Chapter two

Stella's POV

For another couple of days, I lived in the dream, but this dream was more like a nightmare.

Mary was next to me, helping me survive one day at a time. She took charge of arranging the funeral since I could not handle it.

The ceremony was simple. Adriana's friends came together, bringing the pink lilies, her favourite flowers.

After the funeral, I tried to talk to them, asking questions about possible changes in Adriana's behaviour, but they all denied noticing anything. I tried to believe them, but I felt they omitted something more. I could see it in their eyes, but maybe that was just my imagination. Maybe they were just as devastated as I was, and I pressed them too much.

Mary tried to convince me to stay home for a little longer, but I could not stand to be alone. Every inch of it reminded me of Adriana. I had to escape from there. I even considered selling the house and moving away, but this had to wait.

" Are you sure you want to be here?" Mary asked as I put on my apron.

" There is no other place I want to be right now," I replied, offering her a small, fake smile.

" I do not want you to deal with some crappy customers."

" It is quiet here today. Only regulars," I tied my apron, grabbed my notebook and rushed to the tables.

I did not lie. The cafe was filled with two regulars, to be exact.

" There is your coffee, Roger," I said, placing a cup before the grumpiest man I have ever seen. I could swear he was only coming here to complain, but I have learnt to deal with his humour.

" Is it hot?" Roger asked without looking at me.

" Exactly how you like it," Mary replied, coming closer. She knew Roger as well as I did and knew it was just the start of his complaints, so she rushed to save me. I gave her a slight nod of appreciation and rushed to the other table.

This would be an easy one.

Our second regular was a man in his mid-twenties. His arms and neck were covered in tattoos, and the whole aura around him screamed 'run', but you could not be more wrong about him.

This man looked nothing like people coming to this place. He wore an expensive suit, a watch that was probably gold, and shoes that could pay a couple of months of my bills. He had a strong jaw and brown eyes that looked like they could see through your soul. Not that he looked at me too often. We kept our conversation on a business level.

" Here you go. One black coffee and a slice of raspberry pie," I said, placing his order on the table. Since he always ordered the same thing, I learned to prepare it when he came in.

The man raised his head and briefly glanced at me.

" Are you okay?" He asked in a deep, low voice.

" Yes, I am fine...thank you," I replied carefully, surprised by his interest. We never went above the usual client-waitress conversation.

" Are you sure?"

" I am sure."

" Ribbon," he spoke, glancing at me sharply, and my hand shook.

" Ribbon?" I asked, unsure what he was asking about. Then it hit me. The small black ribbon I have attached to my shirt in Adriana's memory. I doubted someone would notice that since my shirt was also black.

" My sister....," I mumbled.

" Was she sick?" The man asked again while his finger moved over the edge of his cup.

" No."

" Accident?"

I shook my head, even if he was not looking at me.

" No. Police said she overdosed, but I think she got in some sort of trouble." I was surprised by my own words. Why would I tell him all of that? This man was a regular but still a complete stranger. I didn't even know his name.

" Mafia?"

I gasped. " What?" This question was ridiculous. We were not in some Italian action movie. There was also no sign of yakuza anywhere near. How could he ask about that? Was he serious? " No, she did not get in trouble with a mafia don."

" You can never be sure about that," the man replied and smiled.

I clenched my hand around the coffee jug I was holding. Was that funny for him?

" I am glad that it amused you," I seethed. We definitely should stay with our conversations where we were until now.

" I did not say that. It is just that you can never know who you meet," the man replied, unfazed by my outburst.

" I am pretty sure I knew who my sister was meeting. Is that all?"

The man looked at me and said nothing. I left his table, shaking with anger.

" Are you sure it was a good idea to come here today?" Mary looked at me with concern. " People here can be pretty careless and coarse at times.

" No kidding," I replied, glancing back at the mysterious man.

He seemed to forget about our conversation and focused on his pie.

" Stella, I do not want you to get more hurt than you already are." Mary came closer, but I took a step back.

" I am fine," I replied, harsher than intended, and Mary's eyes widened. I immediately regretted my behaviour. " I am sorry, I didn't mean to. I just can't be at home where everything reminds me about Adriana."

Mary smiled gently. " Do what is best for you, but let me know when it will be too much."

I nodded and looked around as the bell above the door rang.

The mysterious man was gone. I rushed to his table to collect the money. On top of the bills was a folded piece of paper.

' If you need help, call.' I stared at the number written below. Why would I need help from this man?

I placed the paper inside my pocket and forgot about it. I still had a few hours until the end of my shift when my mobile rang. It was Kate, one of my few friends.

" Kate? Is everything okay?" I asked, picking up. Kate was introverted and hated making calls.

" Stella, I need to show you something. Cone to me as soon as you can."

My friend's tone gave me goosebumps.