The Cafe
This is a short story I wrote for Shell. There isn't any real reason for it (and it's actually not THAT good) but I promised it MONTHS ago, so here it is. Um... I guess anyone can read it if they want, but don't feel obligated. heh.
-- Gabbie
P.S. From now on, any parts that are in italics are a characters thoughts. Just so you know...
For as long as she could remember, people had told her that she was "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World". She heard that expression fairly regularly, whether at work or in a club or on the subway, and yet Hollis couldn't decide whether or not she believed those worlds. After all, she reasoned, the only way to know if someone is "The Most" anything in the world is to have met everyone in the world at least once. And really, who the hell had time for that?
So, she accepted that she might be the prettiest girl in lower Manhattan. Maybe even in all of New York City, but until she'd finished meeting everyone in the world, she'd hold off on the whole "Most Beautiful Girl" thing...
Hollis was what you would call a "model", though if you were to ask her, he'd tell you she handled "marketing and ad campaignes for big, important companies". She made lots of money, but sent most of it to her relatives in Ohio because, in her mind, she didn't much need it. Her studio apartment looked like something out of RENT: Barren, run-down, usually empty more often than not, but still rather charming. But Hollis didn't mind that much. Bot really, anyway. Besides, she usually spent most of her time at the Cafe.
Now, the Cafe was more or less an embodiment of Hollis in reverse. On the outside, it was as plain and modest as Hollis was in private, but the inside was certainly "The Most Beautiful". Its interior was draped in luscious silks of burgendy, emerald, and gold. The smell of ground coffee and freshly baked biscotti hung heavily in the air while soft jazz-inspired tunes and an array of hanging candles completed the scene.
The place wasn't big, but Hollis didn't care. In fact, she quite liked the smallness. The warmth. It was quaint, cozy, and the coffee there was literally to die for. Since she'd first moved to New York, Hollis had searched far and wide for a cafe that could rival this one. She'd searched long and hard and now, 4 years later, was quite sure that such a place did not (could not) exist.
Despite how beautiful and inviting the Cafe was on the inside, its customers were few and far between. In fact, Hollis was rather sure that she was the only reason the place stayed in business at all, but again, she didn't really mind. Actually, she rather enjoyed that idea. It seemed as if the place somehow belonged to her, as if she held something that no one else could ever have.
But in truth, the Cafe belonged to a nice old Greek immigrant woman named Anastasia and her daughter, the enchanting Seraphim-turned-waitress whom Anastasia had dubbed "My little Annri". Most of the time those two were the only company hollist had at the Cafe ahd she, in turn, was the only companion they had aside from eachother. So, after 4 years of near daily visits for a quick caffine boost, the 3 of them were really like a little family, come together to seek refuge in their own private little haven. And that's exactly how Hollis liked it.
However, the Cafe really was a cafe, not a haven, and on occassion, new customers would come. Whenever this happened, Hollis would generally stay to herself, off to the side, in her own little world. She'd give the intruders a good "once over" while Anastasia fixed her a coffee and Annri brought it to the table. It wasn't that Hollis didn't want the Cafe to do well, she just didn't want it to do well without her consent. As the official unofficial benefactor of her own piece of heaven, she didn't like strangers showing up when she wasn't expecting them. Then again, strangers usually are unexpected anyway, she mused. After all, that's sort of what makes them strangers in the first place, isn't it?
The day he showed up was a grey, miserable Friday. Hollis had just come in the night before from a week long shoot in sunny, sandy Brazil. Now, back in the cold, wet streets of Manhattan, she was sorely missing her little secret cafe and Anastasia's warm almond biscotti. But as she slipped through the door, shaking off the grey and rain of the city, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Looking down she saw an oversized black umbrella resting contentedly in the spot she'd always reserved for her own umbrella. Annoyed, Hollis removed the offending thing from her umbrella's usual spot and dumped it unceremoniously on the ground before placing her own in its rightful position.
Just then, a bark of harsh, yet somehow gentle, laughter rang out from the Cafe's main room. The girlish laughter of Annri and the comforting chuckle of Anastasia followed it. Mingled with it. Became a single, intertwining declaration of merriment. Stiffening slightly, Hollis walked determindely into her Cafe, but was stopped suddenly by his eyes.
At first she couldn't be sure, but Hollis had the overwhelming feeling that she'd never in her life seen eyes like those before. Slowly she let her gaze roam over the rest of his face, drinking it in, analyzing it. His nose, his brow, his lips, his chin, even his hair. All of it was so perfect, so exquisite, and so beautiful. For a moment, Hollis had a horrifying thought. Maybe this was the "Most Beautiful Woman in the World"? For it was true. While he was certainly a man with his deep voice, long legs, and broad shoulders, Hollis felt as though she was looking at an angel, and suddenly she was frightened, unnerved, and violently angry that a man, a male, could be so--
"Beautiful."
Hollis started slightly and the man smiled. She immediately looked away, though cooly, calmly, so as not to draw attention to her currently flustered state.
He's bright. Too bright, she thought. How can any one person be so bright?
The man laughed and said again, "Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Why didn't you tell me you had another daughter? You must be extremely lucky to have 2 such gorgeous daughters."
Hollis tried to ignore him, but could feel him watching her every move. She leaned over the counter slightly to kiss Annri on the cheek and take her coffee while Anastasia continued to chat with the Angel.
"Yes, our little Hollis is beautiful, but unfortunately she is not mine."
She paused to refill his half empty cup.
"She is our most honored customer. I consider her like a daughter, though I did not birth her."
Coffee in one hand, biscotti in the other, Hollis moved away from the counter to claim her favored spot in the far corner of the Cafe. Her little booth was a cove filled with silk pillows and candles and though it could certainly hold 8 people easily, Hollis always sat alone. From here she heard and watched everything while seeming oblivious to the world. Even now she was Annri break away from the counter to scuttle toward Hollis' Cove. Even now she felt the Angel's eyes lock onto her like a military heat-seeking missile.
"Hollis! Hollis!" Annri whispered feverishly as she squeezed in between the mountain of pillows. "Did you see? Did you see him?! Isn't he absolutely gorgeous?!"
Annri laughed. Hollis sipped her drink. Anastasia wiped the counter. The Angel munched a cookie while sending his compliments to the chef.
"Yes. I've seen him. What of it?"
Annri chanced a not-so-conspicuous glance in the Angel's direction. Caught his eye. Smiled. Turned back to Hollis, blushing hard.
"His name is Yul. He's from Korea. His father is a big business man in Seoul and Tokyo," she paused with a sidelong glance. "Yul is hoping to expand the business to the States. He's looking for American models to promote their new 'Western Image'."
If Annri was expecting a response, she was sorely disappointed. Hollis took a bite out of the biscotti. Almonds? Good. Another bite. An angel named Yul? Strange. Another bite. His English is flawless. Sip of coffee. Maybe only half Korean...
Suddenly Hollis felt the atmosphere change. Even before Annri stood up and slide from the booth, she knew he was coming toward her. An angel named Yul... Another sip of coffee.
"Mind if I sit here?"
He's taller than I thought.
"It's a free country, even if you're only visiting."
He laughed, like thunder when the sun shined, and slid into the cove, adrift among an ocean of colored silk.
Hm. He's smooth. You don't learn that in school.
He paused, silent, thoughtful, and then spoke, "This place is really unbelievable, don't you think?"
Slight nod. Don't give him anything!
He continued, "I'm surprised it isn't the busiest coffee shop in New York. The outside is quite deceiving, but the inside is... is..."
"Heaven."
He looked at her from the corner of his eye and smiled. Only a slight smile. Not overly blinding.
"Yes. Heaven. That's it exactly."
Hollis looked down at her coffee cup. It was half empty, but she couldn't go fill it. Angel Yul was blocking the way. Where the hell was Annri?
"You don't like me much, do you?"
She didn't look up immediately. She was much too busy observing her lukewarm coffee. Maybe tomorrow she'd have a cappucino instead?
"Whatever gave you that idea? I don't know you. I'd have to know you to know if I liked you or not."
Slight pause.
"Y'know?"
He sat, looking at her for a moment before unleashing that brilliant smile again. The rolling laughter followed it.
Too bright. Look at the coffee...
He leaned back further into the booth, obviously more relaxed. Considerably less guarded.
"I do believe that you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen..."
Hollis tried hard not to scoff. If she'd said she hadn't seen that coming a mile away, she would have been lying. She never knew exactly what to say to someone after they said that, though she was sure she ought to say something profound and thought provoking. But she happened to be having a little trouble thinking at that exact moment. She was overtly aware of Angel Yul, his close proximity, and her heart trying to beat itself right out of her chest.
"Oh... Really?"
She expected her seemingly off-handed response to dishearten him as it had so many others, but not this one. Not this time.
"Yes, really. And trust me, I've known plenty of girls. So, I guess if I say you're beautiful, it means something."
Hollis thought about that for a moment.
"What?"
"Excuse me?"
"What? What exactly does it mean?"
He looked away for a minute, thinking hard. Hollis took this chance to study him a little closer and at her own leisure. His skin was pale and flawless. His chin perfectly molded (not too firm, but not too feminine). His suit was handsome, well tailored, exquisitely made. She leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table and her head in her band. He turned back.
"I guess it means I'm in love with you." Pause. "Though, you've heard that before, I'm sure?"
He smiled, but it was a sad smile. The kind that never reaches the eyes. It made Hollis feel rather grey inside...
She chewed his words over thoughtfully, letting it slip around inside her for a bit. Love? Contrary to what the Angel had supposed, no man had ever told her that before. But love at first sight? That was even more foreign, though she had to admit, his comment had given her the most spectacular feeling in her gut...
"No. I can honestly say no one has ever told me that before," she muttered, almost absentmindedly.
"Beautiful? Yes. Sexy? Sure. But love is a word that most people run from in my experience."
He was quiet, simply nodded, then seemed about to speak just as Anastasia approached. Hollis looked up and flashed a grin while Ana took her cup and refilled it for her.
"Well, if you two don't make quite the couple. Sitting there together, I felt as if 2 angels can graced my presence."
Yul smiled good naturedly, "This place is truely like heaven on Earth. Perhaps having a few angels around would be... Fitting?"
Anastasia laughed and patted his shoulder, "That it would, love. That it would."
They both looked after the old woman as she stiffly made her way back to the kitchen. Without turning to face her, Yul found Hollis' hand under the table and squeezed it gently.
"Come with me."
Hollis didn't say anything. She simply looked down at the hands that were resting, intertwined, on her lap. Yul turned quickly and grasped her other hand. Startled, Hollis sat upright and pushed herself further back into the booth.
"You have to come with me. I can't just leave you here! Everyday I've seen you come into this place and everyday I've been too afraid to follow you, to meet you, to speak to you..."
He paused uneasily as if trying to find the right words in his head. He looked back at her finally and Hollis felt afraid that she'd be consumed by his heated gaze.
"Tomorrow," he started. "Tomorrow I'll be on a plane back to Korea. For 4 years I've stayed here, afraid to know you. More afraid not to. But now..."
He dropped his head so that his dark hair hid his eyes.
"I'm afraid that my procrastination has cost me my chance." He looked up and smiled that sad smile again, "We've run out of time."
For Hollis, it all made sense now. She'd thought it odd that such a man would bother frequenting such a run-down cafe. His coming here had been deliberate, not coincidence. She slowly retracted her hands and, looking away, sighed easily.
"It's always so easy..."
She smiled softly to herself.
"And yet, it's never that easy."
Hollis sensed Yul become tense. He was waiting, she knew, for the swift rejection that would inevitably come. It had happened before and it would happen again. In some reguards, Hollis was what you would call "well versed" in the art of the "sudden let-down". But then, she heard herself speak without really knowing what she said:
"Life isn't easy, but that's only because we choose to make it hard. Personally, I think that's just ridiculous. What's the point in complicating matters?"
She stopped and looked up at Yul as if seeing him for the first time.
"Yes," she murmered. "Of course I'll go."
Yul said nothing at first. After all, what could he possibly say to that? Hollis looked away from his intent gaze and smiled shyly at her long forgotten cup of coffee.
"Don't be mistaken," she began again. "I don't normally do such things. But being spontaneous is in my nature. Besides..."
A pause.
"I... like your smile."
Yul leaned back slowly, drinking everything in. He seemed too quiet, too deadly serious and, under his scrutiny, Hollis felt her insides quiver. Then, he suddenly lept from the booth and, grabbing Hollis by the hand, began dragging her toward the door.
"W-wait! What are you--?! Hollis!"
He stopped and turned toward a very startled Anastasia and an absolutely dumbfounded Annri.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to have your permission."
"Permission?" Anastasia started.
"Permission for what?" Annri finished.
Yul smiled another award winning smil before wrapping his harm snuggly around Hollis' waist.
"Permission to steal Hollis away from here. Possibly indefinately."
He looked down into Hollis' inquisitive face.
"At least, if I can help it."
Hollis smirked, leaning away from her captor slightly.
"Indefinately? I'm afraid you're getting a little ahead of yourself. This is just a... trial session."
She looked toward her friends and smiled easily.
"Don't worry. We're going to Korea, yes, but I'll definately be back."
Anastasia's forehead furrowed as Annri bit her lip uneasily.
"Korea? Now? But... why?"
"Why not?" Hollis asked nonchalantly.
"But why?" Anastasia protested, coming out from behind the counter. She wrang her hands nervously in her old, worn apron.
"This is a big deal. It's another country! It's half-way around the world! It's... You just met him 15 mintues ago!"
Yul cocked his head to the side as if thinking about Anastasia's words. Then, he looked back down at Hollish who stood silently beside him.
"She's right, you know. You don't know a thing about me. I don't know anything about you. I could be a serial killer. You could be a transgender in disguise. There are just so many variables..."
"Well," Hollis because with a shrug, "If we already knew everything about everyone before we even met them, he'd all be hermits. The fun is in not knowing, right?"
She walked over to Anastasia and hugged her tightly with tears in her eyes.
"Someday, you'll understand. If I was always so predictable, you wouldn't love me half as much as you do now."
She pulled back, smiling, and suddenly, with a wave, they were both gone. Off. On their way to who knew where?
Anastasia sat down in a chair. Well, she fell into a chair is actually more acurate. They were gone. They were really really gone. Like a puff of smoke that vanishes in an instant. Annri stood fixed in her spot behind the bar. It seemed like a dream. A fantasy. a mirage. Yet there was the cup of cold, half-drunk coffee at the corner table. And there, in the entrance way, lay 2 damp umbrellas. One was oversized and black and had somehow fallen on the floor. The other was clear with purple polka-dots, resting comfortably in the place it had always been.
"I really can't believe it," Anastasia continued to mumble in amazement.
"That girl. She's really..."
Annri walked to the cafe window and smiled softly to herself. Anastasia looked up slowly, wondering what there could possibly be to smile about.
"Are they there? Are they coming back?"
"Hm? Oh. No. I don't think so..."
"Then what could you possibly be smiling about. You'd better not be getting any ideas."
"It's... raining." Annri whispered softly.
Anastasia scoffed, "So? You've never seen rain before?"
"No," Annri replied, "But they both forgot their umbrellas."
Annnnnd, that's it. The End. Fin. Done. And thank God. I'm never going to write another story like this EVER AGAIN! I swear it.
Thanks for reading.
-- Gabbie