Rival Owners
Hannah learns why the two cafes have been enemies for years
The next week, Hannah learned the real story from an old customer.
Long ago, Ruth and Leo's father had opened a single cafe together.
They had been close friends who shared the same dream.
Then a bitter had the business into two shops.
Since that day, the two owners have hated each other for years.
The staff of each cafe are not allowed to enter the other shop.
"You must never be friendly with those people," Ruth had warned her.
Hannah had always thought the rule was strange and rather sad.
Now she understood why Leo had spoken so quietly that day.
The between the cafes was known by everyone on the street.
Prices were compared, customers were counted, and every success was noticed.
Leo, she realised, had grown up inside this long .
His father has expected him to take over the family business.
Hannah has worked for Ruth long enough to know her .
If the owners found out about their talk, both would be angry.
Yet the memory of Leo's kind eyes would not leave her mind.
That afternoon, she caught herself looking across the street again.
Leo was wiping a table, but he glanced up as if he felt her.
For a second their eyes met, and neither of them looked away.
They both knew that talking openly was now forbidden.
The two cafes have been enemies for longer than they have been alive.
Still, a rule made by angry old men felt to Hannah.
"Why should we pay for a that was never ours?" she thought.
That evening, she wrote a short message on a clean paper napkin.
She had no idea that this small note would change everything.