The light from the sun entered Maria's room. But this didn't stop her from enjoying her peaceful slumber.

Today's a Saturday. No classes and work starts not until 10 in the morning so until then peaceful minutes are given to Maria.

-until the twins came in.

"Mariaaaaa!! "

"What have you done to Mara?! "

They barged in like they're raiding a bank. And they've done a good job so far. It wouldn't be surprising if they succeeded in the future with a real bank.

"Yah! She won't tell us anything!!! "

Maria cursed herself for not locking her door the night before. Hell she was surprised that her eyes didn't seem bloodshot. "Get out, both of you. " she said this with no energy at all, while pulling her cover over her face.

This, however, triggered the mischief of both of her sisters. Both of them grab a set of pillows.

And they started hitting Maria altogether.

"We!"

"Demand!"

"ANSWERS!!"

"Just ignore them." Maria thought in her head. "Just, ignore... And they will go away... "

"WAKE! "

"UP! "

By this point Maria,not seeing anything due to her covers, started shouting.

"Get out of my room!!!"

Suddenly there was a loud thud, and cry of pain from the twins.

This startled Maria, she decided to check on her sisters. Both of which were lying on the floor.

"How the hell did you two get there? " by this time, Maria is now fully awake. She sat up straight to face her sisters. "Just a while ago, both of you were beside me. "

Ella opened her eyes, full of pain. "I-i don't know... Something -... Something white -"

Bella didn't help. She's just as confused as her sister. "Something hard pushed us... I don't know what. "

Maria worriedly checked if they had any wounds. Luckily no harm was done.
"Now why don't both of you go to the kitchen, and get some packed ice. Put it on your heads. "

The twins stood up, wincing. "Fine. "

"But when we're done, you're telling us what happened to Mara OK?!"

"I promise. "

"Do our sacred oath, so I can know you're really mean it! " Ella said, pouting.

Maria sighed. This was the stupid oath they got from that stupid book. But she'll do it, just this once. "I offer my oath to the boundaries of magic. " then Maria put her hand, positioned into peace sign, to her heart. The action partnered to the sacred oath.

"GREAT!! "

Maria glanced at her clock once the girls left her room. Only 2 more hours till her shift. Since she didn't have anything better to do, she could do her first early shift.
Ever since she started her part time job, she never considered working earlier than her schedule. Even though it will raise her salary.

Once she went downstairs , the twins were already waiting by the stairs. "There you are!! "

Bella, who was normally chatty looked at her sister with worry. "You got to tell us what happened to Mara... She's not herself. "

Maria's expression darkened. And it was not hard for the sisters to recognize it. "You guys fought, didn't you? " Ella said sadly.

"We... We did... Look it was a touchy matter, OK? I can't just explain... "

Ella and Bella knew exactly what was bothering their sister. "Was it because of the book? "

"Look I don't want to talk about it. " Maria's voice sounded cold. "I told you the reason why Mara isn't herself. We're done here. " she excused herself and got ready for work.

"But that book is amazing! Why don't you want us to read it! " Ella pleaded.

"Mara didn't even tell us the whole story!!! We didn't get to see the rest of Mileae!! "

Maria gripped the strap of her bag."It is better that way... "

Her sisters were not done- "But-! "

But Maria was determined to drop the subject. "I'm gonna be late for work." She opened their front door. You two are on your own. " then Maria closed it behind her.

Ella and Bella gave each other looks. "It's not even her shift yet... "

"Yeah... "

Business was busy as usual, and the manager was surprised to see Maria arrive earlier than usual.

"Maria! Why are you this early? Thought you didn't like working at the morning. "

"Something happened sir. I had to. "

"Well that's good. I'll be assigning you at the V. I. P section then. "

"Sir? "

"There are few costumers there, but you'll be assisting 3 of them. They always arrive this early and you're the best worker here so far. "

"But sir I've never handled V. I. P s before. "

"You'll be fine! Their numbers are 3, 17, and 23. They're not that tough, in fact they're the same age as you! "

"Alright... I'll just change sir then I'll be on my way. "

"Great! "

Maria went to the back to change uniforms. Sighing, she wore the maid outfit specially for the V. I. P's room.

When she went out, a ring from a bell faintly echoed in the room. Wondering what it is she followed the sound only to see a girl waving happily from table 3.

Memorized the given table numbers to her she put on a fake smile and went to table 3.

"Yes madame? What may I do for you today? "

"Oh! Haven't seen you around here! What's your name? "

"Ok ,a cheerful one, might be handful" Maria thought. She pointed at her fairly sized name tag, large enough for costumers to read. "Maria mam. Yes it's the first time I worked for the V. I. P section. "

"Oh! Welcome! I'm Lucilla! But for you maybe you can call me Luce! "

"Doesn't matter... This will the first and last time I'll work here anyway. Your order mam? "

"Oh right! I'll have the usual, Mont Blanc, and the Maple Pie. "

"Wew, talk about sweet tooth. Ok mam that'll be for 5 minutes. Is that fine? "

"Okie! " her smile was so radiant, Maria can't help squinting her eyes. "Is it ok if you stay here and chat with me?"

Maria put her best smile. "No mam, that's not possible I mean I still have to attend other costumers."

Lucilla blushed from embarrassment. "O-oh. I'm sorry, of course you're a waitress after all. " she averted her gaze and decided to look to the other side. "I can't be wasting your time."

Maria started blankly for a while at Lucilla's back, with her long blonde hair. Questions flooded her mind, due to Lucilla's reaction. But since she's working she decided to not be bothered by it. The cook met her eyes when she arrived " Mont Blanc and Maple Pie."

Another bell rang- and this time it's from 17. She met a girl who likes reading. And how did she knew that? Her tables were full of books. And yes, tables.

Even Maria stuttered when she spoke up, if not her voice was a little higher than normal "M-mam. What may I do for you?"

"i noticed that your tables are not balance, causing mild shaking."

Maria was taken aback. "mam?"

Danielle looked at her with irritation, and Maria knew she's not a fun kid to be with. " Maria right?"

Maria only then noticed she was squiting her eyes at her name tag. "Y-yes mam."

She became more irritated " Would you please stop stuttering. It's not pleasing to the ears."

"Yep, definitely handful." Maria bowed "I apologize mam."

"Maria I request another table for my books. And another for eating purposes."

"What does she need another 2 tables for? That makes 7 for crying out loud." Maria had a hard time keeping a straight face "Right away mam. I shouldn't question their orders, they're V.I.Ps anyways.How about the food?"

"Oh yes, Ceasar Salad please with Honey Tea."

"Right. That'll be 7 minutes including the tables. Would that be fine, ma'am?" Maria questioned, although she didn't know if the girl was listening since her full attention seems to be in her book.

"Yes, although what's not fine is that you calling me Ma'am all the time."

"Ma'am?"

"See?" she sighed, and closed her book. And looked at Maria once more "Daniella, that's my name. I would really appreciate if you call me that instead off you know."

"Of course." Maria was quite a little uncomfortable saying it but-" Daniella."

She smiled, genuinely "Great." then she went back to her book. "Thanks Maria, you're better than the previous waiters"

Maria couldn't help but smirk at that comment. "Ha."

Later she served the order of Lucilla, and then next Daniella's. Of course except the tables that was assigned to men.

It was quiet after that since table number 23 is still not yet around and Lucilla and Daniella are busy with their stuff. Plus the V.I.Ps are assigned to other waiters and waitresses.

Maria chuckled at the sight. "So this is like Butler and maids huh?"

"Yes except that won't be 100% . First this is just a cafe not a maid nor butler cafe. Second they serve Beer which is not appropriate in my opinion for a butler and maid cafe. And lastly, maids and butlers will not use sir or madame instead they'll be saying Master."

Maria jumped at once. Before there was no one there, but suddenly this beautiful and gorgeous girl appeared out of nowhere.

"M-ma'am! "

"I suppose you're new? "

Maria tried to keep her focus stable. "Y-yes ma'am. Should I guide you to your table? "

The girl grimaced "I'm afraid not as I don't see my table from here. "

"Maybe I can help? What's the table's number? "

"It's 23."

"Wait what? It's over here ma'am, follow me. "

"I'm afraid not Maria. "

Maria stopped at once, and looked back at her. "Ma'am?"

"All the tables here arranged by the cafe 's style. My table has a blue table cloth, and it's utensils are arranged western style. With small smores and cupcakes displayed on a small tray. "

Maria was dumbfounded. " i-i 'm sorry ma'am! I'll fix it right away! " she was about to walk fast paced towards the kitchen when-

"Angelica. "

Maria stopped. "Ma'am? "

"Angelica's my name. " she smiled "Thought you should know. "

Maria smiled back and went back to work.

Even though this seemed a lot of work to her, this was the first time she had fun during work hours.

Hours passed and the three were still inside the cafe. Maria was curious, because their stay was too long even for a V.I.P. But then again, no one should question a V.I.P's choice. So to satisfy her questions and curiosity she made her own guesses and conclusions.

All three ordered their lunch, and at a very late time to be honest, so they're practically busy. Meaning Maria won't be tending to their needs till later.

She stared at the most obvious, Daniella. "That girl's eyes hasn't left the book since I arrived, and heck she was here way earlier than me. Though she seems to change books once she finished the previous ones. So I'm assuming she's here just to read, so she'll go home once she's done with those books. "

The V.I.P section is as quiet as a library. It's perfect for those who are looking for peace and quiet.

"And I'm assuming that's just what this girl is looking for."

Maria looked next to Lucilla, who's drawing nonstop at her table. When Maria passed by to give her order, she got to admit her works were masterpiece. Although it seemed to be dark themed.

As for that surprisingly last V.I.P costumer that arrived later than the other 2, she just kept on sipping tea while reading something in her phone. Before she ordered her lunch, she ordered tons of tarts and smores.

But what surprised her the most, these 3 seemed to act like matured grown-ups when all 4 of them, including Maria herself are the same age.

Dinner time came and all 3 of them were still in the V.I.P section. And to Maria's joy, she can't leave her job cause of that. Avoiding Mara and her twin sisters are her priority right now. She contacted her parents and they said ok. But really they just thought it would help the bills.

After some time,surprisingly the 3 decided to leave at the same time. This was Maria's cue to leave also.

She told her manager, who was flustered once he met Maria "Omg Maria! You stayed the whole day!! I am deeply sorry!"

Maria just laughed. "It's fine sir!"

"Omg! You're an angel!! I'll just triple your salary for this day! It's all on me!"

"Thanks sir! " Then Maria went to the back room to change. By this time she was smiling from ear to ear. This was indeed a fun day.

Suddenly she heard a heavy object fall behind her. She pulled down her shirt first before looking at the source of the sound.

It was the book.

The smile vanished immediately. She stared at it for some time, then decided to put it back inside her bag. " Right, before I go home I have to hide this thing." she fixed her stuff and was ready to go.

But then she found the 3 girls standing by the door, chatting.

Lucilla caught her and waved. "Maria!!! "

This made Daniella and Angelica stop chatting and look at Maria too.

"Ok, do they know each other? Ma'am, wha-"

Lucilla positioned her hand to deliver the message 'stop'. Her hand was so close to Maria's face, she backed up a little.

"Ma'am?"

Lucilla sighed with exasperation "Lucilla. I told you to call me that."

"Oh right." then she looked at the other two. "Do you guys know each other?"

"Well I guess." Angelica shrugged. "We just see each other everyday in this cafe."

"And we thought it would be convenient to keep each other's company when we go home since we go the same way."

Lucilla crossed her arms. "Can you please talk normally?" she looked at Daniella.

"What? Is my way of talking uncomfortable to you?"

"You got to admit that's not your natural way of talking."

"Is there a proof to that hypothesis? We barely know each other."

Lucilla sighed again. "Whatever."

Angelica leaned closer to Maria. "Well, it has it's ups and downs."

Maria laughed "I can see that."

"Anyways!" Lucilla put her arms around Maria "We just want to invite you! Maybe our ways are the same so why not add the company?"

"Well I'm on the way to the subway. Although i won't be riding it, just that's way."

"Same! Hahaha! Now isn't that nice! We should let her join us!!" Lucilla looked at Daniella and Angelica with pleading eyes.

"I have no problem with it." Angelica said.

"Agreed."

"Great! Let's go!"

The four went out the cafe and started chatting with each other.

"Master, they left." the shadow whispered. "The road towards the subway... Understood."

"I still don't understand how you can read 5 books in one day." Lucilla said.

Daniella rolled her eyes. "And I still don't understand why you come to the cafe for no reason."

"Hey! I have a reason!"

"And that is?"

"I draw there!"

"Why not at your house?"

"I could say the same to you! Why not read books at your house!" emphasizing the your, Lucilla pouted.

"You've been to the cafe. I need it's peace and quiet, which is not present at my home."

Maria whispered to Angelica "Are they always like this?"

"Most of the time yes."

"How about Angelica huh?! She just stares at her phone! Why not do that her house?!" again, Lucilla emphasized the her.

"Excuse me, I go to the cafe to eat their quality food. It felt like I'm eating at a 5-star restaurant." Anglica smirked. "And that's not present at my house." She tried imitating Lucilla's voice at 'my house.'

"I admit defeat."

The four of them laughed.

Which was ironic because the street they're standing on had no lights.

"Hey, this street had lights yesterday right?" Lucilla said, clearly scared.

"Yes. I wonder if there's a blackout." Daniella said, putting her hand on her chin, thinking.

"We should probably find another way." Angelica pointed where they came from.

Maria nodded. "It's not safe here."

"I agree! We should leave!!"

"What are you afraid of?" Daniella smirked amusingly. "There are no such things as ghosts."

"I-i'm not afraid of them!"

"boo!" Maria said, sneaking behind Lucilla.

"I know karate!!!" Lucilla jumped, positioned karate style.

Both Daniella and Maria laughed at the sight.

Angelica rolled her eyes. "C'mon guys, don't tease her." she started walking "We should go home now-"

A figure passed them, making all four alert.

"Y-you guys saw that right?!" Lucilla asked, high pitched.

"Yes." Angelica started eyeing her surroundings.

Daniella opened her bad, like she was grabbing a knife or another self defense item "It seems we're not alone."

Maria scanned her surroundings. All of them are terrified by now. But she became more terrified when she saw yellow glowing eyes behind Lucilla. "Duck!!"

But instead of doing so, Lucilla looked behind her to see her attacker. And it was a horrifying sight

It wasn't human.

She started screaming. The attacker raised it's claws-

"Saggealla!" Daniella chanted. Light glowed from the book she's holding, then random sized arrows came out of nowhere, striking the enemy.

"grhaaaaa!!" the enemy roared.

The glow made other three what they're up against. It's body was like a werewolf but it's face had a fur and shape of a lion, but it had piranha teeth, cat eyes, and wolverine-like claws.

And what's worse is that it's not alone, they were plenty.

"We should run!!!" Daniella shouted the moment they all moved the other monsters started to ran after them.

Angelica pulled out a pink rose from her bag "I wish to know where's the safest route out of these monsters!"

The petals glowed, and even though there was no strong wind whatsoever the petals drifted towards the left curve.

"This way !!"

Since the girls made a sudden turn, the other monsters made the wrong turn.

"you guys are magical now?!"

"Daniella! What was that!!" Lucilla asked, with breathes between.

"How are those petals glowing?!"

"Can we please focus on making out of this alive first?!" Daniella said, irritated and tired.

"Right."

A car almost hit them, good thing the monsters were not good at aiming.

"Pretius!!" Daniella casted once more, making her book glow. An explosion emerged behind the monsters.

"Tch, faster you animals!!"

This made Daniella's eyes wide. "They have a person with them." she whispered to herself.

They made another turn, following Angelica's petals .

"Are we there yet!? I'm not used running this long!" Maria panted.

Lucilla who was in front of them said "We have to lose them!!"

"Any ideas?! " Angelica screamed.

"Don't look at me! I'm too tired to cast another spell!" Daniella shouted.

Suddenly Lucilla was gone, and she was replaced by a cheetah. "Hop in!"

Maria was so confused right now, she have to thank her adrenaline later for keeping her mind straight.

The cheetah or Lucilla ran so fast the monster ate it's dust. And after a while the monsters were gone. The petals also stopped at a closed store.

"Raisiero!"

The doors opened, and the girls rushed inside. Lucilla transformed into her original state and sat down immediately. "That was tiring."

The other girls were panting, and Maria was the first one to catch her breath. "You guys are magical now?! "

"Hey i know I was but I didn't know they were magical too!" Angelica said, hands in defense. "Mine wasn't that effective."

"Me neither." Lucilla smiled.

Daniella looked at Maria. "Like we said, we only talk to each other whenever we go home from the cafe."

"And you swear this is your first encounter with those monsters?"

"yes."

"Absolutely."

"Can't you see we're not trained in combat?"

"Right."

"But Maria, are you sure you don't have magical powers yourself?"

"No. Born normal, will die normal."

"That's funny. All three of us have abilities, you can't say that's just a coincidence." Daniella analyzed

"Plus, mythical enemies, not just thieves or a normal attacker." Angelica added

"oooh!! I can feel it!!" Lucilla jumped.

"Feel what?" Maria asked.

"just like in the books I've read!!! Maybe we can save the world !!"

"What?"

"I mean we could be the only human beings right now who can stop monsters like those!! Omg! i'll be named as Paws!"

"Paws?"

"Yah, cause I like cats."

"Look we are not heroes." Maria said.

"Why?"

"They bear big responsibilities! "

"So?"

"So-"

The glass behind them shattered, and the monsters appeared once again. The girls barely had time to hide behind the shelves.

"What do we do!?" Lucilla whispered

"Daniella's energy is out. "

"So?" Maria asked.

"Whenever we use our magic, we grow tired. Even I don't want to find out what happens when we push our limits."

"I can make one more spell..." Daniella said. Barely making the sentence, and panting in between.

"It's obvious you can't!" Lucilla put her hand on Daniella's back. "I can turn into an elephant."

Suddenly a monster bigger than the other grabbed Daniella.

"Daniella!!!"

Another grabbed both Angelica and Lucilla. "Let me go!!!!"

Maria dodged the hands of the monsters but her friends are now near death's door. The sight was horrible. The monster are slowly crushing her friends with their big hands. Daniella fainted, while Angelica and Lucilla tried their best of breaking free. Her new friends were about to be eaten by some monsters, and she can't do anything .She felt anger bubbling up inside her

She closed her eyes and started shouting- "Let them go!!!!"

While her eyes were closed she heard some thuds and crashes, and when she opened them once again her friends were at the floor unconscious from their fall. Only Lucilla had her eyes open the whole time.

"Maria use your magic!!"

"I told you I don't have any!!!"

Monsters appeared once more and were about to grab Angelica and Daniella.

Lucilla looked at Maria shocked. "Don't just stand there! Attack them!!!"

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't have magic!!"

Lucilla was even more shocked hearing this. "Then what are those?!!"

Maria looked at behind her, only to see most of the things in the store floating. She can't process what was happening. "What..???"

~To be continued~