Chapter 1

Rubi's POV

"Welcome," I said to the customer who had just gone inside the shop, and I smiled at her as she approached the counter.

"What can I get you, ma'am?" I asked when she reached the counter and now standing in front of me.

"One Matcha Latte, please," She said. I gave her the receipt and the buzzer to indicate that her order was up. After she left, I looked to see if there was someone who was going to order and when I saw none, I went ahead and made her coffee.

As I was making the coffee for the customer, I heard the chimes and knew another customer had gone inside the shop. I finished the Matcha Latte and signaled the customer using her buzzer to come in the counter to get her coffee. She took the coffee and said her thanks as she left the shop. I came back to the counter to take the order of the customer who had just gone it when I saw that it was my parents.

I wiped my hands using my apron and rushed outside the counter to hug them. My mother hugged me back while my father patted my head, who was standing beside my mother. I guided them to a free table and made them their favorite coffee, which is Americano coffee.

I was about to sit with them when a group of customers entered. I made excuses to my parents first and went to take their orders. After I finished their order, they immediately left, and no one but my parents was left in the shop. I hung the card on the door for the customers to see we were taking a break. I sat with my parents to catch up with them.

"How are you?" My father asked, worried. I smiled at him and said, "I'm doing great, and as you can see, the shop is okay. How about you two? How are you? It's been three years since I last saw you two, and I got worried."

"Oh dear, don't worry about us. Besides, we're here now." My mother said while reaching my hand to the other side of the table. She squeezed my hand, and I smiled at her.

"So? What do you get for me?" I asked in a severe tone. We changed our conversation to business, and my father smirked and passed me an envelope on the table.

I reached for the envelope and opened it. "It's not much, but we know you'll love this information." I glanced at them and continued scanning through the papers that were inside the envelope.

I was reading what was on the paper when something caught my eye. I laughed at what I had read and combed my slightly curled hair using my hands. "So this is what happened in Wington City after I was gone," I said and continued laughing. I saw my parents tensing up, so I composed myself.

"Do they believe I was dead?" I asked.

"Yes, even her. She tried to find you, but we meddled in the information before it got passed to her. That is why she has thought that you are dead for the past five years," My father explained to me.

"Oh, Brad! You don't have to mention that woman to our daughter," Mother scolded my father, sensing our business talk was over. She returned to being a mom.

"Well, I'm just glad that you both came back safe, and thank you for doing this, mom, dad," I said as I reached for their hands.

"Don't mention it, sweetheart," My father said as he squeezed my hand. My mom smiling at me, said, "Well, we have to get going. We have unpacking to do, and I know that the house is full of dust" My dad rolled his eyes at my mom, who was complaining. "Well, Rubi, come home anytime. I'll make sure your mother will cook your favorite meals," Dad said, winking at me. I laughed when I saw my mother glaring at dad.

"I always cook for our daughter whenever she comes home years back while you are lazy laying on the couch watching some football," Mom retorted while they were walking toward the door. I watch them bicker before me, enjoying listening to their fights. I haven't seen these two for three years, and it's good to know that they haven't changed much except that they got wrinkles indicating they are getting old.

I now removed the card and opened my coffee shop. Returning to the counter, I saw Mia, my best friend resting her face in his hand on the kitchen counter.

"How was it?" She asked.

"Why haven't you shown yourself? I should've introduced you to my parents," I asked, raising a brow at her.

"Seeing that we won't be getting any customers, I slept" I looked at her in disbelief. I should think about reducing her salary from now on.

"Don't even think about it, sissy! You've been working me to the bone for the past three years, and I deserve a raise!" She shouted while turning her back at me to get back to the kitchen.

I shook my head at what she was saying and walked towards the counter when I heard the door chimes. A twin lady entered, and they looked so beautiful.

"What can I get for you two?" I asked using my sweetest voice. They smiled and me and said, "Two espressos, please."

They gave me their card for the payment, and I returned it with the receipts. I also gave them a buzzer and motioned them to a table. Seeing them walking toward the table to wait for their order, I turned my back to the counter to start making their coffee.

Seeing both of them reminds me of my twin brother. I also miss those two, and I forgot to ask my parents earlier if they would come back with them. Those two love to travel, and they always send me some postcards with a piece of information that can be useful for my other business.

I wonder what they look like now. Does the twin's feature still look the same? Maybe not. I'm sure my other brother's face is full of makeup now. Imagining this, I laughed and continued making the coffee for the customers.

The door chimes rang, and I saw another customer walking toward the counter. I pressed the buzzer for the twin sisters' coffee and faced the new customer.

"Welcome. What can I get you?" I asked while smiling.