Chapter 399 - An Unexpected Customer

"Alright, I think it's best if we call it here for the both of us," Nick called out, peeking his scruffy beard over from beneath the backroom doorway. "You can leave. Thanks for your hard work. Day off's tomorrow, right? Okay, do not be late for your shift on the day after or I'll take it off your pay next."

Ugh, finally - the sweet, sweet release of freedom, the soothing, satisfying sounds of sayonara. You got no clue how many times I craned and sprained my neck glancing ever so often at that clock on the wall waiting for it to finally strike nine in the evening.

Today wasn't just a normal work shift, it was a bloody endurance - a marathon of willpower. Right then, I felt like some kind of harrowed, hollowed, traumatized survivor of the most intense horrors… no kidding, being within five to ten paces of Nick under the same roof for hours on end would do that to a person. Shit, I deserve a raise just for that in my opinion. 

He had surprisingly little to teach me in our debatably humane short few hours working the night togehter. Simple stuff mostly, things I've already seen and done before working the occasional odd jobs here and there trying to make ends meet - to make it easier for both our sakes, I went above and beyond when it came to following his instructions, ensuring there wasn't any room for error for him to pounce on and admonish me for.

Ever since the big boss left the cafe to his supervision, he mostly kept to his own devices and I kept to mine… with the only occasional progress update toss around, and I don't know if it was just me projecting or something, but somehow he looked even gloomier than he already was just being his usual gloomy self. 

Been having that feeling ever since Hayley left the premises - I know it's not any of my goddamn business to pry, and I had no clear intentions of doing so, but I have to wonder if it had anything to do with that conversation just then. 

Something about a dinner with their mother? A dinner that his dad wasn't attending? Must be going through some family drama or something - same Nick, same, I feel you.

Anyway, I got to changing out of my hero-work clothes, and into something more presentable for tonight's occasion. Not sure what kind of dinner Amanda had planned for tonight, but I know I'll never hear the end of it if I don't show up looking like I at least made an effort to look good.

Sammy picked my clothes for me, reluctantly, begrudgingly, eyes practically glowing as green as Ash's with envy, after having learned she couldn't tag along.

Between the two of us, Sammy had the keener eye for fashion, and though I never planned to ask for her help anyway… like the nosy little sister she was, she went ahead and dove herself into the middle of my affairs anyway.

So that's how I ended up getting my hair all sticky with gel, and my body smelling like a customary air freshener you'd get free from a car wash. 

I slammed shut my locker, punched out my time, and began making my way out the backroom when I happened upon Nick again, sitting hunched in an office chair that was way too small for him, glazed eyes glued towards the soft glow of the monitor, a faint clicking noise resounding from the mouse buried deep in his gigantic hand. 

Due to his gruff appearance and nature, Hayley made him a rugged dwarf in his work hours, which was just… ironically perfect. He was still in his too-tight-dwarf-attire, and didn't look like he was budging, so I have to wonder.

"You not coming?"

He barely even looked at me, barely even spoke. "You go first. Busy, I got things to do." 

Yeah, I can see that… clicking away at the desktop background not actually doing anything is plenty busy alright. But again, like I said, ain't any of my business… ain't gonna make me it any one of my business too.

I waved farewell gratefully, was just about to leave through the entrance happily - but only made it to about midway before I was abruptly stopped halfway. At the front door, peeking and poking his eyes through the fogged glass… some guy, some customer. 

Couldn't he read the sign? Like, you can't miss it. It's written in Elvish... oh yeah, it's written in Elvish, never mind.

He caught sight of me standing there motionless and gave a beckoning wave to which I did not return. Tried telling him through silent gestures that we're close but either I was terrible at conveying the message, or he just flat out was turning a blind eye to it, whatever the case, he wouldn't budge from the door.

So I moved instead, swinging it open slightly ajar to politely clarify what that sign hanging at the door really meant in modern tongue, "Sorry, we're closed for tonight." 

It was there eye-to-eye inches from him, that I started getting this weird sense of familiarity. Like I've seen him before, but not quite. Ride the same bus maybe?

"Oh, no, I know, I can read, I learned how to read, don't worry," He said in a rather friendly tone. "I'm not here to order anything." 

I could pretty much guess just going by appearances. He didn't look the type to frequent this type of establishment. Too far out the age range, far too old, our target demographic wasn't middle-aged men with already graying strands in their hair, and this guy even had that late-fifties short beard to go along with the look. 

Beard looks familiar too, I realize…

"Okay, well…" I looked him up and down. "Can I help you?" 

"Dad?" spoke a voice from far behind me. "Is that you?"

I turned around almost immediately, ears reeling in surprise having heard what I heard - tenderness, softness, from that brutish an individual was not a sound I ever even thought possible. 

Nick's eyes were wide, the expression on his face so far gone from the norm. He stood there in place, just as surprised as I was.

"Hey there, champ!" greeted the man by the door, waving a hand over my head. "Surprise!"

This was Nick's dad? Shit, no wonder he looked so damn familiar. I was practically staring at Nick's future self right here, albeit, perhaps with a stature significantly shorter… and a face also significantly kinder. Hm, must have got his height from his mother, I guess…

"What are you doing here?" Nick asked, slowly making his way towards us. "I thought you were - "

His dad cut him off right there, brushing past me, and entering on his own volition. "Told you I'd pay a visit someday, right? Well, here we are." 

As he moved past me, I caught a whiff. Now, I don't really wanna be rude, especially to both my boss' and manager's father, but seriously, he kinda stunk… like he's never had a bath in a week. 

His clothes too, though they were shaded quite dark, with a closer look, I could see some stains on them, not only that… they looked wrinkled too. Strange, he didn't look like the type to half-assed appearances, then again… what do I know?

He gave Nick a big hug, standing on tiptoe, causing his sleeves to roll back… and unless I was imagining things, I thought I saw some scars on his wrists, burnt marks maybe, forming like coils or something. 

Maybe he works in construction… yeah, that must be in it.

"No, but really, Dad," Nick said. "Your place is halfway across the city, did you seriously just come here to pay a visit?" 

At that, dear Dad broke apart from his son, taking a step back with a faint smile on his face. "Okay, red-handed, I stand. I was in town, thinking about restocking the wine… but since I was nearby here, I thought why not?" 

"Well you're an hour late," said Nick again. "Hayley already left." 

"Aw well," The old man gave a feeble sigh. "For the best, I'd say. She probably wouldn't want me here turning away her customers right?" 

"Don't say that," spoke his son sharply. "Hayley would want to see you. She could still see you. She's on her way to dinner with Mom right now, if we hurry, we could - " 

"No, no," came his Dad's immediate casual reply. "Like I said, I just dropped in for a visit, take a look around and - hey, you know, I never got your name, actually." 

So quick to change the subject, so quick to veer his eyes at me, those weary, crinkled eyes of his in a half-squint. I didn't even know why I was still here listening in, should have just left… yeah, I should leave.

"I just work at here," I said quickly. "And I think I better go, otherwise your son's gonna have to pay me overtime." 

He gave a quick hearty chuckle at that, one that sounded very practiced to my ears, then promptly he proceeded to raise his hand out towards me…

"Well, good evening, Mr. I-just-work-at-here," He said. Dad jokes, awesome. "As you could probably guess, I'm Nick's father. My name's Harry.. A pleasure to meet you."