3 The advertisement

"Alright, I have saved the money separately, so don't worry about it. Okay?" He assured her while getting dressed. "Come soon, we will go shopping and I will make a big feast for you."

"Everything you make is good brother, but I don't need anything so we don't need to go shopping." She said smiling.

"Shush, it has been decided alright. Now I am late Anna, I will talk to you later ok." He said, finally locking the door.

"Okay, take care brother." She replied with a smile and cut the call.

Running with a full speed on his skateboard. When he reached the cafe, it was just five minutes above his duty. The manager eyed him but said nothing.

When he entered he saw a girl sitting in the corner looking out like a lost child. Her face had a blank look yet it looked so painful. Like she had nothing to do with the world anymore. When he was looking at the girl. She turned and stared into his eyes. He immediately averted his gaze and entered the kitchen taking quick steps.

He took a sigh of relief and went to his work. After putting in a lot to bake. He went to the manager's office hesitantly. After getting affirmation he entered and looked at the man, who was just two years older yet he was the manager and Alex was just a chef.

He sighed and wished him. "Good morning boss,I need a favour to ask?" After some determination, he finally asked for which he had come here.

"Don't worry you will get a double bonus since you are doing a double shift, but the cheques will be given only at that time and no advance this month" looking at his hesitant eyes Liam spoke kindly to Alex.

"Thank you, boss, but it's not about money." He replied with an awkward smile this time. 'Does it really show on his face that he needs money?'

"Oh! Then what is it?" Liam asked, looking at the man clearly for the first time since he entered.

"Uh, If you don't mind, I need to put an advertisement at the entrance." He said with a nervous smile.

"An advertisement! Hmmm, don't tell me you are going to open your cafe and advertise it at our door." He asked laughingly but there was no sarcasm in his words.

"No boss, actually I have a spare room and I am thinking of giving it on rent. My house is near a music university. Where a lot of guys take rented rooms to live for a while." He replied this time more enthusiastically

"Oh, it's a good idea." He responded nodding his head "have you prepared the advertisement?"

"Not yet boss, first I wanted to seek your permission."

Satisfied with his answer Liam smiled, he also felt bad for him sometimes, then he looked at the laptop, he didn't have much work to do anyway. "Then, I will prepare one for you and ask Ronny to attach it on the door"

Alex was surprised to hear his boss's generosity. Looks like luck was on his side today. He beamed and bowed as a thank you then returned to his work. The batch was already ready so he started making other lots. Soon waiters and cleaning staff also arrived and the place turned packed with the clients.

This was one of the famous cafes in this street. From college students to businessmen all come here. After seven hours, his first shift ended at 3:30. He was famished till that time. So he went out to have his lunch at the cheap roadside stalls where he ate usually. Cafe hardly had guests at this time.

But just when he was about to exit, He saw the same girl looking at the advertisement hung on the door. Oh! He almost forgot about it, so ignoring her he went to look at the advertisement.

It was in a big poster form with the designer alphabet in a red eye-catching colour. It has his name, phone no. An address, with stating one room is available with the kitchen being shared. 'He thought it would take time but his boss is efficient.'

He smiled at the thought of getting extra money through advance rent. He could finally pay fees with some gifts to Anna.

When he turned back, he almost bumped into the girl who was still standing there and staring at him. 'What a strange girl' he thought.

He sidestepped and was about to go when he heard someone calling him Alex. He turned to see the same girl still looking at him.

Don't know why but he felt very strange. Like a gush of cold air has touched his body. All the hairs of his body rise.

'Oh, it's already December, surely it would be cold. Looks like he is overthinking' he rubbed his arms through his hands and asked "yes"

"Are you Alex Matthews?" She asked, blinking her eyes.

"Yes ma'am, is there something you need?" He asked coming forward.

"Is this advertisement yours?" She asked, pointing at the poster hung on the door.

"Yes ma'am" he replied nodding his head.

"I want that room." She said coming forward and standing in front of him.

That's when he realised he had forgotten to mention the most important thing. He wanted a male for the room. As his house had only one room.

Even if he shifts in the hall. He would still need to use the shower and some other things. So he couldn't share the room with a girl.

He went back and looked at the advertisement, as he had thought gender was not mentioned. So it was obvious anyone could ask for the room. He decided to talk about it with his boss, after having lunch.

He turned and found the girl there still waiting for his reply. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Now, what would he say to this queer girl?