Chapter Text
Switching the closed sign to open you couldn’t help feel the rush of excitement that coursed through your veins. Finally, the day is here. The day you’ve been working so hard for, for months. You’re finally the owner of your own cafe.
The area you were in was absolutely wonderful. Across from beautiful greenery that belonged to the church on the corner. It was a lovely view when sitting outside, or sitting near the window. As you walked around giving one last wipe of the tables, making sure any dust that had formed in the brief minutes since you last wiped them was gone. You couldn’t help but get distracted by the windows, it was like there was no morning, afternoon, or sunset. What ever time of the day the sun always seemed to shine perfectly through. Causing you again to wonder why this place was so cheap.
You counted it as a blessing when you stumbled across this place while exploring the city one day. According to the real estate, it had been sitting vacant for nearly a year. Never really having travelled much to this area, you couldn’t imagine why. There were many stores along the street thriving. So when you came across the small store, with a studio apartment on top, your heart skipped a beat right then and there. Thankfully, because no one wanted the place the real estate allowed you to have it. Even though your current lease wouldn’t be up for 2 months at the time. Plenty of time to set up shop. Finally not having to live with a roommate to survive would mean you would put up with whatever this area had to offer.
As you walked behind the counter, again wiping down any surface. Sitting your hands into your small 2 fridges, both of different temperatures to accommodate different foods. There was the room temperature, one where you sat all your pastries and breads, and the other that was colder that held slices, and sandwiches. You adjusted them again, making sure they were perfectly straight for the customers to see. Jumping up excitedly when you heard the little bell ring, signalling someone had just walked in.
Popping your head up you saw a woman who looked like she could be a nun. But her black dress stopping right at her knees, and what looked like a veil sitting on top her head letting her hair hang down freely, with an upside down looking cross hanging from her neck raised your curiosity. Clearly not a catholic nun. Your slight knowledge on nuns ran through your mind, hoping you could come up with some answer. You wouldn’t dare ask, though. If you caused any offence on your first day, with your first customer that would surly end in disaster. Unfortunately, now having Sister Act stuck in your head.
As you watched the youthful woman approach the counter, you couldn’t help but beam at her. The excitement not holding back. As she ordered her latte, and a croissant you quickly got to work. Your barista experience clearly showing as you had her order ready for her in under 2 minutes. Sometimes you even surprised yourself. As you watched as she took a smell of the coffee and smiled, you were filled with pride. Watching as she walked out happily taking a sip.
From that day on, your coffee shop filled with more of the catholic look alikes, brothers and sisters. This time there was more of all ages coming and going. Even men dressed as priests walked in. Looking more like traditional catholic priests, the only thing telling you they weren’t been the same upside down symbol hanging from their necks.
It was your dream come true. A coffee shop constantly filled with new and regular faces. You had been open for a few weeks now. A few coming in everyday for the same thing. If you believed in god, you surely would be going to hell. The pride you felt recently would make sure of it.
Today would end up being all the same, with a slight change. A new face that you would remember for days to come. As you went through your normal routine of wiping and cleaning to keep up a pristine appearance, the bell dinged. Signalling the first customer of the day. You immediately noticed it was not the usual sister, or father, or whatever they called themselves. But a man dressed in all red. Immediately you noticed he was dressed very similar to a catholic cardinal, small changes here and there showing again he was from this curious, unknown church. But you couldn’t help and notice his upside down cross symbol was made of what looked like diamonds. Shimmering so perfectly in the sun as he walked to the counter.
“Good morning, sir, what may I get you?” You smiled at him. You never used to be a morning person, but since opening this little shop you never dreaded the start of your day. Or any of your day. Loving every second of it.
“Morning, miss. Just an espresso, thank you” You noticed straight away he wasn’t looking at you. His eyes wondering all around the store as he spoke.
As you placed his order into the POS you didn’t even get to telling him the price before he was pulling out a money clip “and if you were to be so kind, could you please, um, give it to me the right way” he sounded nervous. Like he was unsure of his sentence. If he had said it any other way, he surely would have sounded arrogant. But the way he spoke, it was more of a question than a demand. Answering a quick “of course” he handed you some money.
“If the coffee is as good as I hear, please keep the change” he said handing out a note to you. Not looking up you noticed he was handing you a crisp $50 bill.
“Th-thank you sir, but I couldn’t possibly accept this for a $3 coffee” you looked up at him, finally getting a proper look of his face. Immediately you noticed his eyes were two unique colours. His right a beautiful hazel, and his left a stark white contrasting beautifully to the black that was painted around them. You couldn’t help but stare, only turning your attention when he spoke again.
“It is of no issue, miss. Please, supporting small business owners is something we should all do more” you watched as the side of his lips rose into a small smile. Accepting the note you thanked him again.
You watched as he gracefully walked through the small area of tables, taking a seat on a small leather chair near the back against the window. Crossing his legs as he picked up todays newspaper that was sitting in front of him and began to read.
You couldn’t help but notice how different he was to the usual customers. Usually loud, talking with friends, or on their electronics using the free wifi. But he sat in the back, in silence. Completely ignoring the world around him as he kept to himself.
As you began making his coffee, you felt the need to make this one extra perfect. Grabbing a small saucer and cup, you watched intently as the coffee flowed from the single group handle. Making sure there was that perfect amount of foam on top. The small bell again went off, telling you another customer has walked in. Popping your head up, you hear the nun say “good morning, cardinal” as the man in red looked, and nodded back. Confirming your suspicions that he was a cardinal of some sorts.
Picking up his coffee and taking it to him, he noticed instantly as you got closer. Placing the paper down nicely on his lap as you placed his coffee on the table in front of him. “Thank you, miss” he smiled up at you again.
You returned the smile “You’re welcome, Cardinal” you noticed his eyes widen. Like he forgot his title, or he found it unusual coming from someone not of his faith. Either way you turned around and headed back to the counter. A small line had already formed, showing the day was truly about to start.