Cafe near Arcadia Corporation

Vivienne's POV:

I was walking around the street, being familiar with the environment. I saw a small cafe and walked towards it. As I stepped inside, the bell above the cafe door jingled. I tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear and scanned the room. The cafe was quite busy, fill with small conversations and clinking of the coffee cups. It was small, tucked in the corner of a bustling street, just opposite from the corporate headquarters of Arcadia.

I walked up to the counter, where a barista with a short, curly hair and a warm smile greeted me.

"Hey, welcome! what can I get you?"

I glanced at the menu briefly, though I already know what I wanted. "Just  a black coffee, please," I said trying to sound like a sweet innocent girl. It is very energy taking job for me to pretend to be a sweet and innocent looking girl despite not being one. I don't know how those green tea bitches and white lotuses could do all those dramas. 

The barista nodded, starting to prepare a drink. I wandered my eyes to the window. A cross the street, I could see the massive glass tower of Arcadia. I imagined Alistar's office must be somewhere high up in that building. I am here Alistar. Start to countdown every breath of your life.

"First time here?" the barista added, bringing me back to reality.

I blinked and turned back to her, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I just moved into this area. I've heard this is a great spot to work." Well, I just came here the afternoon. I had already researched each and every corner about this area. I just have to work on my plan step by step.

"Well, you've heard right," the barista said with a wink. "We're always looking for good people. I'm sure you'd fit in just fine." She pointed toward the small bulletin board near the entrance. "There's a job listing on the board. You should check it out."

The perfect cover. I thought. "I'll definitely do that. Thanks."

She handed me the coffee. The warm, and deep aroma engulfing my nose. The earthy, slightly smoky quality from the roasted beans, with a subtle sweetness always makes me calm. With my coffee in hand, I walked over to the bulletin board, pretending to examine the flyer. I was scanning it with practiced ease, but in truth, my mind was already racing. A job at a local cafe right across the street from Arcadia was the ideal position. She'd be close enough to keep an eye on Alistar's comings and goings.

"Are you new to the area?" the barista asked again, wiping the counter.

I glanced over and smiled politely. My lips are hurting because of smiling this much. Just leave me alone. "Yeah, I just moved into an apartment nearby. I'm still getting used to everything."

"Well, you've got good taste," the barista said with a grin. "This place is pretty chill. We've got a loyal crowd, especially during lunch hours."

I took a sip of my coffee, deliberately letting the warm bitterness wash over me as I glanced across the street again. "I can see that. It looks like a nice spot to hang out."

The barista laughed softly. "Definitely. It's a little hidden gem. We get all kinds of people here—locals, tourists, even a few big shots from the corporate world down the road."

 "Oh, really? Do you see many of them around here?" I asked casually, my eyes flicking toward Arcadia again.

"Now and then," the barista said with a shrug. "There's this one guy from Ferris Enterprises who comes by occasionally. Really intense guy. You might see him around here."

The barista smiled. "Anyway, if you're looking for a job, talk to Jessica. She's the manager—runs the place. She's usually here in the afternoons."

I nodded "I will. Thanks again." I am asking you to leave now girl. Let me be myself. Argh...

After finishing the coffee, I planned to look over the area for some time, but the weather said something else. It started drizzling. One thing I hate the most after Alistar, is the rain. My apartment was just ten minutes away. Before it rains heavily, I tried to get to my apartment using shortcut.

The streetlight flickered overhead, casting long shadows on the wet pavement as rain began to fall, a gentle patter that turned into a hard downpour. I pulled the collar of my jacket up, trying to shield my face from the sudden chill. This rain is making me angry now.

I turned down a narrow alley, shortcut back to my apartment. There was a distinct scent of damp earth and something else--oil, maybe. I stepped cautiously, listening to the distant sounds of the city; laughter from a nearby bar, the reverberation of car horn.

As I approached the end of the alley, thinking that this was the best place for... three figures emerged from the shadows, their silhouettes shifting like predators closing in on their prey. I stilled. And smirked. Speak of the devil...

They were goons, rough and dangerous. Were they? They were the men who probably don't care who they hurt to get what they wanted. I could see one of them smirking, recognizing me as the potential victim they'd been looking for.

"Hey, sweetheart," the biggest one barked, his voice gravelly and laced with malice. "You lost or just looking for trouble?"

I straightened my spine. The rain has already wetted my clothes, and I was feeling uncomfortable. Bad luck guys. "Just passing through," I replied giving them one last chance to live. I plucked my EarPods on my ears and turned on the song warriors by imagine dragons. Soon the music started.

🎵As a child, you would wait and watch from far away🎵

The smirk on his face widened as he stepped closer, the other two flanking him. "And you stumbled into the wrong part of town. Looks like we're going to have some fun."

🎵But you always knew that you'll be

The one that work while they all play🎵

Wrong part of town, my foot. I was in the right path. They are unlucky to stumble upon me today.

🎵In youth, you'd lay awake at night and scheme🎵

 I pushed my hand inside my jacket. I felt it--the tingle in my fingertips, the grounding presence of the knives tucked away in the hidden pockets of my jacket. I knew I could take them down even with my left hand, but I had to act swiftly, like a flash of lightning before thunder.

🎵Of all the things you that would change 

But it was just a dream🎵

As if sensing my defiance, the second goon lunged at me, his meaty hand reaching for my arm. Just as he grabbed my wrist, I ducked, twisting my body out of his grasp. With a swift motion, I drew a small blade from my sleeve, the steel gleaming as it caught the dim light.

The first guy laughed, thinking I'd just made a mistake. "Is that supposed to scare us?"

In the blink of an eye, I swept the blade across the second goon's belly, leaving a thin line of crimson blossoming through his shirt. He staggered back, shock written on his face as he fell against the wall, the rain now mixing with the blood spilling from his wound.

My heart raced, the thrill of the confrontation coursing through me. I turned to the big guy, who was now pale and stunned, his bravado evaporating. "You picked the wrong girl, didn't you?" I taunted, my voice low and fierce.

🎶Here we are, don't turn away now (don't turn away)🎶

Before he could respond, I charged. The echoes of the lyrics surged through my veins, fueling my body. 

🎶We are the warriors that built this town.🎶

I delivered a sharp kick to his knee, feeling the satisfying crunch as he collapsed to the ground. He yelped, grabbing at his leg, but I was already on him, my blade pressed to his throat.

🎶Here we are, don't turn away now (don't turn away)🎶

"You are in a really bad luck to be here," I said, my voice a whisper that sliced through the noise of the rain. "With me."

🎶We are the warriors that built this town from dust.🎶

The third goon, who had stayed silent until now, realized the fight was turning against his friends. He tried to sneak around, but I was quicker. Using the momentum from my last attack, I spun, catching him off guard. My sneakers connected with his chest, sending him reeling back against the wall.

🎶The time will come, when you'll have to rise🎶

"Please," he whimpered, "we didn't mean any harm. We were just--"

🎶Above the rest and prove yourself

Your spirit never dies🎶

"Just what? Looking to make a name for yourselves?" I was done talking. I lunged forward, blade flashing like a silver comet before plunging into his side. His breath hitched, eyes wide in shock.

In mere moments, I stood in the alley, rain washing away their threats, painting the scene with a sheen of crimson. I felt the familiar thrill of victory coursing through me, but it was mixed with something else--a deep, gnawing emptiness.

🎶Farewell, I've gone to take my throne above...🎶

"Next time, choose your prey wisely," I murmured softly, stepping into the night, the shadows swallowing me whole.

I walked out of the alley, rain washing away the blood and painting the scene with a seen of crimson.

Ahh... I hate tiring days.

d\=\=\=(￣▽￣\*)b :(My all days are tiring; I hate all days)

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ヾ(＠⌒ー⌒＠)ノ

word count:1583

Date: feb, 2025

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