Chapter 4

It was finally 'D' day…

Today she will meet her new partner as well meet the newbie she will spend hell with.

Tina had called the person last week that he got the job. But his resume had said he can start working in one week due time. Making the last week for Jovie to enjoy it alone precious. She tried thinking that maybe he wouldn't be so bad and probably become friends with him.

She had her hopes up until this morning. He was already 1 hour late..

"Sigh.. how do you keep scaring them off Jovie?"

Tina asked as she tsked as she shook her head and crossing her arms.

"Me?!? I didn't even meet the person yet! I told you he was another jerk!" Jovie defended herself as she sat in a empty table. Tina just patted her shoulder as she went to go try calling him again if he would be able to work or not.

Jovie couldn't help but feel a bit sad that guys always seemed to stand her up like this regardless if it was for dates or job related issues. It was pathetic really, she always would end up waiting the whole day until she got a call that they decided they wouldn't be able to make it.

But just then, the doors to the coffee shop swing open as Jovie sees a guy panting to catch his breath. Startled, she watches the guy staggering a bit before he took a seat in the same table she sat in.

She stared at him as she saw him lift his cap to let his wet hair dry out and pull his mask a bit to breath some fresh air. She continued to observe as she saw he wore sweats with a hoodie and carried a black backpack. If anything she could have sworn he came here to rob them dresses like that.

"Do you know who works here?" Jovie's attention was caught as she stared at the guys face now only seeing his black orb like eyes staring back at her. Oh.. was he..?

"Depends, are you Winter Elster?.."

"… yes..?" Jovie smiled as she couldn't believe she had chosen wrong. Why does she have to work with a hobo?????? Ughhh she wished she could turn back time..

".. I don't know why your here if your this 'late' after saying you would be free today. You should have just stayed home and called that you couldn't make it. It would have saved a lot of time for everyone else and chances to others who wanted this position more then you.."

Bitterly, Jovie responded with a very snarky comment. It was so unusual for her to be cruel to new faces. But considering how he still managed to arrive after 1 hour and expect for Tina to let him work got on her nerves.

"Hey. Now hold on, I know I messed up today but I promise it won't happen again…"

Winter began removing his backpack as he reached for something inside it as he placed a paper on the table to show Jovie.

"I was just finishing up on some projects I was working on my other jobs the past week to be able to work full time here. I don't know who you are, but the fact that you couldn't have a bit of faith in my words that I am coming in today shows a lot what type of management and 'person' you are.."

With that Jovie was pushed back by this sudden attitude. She would have stood up to argue back, but thankfully Tina managed to catch glimpse of the storm brewing in between them already.

"Hey!! How are you doing Winter? I noticed you are a little late, why?"

Winter looked back at Jovie as he sighed through his mask as he zipped his things back in his bag as he stood up to greet Tina.

"I'm so sorry, I slept in and I had forgotten to plug my phone in last night… I know it's not an excuse but I promise it won't happen again."

Tina giggled as she wasn't a harsh boss. She knew things happened all the time, so she only patted his shoulder as she nodded in forgiveness.

"Oh all right, hurry up and get changed into this uniform and apron and meet us back out here."

Winter bowed in respect and gratitude as he took the uniform gently from Tina's hands as he entered the locker lounge they had at the back.

Jovie blew a rasberry as she found it annoying work was going to be from now on before Tina came to hug her.

"Please be nice Jovie, he's not a bad guy.. just give him a chance?" Tina sweetly whispered as Jovie groaned. She couldn't ever say no to her best friend.. especially if she was her boss signing her paychecks..

"Oh okay… I'll give him a chance.."

With that, tina was overjoyed as she finally got someone to keep her lonely friend company at work. Even if they didn't get along, she was sure he would watch out for her… that was just the type of aura he gave off.

~~

Some days passed as Tina got Winter familiar with Frank the other guy who worked with her. It was very nice seeing them get along. Surprisingly, Winter mentioned to Frank a nice trick to get babies to sleep at night. He was also doing a babysitting job before as well that he would take at nights…

Winter was just a very interesting guy who could do many things. Yet, he chose to work at a small coffeehouse.

"What's your deal?.."

"Hm?.."

Jovie, frustrated she couldn't find a reason why a smart, talented, hobo like him would work here. Was it because he was wanted somewhere?? Or is it because he's a criminal????!

"Sigh, look.. I just want to work here for a bit till my mother is at ease that I'm stable enough and doesn't need to worry.. just think of it as my cover job in case she asks about it." Surprisingly, Jovie never took this intimidating guy. For a mommas boy.. who knew..

"Ah.. ok. But doesn't that mean your going to quit then??"

"Are you stupid? If I was going to quit I would have applied for part time not full time pyro" a blood vessel popped on Jovie's forehead as she really hated him. With this, she decided to smack him on the arm as she decided to go clean some empty tables.

"What's up with that jerk! If he doesn't have anything nice to say. Then don't say it at all!!" As Jovie muttered under her breath her steaming rage. She felt someone tap her shoulder as she turned around ready to launch the dirty cloth at that pricks face!

"Pfft! Who got you all so worked up?.."

And in a instance, Jovie's day turned from clouds to sunshine and rainbows. It was Sin!! And he came today!!! OH MY GOSH, HE CAME TODAY!!

"Ah! Where are my manners!! Here sit here I'll get you some water if you like-"

"No, I actually came by to say hi and ask if these are still acceptable?" In Sin's hand, Jovie saw one of the coupons she had given him.

"Yes! Of course, would you like me to write down your order now?" Jovie took out a note pad as she eagerly waited for his reply. Sin smiled softly as he checked the menu that she had given him. After deciding on a sugar free beverage, Jovie got to work as she went to go prepare his drink.

"It will never work out if you keep hesitating.."

Jovie jumped as she had forgotten about Winter. She turned around with an annoyed look.

"Hm? What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying that, if you keep dancing around your 'friend' he will never make a move on you because he's not interested.." Winter stepped on a landmine now as Jovie grimaced at him. Who was he to tell her that Sin wasn't interested in her??

"Thanks for the advice, but I don't think I asked for your opinion on it. So mind your damn business…"

Jovie finished making two sets of sugar free beverages out of habit as she groaned. She decided to take the beverages regardless, might as well take her lunch break too.

Winter scratched his neck as he watched the angered girl walk away. Pulling his cap down he scolded himself for saying something dumb again.

"Stupid Winter, you and your big mouth.."

~•~