Cristiano's Craving

Zero

Rose

"Sorry, we're shut."

Wiping the counter, my eyes were focused on scratching off a stain of sour coffee left to claim and darken a particular and easily seen part of the table.

I sighed, scrubbing as hard as I could but I was tired. My arms were aching and all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball on my bed and sleep. But I couldn't; working a late shift was the only way I could pay the bills.

"Closed? Damn. . .is this seat taken?"

Gradually, my head lifted to meet a pair of hazel eyes. They were soft brown with specks of green and blue, merging together to make an incredibly irresistible and beautiful colour that mesmerised me. I found it hard to stop gazing into those eyes that captivated me.

My eyes slowly moved across the face. There was a man - a drunk man - a handsome drunk man. He had a body built figure and was clearly athletic. His body showed off the amount of hours spent at the gym building up such a well proportioned body.

I blinked in surprise, wondering in the back of my mind how he got in and where he has came from. Strangely, I wasn't worried. I licked my lips, wiping my hands off my apron and walking away from the counter, towards him slowly and slightly cautiously.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my eyes scanning him. He was sat on one of the chairs by the window, playing with the menu that I had neatly set on the table, ready for tomorrow.

His eyes gazed into mine before studying my face and body. I felt slightly nervously by his gaze. He was intimidating in a way and I wasn't sure whether to be cautious or not.

"You're hot."

"You're drunk."

I folded my arms, unsure of what to do. He chuckled, his voice deep and his Adams's Apple bobbing slightly. "Yes I am. . .why do you keep spinning? Stay still."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. I rubbed my coated lips together and replied, "you're hammered. What are you doing here? Have you just came from a club?" I was hoping he would give me a sensible answer. I wasn't sure what to do with him however one thing I did know was that I wasn't scared of him.

"Mm. . .not a club. . .party - yeah, party. . Um. . . too much vodka. .too much thoughts. . ."

I nodded slowly, licking my lips once more before walking over and taking a seat opposite him, curiously watching him. He rubbed his eyes and groaned, sighing.

"You stink of alcohol," I bluntly told him, a small smile on my face as my nose wrinkled. "Gee, thanks," he muttered, glancing out the window as a car drove by.

"What were you trying not to think about?" I asked him, intrigued by his words. Shrugging, he rested back, leaning against the chair and yawning before replying, "I screwed up."

I nodded again, my eyes giving him full attention. His eyes glanced over my body again before saying, "I'm not gonna see you again, am I?"

I chuckled once more. "Not if you remember me. But it's okay. What's up?"

"Today. . ." He began, slurring slightly. "Would've been my bwother's bwirthday," he slurred a little, mispronouncing a few of his words. "I miss . . . I miss that annoying bastard. . ."

"Would've?" I steadily repeated, my voice sympathetic a little. My face softened as I began to feel a little pitiful.

"No. . .it is. .is his birthday. . .can't see him again. . ."

"Why?" I pressed on a little. His eyes were on me and stopped looking around the cafe. Sighing, he answered, "I messed up. Big time. All I do is mess up. Hates me. . .he hates me. I deserve it. . ."