With another cup of coffee in front of him, Benjamin went on a rant. Olivier was only listening halfheartedly. Something about how only he works hard and wants the best for the company, while all the others are just riding on his success.
Olivier didn't have any knowledge about business, especially since the difference between his home and Benjamin's world was too big. Thus, he only nodded along without commenting. Luckily Benjamin had another appointment today and soon left the café but not without buying another pack of red beans, losing another year of his life.
Back behind his counter Olivier let out a deep breath. Usually, he was quite bored but today the café was almost too busy. Now only Valentino was missing…
Think of the devil and he shall arrive. The door opened and Valentino entered with a bright grin on his face. His steps were light, his body clothed in fine designer clothes. He walked up to the counter.
"Barista! Haha, you look good today!"
"Mhm, you too. Very lively."
"Lively is the prefect word! I haven't felt this alive in a long time! Barista, guess what I am about to do?"
"I don't know. Host a party?"
"No… albeit that's a good idea. I should do that right after completing my next painting!"
"So, you are finally ready to make a new painting? This means your ingredients have arrived? Congratulations!"
"Yes! Tomorrow, I will get them and afterwards I will immerse myself in creation! This time I will take my time. Just wait, this painting will overshadow all others. I want the entire world to talk about it! Leon has already guaranteed me that he will buy the painting. However, the more renown I can generate, the more he is willing to pay. I will astound everyone this time!"
Valentino had a dreamy look on his face as if able to see his future self swimming in money. Olivier couldn't help but smile lightly as he put a cup of coffee in front of the man, the sound awakening him.
"Oh right, Barista. I naturally haven't forgotten about you! Without you, all of this wouldn't have been possible. Here, I brought you a little present. I got it from the same man who sells me my new ingredients."
"A present?"
Olivier was surprised. He had noticed the intricate wooden box Valentino had been carrying with him. However, he never would have thought that Valentino brought it as a present for him.
"Yes. Remember the music box I have told you about? This one is similar."
"Really?"
Noticing the barista's intrigued expression, Valentino wore a big grin. He had been unsure if the barista would accept his gift but now his worries disappeared as he pushed the box over towards Olivier.
Taking the beautiful little box into his hand, Olivier was actually quite happy. After suddenly being brought to this café in the middle of nowhere he felt quite lonely most of the time. He never expected to get to know someone like Valentino. Someone he might actually be able to call a friend.
[??? music box
Induces the listener into a meditative state which brings out their deepest desires for ??? to feed on.
Price: 0,2 years]
Suddenly Olivier froze, staring at the box with wide-open eyes. The information provided by his eyes of truth was almost ignored as he noticed something even more shocking. A strange being clung to the music box, invisible to the naked eye.
The strange being was even smaller than the box. It had a big, round body with chubby limbs. Two black wings grew from its back, swaying lightly. The being's body was covered in dozens of eyes, blinking, looking around the café. A faint, green fog wafted around it.
Olivier shivered, feeling an instinctive disgust towards the being. It gave him a similar feeling to the strange tentacles he saw in the mirror upstairs.
Suddenly all the eyes of the strange being stared at Olivier. For a moment they showed curiosity but then they were quickly overtaken with an almost primal dread. The eyes turned a blood-red color as the strange being flapped its wings, trying to escape towards the door.
Howeverr, its movements were too slow. Olivier swatted the strange being like a fly. Despair filled its eyes as the hand came closer. Suddenly they made contact and the being exploded. It had no way to resist as it turned into green fog, which dissipated into nowhere. A familiar sensation of gaining lifespan streamed through Olivier's body.
Valentino shivered as a chill ran down his spine for no reason. He had observed the barista from the moment he handed over his gift. Although he couldn't perceive the strange being, he had noticed the barista's movements. Why did his expression change like that? Why did he swat the air? Could it be that there was something wrong with the music box?
"Barista… did something happen?"
Olivier's gaze was complicated as he redirected it at Valentino. He didn't know what purpose the strange being had, but the disgusting feeling it gave him couldn't be denied. He had also seen out of the corner of his eyes that the black cat had been roused from its sleep, getting ready to act.
Furthermore, this was the first time he had seen a magical object not belonging to the café. Olivier scrutinized Valentino. The latter's expression seemed to be one of genuine shock. It seemed he didn't know anything about the music box's peculiarities. Olivier tended to believe that. Valentino had been coming to the café for more than a hundred years. He knew the café better than even Olivier himself. There was no need for him to make any strange moves now.
"Is there something wrong with the box? Barista, please tell me. I will immediately take it back! No, I will destroy it on the spot. You need to believe me!"
Valentino grew tense. He knew that everything he had today was given by the café. Without it he might not even be alive anymore. He couldn't risk spoiling their relationship. What if Olivier took back his invitation card? Valentino had witnessed the old boss doing so in the past.
"Where did you get this music box from?"
Finally, the barista said something. Everything was better than silence. Olivier didn't hesitate to answer:
"I received it from… bought it… got it where… it's…"
Sweat drenched Valentino's body. A suffocating feeling pressed on his chest. The words just wouldn't come from his lips. What was going on? Why couldn't he say it?
Valentino stared back at Olivier, his eyes shaking in fear. Olivier frowned. He reached out with his hand, touching Valentino's chest with his fingertip. Under Olivier's eyes of truth some green fog scattered in all directions and dissipated.
"Try again."
"Yes, yes." Valentino instantly felt much better as he complied:
"I bought the music box from a man called Angel. He is also the one I am about to get my ingredients from."
"Angel…"
"Yes. Boss, do you know him? What should I do? Is this man dangerous?"
"I'm afraid… I can't help you."
Valentino's expression was incredibly anxious, causing Olivier to also feel somewhat uncomfortable. He wished he could help Valentino in some way, but despite taking the role of barista he didn't know much more than Valentino. He had never seen this man named Angel. He didn't know his motives.
"Basista, you… please. Can't you think of something? What am I supposed to do? Should I just pretend not to know about any of this?"
"This might be your best bet."
"No, this… how? How am I supposed to look at Angel again without giving anything away? Even if I avoid him from now on, it will appear suspicious. Do I have to start a new life again? Start all over?"
Seeing Valentino about to lose his mind, Olivier furrowed his brows. Suddenly an idea came to his mind.
"Perhaps… we can try something."
"Have you thought of something? Yes. You are my savior, just tell me!"
Olivier grabbed the monocle hanging around his neck and held it in front of Valentino's eyes.
"Here, this monocle can see things the eye can't see. However, I honestly don't know if others can use it. Furthermore, if this Angel sees through the nature of the monocle the situation might become unpredictable."
Valentino hesitated. He was afraid. Was it worth it to face Angel again? What was the alternative? Avoiding him meant avoiding Leon as well. Would he still be able to sell his paintings? Perhaps. But it would be much more difficult.
Valentino looked around the café, thinking about the past. He had been coming here for so long, meeting the strangest creatures. Some were aggressive, instilling an instinctive fear much stronger than that coming from Angel. But in the café, they all learned to behave. Nothing could ever threaten the café. Thus, Valentino was quite confident about everything originating from the café.
His expression settled as Valentino reached out with his hand towards the monocle. His eyes met Olivier's. The decision had been made.