Along the way, I continued to drag my hand across the wall. The man stopped abruptly, stepping aside while tilting his head to a person.
The teenage boy that was with Efim crossed his arms,
"That noisy chaotic one is busy. I'm taking his job to guide you to the cafeteria."
The man widened his eyes and threw his cigarettes to a nearby bin,
"Lunch is served ? Finally ! My stomach has been grumbling since then !"
He rushed off with the bucket in hand. The boy came over to me and snatched my hand. I stumbled on my foot as he dragged me around.
I kept up my pace with his while he continued to walk faster by every minute. He didn't talk or flinch a little, completely silent and serious.
I studied the structure of the place, but nothing came into mind.
The teenager yanked his hand away and warned me,
"Watch your step."
Before I could ask by what he meant...
BONK
I gripped on my head, legs staggering while I tried to focus on what hit me. I looked down and noticed a shovel. My face was red as I rushed to the teenager's side.
He shrugged off and continued to lead the way,
"Don't say I didn't warn you. People here love to leave supplies everywhere."
Not far away from here, a bustling crowd surged in. Loud cheerings and offerings are there. The teenager took a sharp left turn, showing me the cafeteria.
The same man from previously slammed his fist on the counter,
"I already told you... I'm allergic to peanuts ! Why did you serve me the one with the peanut jam ?!"
The chef pinched the bridge of his nose and snatched the plate,
"Fine fine. Lower your voice, don't make a scene."
At another table, two men seemed to be chatting while playing chess.
A man with a long gray hair proudly shouted,
"Checkmate !"
The other man with dark circles under his eyes groaned,
"Fine... I'll pay for your meal."
On the other side, a man was pleading to a waiter,
"Oh please, I didn't get paid enough ! I promise I'll pay you once I get a task to do !"
The waiter shook his head and continued on with serving other people.
By the time I continued to observe the environment, the teenager dragged me by my sleeve. Leading me to the counter, a waitress turned to us.
The teenager placed a coin that cost $10,
"One bread with strawberry jam and a glass of water for me."
The waitress nodded, scribbling on a notepad,
"Alright... How about this young man ?"
I thought for a moment, glancing over at the small menu,
"I'd like to have egg and bacon please. Also a glass of water."
The teenager tossed another coin that cost $20,
"Keep the change."
He dragged me to a nearby table. He pushed me down by the shoulder then sat beside me.
I fidgeted on my fingers, bowing slightly,
"Thanks for paying my meal. May I know your name ?"
He waved his hand casually while grabbing a toothpick,
"Grigoriy."
I narrowed my eyes,
"Wait can you repeat that ?"
He pushed the toothpick to the gap between his teeth,
"Grigoriy. Call me Grisha or Grig. Depends on where you come from and which is comfortable."
I smiled at him and clasped my hand,
"Thanks for paying my meal, Grig."
His eyebrows pinched together while he tilted his head,
"Uhh... Alright I guess ? The boss told me to treat almost all the new workers. You'll get paid later."
I blinked as my mouth parted a little. I had thought that it was usual to thank someone. Perhaps not in here, a place with loud environment.
Such a contrast with how it was up there. A silent snow and ambush, yet below is loud and warmer.
Grigoriy raised his head up as the meal arrived,
"Hurry up. Eat your food. Just make sure if you want to throw up, go to the restroom or bin. It'll taste bad for your luxurious tongue."
I lifted the slice of bacon from my plate. Instead of a satisfying snap, it was limping and floppy from my fork. On top of that, it had a thick, rubbery layer of grease.
I wrinkled my nose and tilted my head to check if what I'm seeing is right. I opened my mouth slowly, bracing myself for the bacon's taste.
As I bit onto it, a lukewarm wave of salty liquefied grease flooded into my mouth. I covered my mouth with a nearby tissue, holding myself from throwing up.
It tasted less like a dinner and more like a mouthful of slick smoky lard. I started doubting on my stomach, fully convinced I won't be able to sleep tonight.
Grigoriy chewed on his bread,
"What did I tell you ? Just make sure you won't cause a havoc at that toilet."
I simply nodded as I covered my mouth. I grabbed the glass of water and chugged it. I sighed for a moment before clutching on my stomach. The freezing water hit my stomach like a lead weight.
I continued to burp and gripped harder on my stomach. My guts twisted in protest while I cough. Just when Grigoriy handed me a plastic, he smacked my back.
My eyes are watering and blurry whilst I gasped for air. I coughed continuously. The burning sensation in my throat, the acid smell from my nose, all of them made me shivered.
I barely had any time to react before a sour burning knot and ice water erupted. I gripped on the table, eyes squinting as it continued to tear past my throat.
I panted heavily and opened my eyes. Grigoriy was holding the plastic and stood up. He walked to a bin and threw it away. My back was hunched forward when I lowered my head.
I tried to avoid any eye contact. The weight of people staring upon me must be there. I bet everyone in this room would stare at me as if I was weak. But in fact, I am weak.
Grigoriy tapped on my shoulder,
"Hey, heads high. The boss doesn't want to see any workers head down. Show some confidence."
I nervously raised my head, expecting everyone to glare at me. But what greeted me wasn't any staring. Everyone here was minding their own business, caring nothing about what happened to me.
Just as I was relieved, a familiar voice cut in,
"Oh come ! You know I can actually help you a lot right~?"
I looked at Sheng Yue who is hugging the Russian woman's arm. The minute both of them stepped in deeper, everyone's eye landed at them.
The man with dark circles under his eyes whispered,
"Hey... isn't that the new person ?"
The chef's hand trembled intensely,
"Yes... should we tell her ?"
No one dared to move. Everyone froze in their spot, stopping all activities at once. The Russian woman continued to march into the cafeteria.
Sheng Yue, unbeknownst to the tension, teased the Russian woman,
"Oh come on ! Say something ! Why so serious~?"
The Russian woman arrived at the counter and pinched the bridge of her nose,
"Please give me whatever is in the menu. And as for this woman, give her the worst one."
Sheng Yue perked up and shouted,
"Hey ! That's unfair !"
The waitress gulped and told Sheng Yue to come closer,
"Uhh, ma'am or whatever you are. Please don't dangle on her like that..."
Sheng Yue tilted her head and raised a brow,
"Why ?"
The waitress looked at everyone before murmuring to Sheng Yue,
"She is the boss..."