Tina started speaking normally. She didn't push too much to ask what had happened that night; maybe she wasn't involved in it. We still hung out, but only on campus. My work at the café had been going badly, but I was still employed there. I had been taking extra shifts to make up for the earlier days, because the other part-timer had left and I was the only one they had for the time being.
"Hey, Nora, I know it's been tough, but it's all over. We have a new part-timer," the café manager said.
"Hey, nice to meet you," Grayson said.
"Hi." Nora was confused because she thought he ran a café near his home.
The manager went on showing everything—the kitchen space, billing, and menu. Soon she left, and Grayson went to get changed.
"Nora, right? Everything cool now?" Grayson asked.
"Yeah. How is Fred now?" Nora asked; this was the first proper conversation they were having.
"He's working on a new project. Funny how he never rests." Grayson smiled and grabbed a knife to slice fruits.
"He's tough. Do you have his number? I've been meaning to get more information about what happened," Nora added.
"Yeah, sure. I'll give it to you later." Grayson checked his phone, then remembered he had put it to charge.
"Okay… what brings you here? Isn't it far from your house?" Nora asked after taking an order from a customer. Grayson's face turned a little sad.
"I didn't mean to pry," Nora added quickly.
"No, no. We both moved nearby. I had opened a café next to my house with my friends. We had some arguments, and I left," Grayson said.
"Hmm." Nora nodded and prepared a drink. Grayson took it to the customer.
"I wasn't in my right mind when Fred was missing. I couldn't pull off my part of the work. They were just inconsiderate assholes. I got the money I invested, with interest. Still, it sucks," Grayson said from the other side of the counter, looking at the crowd.
"They should have been more understanding. Don't worry, no one gets kicked out here," Nora said.
"Yeah, I was surprised at how you get days off," Grayson replied.
"That's because the chef is on vacation. When he comes back, we're in big trouble. The whole counter gets sold out in hours. That's why people quit, and that's why she didn't let me go," Nora laughed.
"That's the secret," Grayson said, turning around with a smile.
"Hello, lovebirds," Zuv said as he entered the place and sat near the counter, dragging a chair over.
"Am I seeing wrong, or is that Grayson?" Zuv squinted as he handed Nora a sandwich.
"Yeah, I started working here. It's my first day—first hour, actually," Grayson said, his face turning cheerful.
"Don't you worry; Nora will help you with everything. You can even take time off, and I'll show you around," Zuv said without looking at Nora.
"I hope it's not that stupid pub you want to take him to," Nora said.
"Yeah, I want to be a wingman. Crystal told me you were single. Even though I couldn't find anyone for Nora, I'll surely find someone for you," Zuv said as he grabbed his drink.
"It's early in the morning. Who would be there?" Nora asked, amused.
"Nora, when I used to hit the bar all day, morning was the best time to meet unique people. Let me prove it to you," Zuv said proudly.
"That's creepy. They have to be really lonely or going through something," Nora commented.
Zuv made an exaggerated gasp.
"That's how I met Crystal. Such a short-term friendship you had with her," he said dramatically.
"Don't forget you live with me," Nora said, holding a knife.
"Alright, no need for violence. Grayson, let's go out late at night and come back at noon. I'm going to grab Allan too," Zuv said, looking at Nora.
"Do whatever you want," Nora said.
"What do you say—boys' night?" Zuv asked Grayson.
"It would be nice to look around," Grayson said.
"Great, come to our house. Let's take the car," Zuv continued, chatting.
"Hey, can I get a chocolate cake, please?" Cora, a regular customer, asked. Her eyes were puffy and her face dull.
"Yes. Are you okay, Cora?" Nora asked.
"Yes. Just busy with work."
Cora was surprised by the question. Was she even okay? That thought had never crossed her mind.
Nora handed her a bigger slice of cake and extra tissues.
"I know it's about your crush, isn't it?" Zuv asked, and Cora's face fell; she didn't even try to smile.
"Hey, she doesn't want to talk," Nora said, hitting Zuv lightly.
"Yeah, it is. It's not what you're thinking," Cora said softly.
"Take a seat, we're here. I know you're new to this place. If there's anything we can help with, we'll try our best," Zuv said in a slightly serious tone, pulling up a chair.
"So who is this?" Grayson asked, looking around the empty café.
"Our regular customer. She lives in the building next door. She's an author who moved here recently. She has a huge crush on Trace—the actor. Apparently he lives next door," Nora said.
"So she's a stalker?" Grayson asked.
"No. The publishing company arranged her housing. She's never contacted him. He even comes to this café once in a while," Nora said in a low voice.
"So you're sure she isn't stalking?" Grayson looked at Nora again.
"I hope not. Ugh, now I'm curious what they're talking about," Nora said, looking at Cora and Zuv.
"Let's go. No one is around and there's no work," Grayson said with a wink.
Nora and Grayson joined Zuv and Cora with a big cake, paying for it themselves.
"You're sure it was him?" Zuv asked.
"Yeah. I can't mistake my crush, can I?" Cora said, scooping the top layer of cake.
"So what's happening?" Nora asked.
"Shall I?" Zuv asked Cora for permission. She nodded.
"She thinks something bad is going on in Trace's apartment. At first she thought it was his girlfriend, then she thought Trace was having hook-ups—the thin walls and all the noise. But last night she saw an injured woman trying to leave his apartment but being pulled back. She called the police, but when they realized it was Trace's apartment, they left."
"I'm scared. That day he gave me a weird look after I called the police on him. Everything I thought about him could be a lie. That's hard to digest," Cora said, dropping her spoon.
"Do you remember how the girl looked?" Nora asked.
"It was dark. She had long hair. Her face was all bloody," Cora said.
"There's no CCTV footage in the hallway?" Grayson asked.
"No, there's only one installed on the ground floor. There aren't many people living in the building," Cora said, checking the time.
"My publisher is stopping by. I need to leave," she said, finishing the cake quickly.
"Stay safe. Don't talk to him alone. He might know you called the police," Zuv said.
"Yeah. I'll probably be busy the next few days," Cora said as she got up.
"Thanks for listening. I'm not sure what's happening. It could even be my overactive imagination. I'll stop by next time I need cake," she said, and left.
"I say it's the overactive imagination. If I'm right, Trace was busy attending an interview. He's not even nearby," Grayson said, showing Trace's socials.
"I don't think she's lying. Call it a hunch," Zuv said thoughtfully.
"She could also be imagining things after finding out he has a girlfriend. Look at her dark circles and puffy eyes. She could have dreamt it," Nora said.
"Come on, it's not because Trace said the food you prepared was delicious, is it?" Zuv teased.
"Trace is a sweetheart. He's kinder than you are," Nora said, smiling, and they all laughed.