Helena's POV:

It was fall. I was walking in a path full of brown and red leaves. The rain has just stopped, leaving behind a smell of wet soil. I loved it. The trees were towering over me blocking the sun from my view. Thankfully, today wasn't one of those warm days. The summer had just ended and I was pretty happy about it. Even though I loved holidays it's deadly hot here at summer time. I couldn't even work out outside! Let alone work.

I worked at a local café. Even though I came to Italy this year, I can't say it was hard finding a place to work. The salary was average to low but for a waitress it was pretty alright. It was fine working there but I can't say I loved it. You see, the other waitresses weren't that "friendly" let's say. They were trying to get me fired since day one. Maggie was the one who hated me the most. She'd always comment on how I looked and make fun of me. The first day she told everyone
She's in Italy and doesn't even speak Italian!
Which was true but I didn't have neither the free time nor the money for this.
Lisa was the one following Maggie and doing whatever she would do. Yk in the movies where there's some girl following the meanie trying to be like her? Her minion? I think that's what they are called. Let's say yeah. The others didn't even care. They'd never talk to me. Sometimes they forgot I was even there and they'd speak Italian so I didn't even understand what they were saying.

It was pretty bad though, not knowing Italian. Some costumers were mad at me for speaking in English in an Italian Café.

Our boss was on his early fifties. He was hard-working. Always serious. We didn't get to see him that much. I know however that he's the type of boss who wouldn't hesitate to fire you if you did sth wrong.

I reached the stairs of the Café. I didn't have enough time to change my clothes from the theatre but since I was fifteen minutes early I could use the bathroom and change there.

I opened the door with the clothes on my hand to avoid questions like
"Why aren't you dressed?"
"Did you want to jump scare us with your outfit?"...

Maggie immediately saw me. She smirked and headed at a table to pick up the coffee and toast the costumers had left behind. I smiled hoping it would change the way she looked at me. Lisa was nowhere to be seen which was pretty good. But Maggie came closer to me while I was walking to the bathroom and spread the coffee all over me, the glasses breaking while hitting the ground, the tost falling on the shirt I wore this morning for the theatre. Now my work clothes were ruined and the coffee on my chest was burning hot. I was barely holding myself from screaming from the heat.

<<Helena, what did you just do?>> Said Maggie with a shocked and sad face. She's putting the blames on me!

Everyone turned to look at us.

<<Pick this mess up!>> She continued. Then she just left.

I know you'd probably say I should shout and say she did it and have her clean it up but I had no choice. I couldn't let it on the floor. So I did it.

I'm sure today's gonna be fascinating , I said to myself while picking up the glasses from the floor.

I headed to the toilet and looked at the mirror. My white shirt was now brown. My hair was messy. I looked like shit.

My work clothes were ruined. I was almost late for work- only had like two minutes to go back there. But what should I wear? The stains can't disappear in two minutes even if I wash it. The boss isn't here today- had to visit some people.

I asked another waitress, Marry I think, she said :
<<Just wear it, it's fine>> and left too.

Great! Now I'm really starting to get scared. Thankfully, the next waitress I asked whose name I didn't know gave me another, clean t-shirt. But that was not the work's one. It looked similar but it had a penguin on it! A freaking penguin! I guess it'll do. Today is gonna be the most embarrassing day of my whole life.

A table with an old man was ready to order. I felt like he was staring at me but maybe it was just my imagination.
Maggie disappeared after the earlier "accident". It was better this way because who knows what else she was gonna come up with to make me look and feel stupid. I arrived at the table and pulled out my phone to take the order.

<<So, you want my number, kitten?>> He said.

What. The. Hell.

WHAT. THE. HELL.

<<I'm sorry. You've misunderstood me. I'm here to take your order>>

<<Oh I'm sure that's not why you're here. I can be your other penguin.>>
He winked at me.

Ew. EW! HE'S LIKE 70!?

GOD!

<<I'm sorry sir, she apparently doesn't know that this is a Café and not a strip club.>> Maggie said and smiled. What?

<<I like that>> He said.
<<Here, give me your phone. I'll give you my number. No reason to act all cold and emotionless. I know you want it.>>

I just left.

Went to wash the dishes and told the waitress, Elis , who had gave me the shirt (I asked for her name!) about it.

I was feeling quite anxious though. What if he got mad and came here?
What if he hits me?
What if I get fired? For leaving him.

I felt so many emotions when I heard those words come out of his mouth. Mostly, I felt disgust. A whole new level of disgust! Secondly, sadness. Is everything in this world about sex? Do people even care for each other's feelings? And pain. Pain because I thought he was just an old nice person who came here after his daily walk for a coffee.

<<Helena?>> someone said. I knew that voice. I turned around only to find Deep Voice standing in front of me. He looked at me carefully, reading my face.

<<Are you alright? >> He asked quite concerned? Yeah, yeah Helena. Keep dreaming. Why would he care? It's just a typical question like the daily "how are you I'm fine" thing.

<<Yeah>> I said in a low voice not meeting his eyes. The floor was pretty nice you know. Clean...

<<You seem upset.>> He stated. He thinks I'm lying. But it's alright.

<<Don't worry. Would you like to order?>> I gave him a wide smile.

<<Just a black coffee>> He wanted to say something but didn't.

He took a sit next to the old man. Great, now I was done for sure. I tried getting any other waitress bring his order. But nobody would do it. I had to do it.

The old man was still looking at me smirking.

Okay you're safe Helena. He won't do something. He won't say something. If he does, he'll pay.

I brought Deep Voice's coffee looking at the floor. Just as I was about to leave, he said:

<<You know if we're really gonna be playing together, we should at least talk a bit.>>

<<Well, we don't know yet if we'll be acting together, so-

<<Oh c'mon, you're fine. I'm sure they'll pick you. You're talented.>>

<<That's what you think>>

<<I've been an actor for some years I know who's capable and who's not. You're just a bit scared but we've all been there.>>

I didn't know how to answer. I wasn't scared! Maybe a bit but they can't know.

<<I'm not scared>> I mumbled and he looked straight through my eyes and -

<<Oh c'mon kitten. You're a bit difficult to handle but I know you want me and not this thing. He's a child. I'm better>> the old man said and touched my hand.

Immediately I panicked and turned to leave.

<<I'm sorry, who do you think you are to talk like that to a waitress? I think you should leave before it's too late.>> I hear Deep Voice say. He looked furious. I was scared. Was he mad at him? No. He couldn't. At me maybe? Why?

Why would he defend me?

<<She likes it, sir. Don't worry. >> Maggie appeared again, whispering to Deep Voice's ear. He quickly pussed her off him.

<<You're disgusting. She doesn't like it. >> He said looking at Maggie.

<<Huh? C'mon kid, who do you think you are?>> the old man said.

Boss suddenly enters the Café. He wasn't supposed to be here.

<<What the hell is going on? >> He asked referring to all of them. When he saw Deep Voice his whole attitude changed. He said:
<<Hello, Mr. Crossl.>> It was as if the Boss was scared.

Deep Voice nodded.
<<Alright. It's time you get the fuck out of my Café and never come back.>>

<<And you- you're fired>> Deep Voice said looking at Maggie with hatred.

<<Now both of you go! NOW!>> He shouted, making me flinch.

They were both shocked at the revelation and I was too. He owned the Café where I was working?

I still felt bad about the whole situation. Even if they were both gone I was still scared. I felt like it was my fault. I run to the restroom and sat next to the toilet. I started crying.