Earth.
A distant time and place.
Rachel is a klutz… she showed me that no matter how smart and educated you may be, you can still be such a dumbass…
So many broken cups… Why did I not use plastic and carton cups from the start? I guess I was too engrossed in making this café authentic to think about how my employees can be… clumsy.
I did hire three more. Decent people. They can multitask and all that. I needed people like this so I could focus on what I can offer in this place.
"Boss! Good morning!" The staff greeted me as we opened the shop for the day. I earned their respect by being a good boss, I guess. Giving them more money than they can get anywhere else, 2 off days a week. Generally being a decent human being can go along way with people.
I smiled while nodding. And in the corner of my eye, I saw Rachel reading a thick book of some kind. Should be a medical book, I guess.
Dawn came, and with it, rays of sunlight shone upon her pretty face. Rachel had that air headed look about her that made you want to protect her… She was naïve and innocent…
Black hair with two pigtails resting on her shoulders. Those thick glasses made her the epitome of a nerdy girl. And how she pouts while reading her books…
She complained to me about how she had difficulties befriending people. Alarm bells went off in my head when I heard that. Something inside of me made me want to protect this stupid little girl from making a huge mistake!
So, I offered her tips in how to befriend girls of her age.
Unfortunately… She never made a single friend…
So, she opted to make me her friend instead.
I wasn't really against it… But I was her boss as well…
"Good morning, Rachel. Why aren't you at school?" I asked as I sat in front of her.
Rachel shook a little. But when she saw me, she smiled widely…
"Well… My classes will start at noon. So, I figured I could study here. Can i?" Rachel tilted her head in a cute manner. I smirked a little. She knows I won't say no.
"Sure you can, Silly. Just tell me when your classes start so I can drive you there. Deal?"
Rachel nodded enthusiastically. I smiled and went back to work.
It wasn't the first time we rode together. I felt pity for her and I was bored sitting ducks in the café. And now that I have dependable people, I can afford to slack and fuck around.
Been a year like this now. It was a good routine.
I drove her to the university. And went back to my café.
It was a quiet day. People come and go. We serve them and return back to our chores. Time passed as I sipped my coffee and surfed the web.
"Come on mom! The reviews for this place are pretty good! Im sure you'll like your black coffee here!"
I looked at the new customers, a woman in a business suit with a skirt, her little girl wearing a bright yellow sundress. Seems to be in her early teens. She had her mother's blonde hair, but she had these remarkably blue eyes.
"Welcome to moonlight café, what can I get ya?" I opened my notepad and started waiting for them.
The girl looked at me with bright eyes "I know what I want! Ahhh~! Mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino!"
"Black coffee." Her mother coldly said.
"Come one mom live a little! I think they also have pumpkin spice Frappuccino as well!" the girl looked back at me "Right?"
"Of course! But… it's okay if your mother doesn't want to taste our Frappuccino. Our black coffee is good enough. Now, anything else? We got donuts?"
The girl pouted at me and her mother. I couldn't help but chuckle.
The girl blushed a little. Confusion clear on her face. "W-Why are you laughing? S-Stop laughing at me…"
Wow.
Too dramatic, aren't you?
Her mother looked at me coldly. I sighed, then got down to her level. " I'm not laughing at you, silly~. I couldn't help it because you're cute, okay? How about I get you a cheesecake on the house to make it up to you?"
The girl looked at me with her moist eyes. She smiled sweetly at me…
Was I scammed?
Doesn't matter, she's cute.
I went back to the kitchen to make their drinks. Done so and went back to the little family.
"Here you go! One Mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino, and one black coffee. lastly, a slice of cheesecake. Enjoy." I served with a smie. Then went back to the counter, waiting for more customers.
Man… getting stared at by a little girl… it's creepy…
Every time she takes a bite of the cake… she stares at me and smiles widely… she keeps giggling to herself.
I guess the cheesecake is that good huh.
*Ring~ Ring~*
*Ring~ Ring~*
My phone rang.
Must be Rachel.
"Hey, Richie. Its still early for me to take you. What is it?"
"… Can you… pick me up?" Rachel sounded upset. I sighed…
"Sure… stay where I left you like every time."
"… Thank you…" then she hung up.
Whats wrong with her?
I shrugged and got up. Just when I was about to exit after informing the workers, the little girl came between me and the door.
"M-My name is Jenny! And im in the 8th grade in middle school! W-Whats your name?" Jenny was blushing crimson. Twiddling her thumbs while looking up at me with expectant eyes.
I smiled a little. "Hello Jenny from middle school. My name is Joe! And this here is my café. Would love to see again here." I gave Jenny my most courteous smile.
I exited, leaving Jenny to her own devices. Rachel seems to be really upset out there. I hope she's okay…
.
..
...
Jenny's POV
'Hehe~! He's so dreamy~"
Jenny thought as she slowly ate her cheesecake. A sweet smile formed on her lovely face as she remembered Joe's chuckle and him calling her silly.
For some reason or another, Jenny found her first crush in the owner of a café.
"You're being weird… Jenny…" Jenny scowled at her mother, taking her out of the mood.
"I'm just… whatever mom…" Jenny ignored her mother's observation and returned to savoring her cheesecake. The same sweet appeared back on her face.
'Hehe~! It's so delicious~"