Chapter 4

The following day, I woke up early and took a bath and went out to jog.

I jogged for a few laps around the village before going home.

I was wet with sweat when I came home. I rested at the kitchen first so that I won't get palsies.

I went to fetch water to drink. I went upstairs to my room after.

Marina called me to ask if I was on the way to the cafe.

I said that I was and bid farewell so I can change into my clothes.

And when I was finally done I put my bagpack on my shoulder and closed my apartment.

I hurriedly get on the jeep. I payed the conductor my fee and told him where i'm getting off.

"Oh! Santa rosa! Santa rosa! Get down, Santa rosa!"

I looked outside and said 'para' to the driver.

The vehicle stopped and I descended beside the street. I walked my not so far cafe.

I saw Rhea standing there but Marina is not yet in sight.

She'll be late I'm sure.

I ran the distance between me and Rhea.

"Good morning boss", Rhea greeted goofingly.

"Good morning, help me open the cafe.", I asked.

She said 'sure' in return.

We first opened the cafe before changing into our uniforms.

I saw Rhea cleaning and arranging the tables and chairs. I took a wet rag and also started cleaning the tables.

I looked at the personnel's door and saw Marina neating her uniform as she walks out.

"Oh, what miracle happened that made you this early Marina?" I annoyed her.

But I was shocked when she just greeted and walked past us.

Rhea and I looked at each other. I think I know what happened.

I looked at the clock and saw we have some more time left before work. I went to Marina who is cleaning the table.

I poked her and guided her towards the nearest seat. I sat beside her and stared at her.

She's just looking down while playing with her fingers.

"Is there any problem?" I asked her.

She shrugged her shoulders and stayed silent.

"Is this because of Fernan?"

Hearing the name of his boyfriend I wasn't even surprised to see her shoulders beginning to shake.

My suspicion was right.

I looked at Rhea and saw her stopped cleaning. She went to us.

Our eyes met and we it's like we're communicating through our eyes.

She looked at Marina and looked back at me as if asking what happened.

I also looked at Marina and shrugged my shoulders.

Both of us looked at Marina.

She was sobbing now. I held her hand while Rhea hugged her.

We stayed like that until Marina slowly stopped crying.

Not long after, Rina stopped crying but there's still tears falling from her eyes.

"Thank you girls, for being there." She said teary-eyed.

Rhea and I smiled at her. "Are you fine now?" asked Rhea.

Marina nodded as an answer and smiled a bit.

"You need to rest though. Take a day off, Rhea and I will take care of everything." I suggested

"No, i dont want. Also, you guys won't have enough manpower."

"You have to marina, look girl, you have dark circles under your eyes." Rhea pointed out

"No and my decision is final girls", Marina stubbornly said while pouting.

Rhea and I sighed.

"Fine, but tell us when you're tired or anything okay? You can sleep in my office if you want", I said

"Okay", Marina said wearing a big smile on her face.

Good. She's fine now. But I wonder what really happened. Damn that guy, he'll have a taste of ot.

I clenched my hands into a fist.

I looked at Rhea who held my fisted hand and looked at Marina.

I also looked at Marina who is now cleaning the tables while humming. I smiled a little.

I looked at Rhea. We stood up together and recollected ourselves.

While Rhea went to the counter I went my way to the door and flipped the signage for them to see the 'open' word.

I went to my office and took the paper. I posted it on the window glass outside.

The paper contains the requirements for hiring. Yes, hiring. I'll hire 1 personnel and 1 part-timer right now.

I went back inside and turned the light switch and aircon on. I went to the kitchen after and arranged the pastries.

When everything was set in the kitchen I went to Rhea in the counter.

The timing was great because a customer went in same time I went to Rhea.

She walk rowards us and said her order. I was silently listening to her orders so that I could do it at once. When she did, Rhea repeated her orders and then I went to the kitchen.

Two ensaimada and a cup of latte.

I made her order and rang the bell. Marina picked the order up and placed at her table.

The wind chime rang again and I saw kevin going inside with a paper in hand.

Rhea called me saying Kevin is here asking for me.

I went out while taking off the black apron wrapping around my waist.

"Good morning," I greeted.

"H-hey good morning, uhm.. About the hiring..." He said and revealed the paper containing the hiring requirements.

"Yeah? What about it?" I asked still with a smile on my face.

"U-uhmm. I-is it still available?" He asked.

I was shocked but I didn't let it show. I widened my smile.

"Of course it is! You wanna apply? Come, follow me to my office." I said and clasped my hands together.

The man only nodded. "Rhea you guys in charge okay?" I said. Rhea answered a nod and went back to the new customer.

I walked first towards my office while he was walking behind me.

When we were inside I offered him a seat on my visitor's chair while I sat in front of him.

"So, let's talk about your application", I questioned.

I interviewed him and asked if he wanted part-time or full-time and how old he is, his name and some other what-nots.

So, he's Kevin Solitario. 28 years old. Male (of course). Single hmmm. Living alone in his apartment. No parents nor siblings. Currently no occupation.

That Was the information I got. And the shocking part is that it didn't even take more than 30 mins of repeating the data for me to memorize it inside my mind.

I smiled a little and changed the subject.

"You're hired Mr. Solitario", I said wearing a smile on my face.

"Just Kevin, Cleara", he said with a little smile as he held my hand for a shake.

I looked at our hands held together. Again. We held each other's hands again. My heart is racing, gosh.

We stared at each other. I was like hypnotized by his eyes. Like a butterfly slowly caught into the spider's web. Like a prey fell into the predator's trap.

I don't want to let go of his hand. Is itrightto just stay still like this? My heart skipped like a broken clock.

Our staring competition ended and we immediately let go of rach other's hand when Marina went inside the room.

Her eyes went wide as if she saw someone doing the 'thing' or like something scandalous was happening.

My eyes also went big as if I was shocked of what happened.

"Yes marina?", i asked and widened my eyes on her as I smiled.

She smiled foolishly, she put her fist on her temple and stuck out her tongue.

"Oops, sorry for disturbing boss. I'll be back later boss!" She said with a naughty smile on her face.

I rolled my eyes on her. She'll have a taste of it later.

I felt my whole face lit suddenly. The room instantly felt hot even though the aircon was on.

I fanned my hand in front of my face. I faced Kevin.

"It's hot right? Let's go out, I'll introduce you to our crew." I put my hand down and went to the door.

However, Kevins' red ears didn't escape my eyes as I turned to face the door. He's hot too? Is the AC broken?

We exited the office and made our way to the counter. I called Marina and Rhea and they responded.

"Marina, Rhea, he is our new waiter Kevin. Kevin, meet Rhea and Marina."

I said as I held out my hand towards the girls so that Kevin knows who is who.

"Nice to meet you", said Rhea. sabi ni rhea

"Hi!", Greeted Marina with a tricksy smile. I glared at her which Rhea saw and elbowed her lightly.

Marina pouted and turned her head to another direction.

"Hi, nice to meet you." Kevin greeted the back.

"Okay, now that is settled. Let's get to business, shall we?" They said 'Yes!' as an answer and continued to do their designated jobs.

Kevin stayed in front of me. If i remember it correctly i already oriented Kevin.

Puzzled, i looked at him.

"Thank you." He mumbled as he walked away to help the others.

I was left still confused. When i was back to consciousness, i blinked my eyes a few times and went to the kitchen like a robot.

What is he doing to me. Am I still normal? I'm still normal. Right? Tsk. I think i'm losing my sanity.

I smacked my face a bit for a few times. And finally stopped when i felt pain and shook my head.

Maybe this is just lack of sleep. Or maybe my body's just tired. Right. This is just fatigue bwahahaha.

I raised a hand and mumbled 'fighting!!!'

Rhea looked on my side so i just smiled at her and gave a peace sign.

She shook her head because of what i did. I chuckled and went back to organizing the orders.

Haaaa, Kevin. I think i'm going to lose my mind because of you.

Afternoon came and customers are gradually coming i went to Rhea and the others to bid farewell.

Telling them they'll be in charge of closing and i'll be getting my key back later in the evening.

They didn't show any hint of disagree. I said my good byes and laters before exiting.

I got on a jeep on the other side and took off just a few kilometers away from the cafe. Where Marina's boyfriend stays.

Yes I know where he ks. This dumbskull isn't that hard to find.

I went inside the not so far store with a restroom and changed my clothes.

After that, i left my bag in a silent alleyway with no signs of people. I put my bag aside in the corner and covered it with a black sack.

Carrying my mini clutch bag with a few of my things and retouch make ups i went inside the bar.

The bouncer let me in before staring at me from head to toe. My eyebrows shot up and i rolled my eyes in the air.

I really hate dressing like this. I feel so naked.

Wearing a red dress with a not so high heels. My long hair was also down.

My eyes searched for Fernan. Not so long i saw him and my blood literally boiled when i saw him kissing with a girl.

So this is why marina came to us crying. This bastard. I clenched my fists and slowly ramped towards them, completely ignoring the other guys trying to make a move.

I was infront of their table and I made myself know by a slight cough. They ignored my presence.

I felt my brows twitch in annoyance. I coughed again, louder this time.

They still ignored me so to my annoyance and oh-so-short patience i kicked their table that caused them to jump from their sit. Bottles fell on the floor from the harsh force of my kick.

Fernan literally jumped from his sit.

"C-c-cleara", stuttering he mumbled my name.

"Hi, Fernan." I sarcastically smiled.

"Babe, who is she?", asked the girl whom he was kissing with earlier.

He hissed at the girl and told her to shut up. My eyebrows once again shot up.

"I'm Cleara, nice to meet you. Is he your boyfriend?", I asked the girl.

"No, she's no-"

Fernan was cut off because of what the girl said.

"Yes, he is so what b*tch?", She sassed.

My eyebrows raised and i felt them twitching again.

"He is my personnel miss. Would you mind leaving us for now?", i said with a sweet smile but with sharp eyes looking at her.

"S-sure", was what she said and skipped away. I follower her with my eyes and saw she went to another table with a group of girls. Looks like her gang of friends huh.

"So, fernan. What did you do to marina."