That One

“I’d like a a Carmel macchiato with three pumps of caramel and only one pump of hazelnut.” He spoke quickly as his eyes scanned the menu. “And a piece of chocolate cake.”

She watched him evenly, her expression neutral. It was five minutes until they closed. No one else was here. Who ordered a coffee at 4:55?

“Will that be all sir?” She questioned politely. He nodded curtly. “Yes.” He paid, and she started his order. His chocolate cake came first, they didn’t offer warming services so she just scooped it up and put in in a small brown bag.

“Chocolate cake.” She called, despite the fact that he was still standing in front of her.

He didn’t say thank you. Who was this guy?

She started on his drink, and resisted the urge to only add two pumps of caramel. As she worked, he received a phone call. He didn’t like the news he received.

She didn’t mean to evesdrop, but they were the only ones in the shop.

“If you knew who I was, you wouldn’t say no.” He spoke angrily into his phone, then slammed his finger down on the End Call Button.

She didn’t recognize him, and he didn’t seem to be wearing expensive clothes. Maybe he was just delusional.

“Your drink is ready,” she called after a moment, making sure the lid was firmly clasped.

He took it without thanks. She regarded him evenly. He received another call, and loitered in the doorway as he took it. She gritted her teeth, and started the process of cleaning the machines.

He finished his call a few minutes later, and left. He was back the next day at the same time. And the next. Always brusque and bordering on rude. Always receiving calls.

One day, she had been having a particularly rough shift. She wasn’t in the mood for him. He opened the door, and started walking toward her.

“I’m sorry sir, but we are closed.” She gritted out. He scoffed.

“You’re open till five. I still have four minutes.”

“Not today,” she told him. “We are closed.”

He ignored her. “I’d like…”

She slammed her cleaning tools down on the counter. “Sir.” She met his gaze evenly. “Leave.”

Their gazes locked for a moment. Then he nodded silently and left.

He didn’t come back the next day. In fact, it was almost a month before he returned. She couldn’t say she welcomed his prescence. But he made a point to be polite. He even came earlier, almost a half hour before they closed instead of five minutes. Something was different about his demeanor too. He was polite. Quiet. His visits were shorter, and he didn’t take any calls.

She didn’t mind the changes, though she wondered what had caused them.

A few months after the change, she spotted a poster for an upcoming movie: _The Villain_, being produced by a prestigious, popular, and well-known company. People whispered about the leading man. Apparently he had been a child actor, but this was his first big role since he was in his teens. When she saw his face, her mouth fell open. It was him. Back again.

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