"Welcome to The Arr-. Ms. Murray?" I was greeted by Axon by the door. He was cleaning it when I walked in. He stared at me for a while and I didn't know why I stared back. It was as if I was waiting for something to say.

"I saw the live conference on the news," he said. I groaned inwardly and went to sit at my usual seat with Axon following me closely behind.

"Yes, and I prefer to think things through alone today, would that be okay?" I asked at which he nodded. I asked for a Chocolate Chip Frappuccino and he went back to the counter immediately to prepare my drink while I stayed at my chair banging my head on the table.

"You'll hurt your head if you continue to do that," a voice said, making me look up from the table. She smiled at me and placed the Frappuccino on the table along with a slice of chocolate mousse.

"If you ever need someone, you could always come to me," she said sitting across from me. She took something from her bag and slid it close to me. It was a book.

"You're a Badass by Jen Sincero. It's a book that I often read to cheer me up. The title says it all. You're a Badass. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help you as much as it helped me. I bought it from a Booksale. Inside was a note, probably from the past owner," she opened the book and pulled a blue note from its pages.

This book made me realize to stop putting up with other people's hate and constant down bringing and stop worrying about the things I can't change. – N.D.

"Thank you, Devon. This means a lot to me," she smiled and bid goodbye as she still has classes to attend. I saw her hug her brother before waving to me again and left.

Caressing the first few pages of the book, another note was attached. This time it was a pink note.

Smile! It is one of your greatest features. – Devon

As soon as I read the word "Smile", I felt myself automatically smiling. The note itself is enough to make me feel better. Looking back, it has only been two days since I met the Lewis Siblings yet they're already making a huge difference in my life.

I spent my entire day at the café reading the book up to the very last page. I took a breath in and felt so much better. I did feel like a Badass after. I looked out the window and saw how dark it was. The café was completely empty.

"Where is everybody?" I asked Axon as he was the only person left in the café.

"They all left Ms. Murray. There's only two hours left before midnight," with a shocked expression I pulled my blazer back and checked the time. It really is 10pm.

"But the café closes at 8pm. What are you still doing here?" I asked. Most of the lights were closed. The only remaining lights were the ones at the counter and at the place where I was seated.

"I'm in charge for closing today and you looked so busy reading that I didn't want to bother you,"

"You waited for me?" he nodded yes and I immediately felt guilty.

"What about Devon? She must have been worried," I said and quickly placed all my things in my bag.

"I already texted her that I'll be coming home late," I stared at Axon. He no longer has his apron and uniform on. He was just wearing a plain black shirt and jeans.

"I am so sorry for making you stay overtime. Don't worry. I'll make sure that your overtime is compensated," by the time I finished packing all my stuff which by the way was a lot. Axon was right behind me with the keys of the café.

"You don't have to do that, Ms. Murray. It's okay," Axon locked the café close and I looked around and most shops on the street were all closed. The only shops that are left open are the 24-hr convenience stores.

"Aneara." I said while he looked at me confused.

"You don't have to keep calling me Ms. Murray. Just Aneara will do," he looked at me surprised and kept asking if it was really okay for him to call me by my first name. But I insisted and he hesitantly agreed.

"How are you going home, Ms. Mur-, I mean Aneara?" Axon asked when he saw that my car wasn't anywhere in the parking lot. And I felt stupid staying this late and forgot that I didn't have my car with me.

"I honestly don't know. I forgot that my driver dropped me off here earlier. Do you think there's still any public transportation during this time?"

"Of course. Or I could book an uber for you," he suggested pulling his phone out to check for an uber.

"How about you? How are you going home?"

"I'd walk home,"

"But where do you live?"

"I live around Oak Street" I swear I felt my eyes bulge out of their sockets when he told me where he lives. The café is in Maple Avenue which is ten streets away from where he lives.

"You walk that far?! Everyday?!" I asked rather loudly because I saw a few people on the street looking in our direction.

"Yes. It's way cheaper that way plus I could think of it as an everyday exercise," How could he walk that far everyday after a full shift? I couldn't barely even walk up to my bedroom after work when the most I did was sit in front of my computer.

How much more with him since he moves around the café all the time serving customers. I could clearly remember how tired I was when I used to work as a waitress in a diner in Downtown San Francisco and I didn't walk that far since our apartment was just across the street.

"Well, in that case. I'm walking with you today unless you want to ride the uber with me? I am not letting you walk alone during this time," It was his turn for his eyes to bulge out of their sockets. He looked at me as if I was crazy.

"Aneara, don't you live on Orange Avenue? That is six streets away. Do you really want to walk that far? And shouldn't I be the one using the "I am not letting you walk alone during this time" line?"

"So, are you coming to the uber with me then? Don't worry I'll pay," he looked at me defeated and tried to book an uber before I snatched his phone away from him.

"I'm booking for it,"

In a few mins, our uber came and we sat side by side at the back seat. I could sense the awkwardness in the air and stared at Axon who was just looking at the houses passing by.

"Are you okay?" I asked. He looked at me briefly before dropping his head down.

"I'm okay, Aneara. I promise I'll pay you for my share in this uber," he said.

Is that why he looked so uneasy? He was worried about the uber payment?

"Why do you think I booked the uber? It's so I could pay for it, you don't have to worry about it," Axon was about to reply when the uber driver spoke to us. He said that we remind him of how he and his wife are during their first date.

The awkwardness in the air grew thick because of that. I couldn't even look at Axon after.

"Sir, we're not on a date. She's actually my b-." before Axon could even finish his sentence, I cut him off and finished it for him.

"Friends. We're friends," Again, Axon's eyes seemed like it bulged out their sockets. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"It doesn't matter if you and him are still just friends. Where do you think me and my wife started? Friends! We were just friends back then before she became my wife,"

The uber driver is an old man probably in his 60s. By the rear-view mirror was a picture of a woman, probably it was his wife. The driver reminds me so much of Carl from Up without the constant frown on his face.

The drive to my apartment was very pleasant as Luis, the uber driver, told us more stories of how he and his wife met and all the moments they did together. You could really see how much he adores his wife as he has that constant spark in his eyes every time he talks about her.

It was even too sad to leave the car when I reached my apartment. But I took Luis' number and promised to call to hear more about the stories about him and his wife.

Axon was about to exit the car with me when I told him to stay since I booked the uber with multiple stops so he wouldn't have to walk so far.

"Thank you for staying late with me. I appreciate it," I told Axon with a smile at which he smiled and bid me a good night.

"Take care of Axon for me. Make sure he gets home and good night, Luis. It has been a great ride," I said and walked towards the front door of my apartment building.

I called Noelle and my parents after receiving a bunch of missed calls from them this morning. But I was too preoccupied with my book and didn't bother to check my phone. Noelle dropped by to check on me personally before letting me sleep.

It sure was a wonderful night. My days often start so bad but since I met the Lewis Siblings, it always ends so great. I never actually thought that I would get peace and comfort from strangers.

From Luis, Devon, and Axon.