At first, he refused Ning's invitation, in fact, just the thought of going near the cafe one more time after he had that dream made shivers run down his spine. How could he possibly accept such a request after he had foreseen his own death in that stupid dream?

But maybe and only maybe, his guilty conscience for ignoring his friend for a whole week caused that nightmare.

And all that chaos because of a simple note from someone he didn't even know.

Whatever of the two possibilities it would have been it didn't matter. After Ning threatened him to reveal the truth about his part-time job to his parents if he didn't come to the cafe, he had no choice but to agree, since it would break him to see the disappointed faces of his parents again.

In the blurred windows of the entrance door, eyes full of doubt and fear stared right back at him, it was not something he could simply ignore but neither was what laid behind that door. He could no longer escape.

Like in his dream he opened the door, ringing the old bell hanging above it, his eyes rushed to the counter where the old man should have stood but didn't, just like in his dream. There was only one difference this time, in the pocket of his hoodie, he squeezed a small flip knife with which he could have opened a path for his escape.

"Bao! Come here, have a seat! What are you doing standing around there at the entrance?" Shouted Ning from the table they normally sit at.

"Where is the old man?" Bao didn't move one foot, staying there could have been his salvation after all.

"He went down to the basement to get some new coffee beans."

"You didn't buy this cafe?"

"What are you talking about? Of course, I didn't! Why should I and with what money?" Ning raised an eyebrow, obviously confused by his statement. "Are you sure everything is okay? Even Aika is worried about you."

"Ye... yes everything is fine, thank you for your concerns nevertheless."

Step by step Bao walked up to their table when suddenly the door behind the counter opened with a screeching sound. Bao stopped on the spot and turned in ninety degrees but he paused right before pulling out the knife.

"Did my appearance scare you that much?" The old man stood in the doorframe with a bag in his hands from which came a fragrant smell of coffee.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Our friend here is just a little bit nervous these days, so make him a nice strong coffee will ya'?", Added Ning with a bright smile.

"If anything he would need a calming tea but I guess you just can't live without my delicious coffee can you." Added the old man while preparing everything necessary for three cups of his delicious coffee.

"Really now Bao, what is wrong with you? First, you ignore us for a whole week then you enter here like someone is after your life. We are friends for a very long time by now and all you do when you're in trouble is ignoring me, does our extensive friendship only amount to that much?" Ning grabbed Bao's arm when he sat down.

"Aren't you the one who knows everything?" His cold voice made Ning shiver.

"What is with that tone. Information yes, but your feelings aren't something I can simply get just like that, if that would be possible the world wouldn't be as fucked up as it is."

"And what is with the information you withhold from me?"

"Tha... that's what should I've withheld from you that made you avoid the bo..."

"Hmm, what unimportant information might have you forgotten to mention?" Bao pointed his look towards Aika. "But thanks to your reaction I have no doubts left now. That leaves me with one big question, just who in gods name are you two?"

"How did you find it out?"

"That's nothing you should be concerned about right now." Bao leaned back and crossed his arms in front of the chest. "Answer my question from before or I have nothing left to say."

"I... I can't but Bao you must believe me if I say that it is all to help y..."

"If that's your answer this discussion ends here." When Bao stood up to go out of the cafe he thought to have seen tears, flashing under the dim light on Ning's cheeks but there was no way back, words were said and trust has been broken.

"Bao! Wait a moment!" Cold hands grabbed his arm as he reached the end of the street, it was Aika. She stood behind him her normally cold eyes seemed worried and full of sorrow, the eyebrows arched towards her hair. "Please Bao, listen to what he has to say, aren't you friends?"

"We were friends," corrected Bao. "Friends don't lie to each other, they don't betray the trust given to them and they don't abuse said trust. Do you think I was happy to do what I did? No, definitely not, but he didn't give me any other choice. Say Aika, what would you have done if the only person you believed in betrayed you?"

Her grip loosened and she let go of his arm.

"I... I don't know."

"Thought so." Bao turned around and continued his walk.

"To tell you the truth I don't even understand the principle of trust, I'm just a maid who obeys the orders of her master, no matter how questionable or unreasonable they are. That's all that I've learned since the day I've been born, to be of service to our masters." Aika didn't follow him but he could still hear her voice loud and clear.

"If that's the case, then why did you come to stop me? I don't think that was an order he gave you." Bao had stopped again and looked back to the maid before leaving, this time for good.

He had a lot to think about and was left in uncertainty.