle name, and some who prefer the name that they chose for themselves. Whatever it is, it's fine by me. Though I can't change the name written on your paycheck."

I couldn't resist laughing. "Okay. I'm good."

"Brilliant! I'll let you start now. Come find me if you need anything. I'll be behind the register." He pointed at the front. "Normally, I'm covering the tables, but since Denisa, our usual cashier, is taking a maternity leave, I'll be managing the register for the next two months." He saw a couple entering the cafe and hurried over to the front.

Following him to the front, I grabbed a tray and napkin from the island. I made my way to table number four near the window, which had some used dishes and cups on it, but the people who were sitting there were no longer there. I began picking up the dishes, putting them on the tray, then, after cleaning the table, I brought the dishes back to Felix. I repeated the same action for the next two tables. A lady at table number seven asked for another cup of cappuccino and after informing her that to Lukas, I waited for Caleb to make that order before serving the cappuccino. The lady handed me ten pounds after I gave it to Lukas. I returned it to her with her change, but she insisted that I kept it. I came back to Lukas and showed him the change. "What do I do with this?"

"Oh, she tipped you." He took a jar on top of the cabinet behind him. "You should put it here. We share the tips here every day. I know waiters and waitresses usually keep the tips to themselves as part of service, but the barista or the cashier won't get tipped if that's the case, so in here, we share. Well, except me."

That sounded logical and fair. I dropped the money inside the jar and went back to work. It was around a quarter to one when I heard Lukas saying, "I thought I'd never see the day you come fifteen minutes early instead of fifteen minutes late."

Out of curiosity, I looked up from moving dishes off the table to my tray and caught sight of Miles walking towards the back where there were lockers to keep our stuff while we worked. I continued with my task, but while putting the dishes away at the back, I stumbled upon him..

"Hey," he greeted with that lopsided smile that seemed to be his trademark. "How're you doing?"

"Hi. I'm good." I returned his smile. "I thought I wouldn't be seeing you today."

Miles frowned, but his lips were still smiling. "Why's that?"

"Because it's the weekend." I put my last cup on Felix's tray and then walked to the front, with Miles moving beside me. "Didn't you say you're gonna go to a party this weekend?"

"I said I'd go if you're coming." His smile morphed into a full-fledged grin. "Since you're here, I figured I should be working, too. That way, at least I get to see you."

I rolled my eyes. This guy was obviously a huge flirt, and I had to be careful not to fall for his charm. "You really should be saving all those charms for your future mate." I shook my head and then approached Caleb, who pointed his fingers to one cup of Americano and one cup of caramel latte on the island, ready to be served. After I set down my tray, I carefully placed both cups on top of it.

"Oh, please, don't turn into my sister," said Miles with a sigh. "I got enough people telling me about this whole mate thing. I don't need you to be one of them." He put on his apron around his waist and then tied the sash on his back. He gave me one last look and said, "Just stay being the girl I'm having a massive crush on but can't have." Then he approached Caleb while I delivered the orders.

We managed to get lunch at around 2 PM. Miles wasn't supposed to have lunch break considering he came after lunchtime, but he begged Lukas to let him accompany me. Our boss caved in, mostly because he was tired of the nagging. We happened to run into Ryker on our way back to the cafe after lunch. He ignored me, as always, but greeted Miles with a brief nod. Once we returned, Miles was immediately put on duty as Caleb ended his shift.

The cafe started to get a bit busy after 5 PM, around the time another barista Bryant came. Some of the customers were wearing office attire, indicating that they had just gotten off from work. Various drinks and snacks were being ordered and judging by the queue, I understood why Lukas wanted two baristas to be working an evening shift.

Thus far, I was pleased with myself that I hadn't messed up any order. By the time my shift ended at eight, I couldn't help but have a smile on my face, knowing that I'd just made eighty pounds from working eight hours today.

Miles also finished at eight and we walked out of the front door together. He held the door open for me and walked me to my motorcycle. "Are you sure you don't want to go to the party with me?" he asked with a smile that could break someone's heart.

A groan escaped from my lips. "Don't give me that look," I warned him.

"What look?" He feigned innocence.

"That charming smile and puppy-eyed look." I pointed out. "You know I can't go to your party."

"But it's the weekend," he argued.

"I thought you weren't going to attend the party. I mean, you said so yourself." I let out an exasperated sigh. "Aren't you going to be late, anyway?"

"Fashionably late. Parties usually start picking up after ten. It's still eight—" he glanced at the clock on the screen of his phone, "eight-fifteen, we still have time. We can go back to the North, get ready, then I can drive us to the party."

"I'm pretty sure once I'm back at the pack house, I wouldn't go out." Ryker would surely ask questions. It was a miracle that Dmitry hadn't shown up until now. I supposed he kept his words then — no babysitters.

"Okay," Miles drawled. "Then we can just go to the party now." I was about to open my mouth but he quickly added, "if you're worried about your outfit, don't. You look great."

I rolled my eyes at his lie. "I've been wearing these clothes since morning and right now, I'm not in the mood for a party." It wasn't a lie. All I wanted right now was to soak inside the tub.

"But it's week-end. After a long week, all you need is a bit of music, booze, and—" Someone bumped into Miles so he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Miles shifted his attention to the other guy. "Hey, watch where you're going."

He glanced back at us over his shoulder before returning his focus to the front and walking away. But I'd caught a glimpse of his face. It was Eros. I quickly set my helmet on the seat and hastened towards the man. "Hey, wait."

He didn't seem to hear me as he continued to walk without a care. I ran towards him, calling his name and earning a few looks from the surrounding people. They probably thought I was crazy, but I didn't care. At last, he stopped by the light and I was able to catch up with him. The pedestrian light turned green, and he was about to cross the road when I caught his wrist. "Eros."

Eros turned to me. There was no emotion on his face.

"Er, I've been going to your flat every day looking for you." I took a brief pause to catch my breath. "The woman there said you haven't been home for days. Where have you been?"

A scowl appeared on Eros' face. He pulled his hand away, trying to break free of my hold, and I quickly let it go.

"Er, I need to know why you took that key," I finally said, what I'd been dying to know. "Why did you take it?"

Miles, who must've followed me, arrived by my side. First, he looked at me, then he looked at Eros. Confusion was written on his face as he stood still and waited.

Eros broke his silence and spoke, but it wasn't about why he took the key. He said something I never thought I'd hear from him. "Who are you?"

And that was when I knew that something terrible must've befallen upon him, something that had caused him to forget. Either that, or the person standing in front of me was not Eros Adler.

* * * * * * * *

A/N: What do you think has happened? Is Eros okay? Is this truly Eros or an impostor?