Adelaide's P.O.V
As I was working on a few drafts I heard my phone's notification bell. Looking down I saw the screen reflecting a message from Mr Riccardo. Grabbing my phone from the table, I unlocked it to check the message which read:
"Sorry for leaving so abruptly yesterday Ms Adelaide. Sofia, my daughter as you know, had to leave for Sorrento immediately as her husband hurt himself. Thank you for collecting the beans in my stead and I'm terribly sorry for causing you unnecessary trouble. Thought I'd let you know that I'll be opening the cafe from tomorrow."
Feeling despondent upon reading Mr Riccardo's message, I sent him a short and simple reply mentioning how he needn't have to apologise or thank me in the matter and that I wished his son-in-law a speedy recovery.
Sighing at the unfortunate events that took place, I continued to work on my drafts.
-NEXT DAY-
I had updated Benjamin on Mr Riccardo as he too seemed concerned about what had happened and now I stood facing the cafe on this bright sunny morning. It was 7 o'clock at present and I couldn't for the love of God understand why I chose to be here so early. My last night's motivation had died down the moment I heard my alarm ring at 5 a.m. I wanted to help Mr Riccardo set up for Day One so bad but now I doubted if I would even be of any help in my sleep-deprived state.
The door to the cafe wasn't locked indicating that Mr Riccardo was already present inside. Trying to bring back my enthusiasm I slapped myself, with just the right amount of pressure, on both my cheeks at the same time before walking in with a fresh mind and body.
Walking in I noticed how the chairs were on the table, just like me and Benjamin had left them and required to be set up. Upon hearing a few noises from the store room I made my way to it. Nearing it, I noticed Mr Riccardo's figure. He seemed to be checking on the coffee beans that had arrived. Not wanting to scare him, I gently knocked on the open door to let him know of my presence. Slowly I saw him turn with a confused expression on his face until he probably finally recognised me.
"Adelaide checking in for help!" -I chirped as I flashed him a smile.
"Help with?" -He came back at me as he left the beans bag and approached me.
"Setting up for Day One ofcourse!"
"But that won't be necessary. I can handle this on my own." -He replied with a smile and motion that felt like he wanted me out of the room.
"Why handle it alone when I am here to help?" -I spoke not wanting Mr Riccardo to tire himself out.
"But you must have work."
"No worries! My work hours start from 9!"
And just like that, I dropped my bag at the cafe's central counter and grabbed the mop and soon started mopping the hall. By the time I was done throwing away the dirty water from the mop bucket, the floor had dried and I moved onto setting the chairs by the tables. Looking up at the birds flying as the sun became more clearer in the sky I spoke to myself.
"Maybe an early start ain't that bad."
After taking a deep breath of the fresh air in this early morning I made my way back into the cafe. Mr Riccardo was roasting the beans while I took a seat by the counter.
"Anything else I can help with?" -I spoke as I reached out to my phone.
"You have already done more than you should have." -He replied without removing his attention from his work.
"I have barely done anything though." -I replied as I proceeded to check up on any important messages for the day. Seeing that I had none, I moved on and checked my social media accounts. As I was scrolling through some posts something caught my eye. Something very small, trivial but of high importance for 'Tackles'.
"We should get a logo for Tackles, what do you think Mr Riccardo?" -I showed him the post that caught my eye as I mentioned the logo to him.
"We wouldn't need that Adelaide." -He answered after glancing at the post.
"We might not as you said but, It'll be a good choice to get one!" -I really wanted to get a logo now that my mind had come across it. It could hold so many benefits for us! Especially during promotional events!
"Is it really necessary? I mean don't the big brands have logos?"
"Not necessarily, after all any one can get a logo as long as it doesn't already exist."
Since I got no reply after that, I understood I had convinced him enough and so I had already started looking for people I could contact regarding this.
I didn't realise how much time had actually passed until Mr Riccardo placed a hot steamy cup of coffee beside me and knocked on the table pulling me out of my phone.
"It's 8:15 Adelaide."
Astonished by his words and that lovely smell of coffee that accelerated my mind, I took a quick look at the time and thanked Mr Ricardo for the coffee. I carefully drank the coffee which tasted different but totally to my liking.
"Mmnnn." -I hummed taking another pleasurable sip of the coffee whose taste I somehow couldn't precisely pin point but it sure made my spirits high.
Giving up on guessing the secret ingredient of this heavenly liquid I catechized the maker.
"What did you add in this?" -I'm sure my face looked very confused as I questioned Mr Riccardo. He looked a little worried but then soon replied.
"Cinnamon. Why, do you not like it? Should I get a fresh cup for you?"
His hands sure were fast for his age as he quickly reached out for my cup which I quickly held in my palm.
"No! I didn't mean it that way. It's just that the small change in the coffee felt really good. It was as though, this was the type of coffee I should be having. The small difference felt astonishingly good to the point that I'm surprised Cinnamon caused it. I'm blabbering too much ain't I?"
I stopped myself by awkwardly sipping on the coffee that was slowly getting cold.
"I wouldn't have thought you would like it so much." -Mr Riccardo replied as he laughed.
"You truly should try our menu. Seems like you're going to have a hard time choosing your favourite in the future."
"I'll look forward to it then!"
It was as though on queue that I finished the coffee headed towards the sink and after years of bickering finally washed my cup on my own and said my goodbyes to Mr Riccardo for the day.
In no time, luckily, I reached my office and started working on my routine yet adventurous tasks for the day.
As time flew by, night came and provided me with my clocking out time.