Chapter Five

Lance

The smell of freshly steeped jasmine tea invaded my nostrils as I stood firmly in front of the cash register, handing the tray to the old wrinkled lady who just ordered. I tried my best to smile as radiant as possible even though underneath the cloak of happiness, I was feeling the entire opposite. I woke up this day feeling rather sad and I don’t even know the reason why.

My day job as a barista required having to put on a constant bright smile to encourage customers and bring such happiness to their day. I guess that’s too much for me for today. I used to take pleasure on smiling at random strangers when I first worked here a few years ago but over time, it became tiring and almost monotonous. It’s obviously fake and even with my co-workers doing the same exact thing as me, I knew they also feel like shit sometimes.

Putting on a smile is one thing but having to put that curve on your face for hours while still feeling a different type of way is another thing.

"Here's your jasmine tea, ma'am. Freshly steeped, good for your health." Pushing myself to smile radiantly, I tried my best to speak in the most courteous way as I could towards the elderly who took the tray with a wide smile hanging on her wrinkled face.

"Aww thank you so much, my dear.” The old lady murmured and took a long hard look at me. “You are such a handsome young man! Tell me, do you have a girlfriend?" The lady asked carefully sticking her eyes out from the thick lenses of her glasses.

The thought of my tragic love life had swept over me and the feeling was just pitiful that it almost made me sick on the inside.

"Uhm… I’m still very much single, hehehe." I replied faking an awkward and uncomfortable chuckle.

"Oooh, that’s so unfortunate for such a handsome man.” The old lady continued and although it’s not in her pure intentions to sound pitiful, it really came off like that. “I'm pretty sure there's a whole bunch of girls out there who wants to have a piece of what's down under there." The old woman added as she pointed her finger on my lower trunk following it up with a laughter.

The woman looked like she's already on her late 60's or possibly early 70's and she seemed like she grew up in a Christian neighborhood, but to hear her say that kind of innuendo made me cringe in the most uncomfortable yet funny way. I just laughed awkwardly in response as the lady continued to talk. "If I wasn't this old and crinkly, I would be down for that."

"Uhm. What?!" I spat and quickly looked around to see my co-workers hiding their own laughter. I couldn't even think of something respectful in response to this horny old lady.

"I'm just kidding, my dear. I see you are turning red but that’s fine. I hope you find someone as soon as possible." The elderly woman spat and didn’t even bother to wait for a response before scampering away.

"That was weird." I muttered under my breath as I watched the elderly carry the tray going to the table where another old lady was waiting for her.

I’ve been working here at Fidelitea for five years now and I’ve encountered many different types of customers. Most are just regular customers, regular tea lovers and just some random people who happen to be craving for some tea. Some customers are harshly rude, some are just plainly condescending, some are lonely, some of them doesn’t even know how to order and some are just a combination of all. There are also the Karens who thinks they own us. However, I will say this was the first time that I’ve encountered that old lady and her horny humor. If I wasn’t feeling down on myself today, I would’ve probably cracked and had a good banter with her but this was an off day for me.

The ambience inside Fidelitea café felt leisurely and relaxing just like a café should be. The pastel shades of green and purple were a good combination to make room feel even bigger.

Moments later, an extravagantly good-looking drag queen showed up in the doorway. She sophisticatedly edged her way towards the counter, her black casual maxi dress hugged her unbelievably curvaceous body. Well, it’s not actually unbelievable because I know those are just paddings keeping her shape at such a curvaceous silhouette. She looked remarkably tall even with her high stilettos clicking and clacking as she ushered herself towards me.

“You’re quite early today, huh?” I asked the familiar face of a regular customer and a friend of fine.

"Good afternoon, Lance. How are doing my love?" Like a beauty queen descending from a dais, she gently put her right hand up to a waving gesture and waved at me.

"Daniel!" I waved back purposely calling her out with her real name.

Daniel’s smile immediately became a frown which meant she doesn’t like what she heard from me. Daniel's make-up was always woman-like and strikingly on point perfectly matching his bronze skin, his chiseled cheekbones, and his eyes that are naturally pitch black. Her make-up is a masterpiece produced by his very own indecipherable talent. Even within this early hour of daylight still lurking, Daniel still looked breathtakingly amazing.

"Uhmmm, excuse my gorgeous face? I told you my name’s Dianna. D-I-A-N-N-A. Dianna Luxxxe and that’s with a triple x just like your favorite X-rated site.” Daniel or should I say Dianna, went on with her loud mouth. Somehow she was attracting the attention of the people having their coffee and tea. “How many times do I have to tell you to quit calling me Daniel when I'm this fabulous, alright?" Dianna followed up expressing his desire to be called Dianna when he’s in full drag regalia. He’s wearing the face of an angel but his voice was startlingly masculine even when he tries to tone it down. However, it was a breath of relief that the smile on his face was consciously modest, as though he sought to attract other hot men, and forcefully preempt their heart.

"Okay, fine. DIANNA, what can I do for you, miss thing?" I asked, accentuating her name Dianna just as articulate as she had mentioned it earlier. I spoke almost exhausted but I was certain that I was talking within my comfort zone. I’ve been friends with this guy even before she became a drag queen.

"I want to order the same shit. You already know that. I don’t have the time to be testing other stuff. No sugar and with extra pearls, please!" Dianna said playing with his long-ass fake nails. He began digging to his animal print hand bag while feeling the positive vibe that I was serving him.

"Coming right up. Still drinking pink milktea eh?" I quickly tapped the code on the keyboard and Dianna's order appeared on the computer screen hanging on the wall behind me.

"Of course, girl. I love drinking that bomb-ass pink milktea because it keeps on making me gayer and gayer, you know.” Dianna replied proudly flicking her expensive wig that’s made out of human hair.

“Oh, that is what making you gay?” I jested back.

“Exactly. You should try it sometimes.” Dianna replied.

“You know what?” I took a huge sigh, almost acting, before eventually giving my reply. “Maybe I should try it too.”

“Didn’t you say you were bisexual?” Raising her eyebrows, Dianna asked but she made her voice almost inaudible just to make sure I’m the only person who heard her query.

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“Oh biiiiitch! You should definitely try the pink milktea then and you’ll be sucking more cocks than me outside the parking lot in the next two weeks. Okuurrrrtt!!” Dianna exclaimed, popped her tongue and made this sound that she always does. It always reminded me of some rapper who loved to say whatever that was but I just couldn’t remember who. “Anyway. All jokes aside, who’s that new barista?” Dianna subsequently asked pointing at the buff barista behind me.

“That guy?” I pointed at the same guy as if Dianna hadn’t pointed him out already.

“Ahuh. That buff guy over there!”

“That’s Mike, our new barista.” I replied and Dianna’s eyes seemed to twinkle under those thick eyelashes.

“Oooooooh, Mike. Hmmmm. He be looking like a snack!” She was low-key squirming but then I had to cut her off.

“He’s straight.” I whispered and I thought Dianna would be madly disappointed but she gave me a smirk instead.

“That’s what everybody says.” She replied mimicking the way I whispered.

Dianna’s statement somehow made perfect sense. I instantly recalled Valentine Grande, a person I knew from high school and he used to say he’s straight. For the most part he was straight but that’s until he met Dominic Warren and everything just went into a curveball. I don’t know what those two are doing now but I know things didn’t end up well between them. Dominic just smashed Valentine’s heart into smithereens at our high school prom.

Mike rang the bell which meant Dianna’s order was ready.

"Pink Milktea, no sugar with lots of pearl!!" The buff barista voiced out and when I turned my back to grab the milktea, he winked pontifically at Dianna. I quickly turned my attention to Dianna and she just winked back at him.

“I told ya,” Dianna sucked a laugh as he handed his payment to me. “Keep the change, my love.”

“Wtf just happened?” I asked somehow confused.

"Okay, Good bye Mr. Terrible at relationship. See you later at the club." Dianna babbled out and then pranced her way out of the café.