Chapter 18

The cafe wasn't crowded at all after 4 PM. Iris spoke to Mr. Davies and left at 5 PM to go to the market. She walked as usual. It had hardly snowed after the blizzard. The roads were mostly clear. Iris went to the market and bought a whole chicken and pork ribs. She started shopping for the grocery and didn't realize it was 6:30 PM. She uses to leave at 6 PM every day and that's when Hugh would come and pick her from the cafe. 

“Holy cow!” She panicked. 

She started walking towards the exit. Though the bags weren't too heavy due to the cold she couldn't walk much faster. 

She reached the cafe at 6:57 PM. She started looking for Hugh, but he was nowhere to be seen. The cafe was empty. 

Iris noticed Sandra approaching her. "Iris! Where were you? Hugh was looking for you everywhere." 

"Oh, I was in the market. I got late. Did he leave a message?" Iris asked while panting. 

"No, he asked Albert about you and then left in his car. He didn't say much I guess but ask Albert." She said and walked towards Albert who was cleaning table number 02. 

When Sandra spoke to him, he looked over his shoulder at Iris and spoke with a little raised voice, "He didn't say anything he just left." 

“Crap!” Iris exhaled and sat on one of the tables near the door. 

Albert walked up to her. "Iris, you need help with those bags? I'm almost done here, and my shift is over." 

"That's really kind of you Albert. But would you mind hurrying a little? I have to catch up to Hugh." She said. 

"Of course," Albert said and walked towards the changing room. 

Iris looked out the glass door. Her eyes searched for Hugh. She was hoping if he would return to pick her up again. But his car was nowhere around.

Albert was really quick. He walked towards Iris with a grin. "Let's go." He said. 

Iris sat behind in his scooter with some bags and Albert took some bags and kept them in the front. He dropped her home. Iris gave a peck on his cheek. 

"Thank you, Albert." She said smiling. 

"Anytime. Take care, Iris. I hope you find him. I am sure he must have gone back home. Just take your car and leave right now." Albert said. 

Iris beamed. "I will." 

Albert had always been sweet to Iris. Because though she was a senior, she never tried to boss around. She would always support Albert. She would ask him about his college and studies. She also kept his smoking habit a secret. Albert admired her. Like an older sister. Iris wasn't like others who argued with him when he lost his temper. 

She would take him into the pantry and calm him down. Listen to his part of the story. Mr. Davies adored Iris, but whenever he and Albert got into any arguments, Iris always sided with Albert. She covered for him many times when he skipped his shift. She was the only support he had in the cafe. Well, Mr. Davies too but he never really showed Albert that he cared. 

Albert was secretly happy that Iris finally had someone in her life. He wouldn't tell her that but his respect for Iris was clearly visible in his actions. 

Iris quickly kept the grocery bags in the kitchen and took her car keys. She prayed before starting the engine. It had been two days since she had used the car. After Hugh dropped her car off, she hadn't even touched it. She twisted the key into the ignition a million times, but the car wouldn't start. She gave a last try and the car roared and started with a jerk. 

She drove slowly and steadily, hoping it doesn't break down before she reached Hugh. 

The roads were clear, so she reached in no time. She got off the car and rang the doorbell. No answer. She rang it again. No answer. 

Her face was suddenly gloom. She sat on the steps outside the door. Waiting for him to return home. She regretted not having a cell phone. Her heart wouldn't stop pounding in her chest. She feared losing him. “What if he's mad at me? What if he wouldn't talk to me again?” 

Her mind didn't stop the pessimist thoughts. She folded her arms on her knees and rested her forehead on the arms. 

"Iris!" Hugh called. 

She craned her neck abruptly. Hugh stood there in his grey overcoat. 

"Hugh!" It came out as a whisper. 

"I was looking for you." He squatted in front of her, his one leg forward and he toyed with the key chain of his car key in his hand. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I went to the market and didn't realize when the time slipped by." 

Hugh's lip pulled up from the right corner and he nodded while looking down. 

Iris waited for him to talk. Her breath was uneven. The cold was one of the reasons, but Hugh's silence was another. 

"You got me worried." He finally spoke, still looking down. 

"Sorry!" All that she could manage to say through trembling lips. 

"Come inside, you're cold." He rose on his toes and waited for Iris to stand. 

Iris looked at him, exhaled softly, and moved away. Hugh got on the steps and unlocked the door. 

He stepped inside and switched on the lights. Iris followed him. 

Hugh kept the keys on a table and took off his overcoat. 

"Can't believe tomorrow is the last day for Christmas. Time goes by so quickly." He said and hung his coat on the stand. 

"Yes. It feels like Christmas started just yesterday." She agreed. 

"How was work?" Hugh asked. 

"Like always." She replied. 

Hugh smiled. "Sorry I couldn't wait longer. I had gone to the factory. Some paperwork is still pending and the factory's opening soon. I just have to make a few calls." 

"Oh, that's okay! Why don't you come once you finish? I'll start cooking at that time. I'm making chicken roast if that's okay with you." 

"That's perfect. I won't take long to come, I promise." Hugh said with his usual side smile. 

"Okay!" Iris smiled back and left.