[Heroine! Exciting news! A new event appear! ]
"Achoo!"
Saya had a disgust look on her face when I sneeze putting the tissue to my nose. I sniff hearing the sound of mucus coming from my nose.
"Nope, nope!" Saya stands up, walks to her room and close the door behind her.
Yeah, I got sick. Lucky enough, the diner is close since Christmas is coming.
The only one that is open is the café. I will be starting tomorrow.
Saya came out of her room with a scarf over her nose and mouth. She wear sunglasses.
She sits on the couch. I glance at her.
"You look like spy."
"I'm protecting my health."
My phone starts ringing.
I look at the name.
[Diana Crystal]
My new landlord.
"Hello?" I said.
"good, you picked up. I need a copy of your tax income."
I totally forgot giving her documents. I need to search in the box.
"I'll hand it to you by Wednesday."
"This better not be habit of being late. By the way, your apartment will be late due to the holidays. You will be coming to move in Jan 15."
Great.
"okay."
[Call end]
I cough covering my hand. Saya shakes her hand.
"Sorry, Saya I will be your roommate a little longer because of the holidays."
"no problem as long you keep your cold to yourself."
I cough for a moment.
Saya did a glare.
"I took my medicine. don't ask me again," I said to her.
*******************************************************************
At middle of the night, I'm sleeping on the couch coughing and snffing like crazy. I was unable to sleep.
I look at my phone. I put on silent so Saya can't hear.
I look through my friendsnet.
I went to Addilyn's profile.
She upload a photo last week. It was her and Nathan. Addilyn is wearing a wedding dress and Nathan is in a white suit. They had their cheek press together while smiling at the camera.
I look through the comments. I see Jenifer on the comments.
She said, "Girl, Your wedding was beautiful. May you two find happiness together."
"She invite her to the wedding!" I nearly raise my voice.
Then again, she probably saw her pictures. So I went to check the album. Look what I see.
Jenifer was there. Not only her, A classmate we both know from college name Hailey was there. There were people I knew, but some weren't.
This hit me.
Why did I listen to her about Adam?
She's best friends with Jenifer.
Here I thought, the wedding was private. It was them and their family. No, She nearly invite everyone we know.
Forget it.
I need to get some sleep. I have work tomorrow.
**************************************************************
The next morning, I didn't get any sleep. I have been coughing and sniffling all night. I couldn't even close my eyes. I feel bad for Saya hearing all the noise. I need to make sure to pay her when I leave out of her my apartment.
I got dress in casual clothes. It's decent enough that I'm comfortable to wear.
I made breakfast for Saya ad myself. I even made coffee.
Lucky for Saya, she's get to sleep in all week and the next.
Saya wakes up and sees me eating my break fast.
"you made breakfast. you shouldn't have," she said. She walks to the table and sat down.
"Sorry for disturbing your sleep," I said.
"t's alright, you're sick. Anyway, since you're out of the apartment, I'll take my nap when you leave."
Saya is too nice for my sake. She could kick me out what I have done for the pass three days. It'll be nice to put her in college if I was rich.
Man, if I was rich I'll take her to school. Give Harvey a business since he's been so nice making me leftovers dinners.
I don't know what I would do.
Buy a house. Get a dog. Cat.
hmmm....It sounds like a fun idea, but what I really want to do.
After thinking back on that date with Adam, he mention my skills on writing. Let me think about my hobbies that I had.
I look at the time.
"Crap! I got to go!" I said drinking my last sip of coffee.
I put on my winter coat, hat and scarf.
I take the umbrella that Liam gave to me.
I was out the door.
***********************************************************
[Bus]
I still having coughing fits. People on the bus gave me stares and made sure not to be seated next to me.
I dig in my handbag looking for cough drops and realize I didn't have any.
I cough badly and cover my mouth.
"Are you contagious or something?" said an old lady across from me.
I look at her. She had a disgusted look.
I said nothing to her and try to cough more silently.
She starts pestering me that I shouldn't have gone outside or that I should take the subway.
No one stood up for me because they don't want to be involve in a stranger's mess.
I will be in there position as well.
It's the sad truth.
Every coughs I make, she makes a comment.
Frustrating as it is. I'm not going to burst it out in front of the public.
I'll let the lady cause the scene and I'll take it just get through the day.
"Excuse me, ma'am please leave this women alone."
I look up seeing Liam speaking to the old lady across from me. The two exchange conversation. The old lady is obviously smitten by Liam that she put her hands on her cheeks and giggle.
After the conversation, Liam sat next to me.
"You got a nasty cold too," said Liam sniffling.
"yeah."
I knew Liam will get a cold seeing him not being cover by anything. It was the sake of sheltering me.
"Thanks for the umbrella." I hand over to him.
"Thanks," he said receiving it.
.......
Awkward silence.
I had a few coughs and Liam had a sniffles.
It almost like we making a beat of our cold.
After that, we made it to our stop.
*******************************************************
[Café]
Liam and I enter the café. Our boss is sitting at the table looking out the window.
Liam walks over to Maggie and speaks to her. Maggie looks delighted to see him.
I walk over behind the desk and then someone stop me.
A young guy with a different color hair standing the doorway to the staff's room.
"Where do you think you going, customer?" he said.
"Hello, I'm a new employee."
The young guy look at me from head to toe.
He shouts, "Liam! Maggie! Did we hire a low maintence?"
I was shock.
Maggie puts her hands over her mouth trying to hide the snicker.
Liam rubs back of his neck.
I thought I dress nicely. Did I really look bad to be compare to be a custodian?
Liam walks over and explains, "She's our new employee. She will be under my guidance to becoming a barista. be nice to one another."
The young guy wasn't please.
I just give him a smile and tell him my name.
He didn't seem to care. What I can see from his nametag on his apron. His name is Sebastian.
"How charming" I sacastically thought.
"Listen, you better be fast at your feet." He said walking passing me to a customer.
I walk to the staff room. The apron folded neatly on the table with a hat next to it. There were two people in the room chatting about their morning until they saw me enter their space.
" Uh....hello? Are you new employee?"
This was a young girl. She looks sixteen seeing her baby face. She wears choker around her neck.
"Are you the new employee?"
Another young girl wears glasses and has short curly hair.
I told them I am and my name.
The girls smile, "Welcome aboard."
"My name is Layla." The young girl with the choker.
"I'm Penny."
"Nice to meet you," I said.
"I like your outfit," Layla compliments me.
"Thanks," I said.
At least, there are some nice people in this workplace.
I put on my apron and hat.
Liam enters the staff room.
"Are you gals reacquiented with each other?" he ask.
Gals? I thought when he said that.
Layla and Penny shake their heads and roll their eyes even they don't like it.
"Sir, you need to stop with the hip talk or you lose customers," Layla said.
"Too much?" he ask.
"You sound like an old person trying to fit in the young crew," Penny said.
The two girls left the staff room.
Liam looks at my uniform.
"Now looking at you more closely, I can see why Sebastian mistake you for a custodian."
"Thank you for the compliment," I said sarcastically.
He takes his apron and hat covering left of his hair.
"Remember, I will show you the ropes, but after that you are on your own."
"Sure thing, boss."
"Just call me Liam."
Liam shows me the ropes around the coffee machine and different orders from the menu. When the first customer order a gingerbred latte. I wasn't sure what's that. I glance at Liam for help. He saw the look on my face.
He instruct me on how it was made.
I look at the menus. There was Eggnog latte, Holiday drinks, Smoothies, Ice tea, Frappucino and other beverages.
We have sweets on the side.
They are sitting at the window in display when customers walk in. They can order the today's dessert.
Layla and Penny chime in helping me with lattes.
I was fine ordering at the table because I did at the dine. I quickly made orders. To the point, I nearly take my note pad and scream, "doubble cheese, no pickles and sause!"
I forgotten, I'm working in cafe not a diner.
Maggie stay for two hours and left the cafe to another job she has.
Finally, my lunch hour.
I didn't bother to go anywhere, I stay in the staff's room since it's like a louge. I ate my lunch in there eating at the table. I grab a menu to study the food and drinks. The latte will be hard to make since I never make these besides Ice coffee or tea.
I look at my phone to keep myself occupied.
[1 new text message]
[Addi]
[Hey.....are you alright? I was waiting for you to call me. I'm not sure what happend to you and Adam? Hopefully, you end with him. he's not good for you. Miss you. please call me.]
[Do you want to delete this message?]
[Yes]
[no]
[DELETE]
I hear someone enter the staff room. I glance and it was Liam.
"This is the first someone actually eats here," Liam said.
"it's quiet."
"May I join you?"
He touch the empty chair across from me. I nod while munching on my sandwich.
"how are you holding up?" he ask.
"I'm fine."
"any dizzyness?"
"No, I took medicine. how about you?"
"same."
.........
awkward silence.
"uh....well....nice talking to you," he said getting up.
He leaves the staff room.
I sat there eating my sandwich.
Maggie and Liam were chatting at the same table when I saw Maggie was sitting this morning.
"aren't they being cute?" said Layla looking at them.
"Are they dating?" I said.
"no, they should be. Look at the way, they talk to each other."
The two were enjoying each other company. They were chatting and laughing. The way Liam interacts with her, he seems very into her.
"oh, the lover bird are in the nest," said Penny.
"it's ashamed that Maggie has fiancé ," said Layla.
"Maggie has a fiancé?" I said.
"yeah, he comes by to pick her up sometimes."
"What are you gosspiers doing?" said Sebastian.
"Shut up, you just want to earn brownie points with Liam so you can get the manager assistant," said Penny.
The three bicker among each other. I slip through walking to the customer waving their hand for awhile.
Then, I hear Liam shouting at the kids to get back to work.
********************************************************************
The cafe is coming to a close. The last customer leaves the shop. We close the door and flip the sign.
"Yes! I can go home!" said Layla.
"Everyone, you did wonderful work today," Maggie said smiling.
"Is your fiance picking you up today?" Liam said.
"yes, he's running little late," Maggie said.
I wonder what kind of guy he is.
"I have to go my parents are picking us up," Penny said.
"See you tomorrow Penny and Layla," Maggie said.
the two girls leave the cafe.
"Sebastian, is your folks picking you up?" Liam said.
"They text me. they going to be late," Sebastian said.
Liam turn to me, "what about you?"
"I take the bus."
"you don't own a car?" Sebastian ask.
"Not really."
"isn't it easier?"
"no, there's parking and gas. I can't do that."
I can feel Sebastian is judging me.
Why do I feel intimade by this high school boy?
"there's my ride. Bye Liam. Bye Maggie."
Sebastian leaves the cafe.
"Wow, rude kid." I thought.
"Forgive Sebastian," Maggie said.
"it's okay, I deal with people like that everyday," I said.
"Isn't that tiring?" Maggie said.
"it's not my choice," I said.
"You have the right to speak," Liam said.
Seriously, why are they all of sudden lecturing me?
"What kind of fiance is he like, Maggie" I ask changing the subject.
Liam didn't like that seeing his expression when I brought up her fiancé.
"Oh my, already gossiping." Maggie giggle. "What have the girls told you?"
"Nothing much," I answer.
" Did they tell you he's a doctor?"
"what! really! how you two meet?"
"well.....It's been two years or maybe more. I lost count. He took care of me when I was injured. He help me through the tough times. He was there for 24/7."
"That's so sweet."
Maggie was happy talking about her fiancé. Liam had uncomfortable expression on his face that he can tell he hates when he talks about him.
I felt bad for Liam. He truly loves her.
Someone enters the café hearing a bell.
"honey, I cam-"
My eyes widened.
"Honey!" Maggie walks over to him giving him a hug and a peck on the cheek. "This is Jake, my fiancé"
Jake was stun. I was shock that the boss I work for is going to be marry to my ex-boyfriend.
I think I'm going to be sick.
[Is your heart hurting, heroine?]