Chapter 2 A new person

Walking into the empty coffeehouse, the first person I see is Mr. Hemsworth, my boss. The owner of the coffeehouse. Unlike my former employees, Mr. Hemsworth is a bit different. Though he is harsh at times but in a way, still caring.

"How was your weekend?" He asks, as he looked up from the papers he was working on.

"It was as usual. A normal one." I say while grabbing on the apron we tie around our waist.

"Remember that the customers are always... " he said with a serious expression. And i interrupt with a fake smile.

"They are always right and i will do my best" I say and walk away to get started for the day. Putting up the sign 'open now'.

My boss was soon out of the picture and my other co-worker rushes in but not before peeping to be sure Mr. Hemsworth won't see. She apologizes for late coming and begs me not to let our boss know. I'm not wicked. She is lucky he didn't stay out.

While we are taking our places, the bell dings as the first customer walks in, he is light skinned and of average height.

"Good morning to you sir and welcome to Hems Coffeehouse. What do you want?" I say as he walked closer.

"Can I get two cups of iced cappuccino, pretty lady?" He orders with a bright smile plastered on his handsome face and I raise my brow at him, then smile dryly at his week attempt to flirt.

"Two cup of iced cappuccino in a minute." And talking no time, i hand the two cups over, "Here it is... Sir, it 10 bucks."

"Thanks." He drops off the money on the desk before leaving.

The next customer came in. He didn't say a word to any of us until he sits on one of the empty chairs with both hands placed on the table.

"Do not worry, i will attend to him." Ketty says and i nod.

Just as usual, people started coming in. Those who wish to have a lone time or waiting for someone, sat on the chairs available.

Even our break time is so short that sometimes, we are yet to finish eating before our time goes up. And then, the stress of going up and down the Coffeehouse, continues.

"Here we go again." I mutter after checking the time.

Minutes passed and then hours, and finally, it was time to close. As the last customer for the day left, Mr. Hemsworth stated praising.

"Nice one, you two. We made a good sale today. If we keep working like this then we would surely be able to save this coffeehouse." Mr. Hemsworth says to me and since I'm too tired to talk, I reply him with a weak smile.

However, today is my turn to lock the doors to the coffeehouse and hand over the key to Hemsworth who was waiting in a nearby bar.

I decide to walk home, since I didn't have enough to get a cab.

"Hey girlfriend, you are home late." Kendra says, looking so cheerful than usual.

"Why so excited? What is it?" I ask as I collapse my weak into the sofa without even caring to take my shoes off.

"Girl, I just had the best day ever!" Stops after scanning me, "But damn, you look exhausted.... Go take a shower then we can talk about our day, and also I made us dinner, your favorite mashed potatoes with grilled cheese and steak." She adds, walking around in her pink short and big white polo.

"You must have had a really exciting day" I manage to forge a smile. Getting up from the sofa, i walk straight to my room to take my clothes off and head into the shower.

A few minutes after, I walk out of the bathroom and put on my nightwear as fast as possible, and curiously heading to the sitting room to hear all about Kendra's exciting day.

"Here you go," Kendra says, handing me a plate of food as she sits on the opposite sofa with her plate of food.

"You won't believe who just asked me out." She exclaims while blushing.

"The guy from the boutique?" I ask dryly.

"Well, yeah" she says, a bit disappointed at my great memory. From the look of things, she wanted to tell me herself and not me getting it right.

I drop down my spoon, "But girl, you've known him for how long exactly? Two days?"

"Sometimes Anastasia, you just have to let life lead, and maybe it'll give you someone you would never expect who could heal your heart" she says sternly as she walks out of the sitting room.

"I didn't mean to judge, I'm sorry" I mutter, but Kendra has already banged the door to her room.

I finally let the voice in my head that is asking me to go apologize to Kendra win and I knock on her door, but there's no reply. So I go ahead to say it anyway, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings Kendra, I just don't want you getting hurt by anyone because you think that's who life has given to you. It's a fucked up world sis and I just don't want you being entangled with the wrong people. I really hope you understand where I'm coming from. I didn't mean to sound judgmental. I'm genuinely sorry."

"It's alright Anastasia, I'm fine, but I just need tonight to myself" Kendra says from inside her room.

"Goodnight" I mutter and head to my room which was in the opposite direction.

"Maybe I should let myself heal instead of thinking everyone is fucked up" I say to myself and close my eyes as I finally drift into sleep.

The following day, my daily routine started again, "Hello pretty lady, may I get two iced cups of cappuccinos please" the guy from the other day says, smiling at me.

"Good morning to you Mr. pretty lady, two cups of iced coffee and cappuccinos coming up" I smile dryly at him.

"Funny, the name is Stewart" he says calmly.

"Hey Stewart, I'm Anastasia and here are your two cups of iced cappuccino" I say it as usual.

Before I could say anything, Stewart brings out 20 bucks and hands it over to me. Stunned at the silly mistake that Stewart made and gives 10 bucks back to him. He says it's for being a pretty lady. He is trying so much to flirt me.

"Thank you and have a nice day Stewart" I say, trying to hide the inner joy in me.

"Want to hang out later?"

"Umm, I'll think about what you mean by later" I smile.

"Alright see you later" he smiles and walks away.

The day runs by slowly, and I fall asleep on my chair due to our lack of customers unlike the previous day.

"Excuse me" Kendra says, waking me up.

"Yes... yes... I promise I wasn't sleeping, just meditating" I say, rubbing the sleep away from my eyes just to find out that it is Kendra, "it's just you," I hiss.

Kendra and I haven't spoken since the event that occurred last night, and I didn't have the balls to meet her since I was the one at fault.

"Well, sleeping on duty? don't you think I should tell?" Kendra asks while smiling mischievously.

"Tell me what's brewing in that head of yours" I say with a smirk.

"I just wanted hot chocolate and decided the perfect place to get one is here, where my sister works" She smiles and it's her way of saying I've been forgiven.

"You know I didn't mean what I said to you last night, I was being judgmental, and I apologize for it" I need to be sure that I've been forgiven.

"I promise, I'm good girlie, don't worry about it" She says.

"You sure?" I ask Kendra after giving her the hot chocolate she asked for, "and don't worry about payment, let it be my treat to you" I add as I see her opening her bag.

"Trust me girl, I wasn't going to pay for it" She brings out her phone instead.

"This bitch" I say and we both stared laughing.

"I'll be on my way now. Do have a good day and I'll see you in few hours" she says, leaving.

"Bye girlie, love you too" I yell.

"Love you" she yells back in between giggles.