6 Vol. 1-05: Roast, Brew and Drink

Aunika stood up and slammed the check onto the table. Whatever Mr. Davidson was involved in, she didn't want to be a part of it.

Mr. Davidson nearly jerked off his seat. He slid the check towards him and read the contents. His eyes fidgeted. "How do I know this won't bounce in the bank?"

'I should have known.' Aunika gritted her teeth and flashed him a false smile. "Then, come find me in three days."

She left some money on the table for the food and walked out of the bar. Rain had started pouring outside. Aunika grabbed her coat from the rack and shrugged it on. Using her bag as a shield, She ran to the nearest shelter which was a tent of a restaurant nearby. The security guard handed her a towel and she thanked him.

Inside the bar, Mr. Davidson wiped off the sweat on his forehead. This wasn't going as planned. Aunika couldn't have that much money left. She should have been begging for him not to pull out his investment. Her business should be at rock bottom.

He shook his head and dropped his thoughts. Aunika acted impulsively just now. She may have seemed confident but the results should come around soon.

But—Mr. Davidson lifted the check to his eye level. She had it ready even before he came. Was she really being rash?

Aunika made it to the end of the street where a

coffee shop stood. Glancing at the yellow sign, she recognized the name and decided to go inside. Across the street, a silver Bentley Continental GT waited by the curb. Cal leaned against the door with his back turned towards the cafe and holding an umbrella over his head.

He lifted a cigarette to his lips.

Bliss rushed into his veins.

The cafe was warm much to Aunika's delight. She pulled off her coat to let it dry on the stand. The tips of her brown hair dripped with rain water. She groaned and twisted it together so she could hide inside her neck collar.

"Three iced americanos and one hot espresso," Hugo ordered at the register. He checked the pastry display. Dion would sulk if he didn't buy a croissant. Then, Louis would accuse him of playing favorites so he also ordered a macadamia cookie.

The sound of a grunt caught Hugo's attention. Spotting Aunika's drenched state, he offered his handkerchief. "Oh, here."

Aunika stared at it for a few seconds. 'To accept or not to accept?' That was the question. Deciding not to seem rude, she took the handkerchief from him. "Thank you."

Then, she headed for the restroom.

Hugo stiffened, his hand hanging in mid-air, even after Aunika left. He twisted his neck over his shoulder but she had vanished from sight. The wires in his brain sizzled with hyperactivity.

She was the spitting image of the desktop wallpaper! Hugo found himself at a stand still, lost on what to do next. He probably should get her name… That should be the first step, yes.

One leg moving forward, a new variable to the situation came along and stumped Hugo once more.

"You have to be the only assistant in the world to make your boss wait by the car like a chauffeur while you order inside the warm cafe," Cal remarked as he stepped inside and stayed by the door. He held the umbrella like a cane.

"C-C-Cal—" Hugo choked.

"Why do you like you've seen a ghost?"

"Your order's ready," the barista announced at the pick-up lane. She pushed a tray with a paper bag and a four-cup carrier on it.

"Here. Let me take it." Cal smiled at the barista who averted her gaze. He used one hand to carry them. Then, he nudged Hugo with his elbow. "You look so pale. People might think I'm abusing my employees."

Using the same elbow, Cal pushed Hugo towards the door. The latter's legs moved robotically. Cal opened the umbrella as soon as they reached outside.

"Ca-Cal—" Hugo attempted again while pointing a thumb over his shoulder.

"What?! Spit it out, geez," Cal yelled. His patience was wearing thin. Hugo wasn't illiterate. He knew how to speak. What was so hard for him to say?

"T-The—"

A ringtone cut off the speech. Cal shoved the umbrella for Hugo to hold. He reached into his pocket and grimaced at the caller ID.

"Hello?" Cal listened attentively, his expression worsening for every second that passed by. "We're heading over now."

He pocketed his phone and stood behind Hugo to give him a good kick to the leg. "Get a move on or I'm leaving you behind."

Aunika splashed water onto her face. She gripped the sides of the sink and stared at her reflection. There should be enough money left to last them a few more months. She'd come up with a solution by then—she HAD to.

The restroom door opened to reveal a half-decent Aunika. She took a deep breath and headed for the register. "Is Mr. Darcy here today?"

"Is that Aunika in my coffee shop today?" Another voice answered her. A tall man with brunette hair appeared from the storage room. He smiled at Aunika, revealing his dimples. "Hey, Aunika."

His olive green eyes narrowed after noticing her state. "Why are you wet?"

"Got caught in the rain…?" Aunika replied sheepishly. She picked one of the stools on the counter to sit and pressed her lips together. "Can I have some coffee please, Daniel?"

Daniel exhaled sharply. He tapped a staff employee on the shoulder and said, "Get some spare clothes in the back. I'll make the coffee."

"Oh, there's no need for—" Aunika began to protest but Daniel stared her down.

"What kind of a man am I if I let a woman walk out of the shop in damp clothes?" He started operating the espresso machine, also taking over the orders for the other customers. His hands moved without missing a beat. "You'll catch a cold and it will be in my conscience."

"Coffee is enough though."

Daniel snorted, setting a large coffee mug in front of her. "You say that everyday, rain or shine."

"Because it's true."

Aunika lifted the mug with both hands to her lips. She inhaled the nutty aroma and sipped. The hot beverage warmed up her insides, proving her point. She couldn't even tell she got drenched in the rain anymore.

The staff worker came back with a uniform set and handed it to Aunika. The latter thanked her, putting the clothes aside. They could wait until she finished her coffee. Daniel finished the last order he was making and handed the job back to his employee. He joined Aunika, resting both arms on the counter.

"So how did you end up in the rain?"

"It's sort of a long story…" Aunika hesitated but told him everything in the end.

By the time she finished, Daniel had a forbidding look on his face. "Uncle did that?"

Aunika could only nod with her gaze on the coffee. Mr. Davidson was Daniel's uncle on his mother's side. It was how the two of them met. After his uncle invested, Daniel had visited the shop to assess it himself. What he saw surprised him—in a pleased type of way.

"I mean, the business isn't doing that well as I hoped so… it was probably time for him to pull out." The words hit Aunika colder than the rain. She understood business needed time to grow but she soon realized it was hard to keep motivation and morale high.

Her fingers rotated the mug clockwise.

"Not doing that well?" Daniel pulled out a card from his breast pocket. "Look what I have here?"

Aunika read it as he continued to speak. "A lady wanted to know where I got this gorgeous set of daffodils on the windowsill. She gave me her card and asked me to give it to you... because she needs a florist for her daughter's wedding in a few months."

"Oh my gods! Daniel, I love you!" Aunika exclaimed, the biggest smile on her face. The sun had shone despite the dreary weather. She looked for a secure place to hide the card. "This is great! Thank you so much!"

Daniel swallowed a lump in his throat. Unfortunately, it didn't go away as intended. He noticed the clothes on the counter and nudged them towards Aunika. "I know, I know. I'm amazing. Now, go change."

"Yes, sir!" Aunika practically leaped off her seat with the clothes in her arms. She had a spring in her steps as she left for the restroom once more. Daniel sighed, taking a sip from her coffee mug.

"Aren't we not allowed to eat or to drink customer leftovers?" His barista sniggered.

Daniel shot a glare in her direction. "Get back to work."

"Yes, sir!"

He shook his head and put the mug down. They would be teasing him for weeks over this—as the wimp who couldn't make his move. It was going to be hell and he did not look forward to it.

Although Daniel didn't know it, two people would have gladly taken his place instead of what they were going through.