"Forget it, I don't care. As long as you won't hurt me again or anyone I care about, I don't care why you're here. I shouldn't. Just don't make me regret anything. I don't want to do that again." I say, disappointed but not surprised.

I mean why would he tell me what brought him here? He doesn't have to tell me anything or explain anything. He never did.

But I can't help but wonder why he wants to add a barista to his resume. I am not that important to him. I don't think I am. He simply wouldn't use working here as an excuse to get close to me or to get back on my good side.

I shake my head. I don't care why he is here. I have to deal with the fact that he is. I remember my dad's words. Don't be rude, he said.

I sigh.

I will try.

"Did you get everything I told you about the machine ?" I ask him without looking at him. I feel him nod.

I look up when I hear the shop door open and close, I see Saul King approaching the counter.

I blink, once. Twice. Thrice. I can't believe he is here. I forget for a split second that Elijah is next to me, until he decides to speak.

"Take a breath Nao. He is just a guy."

Uh-oh. Defensive mode is activated.

"It's none of your business Job."

He grips the  counter in front of him and grit his teeth. "So you do like him."

It's like he is speaking to himself more than to me. I can ignore him and not answer but I will never admit such thing to anyone, let alone Elijah. So I say out loud, "I don't."

He shakes his head, "that's not what the slam book says."

"You wouldn't know, " because I didn't mention anything about Saul. I made sure of it. I learned not to mention guys in my slam book because of Elijah..

"Oh I would. Trust me." He pauses and uses a high thin tone to continue "my favorite band is Arctic Monkeys."

He is clearly mocking me.

He clears his throat and keep on speaking, "yeah, right. If that sentence doesn't scream that you like that guy. I don't know what would. You don't even know them. You have never heard one song by them."

I was about to respond but Saul reaches the counter and greets me,

"Hey Naomi." and he flashes his famous smile. He is wearing yet another Arctic Monkeys t-shirt.

I can't deny that Elijah is right. I will never admit it to him though. It's true I didn't write anything about Saul in the  slam book. But, I wanted to have Saul's attention. Especially, when I have planned to give him my slam book. I figured we can bond over Arctic Monkeys.
I mean I have never heard of them before Saul but you have no idea how Google can be enlightening.

Now and all thanks to Elijah, my plan to give Saul my slam book failed because Mr. Job decided to "borrow"  it back.

I melt inside when Saul greets me again. He probably thought I didn't hear because it took me long to respond, but I compose myself and greet him well as if he is any other customer.
Elijah is still next to me. I can't show any sign of weakness.  I will prove him wrong. I won't melt.
"Hello, welcome to Riley's. What would you like to order?"

Smooth move Naomi.

"One mocha coffee please, one latte." Oh two drinks. Not one. So most probably he will take them as a takeaway because I don't see anyone with him. So I ask, "For here or takeaway?"

"Takeaway, my girlfriend is waiting for me in the car. We're going on a roadtrip." Elijah starts coughing next to me.

I ignore him.

Saul King has a girlfriend? Since when? Why I am not aware of that fact. I did my research, why didn't I find anything?

I hear mumbles from Elijah but I don't understand anything he is saying. I keep on ignoring him. And just in order to keep a conversation going, I ask Saul, "oh waw. Anywhere specific?"

Saul laughs. "Not exactly, we will see. V loves adventure."

Elijah coughs again and I glare at him. He is so obvious.

"Adventure is good for the soul, Saul." I say and start preparing his order while Elijah is glued to my side and trying so hard to keep a straight face. He will roast me when Saul leaves. I am sure.

"Wait, wait slow down a bit . I need to learn."

I ignore him again and I keep my pace. "Now is not the time. I am finishing this up. Go take a break."

Elijah stays next to me, watching my every move.

I sigh. Finally, almost done. The nightmare will be over soon.

"Do you want me to break his nose?" Elijah whispers so I can only hear.

I laugh. He managed to make me laugh like he used to do when we were kids. Every time I was angry, he made me laugh. Every time I was sad, he made me laugh.

I surpass the laugh. "No. Please,  go. Take a break."

"I won't, I am here by your side. I am not going anywhere."

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