Sorry for the long delay, those on dA.
Chapter 2: A visitor's preference.
It was a fortnight after Cabernet arrived into our café, and I settled back into my ordinary daily routine. Treating the fangirls to coffee, as they fail at subtly giving off hints of attraction towards Cress and I. It irked me that as long as we're "hot", they'll stay. Still, it did keep the financial states deliciously healthy. Running a gym takes some money to endure with.
Over the fortnight, I found myself wondering about Cabernet. Did she catch up with Cilan yet, if so, did she absolutely explode with fury on seeing him?
All of my questions would be answered as soon as entered the café that morning.
As I re-tied the tassels on the apron together for the third time upon trundling down the stairs, I opened the door to the café, and laid my eyes on something that made me rather surprised.
Cabernet was at the door, standing awkwardly on the welcome mat, shuffling her toes, and trying unsuccessfully to be unnoticed.
I noticed that Cress was making his way towards her, so I quickly power-walked ahead, and subtly shoved him aside. "Don't wet yourself with the excitement." He crudely told me, and I scolded back at him.
I approached where she stood quietly, and smiled welcomingly. "Cabernet! Did you catch up with my dear brother," I felt my voice glaze over icily as I pronounced his name, "Cilan?" She glared straight up at me; I was a lot taller than she was. "Yeah, I met him. Can I have a table, now?" She asked, instantly brushing off the subject of Cilan quite clearly. I could tell that I shouldn't prod her for information on the event; still, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the glum expression that was etched across her face. I growled; if he dared to hurt her feelings, he'd have to answer my blazing fury. I escorted her to a table with a particularly pleasant view of Striaton City, in a quiet corner, so she'd have peace and quiet, which she definitely could use some of, judging by her current state. I laid the neat menu of the many ones that we have printed, down on the tablecloth that was covering the table. "I will be back in a moment." I told her sincerely, as her expression still wasn't exactly cheery. I rushed over to Cress, who was serving quite the jittery fangirl. "Oh, there are two of you!" She squealed, as soon as I came into the distance. She looked like she about faint from the pleasure. "Actually," Cress smirked broadly, "there's three of us." She, then did actually faint, and we stared at one another. I was shocked, but Cress was indifferent to the whole scene. "Ah, she'll be fine. What do you need, brother?" Cress tossed his blue curls nonchalantly, and raised his only visible eyebrow. I blushed. "Um, since it's not busy... I'm thinking of sitting with Cabernet." I announced quietly to him, and asked "Do you where the spare chairs are?" I'd rather eat freezing cold mashed potatoes than endure the teasing that ensued from Cress, and when he put her head under her legs to bring to consciousness, the fangirl who immediately blurted out "Who does he like?" rather loudly, so that almost everyone in the restaurant turned to stare at the table that we were at. My face turned the same shade of my hair, when I realised that even Cabernet gave her attention to this. Cress, who was choking with laughter at this point, wheezed "The chairs are in the storage room, Brother... oh my god... too funny..." He wiped his eye, still wheezing with laughter. I never knew I would have the impulse to chuck someone into incinerator, but that was until Cress began to tease me that day. "T-thank you." I muttered through gritted teeth, as I left the table with an enormous ruby red blush on my face, and a brother jeering from behind. I pulled out an oak chair from the dusty tiny space that was considered a room, and returned to Cabernet. I put the chair beside hers, and sat down. "What will you like to place as an order?" I enquired, cordially. She was startled; I guess, people just don't casually sit beside her that she doesn't really know every day. She seemed slightly curious as to what happened back at the table where Cress was. "Oh, just a silly brotherly quarrel." I said flippantly. I didn't want her to find out what were discussing or more precisely, who.
She nodded, unconvinced, but decided to order. "I'll have the… Tuna and lettuce." I jotted down the order, and smiled. "I love Tuna myself, it has a beautiful taste to it." This was a downright lie. I could not stand the wet, slippery slimy substance at all. Cress loves the stuff, which I make cat noises just to annoy him. Ignoring my attempts to find common ground with her, she went on, "And lemon juice… please." She went slightly crimson, and titled her head to the window. I guess she's not one to intimate with that easily. However, I was too much of an enthusiast to give up.
"Cabernet, why are you here?" I asked, in what I thought was a cordial tone, but Cabernet obviously thought that I was being obnoxious, as she shot me a reproachful glare. I was never good with the ladies, apparently. It was always Cilan; Cress was too regal to bother with people too much. I didn't count on our conversation to take such a devastating turn so quickly. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Cress doubling over with laughter. My fists clenched; I was going to prove to him that I could be as smooth as him. "I didn't mean it like that!" I exclaimed defensively. "I just thought… you were going to be on the road, as you're trying to be a Sommeliere?" This took her by surprise, and she blushed dully in a reaction. I reckoned she didn't realise that people actually cared about her. Well, I mused darkly, not everyone is as self-absorbed as my darling brother Cilan. "Um…yes." Her voice was very quiet now; "I'm now a C-Class Sommeliere." I showed my delight and congratulated her. "That's brilliant! Wait… isn't C-Class…?"
"The lowest qualification to be a Sommeliere." She replied, slightly humiliated.
"Yeah, but you just became a Sommeliere, so that's great!" I told her, in a vague attempt to cheer her up. She gave half a smile, and then stated, "Your brother is much better than me, though.", and her held her head in her hands, and slumped slightly.
"Oh, did you have a rematch, then? Did you-" but by the glum look that was etched on her pretty face, I could already tell what the answer was.
"Ah… Was he was cruel to you?" I enquired, angrily. Cilan had no right to be a bigoted jerk to this wonderful girl.
"No, actually he was…" She blushed as she murmured the following word, "rather kind."
I didn't know why such a sensation abruptly developed in my insides, but if I was to describe it, it felt as if a large cemented brick descended upon my weak, vulnerable heart.
"Oh…" I muttered. "That's… cool."
Poor Chili.
Short Chapter. Gah, I'm sorry.
I don't own Pokemon. Chapter 3 will be uploaded faster, I assure you.
Reviews, please!
DarkLikeitornot.