CHAPTER 4

Latte

LOOKS can be really deceiving. My hands tightened, holding the tray with his latte coffee. My eyes were fixed on him when a girl approached her. He is now wearing eyeglasses whilst busy typing something on his laptop. He was like a programmed robot that automatically smiled at the girl.

Goodness. I wanna tell the girl to be careful because he's not the way she thinks he is. And the only thing that I could describe him now is he looks so kind. . . when he's definitely nothing but a wild, mad lion inside.

"Hey, Iris. Do you need a hand? You know what to do, right?" Maria then suddenly appeared in front of me.

I was stunned for a moment before I answered, "I got it."

She smiled. "That's nice to hear. Okay, let's get back to work."

I nodded and sighed when she left. I slowly walked towards him, the girl who approached her is sitting beside him, they're both looking at his laptop. Leon was pointing out on the screen when I reached his table. He didn't even dare to look and continued to do what he was doing.

I faked a cough. "Latte for Leon." I stopped and put his order down to his table attentively. "Enjoy, Sir."

"Thank you," the girl said instead of him, who's clearly unbothered by the situation.

I just smiled at the girl and peeked at his laptop. My forehead creased when I saw an architectural design on the screen. My mouth turned into an O-shape, I nearly forgot that he's an Architecture major and he's my senior. My eyes constantly roamed around his work, and I could say that he's professional at it and that's not a compliment, I am just stating the obvious.

"Do you need something?"

The sound of the keyboard was loudly heard before he finally turned his head up at me. He doesn’t look impressed, but he doesn't look mad as well. I swallowed hard and that's when I just realized that I was standing beside them for quite some time which is considered really rude as per Maria’s orientation especially when they didn't ask for assistance.

I was too stunned to speak. All I could do was let out a forced smile before I hurriedly vanished from his sight.

"Goddamn it! He really likes to embarrass me, huh? Fuck him!" I messed up my hair in disappointment.

I went straight to the personnel room after serving only one annoying person. I am just starting my job but I couldn’t take his face anymore. I want him out of this café. Why does he need to be a regular customer? There are several cafés in Washington, he could have just chosen another from there.

If I only have an option, I would definitely file a resignation letter now. Effective immediately!

"Iris! What are you doing here? I was looking for you everywhere."

I shut my eyes tightly when I heard Ivan barking. I sulked first before facing him with my usual expression. His hands were in his pocket while giving me a dagger look.

"I got thirsty," I reasoned out.

His eyes narrowed, hesitating with my rationality. "Really?"

"Yes. I'll go back to work now."

I walked past him and escaped his further investigation. Knowing him, he would not stop until I told him the truth, so might as well, go back to serving. My eyes, without controlling it, immediately darted at Leon's way. He's now alone, I wonder who the girl is?

"Iris! Serve this to that guest over there. We need to be quick, customers will landslide later after this rate." Maria professionally handed me the tray while I almost stumbled and almost fell on the floor.

"Alright."

I spent the rest of the hours serving orders, some were too demanding, always calling me for something while some were just quietly sipping on their coffee or eating pastas. Just like what Maria had anticipated, the customers, especially students and employees, increased in numbers inside the café. I couldn't feel my feet from standing for almost two hours straight.

The manpower is weak, there were only four of them here serving, taking orders, and cleaning tables alternately, while I only served, because that's what I was told to do for now. According to Maria, taking orders is not as easy as it may seem since some guests ask for the best sellers, recommendations, and others want details for their orders.

The time has passed by and it's already quarter to nine, Ivan already went home while I can only go home by ten. I haven't eaten anything yet even though Ivan left me some food to eat. I much prefer eating at home, I don't wanna look pathetic eating at the personnel room.

"Another Latte for Leon, serve it to him after it's done," Maria said and wrote something on her server pad.

I snorted. This is going to be his fourth cup of coffee, but he is still not leaving. Doesn't he have a house to stay at and do his projects? Or maybe he just really finds this place quiet and relaxing? Could he just leave?

I think Maria noticed my expression when I heard her chuckling. Since I don't wanna be perceived as rude by her, I changed my face into a delighted one real quick.

"Don't be surprised. He's always been like that, but it doesn't matter, because he's quite generous. His tips are no joke even though sometimes he stays here until midnight or as long as it isn't the closing time before he actually leaves."

My eyebrows met. "And why is that?" I asked in an inquisitive manner and slightly drew near her.

She shrugged. "The obvious reason is maybe his major."

"I mean, we have our own studio at Carlyle university," I blurted out. My eyes bored into him who's still busy in front of his laptop and then to his phone.

"Well, as you can see, he's very fond of our coffee, that's one of the reasons too. And another thing,” she stopped and carefully looked at both sides as if she had a secret to reveal. “I think he's also waiting for someone,” she murmured.

"Someone?" I was mystified. I could already feel the lines on my forehead.

Her lips turned into a pout as if she's remembering something. "Hmm, maybe his lover? Months ago, in the same situation, he left at exactly closing time and while I was on my way home, I saw him with a person behind him that’s obviously, I didn't quite see, and they were hugging each other. Of course, I came to the conclusion that it's his lover."

I nodded continuously. So, he already has a girlfriend? Maybe that girl earlier, isn’t it? Damn, this is a lot harder than the previous situation. How could I possibly get a kiss from him now? He also despises me as much as I do, so what's going to happen between us if I can't befriend him even if it's a fake one.

The sound of the bell cut our conversation. I got Leon’s latte, still thinking about Maria's encounter with him. I checked the time on my wrist watch before I marched towards him.

"Another latte for Leon—"

"I want some water," he cut me off.

"Yes. H-hold on."

I was just startled that he talked and made eye contact with me. He closed his laptop and put his things inside his bag. I went to the counter and asked for a glass of water.

"Here's your water—"

"I want warm water, not cold."

My jaw clenched when he didn't let me finish my words again. My eyes were bloodshot as I brought the cold water back from the table and changed it into a warm one. When I came back, my patience was only five percent and if he happened to change his mind again, it's gonna be a bloody war.

"Warm water—"

"No. My tongue suddenly wanted some hot water," he said and sneered.

My eyes twitched in irritation and my body burned with anger. I gritted my teeth as my hands shook from the tension inflaming within me. My heart is heavily pounding, while my chest is breathing up and down aggressively.

I didn't sign up for this. I don't deserve this.

"You son of a bitch!" I lashed out and gripped his collar.

His eyes widened in fear. The color of his face drained out when I took the latte and slowly poured it into his precious, beautiful face. I heard the loud gasp of the people around me, but I didn't care. All I think right now is revenge.

"No way!" he screamed and cried like a baby before my eyes.

I devilishly roared in winning laughter. In a spur of the moment, I felt something behind me before someone appeared in front of me, snapping her fingers repeatedly.

"Hey! Iris! Hello?! The warm water is ready!"

My soul came back to my senses. I immediately wandered my eyes around the café and saw everyone doing their own business, chit-chatting, and the likes. I looked at Leon and it made my forehead puckered.

What is happening? Was I just hallucinating? Where's the latte all over his body? Didn't I pour it. . . ?

"Sorry, Maria." I took the warm water and placed it on my tray.

"Hey, are you fine? Do you want to go home early?" she asked worriedly.

"N-no. I'm fine. Just thinking of something." I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Okay, then. Don't worry, your shift is done in half an hour."

I inhaled and deeply exhaled after. It was all in my head, a fucking imagination. Do I really hate him that much?

"Here's your warm water." I carefully put it on his table without saying or doing anything.

I shortly turned my back and stepped away to avoid my imagination from actually happening.

"Iris."

I froze when he called my name. I turned around to see him again. He wet his lips and I don't know why I became uneasy. The hell is happening? I should behave myself up or I'll beat him up.

"Yes? Do you need anything else?" I confirmed. Wondering if he just was mistaken for calling me.

"Come here," he commanded with an authoritative tone.

I did what I should as an employee and as he's a 'regular customer'. I went in front of him without complaining. I was waiting for him to speak, but the twat just looked at me. I checked the time on the big clock and saw that it's almost ten. He's taking so long and perfectly wasting my time.

"The check, please," he finally said after a long moment of silence.

Seriously? That's all he's going to say?

I coldly nodded. "Wait a sec."

Thank God, he's leaving and my shift's done. This wasn't included in my job yet, but it's a good thing to have an experience. After a few minutes, while I was just waiting for his receipts to pile up, everything was finally calculated. I just jogged on my way to him because I was so eager to go home. I handed him his check and went back to the counter wherein Maria still has orders to serve.

"You should have just told me that he asked for the check, Iris," she prompted.

I smiled a bit. "It's fine. I can do it."

"You sure— oh, he's leaving!"

I panicked. I didn't even know where to look but when I realized the table was empty, I turned to the entrance and saw him walking out of the café. I shook my head and proceeded to his place to take his payment.

"What?" My brows snapped together.

Something's not right. To resolve the puzzled look on my face, I went up straight to Maria who's busy talking to the baristas.

"Maria, I wanna ask something."

"Yes?"

"About Leon's payment, he paid more than his bill," I spat while Maria took the check and examined it.

His bill was only twenty-three bucks, but he gave me a hundred without claiming his change. Few seconds later, I just heard her enlightened chuckles. I folded my arms over my stomach, still waiting for an answer before Maria came to me, holding some money.

"Oh, it's a tip as usual from Leon," she casually said.

"W-what?" My brows are knitted. "I don't need it."

"Yeah, but this is a result of a hard-work today." Her mouth curved into a smile.

My lips parted. "So, what are we gonna do about it now?"

I know tips, I also give it to waiters as well at clubs we usually go to, but I didn't know that tips are a thing in cafés. Nevertheless, I don't wanna accept it especially if it's from him. My ego could never lose easily like that, but on the other hand, my mind is saying the opposite since Ivan wanted me to earn for myself.

"Don't overthink. Our tips will be dropped into our tip box and then at the end of the month, these tips are split to each server and baristas," she explained.

I nodded. "I get it."

"Cool! By the way, it's getting late, you should go."

Damn! I nearly forgot. I hurriedly went to the personnel room to change clothes and stepped outside the café after. The cold air welcomed me at the least. I hissed. I just knew my clothes were too thin, my head was floating, goosebumps all over, but I am still glad that I’m going to bed soon.

When I reached the bus stop near the university, I saw nothing, but an empty shed, and then the stupid realization hit me. . .

"How the fuck am I supposed to go home now?"