The Coffee Trader Novels & Stories

But, one glance from him, as if he could read her thoughts and see deep into her soul, fixed her in her chair. He reached for the tray of refreshments Eden had forgotten until now and took one of the brightly decorated styrofoam cups, with a Rise Coffee Shop logo stamped to its side, and the word 'macchiato' scrolled in pretty, feminine-like handwriting on the white lid. They had outlets nationwide, mostly in shopping malls, but Eden remembered seeing one in the food court, on the first floor, when she played with the interactive map. She's a sucker for their chai lattes and would kill for one right now, or anything warm really.

At that point it became clear to me that one of his reasons for lodging us into a suite was for his coffee, he preferred making it himself. This morning, he took three cups and nothing else with claims that he was filled up. I hiss at the reminder. Why won't he when he stuffs himself with coffee instead of real food, then compliments it with supplements. His eating habit is unhealthy, almost scary. In his defence, he says coffee is like his high, it stops him from consuming alcohol but that amount of coffee a day without real food is dangerous. I am certain it's the coffee poster that caught his attention, if I don’t know anything about him, I know about his love--obsession with coffee. The

~ The breakroom was tucked behind a sliding metal door near the back of the shop. It wasn’t fancy. Beat-up leather couch. Fold-out table. A coffee maker Ryder swore was older than him. That was crazy! Ryder made some coffee. He poured us each a cup and slid one my way. Black, no sugar... just how he liked it. I took it anyway, needing something hot in my hands to ground me. Ryder leaned back against the counter, watching me. “You’re quiet,” he said. I sipped. “I’m just… taking it all in.”

"Good to see you again, Irene." I lost my attention on the chin, and looked at the two men who were talking to me suddenly. If I'm not mistaken, it's Harris and Alec. "W-What do you need?" "I want coffee-" "The weather is hot, do you want coffee?" Alec asked, irritated. "No trip breaks, Lec." He confronted me. "What coffee do you have here?" "A-Ah, I'll check first-" "You should’ve known what the coffees are available here, don’t you? You're a worker here and you don't know what brand of coffee you have? What the hell is that!"

If this coffee is only human, it could protect me because of its strongest aroma. "Athara, why are you here?" I closed my eyes before I sighed. I didn't tell him anything about my location but he really found me. "Why did you come here?" "Why? Can't I? I am not blacklisted in this coffeeshop, Athara. I can visit here and can sip a coffee here whenever I want. This coffee is for everyone who could afford to give a dollar," he said. "Theron, I left the site without even letting you know because I need fresh air."

I couldn’t stop staring at her, not because I was jealous, but because she had everything I had once dreamed I’d give to a daughter of my own. “Coffee is perfect today,” she murmured, taking a sip, her voice casual but clipped at the edges. I nodded eagerly. “The grounds are imported. From Kenya, I think. Charles ordered them last week after Barrett complained about the acidity in the old batch.” Maya rolled her eyes with a snort. “Of course he did. Barrett Augustus, titan of industry and king of pettiness. God forbid his morning brew tastes like peasant water.”

I just have a single-serve coffee maker since it’s just me and I have no need for a big pot. Storm leans against the counter as I make coffee. I buy my coffee locally since it’s better than many brand names out there. I just prefer to shop locally. The town supports my business, so I might as well support the small businesses in town. It’s my little way of giving back to the community I love living in.

Adam is one of them, a man who holds quite an important status and is the owner of one of the largest coffee supply companies in Indonesia. Many don't know the people behind the coffee you enjoy every morning, right? Not only that, Adam was also present at this place on behalf of his father, Brian Delio. If his father dies later, it is this adult man who will take over all the companies managed by his father, Adam could become the richest young businessman in the country.

“What I’m presenting today is a sustainability initiative—partnerships with farmers to ensure fair trade prices, investment in eco-friendly cultivation, and long-term stability for our supply chain.” Slides flashed on the wall: smiling farmers, charts with green upward curves, projections of steady but modest profit. “Not only does this strengthen our brand, but it builds loyalty. Customers today care about where their coffee comes from. They want to support companies that give back.” For a heartbeat, silence. She let herself hope. Then Teofisto chuckled. A dry, cutting sound.

I hated my damn wolf sometimes. “How about I treat you to a brunch date when we get done,” I offered, and she immediately nodded. I wanted her to experience our pack more. This territory held many great treasures in it, and I wanted to give them all to her. One of my favorite restaurants was a nice little bistro in sector two. It also had great coffee which was a love we both shared. We had a trade agreement with a pack in South America that traded their coffee beans to us in exchange for some of our tech. It was one of my favorite arrangements because their beans were exquisite. Best damn coffee I have ever had.