Three years later...
The cafe was bustling with activity, the sound of the espresso machine whirring and the chatter of customers filling the air. Amidst the chaos, a young girl stood behind the counter, taking orders with a smile.
"Hi there! What can I get for you today?" she asked, her voice bright and cheery.
A man stepped up to the counter, looking over the menu. "Can I get a cappuccino, please?" he finally said.
"Absolutely!" the girl replied, scribbling the order down on a notepad. "Would you like that hot or iced?"
"Hot, please."
"Great choice!" she exclaimed. "And would you like to add any flavors or syrups to that?"
The man thought for a moment. "Hmm, how about some vanilla syrup?"
"Sounds delicious!" the girl said, writing down the additional order. "Is there anything else I can get for you today?"
"No, that's it, thank you," the man replied.
"Alright, your total comes to $4.50. I'll have that ready for you in just a minute. Thank you for choosing our cafe!" the girl said, ringing up the order.
As the man stepped aside to wait for his drink, the girl turned to the next customer in line, her smile never faltering. It was a busy day at the cafe, but she took each order with care and attention, making sure every customer left happy and satisfied.
"Nova!" a voice called out from across the cafe. The girl turned to see her coworker, a middle-aged woman, Sandra, with a warm smile.
"Yes?" Nova replied, making her way over.
"The manager needs to see you in her office," her coworker said, her expression serious.
Nova nodded, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She had been working at the cafe for several months now, ever since she had quit the job at the Smiths'. The owner of the shop, an elderly woman named Mrs. Kim, had taken her under her wing from the very beginning, treating her like a granddaughter.
The woman wasn't getting old, her health condition was deteriorating yet she is still as determined as ever, it worried Nova most time yet Nonna, as she calls her never failed to tell her things were going to be okay.
She's the one family Nova has ever had, the thought of losing her gave Nova nightmares.
Nova made her way to the back of the cafe, where Mrs. Kim's office was located. As she knocked on the door, she couldn't help but smile.
"Come in," Nonna's voice called out.
Nova took a deep breath and opened the door. Nonna was sitting behind her desk, a serious expression on her face.
"Nova, I'm glad you're here," she said, motioning for her to take a seat. "I have some news for you."
Nova's heart raced as she sat down. What could it be?
Her tune didn't sound pleasing not to talk of her expression.
"Nonna, what's wrong?" Nova asked, sensing that something was off as soon as she walked in. Nonna, who was usually so cheerful and welcoming, looked like she had been crying.
"Oh, Nova," Nonna said, her voice shaking. "I have some terrible news."
Nova sat down across from her, her heart racing. What could have happened?
"The property that this cafe is on...it's being demolished," Nonna said, tears streaming down her face. "The land that I inherited belongs to a very influential family, and they've decided they want to build something else here."
Nova's heart sank as she listened to her words. She couldn't believe that something like this was happening. The cafe had become such an important part of her life, and now it was going to be destroyed.
"I'm so sorry, Nonna," Nova said, "This is terrible news."
She nodded, wiping away her tears. "I know. I'm devastated. This place has been my life for so many years. But there's nothing we can do. I've already received a warning that we need to evacuate the place within the week."
Nova's heart raced as she realized that they didn't have much time. They needed to figure out what they were going to do next.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Nova asked, her mind racing. "Anything at all?"
Nonna smiled weakly. "Just being here with me is enough, my dear. I don't know what I would do without you. You've become like a granddaughter to me."
Nova felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to Nonna words. She had never had a grandmother of her own, and the thought that she had become that person for Nonna was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
"I'll do whatever I can to help, Nonna," Nova said, her voice shaking. "I promise."
"Nonna, who is the influential family that's taking over the property?" Bella asked, her voice shaking.
Nonna sighed deeply. "It's the Smith family. They've been trying to buy up properties all over the city for years. I never thought they'd come after this place."
Bella's heart dropped as soon as she heard the name. The Smith family was notorious for buying up properties and then bulldozing them to build something else. She couldn't believe that they were going to destroy the cafe.
"Smith? As in Adam Smith?" Bella asked, her thoughts turning to him. He had come from a wealthy family, and she couldn't help but wonder if he was somehow involved.
Nonna nodded, her eyes sad. "Yes, that's the one. I'm sorry, Bella. I know how much this place means to you."
Bella felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She couldn't believe that Adam's family is going to be responsible for destroying the cafe. It felt like a betrayal.
What more do they want? As though working in that hell hole wasn't enough they had to come after her life again.
And Adam, don't even get her started.
"I can't believe this is happening," Bella said, her voice shaking. "I feel like everything is falling apart."
Nonna reached across the table and took Bella's hand. "I know, my dear. But we'll get through this. We'll find a way to keep the spirit of this place alive, no matter what happens."
Bella nodded, feeling a sense of determination rising within her. She wasn't going to let the Smith family destroy everything that Nonna had built.
"We'll fight this, Nonna," Bella said, her voice firm. "I promise you that."
Bella took a mental note to stop by the Smith's company the next day. She wasn't backing down without a fight. She couldn't let them bulldoze the cafe and destroy everything that they had built.
"What's on your mind, Bella?" Nonna asked, noticing the determined look in her granddaughter's eyes.
Bella brushed off the question. "Oh, nothing."
Nonna wasn't convinced, but she didn't push the issue. "Don't think too hard, my dear. You'll give yourself a headache."
Bella smiled, grateful for her grandmother's concern. "Thanks, Nonna. Have you taken your asthma pills today?"
Mrs. Kim nodded, patting the inhaler in her pocket. "Yes, I have. Don't worry about me, Bella. You have enough to worry about."
Bella nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility settling on her shoulders. She was going to fight for the cafe, no matter what it took.
Bella felt anxious about going to the Smith's company. She wasn't ready to meet Adam again. She had put him in the past, and she wanted nothing to do with him. But for Nonna, she was willing to go and talk things through. She couldn't let him bulldoze the cafe.
As she thought about the meeting, Bella realized that she wasn't sure how she was going to handle seeing Adam again. She had put him behind her, and she didn't want to open old wounds. But she knew that she had to be strong for Nonna.
She couldn't let the cafe be destroyed. It was a part of her family's history, and it meant too much to them. She was going to do everything in her power to save it, even if it meant facing Adam again.
Bella took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She knew that she had to be strong, no matter what happened. And she was willing to do whatever it took to save the cafe.
Bella took another deep breath and stood up from the couch. She knew that she couldn't let the letter from the Smith's company get the best of her. She had to take action and do whatever it took to save the cafe.
She walked over to the door and flipped the sign to "closed." It had been a long day, and she was ready to go home. She turned off the lights and locked the door behind her.
As she walked out of the cafe, she was greeted by the warm summer air. The sun was just starting to set, and the sky was painted with a beautiful orange and pink hue. Bella took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. It was times like these that made her feel grateful for the little things in life.
Bella walked down the street towards Nonna's house. Nonna lived just a few blocks away, and Bella had sent her home to get some rest earlier ago, she need much rest as she could especially after the issue in hand
The thought of meeting him after so many years unnerved her.