Chapter 16: Part 2 - Joining the Midnight Shift

= Chris POV =

I took a brief nap, then showered and changed into something practical but professional. Grabbing my car keys, I stepped out into the quiet night. It was 1:30 a.m.

The air was cool, carrying the faint hum of distant traffic. As I crossed the dimly lit car park, I fired off a quick text to Mr. Lee and Ms. Rosa, letting them know I needed the forms for the skills upgrade scheme. I attached a link to Ms. Jun's Café internship course from their website—just to be thorough. Even though it was a well-known program, I wanted my intentions clear and above board. After all, I was stepping into my first day, and first impressions mattered.

By the time I pulled into the parking lot across from the café, adrenaline and nerves had kicked in, leaving me wide awake. The neighborhood looked completely different at this hour—silent but not deserted. Shopfronts glowed faintly under porch lights, and the streetlights cast long, sleepy shadows on the pavement. The quiet felt almost sacred, like the whole world was paused, waiting for something to begin.

As I crossed the road toward the café, a car pulled up, headlights briefly slicing through the shadows. Heather stepped out, mid-yawn, balancing two takeaway cups.

"Chris, you actually came!" she called out, grinning as she waited for me.

I quickened my pace, meeting her halfway.

"Of course I came. I'm not the kind to back out last minute."

Heather held out one of the cups. "Amber told me to bring an extra one just in case you'd need a pick-me-up before your shift."

I took the cup and popped open the nozzle cap, letting the rich aroma hit me before taking a sip. Warm, dark Americano flowed down my throat, cutting through any lingering sleepiness.

"Did Amber make this?" I asked, glancing at Heather as we walked toward the café doors.

"Yeah, this morning. She figured you'd need it." Heather took a sip from her own cup. "I needed it too—I don't usually wake up this early. And it's not just your paperwork I have to sort out. The new chef flying in from Italy? Their documents landed on my desk at the same time. So, yeah, coffee is a necessity right now."

We reached the café's entrance, and Heather paused to push open the doors, her expression softening into a grin.

"Anyway, what did Sarah say about you starting the internship? She must be thrilled to have her friend working alongside her."

I froze in the doorway, the warm light from inside spilling out around us.

Shit.

Sarah.

I hadn't told her.

I scrambled for my phone, my heart picking up speed. "I—uh—I forgot. Ruby called me just a couple hours ago, and I barely had time to sleep and shower before heading over here. Damn it. I should text her before she hears it from someone else."

Heather smirked, stepping aside to let me in. "Yeah, I wouldn't want her to be the last to know. And trust me, you don't want a grumpy Sarah later." She shot me a knowing look. "I don't know what's going on between you two, but something tells me she's not going to be thrilled about this little surprise."

Before I could protest—or deny anything—Heather winked and disappeared down the hall toward her office, leaving me alone in the stillness of the café.

The hum of the refrigerators and the faint clink of dishes in the sink were the only sounds.

I stood there for a moment, typing off a quick text to Sarah updating her on things, and then sent it before pocketing my phone and heading to the kitchens to begin my first day of work.