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Thank you for buying this book. I hope you enjoy your reading

NS Raveneir

Chapter 1

Lucy's Magical Café took on a different feel after Lucy's departure. Even though the café maintained its usual bustling atmosphere, with customers forming daily lines outside, the delectable cakes and fancy drinks consistently sold out. However, Lucy's absence weighed on the spirits of the café's crew. They continued to serve and work as they always had, but felt that something essential was missing. Since Lucy ventured to Magiaplana, Rhine handled the cash register, while Emi and Hannah were responsible for food and drinks. The Faeln boys, the café's main attraction, became waiters, just as they had been.

Still, the peaceful café now seemed a bit lonely without Lucy's energetic outbursts and occasionally exasperating comments. Initially, the crew had been relieved by the break from Lucy's constant admonishments, as she had promised at least a month of respite.

But a month had passed, and the latest message from Lucy hinted at events in Magiaplana that required her to delay her return to the human realm. Rhine was concerned but had no way to reach Magiaplana. Her only option was to wait and look after the café until Lucy's return. Rhine made sure to keep everyone in the dark about Lucy's situation, as she knew that even a hint of bad news could disrupt their work. Moreover, Rhine was barely acquainted with Hannah, their connection being quite recent. She wanted to spare her from any distress that might come from unfavorable news. Maintaining everyone's emotional stability was a challenging task for Rhine, so she continued to act as normally as possible and limited the crew's access to information about Lucy.

Out of the blue, Hannah suddenly turned to Rhine and asked, "I'm worried about Lucy. Is she alright?"

Rhine tried to maintain her composure, for it was not the first time that Hannah had inquired about Lucy. She smiled and nodded, replying, "Of course, she might return soon. You never know. After all, Lucy has a fondness for her earnings, and our profits have been thriving lately."

Hannah squeezed a dirty napkin between her hands, her expression tinged with concern. Yet she managed to speak in a cheerful tone, saying, "You're right. Lucy won't stay away from her money for long."

Rhine recognized the conversation's awkwardness but could not dismiss Hannah's persistent inquiries about Lucy in recent days. After she had collected all the money and secured it in a wooden box, Rhine added, "She might surprise us one day when she comes home."

Hannah's smile grew faint as she watched Rhine ascend the stairs, and then she shifted her gaze toward the window. Outside, people hurried along the busy sidewalks, each absorbed in their own concerns. There was something captivating about the scene outside, and it drew Hannah out of the café. She stood still on the street, where the scent of damp earth wafted through the air as raindrops began to fall on the small town.

Casual strollers swiftly transformed into runners, their hurried steps attempting to evade the rain. Countless drops descended from the heavens, creating a shimmering curtain of water just beyond the café's terrace. Hannah reached out her hands towards the falling rain; it was chilly to the touch. Her hands grew soaked, turning pale in the cool downpour.

"You'll catch a cold if you keep doing that," Leo cautioned.

Hannah, startled from her thoughts, had not noticed Leo standing beside her. She held out her wrinkled palms to show him. "Look! They're all wrinkled."

Leo let out a sigh, having anticipated Hannah's unpredictable behavior. He retrieved a napkin from his pocket and gently wrapped it around Hannah's hands. "At least take care of yourself first," he said, continuing to dry her hands. "You've been working tirelessly since Lucy's departure."

Hannah's expression turned serious. "I just want to be of use, that's all. Lucy, let me stay here for free."

Leo's curiosity got the better of him. "What about your parents? They've been away for quite a while, haven't they?"

Hannah withdrew the napkin and turned away, as if trying to conceal something. "I've tried to call them, but I keep getting their voicemail."

Leo felt a pang of sympathy for Hannah, suspecting that her parents had neglected her. "Are you okay with that?" he asked, genuinely concerned. "They shouldn't leave you like this, especially since you're their only child. They should treat you better."

Hannah remained with her back turned, and her voice trembled as she replied, "I'm fine with it. I've grown used to them leaving me like this. It's none of your business anyway."

Realizing he might have overstepped, Leo took a step back, realizing he had been intrusive. He didn't have the heart to say more or offer an apology, recognizing that Hannah wanted to be left alone. With a heavy heart, he walked away, leaving Hannah to her thoughts.

As the sound of Leo's footsteps grew fainter in the distance, Hannah pressed the napkin to her face and let herself dissolve into it. Her sobbing was quiet but carried a painful undertone, as if something had long been holding her back, and this was her only way to release the pent-up anguish. The pouring rain masked her cries, obscuring her tear-stained face behind the drenched, white napkin. This was her hidden turmoil, something she had kept locked away from prying eyes. She wasn't seeking drama; she merely yearned to share her pain with someone, even just a solitary soul.

The rain's ceaseless descent provided a backdrop to her quiet turmoil, as if the heavens themselves wept in sympathy. The downpour served as a shroud, veiling her vulnerability from the world. Raindrops mingled with her tears, leaving the napkin soggy and heavy in her trembling hands.

After a while, Hannah's tears subsided, and she used the damp napkin to wipe her face, leaving her cheeks glistening with moisture. Her hands, still damp from the rain, reached out towards the rivulets cascading from

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Texte: NS Raveneir
Cover: XN
Lektorat: NS Raveneir
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 30.10.2022
ISBN: 978-3-7554-2432-1

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