13.0 What The Heart Wants

It was the weekend so Eloise was working in the café like usual. Hank noticed that she was slightly different such as she kept checking her phone and her dressing also became more fashionable. The Eloise he knew was always casually dressed when she came for work.

"Did you get a boyfriend?" asked Hank - straight to the point. Flustered, Eloise did not know how to respond. She just nodded shyly. "I knew it! You have been checking your phone every 15 minutes. Also, you are not wearing your usual tee and jeans. Plus, you put on more make-up and even did your hair," pointed out Hank. That was when Eloise noticed she might have dolled herself a little bit too much to work. "Well, I totally get it. You might bump into your boyfriend at work, or his friends. Just don't forget your priorities, Eloise Washington, or I will deduct your pay," said Hank who teased her. That evening, before her shift ended, she saw the lady that was with Nikolai the other day. She came over to the café again. Eloise tried to be professional. "May I take your order?" she asked. "One matcha latte and matcha cookie. Thank you," Jesse ordered. Eloise prepared her order but she kept eyeing the lady from time to time. She was being wary of her and even wondered about her relationship with Nikolai.

"Hello? Yeah, I am at the café we came to last time," Jesse said as she answered the phone. "Here is your order, miss," said Eloise who had finished preparing her order. "Thank you," she said and walked to her table. With a curious heart, Eloise wanted to know if she was talking to Nikolai. "You can leave now. Aren't you meeting up with Katherine?" said Hank who reminded her to clock off. "I was just about to leave. Thanks again, boss!" she replied as she grabbed her bag and left. Sadly, she did not get to see who was the person she was waiting for since she needed to leave for her dinner date with Katherine. About 10 minutes after she left the café, Nikolai arrived. "Here!" said Jesse as she waved. "Are you that bored?" he asked as he approached her. "I don't have anyone to spend time with. Casey is busy with his own things," she replied with a sigh. "Here you go," said Hank who served an espresso shot for Nikolai. "Thank you, Hank. How is business? I didn't see you here the last time I came," said Nikolai. "I was probably out running some errands. My part-timer is really good so I feel at ease to leave the shop to her," he replied.

"You mean the pretty girl at the counter? She is really polite and diligent," said Jesse. "If you don't come, she won't have to work so hard," said Nikolai as a joke. "No, that won't be good for me. Please come often, Ms. Harrington," said Hank. "How is Pierre doing by the way?" Hank asked after they had a good laugh. "Pierre is fine. Just busy with the company," replied Nikolai. "Aren't you going to help out? You are gifted to run a company you know," said Jesse, a successful businesswoman herself. "I don't like it," replied Nikolai. "You'll end up like this person if you choose to do what you like instead of what you are good at," said Jesse. "Excuse me! This café is doing very well!" said Hank who felt hurt by her words. With a smirk, Nikolai replied "I will follow my heart. I have decided to do that the moment I left home."