Chapter 4

As soon as his working hours had ended, he changed his clothes and walked out of the cafe taking a deep breath. Very tiring. Who would have thought that on his first day of work he would be bullied by his seniors? Doing all the work that four of these people should have done, alone?

'Raymond?'

He looked back to find Hazel who had changed into casual clothes. The beige knit sweater combined with the A-line midi skirt in black with gold plant decorations and red high heels and a white oversized coat is perfect for the woman. He did not realize that he kept watching her until he did not notice that she kept calling out his name, admiring Hazel's figure. How could he waste the existence of a woman as cute as Hazel Skylar in these two months?

'Raymond?'

He came to his senses, turned his gaze in another direction while clearing his throat, clearing his throat which suddenly felt dry with clumsiness. No, no. He did not have time to approach the woman. He had to remember why he was here.

'You are angry, aren't you? Sorry. I didn't mean—'

'Not. I'm not angry. To be honest, I'm grateful that you introduced me to this job because I needed it,' he replied after controlling himself. He offered to bring a tote bag in the same colour as the woman's high heels.

'Th… thank you. Sorry to bother you.'

'Not a problem. A chef should take good care of their hands, right?' he took Hazel's bag, letting her walk first. He then took the side of the road so that the woman did not walk on the side. His eyes were enjoying the beautiful view of the path they were on.

'You're going too far,' Hazel gave him a doubtful look. 'I think you're really tired.'

'Well,' he put his free hand into the pocket of his coat, tilted his head upward as he exhaled, letting out cold steam. It looks like the city would soon enter winter. 'Who would have thought that your place of work was so popular?'

'Sorry. You're the only one I can ask for help'

'No need to apologize. I understand.'

'I think you're used to doing it.'

'Did you see me earlier? When?'

'I asked permission for a moment to check on your situation. Did you ever work as a waiter? '

'This is my first time,' Raymond massaged his sore shoulder. 'But I was so tired that I couldn't cook dinner. Should we buy food at the convenience store nearby?'

'We still have my cake in the freezer, remember? You don't mind eating that for dinner?'

He nodded with a wide yawn.

They kept walking until they arrived at their apartment. Once inside, the thing he immediately did was take off his coat and turn on the heating, lying on the sofa chair in the living room, making the woman laugh at him. He buried his face, enjoying the soft chair of the sofa. His nose smells of black coffee and hot chocolate, along with the scent of the cake Hazel kept yesterday.

'Raymond. I already brought the cake. With your favourite hot black coffee.'

He changed his position, accepted the cake happily. 'Thanks. It looks delicious. I'll eat it.'

It looked like Hazel was waiting for his comment on the cake because Hazel looked at him, worried. Like in the middle of a cooking contest where he acted as her judge. He slowly spooned a mouthful of the cake. His eyes widened when he learned that Hazel's cake was so delicious, that he unconsciously finished the cake until there was nothing left.

'Very delicious!'

Hazel looked relieved now, eating her cake with a flushed face. 'It's good if you say it's delicious. I'm a little worried actually, afraid that I won't match yours.'

'It's delicious. I mean it. Try to be more confident with your skills, Hazel,' Raymond took a sip of his black coffee to warm his body, which was still cold even though the heating was turned on earlier. 'Too bad I can only eat a slice tonight. I'm not good at baking, so can you please make some for me next time?'

'Of course.'

He took another sip of his black coffee as he looked at Hazel who was eating her cake. He felt warm because he missed the social interaction he had not had for a long time. After all, he kept thinking about Arnold's death. Could he just relax for a moment, approach his roommate for a while? Did he have the right to do that?

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