6. Calzone

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I woke to the smell of bleach. The smell was so intense that I woke up coughing. I couldn't recognise where I was as I find myself in a bedroom with sunlight seeping through the curtains. I look down to see the floor has been newly wiped.

"I am sorry. I think the smell of bleach was too much for you. Let me wipe that off", A man appeared in front of me before I could see his face clearly he started wiping the floor with the broom he was carrying. It did very little to cover the smell so I started feeling nauseous. The intense headache wasn't helping with the situation either. I ran to the bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach in the toilet bowl.

Feeling much better I cleaned up and decided to get my thoughts together before going outside. The last thing I remember is passing out in that restaurant before I could even pay. Then whose house was I at?

The only way I could get my answer was by getting out of the bathroom and facing the stranger outside. I got out to find that the room doesn't smell like bleach anymore or it did but it was replaced by the smell of floor cleaner.

"I got rid of the smell for you", he said. "I hope you are okay now".

I nodded my head. "Where am I?"

"You are still at my restaurant. You passed out after drinking too much".

All of a sudden flashbacks from last night hit me. "I am sorry for causing all the trouble", I said apologetically. The man in front of me looked awfully familiar. He had the most piercing blue eyes with messy light brown hair.

He gave me a small smile," It's alright. But you did cause a lot of nuisance last night."

I didn't expect him to be so blatant about it. "Again I am so sorry. I will pay for any damages caused."

He just shrugged and got out of the room. Last night was horrible. I was currently homeless now. I didn't have anywhere to go. Tessa's place was not an option as she already lived on a limited budget and it would only put pressure on her. Also I didn't bring any of my belongings with me.

I didn't know what to do and this headache wasn't helping either. Also I owed this stranger money too.

I collected all my stuff which was my purse. I went outside to see the most amazing view on earth. That man flipping pancakes while he listened to The Beatles. He was shirtless while sporting a ripped jeans which hung low below his abdomen exposing that V line. Suddenly it was getting too hot in this room and all my headache seemed to have disappeared. Oh damn. I should avert my eyes from it but I couldn't help myself but stare at it for a really long time.

He cleared his throat which finally made me tear my eyes away from his six pack. Unfortunately he reached for his white shirt sitting on the counter to wear it that meant I couldn't enjoy that view anymore.

"Um.. Are you okay now?" He asked.

I took a seat on one of the counter chairs which was facing him. He handed me a plate of pancakes with maple syrup. I realized this might be the restaurant's kitchen as it was awfully big with a lot of cooking stations and equipment. There is a bedroom inside a restaurant?

I nodded, "Yes.. but I do have a killer headache though", I replied taking a bite of the pancakes. Those were the best pancakes I have ever tasted.

"Take some medicines once you are done having breakfast". For the first time I was noticing his face and he seemed familiar.

Suddenly I remembered! I pointed at him, squinting my eyes as the harsh light was making my headache worse. "You are the Italian guy- at the hotdog stand".

"Uhh what?" He asked looking confused.

"You were the one who handed 50 dollars to the shopkeeper after you broke the line in front of me", okay I didn't make any sense. Maybe because my headache was back.

"I am sorry I don't remember anything."

"It's alright-", I went back to eating my pancakes.

I finally looked up at him, he was on the opposite side of the counter enjoying his breakfast. "Again- I am really sorry for last night. Please let me know how much I owe you".

"Its alright. I guess you were just having a bad day."

The worst.

After finishing my breakfast I got dressed. I wanted to take a shower but refrained myself from doing so. Let's not get too comfortable here. I realized that the restaurant had a bedroom with an attached bedroom which was a bit weird for me. I guess it was some kind of a rest place or something. The room also had a huge desk with a lot of files on it.

He was waiting for me on one of the tables outside. I guess today the restaurant was closed since I didn't see any employees or customers. I think we were the only people here. "Are you okay now?"

"Much better".

He produced a card from his back pocket. "This is yours. I never really got to swipe it as you passed out and I didn't want to do it without your consent".

"Oh thank you. I guess you can do it now. How much do I owe you?"

"Ten thousand dollars".

"Ten thousand dollars?! Are you fucking kidding me?"

"You broke one four thousand five hundred dollar wine bottles last night and finished another last night".

"A bottle of wine costs four thousand dollars?!"

"Yeah. It's our limited edition alcohol. We get it from Italy. You can only find it here-".

"So? That doesn't mean you can rob your customers like that- why did your waiters even get me that-"

"You are the one who requested for it".

Why was my drunk self so he'll bent on robbing myself? See if I were at the palace this was nothing for me. I have seen grandpa order even more expensive wine. But I couldn't afford to spend this much now.

"Okay fine! Take it".

He looked irked by our little argument but he didn't say anything more. He bought the card swipe machine and was about to swipe the card but before he could do that I screamed, " STOP!"

"What now?"

"Don't do it", I realized if I swipe the card my grandpa will get to know about it as I am pretty sure they are monitoring my card expenditures since they know my only source of money is this credit card. They can easily track me.

"Then how are you planning to pay me off then?" He asked quirking an eyebrow. He was probably a little weirded out by my scream.

"I can wash the dishes".

He let out a small laugh," You have to wash a lot of dishes then".

I sighed. That's the only way I can pay him off. "Please- That's the only I could pay you off".

"Did you go to college?" He asked out of nowhere.

"Yes".

"Are you good with numbers?"

"I guess you could say that. I did my minor in mathematics". Initially I wanted to major in Mathematics but my grandpa was hell bent on making me major in political science so I decided to do a minor in it then.

"Oh okay. That isn't that impressive but you have left me no choice. You can be the cashier until I find someone else".

"I didn't know you need a college degree to be a cashier", I said sardonically. He was being mean but I had to keep my calm as I am the one who owed him money.

"I just needed to know your qualification. Also if you have to sign a lease where I will specify some conditions- like stealing isn't allowed. Just because I am not paying you doesn't mean you can steal".

"You are being very rude- why would you just assume something like that about me?" I cried placing my arms over my chest.

"I am sorry. I just have very bad experience with cashiers".

I didn't say anything. "I will see you tomorrow. Thank you for today", I said with a straight face still slightly annoyed by his behaviour towards me.

"Be here at 6 am sharp", he said behind me as I got out of the restaurant.

..............

I didn't have anywhere to go. I have been sitting on this bench for the last two hours. I was searching only for studio apartments but nothing I could find within my budget. Also I wanted to apply for jobs but I didn't have any of my personal documents like a resume, passport or even my transcripts. So I really wasn't prepared.

As I was lying on the park bench I realized a drop of water fell over my forehead. I looked over the sky to see dark clouds covering the sky, all of a sudden it started to rain. I ran towards the nearest shop to the park.

It was a bakery shop. I went inside and ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. Some cookies for one dollar which I think was a good price. The woman behind the counter was really nice she even gave me two extra cookies- "since you are having a bad day I decided to put in some extra", she smiled at me.

I sat on one of the tables and devoured the cookies. This is the only thing I had since breakfast and if was afternoon now so I was pretty hungry.

I bit into the cookies and it reminded of the cookies Gustav used to make and then I started crying. I was missing home sitting in the kitchen beside him and licking cake batter off the spoons. I hated Terrance for betraying me like that. All those emotions together sort of overwhelmed me.

At that instant my phone rang and it was from an unknown number. I was quite hesitant about picking it up but I did.

"Eleanora". I immediately recognized his voice. I was relieved he called me.

"G-Gustav. I am missing you so much", I was trying not to cry but my cheeks were becoming heavy. I didn't want Gustav to worry.

"I miss you too. I hope you are doing okay, my child".

"Yes I am", I lied. I didn't want to burden him with anything that was happening as he was stressed already. I am sure grandpa had him under investigation as he knew I was close to him.

"I don't have much time to talk to you as the royal guards keeping an eye on me. Throw away this cellphone. They went through all my contacts and found this number of yours suspicious so they might try to contact you or even worse detect your location-", I heard the creaking sound of door opening in the background.

"I have to go. Please take care of yourself. Everything will be alright", he whispered and with that he disconnected the call.

I looked at my phone in hand. Tessa got me this phone with her own money and I promised to pay her back. Unfortunately I had to let it go. Before I throw this away I needed to call one last person. So I rang Tessa. I was so desperate for shelter that I had no choice but to trouble her.

She picked up after two rings, "Hey princess".

"Hey Tessa. How is it going?"

"I am doing great. My girlfriend and I decided to get married all of a sudden and now we are at Chicago. How are you? Everything good with your boyfriend?"

"I couldn't burden her with my problem. She sounds so happy and I didn't want to ruin her mood".

"I am doing fine actually. When are you coming back to New York?"

"Not any time soon. We are staying at her parent's house. Why? Do you need anything Tessa?"

"No it's nothing. I just wanted to meet you".

"I will call you when I come back okay?"

"Yes do that". After saying our goodbyes I hung up.

Once the rain stopped I walked to the park. The grass was still wet so I could feel the wet grass underneath me. I stopped in front of the small pond and dropped my phone. I am officially clueless about what I am going to do. Just then someone grabbed me by my arm and whispered in my ear,"Ssshh don't move".






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