Bound to You

Chapter 33: Independent

Monday

7:45

Ileana saw the missed calls on her phone and she furiously texted Sierra back before shoving it in her pocket. She didn't need her to accompany her to school anymore. She was a little nervous when she stepped in the bus. She constantly checked outside to see if she was on the right way. 

Fifteen minutes later, she was walking down the pavement, feeling relieved that she made it alright. All alone. Without Sierra. Hah. She passed by Dolce Café, a delicious smell teasing her, making her even hungrier despite the fact that she already ate her usual bowl of cereals that morning.

Her eyes caught sight of the vacancy paper still stuck on the glass. She slowed down, read the sign again and paused. That was just what she needed to start her independence without her aunt! She faked a confidence as she walked right in, her heart beating loudly in her chest.

A small bell rang the moment she pushed the door of the pastry shop open. There were already two long queues at the front counter. Of course, people who were supposedly in a hurry would go through the queue, collect their orders and leave immediately and people who just wanted to linger here would go to their tables and wait for the waiters and waitresses. This was such a busy area for an early morning. 

She shyly passed the people who gave her annoyed looks, excusing herself and expectantly waited for the cashier to finish typing in the order of a customer. 

The cashier eyed her from the corner of his eyes once he was done and she quickly said, "Hi, I want to apply for the job!" 

He eyed her for a moment, judging her and then just shrugged, gesturing to the next client to come forward. She was awed at how fast he was working. He then leaned back and called out, "Hey Joséphine, I'm sending you a candidate!" 

She waited for the instruction and the cashier quickly said, "Go in. Don't make her wait!" She thanked him, walked behind the counter, behind the two cashiers and opened the door at the end. 

She found herself in the kitchen. God, it smelt so good. There was an older woman, sprinkling icing sugar over some freshly baked choux pastries. 

The woman asked, "So you want to be a waitress?" She didn't wait for her to reply and added, "Any experience?" 

"Er...not really." Ileana noted her strong French accent. It was so lovely to hear. 

She grumbled something under her breath and said, "Again one of these newbies. Ugh." 

"Step aside!" 

She heard a man shouting behind her as he walked inside the room, carrying an empty tray. She moved away. The man walked to an oven, opened it, taking out three croissants. He closed it, hassled to a side table, carefully held two millefeuilles pralinés and lowered them carefully on the tray. 

He rushed over the milkshake blender, tossing in some milk, fresh red strawberries and scoops of ice-creams which he took from the nearby fridge. He turned on the coffee machine and meanwhile fetched some delicious looking macaroons.

A minute later, he was balancing all the pastries and the drinks on two trays and rushed out as fast as he had come in.

"Will you be able to do this?" Ileana gasped, scared when the woman's demanding voice resonated in the kitchen. Of course, she'd not be able to work that fast. When she didn't answer, the lady annoyingly pursed her lips, "Then, stop wasting yours and my time and get the hell out of my kitchen." 

She shivered, "I...I'm willing to learn!" She cleared her voice and firmly said, stepping forward, "I'll do my best, I promise!" 

"Give her a try, boss. We're always understaffed because you keep firing em all."