The shop is slowing down and I can't help myself but look over at the suited man, who is now alone, but is still sitting there, waiting. There's something about the way his hair falls into his face as he looking down at his phone.
He's laid back, sitting with no care. He looks like nothing but trouble and judging by the way the man from weeks ago was bleeding, he definitely plays a part. Maybe he's the one that beat the poor man, maybe he hired people to do it.
His eyes lift effortlessly from his phone to me and I've forgotten how to breath. Breath! I turn my back to him looking for a clock, 6:00. On the dot too. I start moving to the counter letting the worker behind it know that: "I have to talk to the gentleman on table nine."
"Thank you for waiting." I'm taking the seat next to him that used to be occupied.
"It was no problem," his voice is deeper now that I'm this close to him, it's mesmerizing. "I'm Tamir," He introduces himself "but no one calls me that."
"What do they call you?" I let myself meet his eyes and immediately regret it, the wave of emotions that wash over me is unbearable making me look away.
"Sir, boss," he pauses. "and other things I can't quite repeat."
"What should I call you?"
"Tamir."
I nod. "Well I'm Halcyon."
"It's nice to officially meet you." His phone buzzes and form the table I watch him switch it off and tuck it away. I follow his built up body until I meet his eyes, they're honey brown making it look hazel in this lighting. "I wanted to ask you a favour."
"You want me to do you a favour?" I repeat.
"Yes." He nods. "I believe there was an incident in this shop a few weeks ago," I freeze at the words.
"I promise you I don't know anything!" I rush to say keeping my voice low. "I haven't told a soul and I won't! Please don't shoot me!"
"Shoot you?" I shut my mouth to his response.
"I-" Am stupid for trying to bring it up. I part my lips to apologize but with his expression I think I should just explain myself. "That night, my phone rang from another room and one of your friends pulled a gun on me. I-I thought he was going to shoot me for ever getting involved." He's only getting furious. "I'm sorry...I didn't- I'm so sorry."
Now he's going to shoot me! Good job Halcyon!
"Stop apologizing it's annoying." His words are harsh making me look down at my hands, he didn't have to be mean about it. "That's not what I meant." His tone changes, "I'm just irritated at the fact you had a gun pulled on you, by one of my men."
"It's fine." I shake my head. "It doesn't matter, I won't tell anyone about that night." Wait. Run that back. One of his men? What does that mean?! He has men pulling guns on people?! And in no way having a gun in my face is okay.
He taps his finger on the table until he breaks the silence once again. "My favour." He recalls. "I need you to delete the footage." I totally forgot about that! "You have camera's in here right? I need it gone."
"Fine, it's done. I'll have it delete- I'll do it myself." I change my deal remembering that I promised not to tell no one. I try ignoring it but his gaze is burning at my side so I look up. "Oh now?" I raise my eyebrows, "Right...um follow me."
I'm standing and lead him to the back office, I try not to cramp us in the small space for too long and move to my computer bringing up the camera videos. He's leaning over me as I'm clicking in and out of different folders.
"Here." I look up to see him hand me a small USB key.
"You...you want me to download it here?" I take the stick and his silence is enough of an answer. Just get it over and done with. I plug the key in and downloaded the footage, I check to make sure it the right video and then download it before deleting it.
"It's done." I turn my computer off and move to stand but Tamir doesn't move, he's taller then I making me look up just to face him. I can't read his expression, mostly because I'm too stunned by his light feature to notice anything else.
I lift both hands pressing it ever so gentle on his chest I'm barely touching him, "I should get back to work." I move past him reaching out to open my door. "I'll see you back to the front." He moves at my words and I lead him back.
The shop itself is a whole lot calmer then the morning. "Would you like anything else?" I stop at his table then hand him the key.
"You own this shop right?" I nod to his question, "Do you ever get a day off?"
"Not for me." I chuckle then listen to his silence as a response. "Well," I looked down at his table, "if there's nothing else I can help you with, feel free to stay or leave." Just in time Justin, a worker passed by with a tray. "I'll get that for you." I take his tray.
He nods with a small smile and I return one. "It was nice meeting you Tamir." I start to round up his cup before placing it on my tray. I don't look back while I'm walking away. I'm mostly afraid I'll drop the tray but I'm also afraid to see he's watching me go.
It's hard. Not knowing why I'm not as freaked out as a normal girl should be in my situation, yes I panicked but I'm a little too clam.
I dragged a bleeding man out and instead of calling the police I tried to ask the bleeding man what number I should call, and when I had a gun pointed at me I couldn't breath yet air still struck my lungs. I don't know what's happening around here anymore.