9

It was a comforting feeling to wake up without having had a bad dream or being startled. The sky outside didn't look as overcast as it had the last few days and even though it was basically always cold here, even when the sun was shining, its bright rays brought me the good mood I needed that day.

With a slight but bearable hangover, I got up, grabbed a pair of jeans and a blue blouse from the bags, and made my way downstairs to the bathroom, where I showered, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. After everything, I quickly blow-dried my hair and then went to see my grandmother in the kitchen.

"Where are you going so early?" She hugged me and took a look at my complete outfit. "And then also so chic!"

"I wanted to look around for a small part-time job. I also wanted to visit the potential buyer for your paintings." I said happily and poured myself a cup of the fragrant coffee.

"Then I wish you the best of luck." She winked and emptied her cup. "I have some things to do, too. Here's your own house key, by the way." She handed me a bunch of keys that had a beautiful silver pendant on them.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it appeared to be a wolf's head and gratefully tucked it into my back pocket. "Well then, see you tonight.", she said goodbye, straightened her red turtleneck and ran waving out of the kitchen and finally out the front door.

Lost in thought, I stood by the window with my cup of coffee and watched her get into Erwin's car. He drove a black pickup truck, which didn't really suit him at all, but I didn't give it any more thought.

As soon as the car disappeared from the cul-de-sac around the corner, I put my cup in the sink and then exited the house, too, excited. The sun blinded me for a moment, but despite its rays it was freezing cold and I was already regretting not having taken my jacket around the next corner.

I didn't want to walk back, so I increased my pace and gradually got closer to the market place and when I finally got there, I immediately went to a small cafe to introduce myself and ask for a job.

It was a really modern feel. Kinda totally American with the red upholstery and the illuminated black counter. The offer was kept simple, but there were lots of young people romping around here who drank their milkshakes and shoveled in waffles, laughing and in a good mood.

I had to shudder at the thought of drinking cold milkshakes in this cold, but they seemed used to it.

An elderly lady in a yellow sweater and white apron approached me, smiling. "Good morning. Can I help you?" she asked in a high tone while brushing some of her black strands from her face. "Yes, I'm looking for a part-time job and wanted to try my luck with you first." I answered her confidently, but inside I was still very nervous.

"Oh," she stammered. "Unfortunately I have to disappoint you there. But I know that the Wialtrama is still looking for service staff. Maybe you will find something there." She looked at me kindly for a moment, but was then waved over by a customer, leaving me alone and annoyed.

It really wasn't what I was hoping for. I didn't want to ask at this club. Especially not after the last evening there, which raised more questions than it answered.

As I left the store, the piece of paper with my name on it came back to me. I would have liked to have spoken to this guy about it, but what would he say to me? Probably just excuses and lies that wouldn't get me any closer to the truth.

That's when I remembered I had completely forgotten to give Eddie his jacket and quickly walked down the street from the market square towards the club to inquire about the opening times. On the way there I noticed that there was hardly anything going on here at lunchtime, but everyone was bustling on the streets at night. A completely twisted world I ended up in.

After several cross streets, I finally arrived in front of the Wialtrama and took from a note hanging on the wall next to the black doors that the gates only opened at 9 p.m. and I was happy to still have time to hand in my jacket on time.

I tiptoed from one foot to the other from the cold for a moment, looked at the billboard and thought about the evening, which had been buzzing around in my head all morning. It wasn't until someone suddenly put something warm around my shoulder, I jumped in shock and held my breath, that I snatched myself away from my confused thoughts.

"Who's going to jump out of their skins?" Ludwig joked and I let out the breath I was holding in my lungs with relief. "You're kind of everywhere too." I grinned cheekily at him and then noticed the fluffy beige jacket around my shoulders, which I then put on properly and immediately had to smile at the feeling of warmth.

"Well. It's not difficult to be everywhere in such a small place." His laugh was so hearty and I was immediately carried away. He was truly an impressed man, with a gift for moving others with his emotions.

"What are you doing here anyway?" he then asked me and leaned against the wall of the club. Although he was only wearing his old-fashioned clothes and his hair casually tied back in a bun, he looked cooler than anyone I knew.

"Believe it or not. I wanted to ask about a job here." His eyes widened and he looked me in the eyes in disbelief. "As a dancer?" he then asked and elegantly pushed himself away from the wall to take a step towards me. The way he asked me that and how horrified he looked made me chuckle in amusement.

"Of course not. Only as a waiter. I don't want to alienate the men." "You couldn't do that. On the contrary.", he flirts and carefully strokes a strand of my hair away from my face that the wind had blown there. A tingling sensation spread through my stomach as he got even closer and I looked deep into his eyes, but a loud growl should ruin this magical moment and throw me completely off course.