Cold-Blooded Barista

COFFEE, BULLETS, AND BETRAYAL

Ucok lit his cigarette with trembling hands. "Johan won’t stay silent, Zal. You know that."

Rizal poured espresso into a cup, as calm as ever. "I know."

Ucok exhaled smoke slowly. "So, when do we strike first?"

Rizal placed his cup down and looked at Ucok. "We wait for them to come."

Ucok raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? We’re just going to sit here and wait for them to come and massacre us?"

Rizal gave a faint smile. "No. We’ll make them think they’re the ones in control."

Ucok let out a long sigh. "Alright, I just hope your plan is better than the coffee you make."

Since the meeting with Johan, Rizal knew time was running out. He watched every customer entering his café more closely. Any one of them could be Johan’s spy.

That afternoon, while Rizal was cleaning a table, the café door opened, and a tall man in a black suit walked in. He casually approached the bar and sat down.

"Americano," he said in a deep voice.

Rizal recognized that face—Bobby, one of Johan’s trusted men.

Calmly, Rizal prepared the order. While pouring hot water into the espresso, he asked, "Anything else I can help you with besides coffee?"

Bobby picked up his cup, blew the steam away, then smirked. "Johan wants to meet. Tonight. At the old warehouse by the docks."

Ucok, who was sitting in the corner of the café, pretended to be absorbed in his coffee, but Rizal knew his friend was already on high alert.

Rizal smiled. "I’ll be there."

Bobby took a sip of his coffee, then stood up. "Bring your friend if you want. But if you don’t show up… well, you know what happens."

After Bobby left, Ucok walked over. "Zal, this is a trap. You know that, right?"

Rizal stirred his coffee slowly. "Of course. But I already have a plan."

That night, Rizal and Ucok arrived at the old warehouse by the docks. The streetlights flickered, and the sea breeze was cold.

From the shadows, several armed men stood guard. In the middle of the room, Johan sat on a chair, looking relaxed with his cigar.

"Rizal," Johan greeted with a sly smile. "You actually came. I like people who know when to surrender."

Rizal stepped forward, his hands still in his jacket pockets. "I came to talk."

Johan chuckled. "Talk? After all this? You think I’ll listen?"

Rizal stared at him sharply. "I just want to know one thing… who leaked information about me and Ucok to you?"

Johan shrugged. "Business, Rizal. You know how this world works. Information always has a price."

Ucok scoffed. "So you’re actually afraid of us."

Johan glared at Ucok. "I’m not afraid. I just eliminate nuisances before they become bigger problems."

Rizal remained calm. "You forgot one thing, Johan. I’m not just a barista."

Johan squinted his eyes, then smirked. "Yeah, I know. You’re a former hitman. But now you’re just a man… trapped in my ambush."

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind Rizal and Ucok. More of Johan’s men emerged from the shadows, guns aimed at them.

Ucok cursed under his breath. "We’re in trouble."

Johan laughed. "Goodbye, Rizal."

But before Johan could give the order, the warehouse lights suddenly went out.

BZZZT!

The room was pitch black. Then, a small explosion was heard.

BOOM!

Tear gas filled the room. Coughing and panicked voices came from Johan’s men.

Rizal immediately pulled Ucok to the floor. "Let’s go!"

Gunshots rang out in the darkness. BANG! BANG!

Ucok crawled behind a wooden crate. "Who did you call, Zal?"

A deep voice answered from the shadows. "Who else but me?"

Damar emerged from the darkness, gun in hand. He swiftly shot two of Johan’s panicked men.

Ucok chuckled. "Damn, I love this surprise!"

Still coughing from the tear gas, Johan cursed. "Kill them all!"

Rizal ran toward Johan, blocking an attack from one of his men with his elbow. With a quick move, he pulled a knife from his boot and slashed the man’s thigh.

SWISH!

The man collapsed, groaning in pain.

Ucok and Damar continued providing cover fire while Rizal advanced toward Johan.

When only a few steps remained, Johan pulled out a gun and aimed it at Rizal.

But Rizal was faster. With one swift motion, he kicked Johan’s hand, sending the gun flying.

Johan swung his fist, but Rizal dodged and countered with a hard punch to his jaw.

THUD!

Johan staggered. Blood trickled from his lip.

"You forgot one thing, Johan," Rizal said coldly. "I’m not alone."

Ucok and Damar stood behind him, their weapons aimed at Johan’s remaining men.

Johan smirked despite his defeat. "Damn… I underestimated you."

Rizal stared at him coldly. "And that was your last mistake."

With one final punch, Rizal struck Johan right in the temple. Johan collapsed, unconscious.

The warehouse fell silent.

Ucok let out a breath. "So… we won?"

Damar grinned. "For now."

Rizal looked at Johan’s lifeless body. "This is just the beginning."

Ucok patted his shoulder. "After this, are you still making coffee?"

Rizal gave a small smile. "Of course. But first, we need to clean up this mess."

Damar raised an eyebrow. "You have a plan?"

Rizal smirked. "Of course. We’ll make Adi come to us."

Ucok chuckled. "Hah… I love this game."

Rizal gazed towards the city, the sea breeze blowing gently.