Ginger. 2

The day went by really fast but Kai was glad he had agreed to go out with Jenny and now his mood was much better.

After returning home, he took a warm shower and changed into warm PJ's. Though he was tired, he had decided to wait up for Aiden to come back home. After he ate dinner which was prepared by the helper, he sat on the couch cross-legged and turned on the large screen TV in an attempt to keep himself awake.

Even though he was sure the young master would come home, nine turned to ten and then eleven and still, Aiden wasn't home. Finally Kai gave up and retired to bed after switching off the TV.

The sheets were cold and it felt more lonely in the large house and king sized bed but there was nothing he could do about it. Deciding to forget this feeling, he shut his eyes and drifted off.

The sound of the alarm clock on the bedside table interrupted Kai's slumber and he fluttered his eyes open. It was morning and a new day. He unconsciously reached out for the space beside him expecting to feel the young master but Aiden wasn't there. After all he said yesterday, guess he didn't have the time to come home last night. Kai heaved a sigh and stood up to go get ready.

Today, there would be no need for him to think depressing stuffs since he would be busy learning how to work in a cafe. Perhaps he could ask Jenny to come along this time as well to support him mentally, she was always good at that. And perhaps, if he does good, maybe the couple would reward him with a small dessert meal.

A smile appeared on his face when he thought of this. He quickly rushed to the bathroom to get ready so he won't be late. The couple didn't tell him what time to turn in but being there by eight wasn't a bad idea since first impressions matter.

When he was done taking his bath, he stared at Aidens clothes in the closet for a while before he finally decided not to wear them and just stuck with a purple hoodie. When he was done getting ready, he picked up his phone and dialed Jenny's number. The phone rang and was answered not long after,

"Ahhhhhh... Why are you calling so early in the morning?! I was asleep!"

"It's seven o'clock."

"Exactly... That's Earlyyyy" she slurred,

"I don't even want to know when you wake up on a normal day."

"I need my beauty sleep, okay? So why'd you call?"

"Uhhn... can we go to that cafe together again? I'm kinda feeling nervous now that I have to be there."

"Sorry, honey but I can't. Today's family outing so I have to go. I'm sure you got this. No need to be nervous, okay? Just pay attention to what they say and do what they tell you. It's easy."

Didn't she say she was asleep?

"Yeah, okay. I guess I'll see you later then."

"Yeah. I'll bring back a souvenir for you if you do good."

"Thanks, I'll hold that on you." With that, he cut the call and sighed...

Yeah I got this. He encouraged himself.

He then smiled to himself and walked out of the house without even getting anything to eat. The helper hadn't turned in anyway.

Soon, he arrived at the main town and now stood in front of the cafe. He glanced up at the name board above the entrance reading "cozy cups" which he failed to notice the first time. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and tried pushing the door open but it was locked... guess he came in too early.

"Young lady, is there anything you want." The familiar voice of the elderly lady said from behind and Kai turned to see the couple and a younger girl behind them who looked his age. She wore a golf cap and unconsciously pulled down the bill when she noticed Kai staring at her. The merman quickly bowed his head, paying his respect

"Good morning Mrs. I asked to become an apprentice yesterday." Kai said with a small smile, his heart thumping loudly in his chest at the thought that they may send him off.

"Oh my, you were really serious."

"Yes ma'am." Kai let out a charming smile that caused the woman's heart to flutter... he looked really enthusiastic about doing this so of course she would give him the opportunity.

"Okay then, shall we open up?" She smiled back and Kai quickly understood and stepped away from the door with an awkward smile. The younger girl opened the door and the four walked into the cold cafe.

"Young lady, what's your name?" The elderly lady said to him,

"Oh, it's Kai and... I'm a boy."

"Eh?" The younger girl blurted unconsciously which caused her to receive a glare from the elderly woman. Even the elderly lady seemed genuinely shocked to hear this despite not showing a reaction, and so was her husband,

"I thought you were a girl. You are very beautiful." She smiled and ruffled his blond hair

"Honey, you aren't supposed to call a man beautiful. It's degrading." Her husband scolded calmly

"But he is, I am sure he knows it too." She nudged her husbands arm and then turned to the merman with a mischievous smile, "Don't mind me asking, are you perhaps in a relationship, Young man?" She attempted a whisper but the others still heard either way

"Mom... Don't pry!" The young girl yelled

She seemed lovely... Kai noted internally

"Oh shut up, he doesn't mind." She shrugged the girl off and stepped closer to the merman.

"So? Do you?" Kai flushed and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly,

"Yes, well I have a boyfriend," the old lady face immediately flushed red and she placed her hands over her mouth, giggling silently

"So you're the uke..." she muttered inaudibly that Kai wasn't able to hear her but her husband and daughter who stood behind did. The elderly man smacked her on her shoulder which seemed to bring the woman back to reality and she immediately cleared her throat and straightened her back.

"Sorry for the sudden question. Let's get to work before any customer comes in, shall we?" She stepped away from Kai, "Oh, and before I forget, this is my daughter, Ava. You didn't meet her yesterday but she usually helps around."

"Nice to meet you." Kai bowed and Ava did the same.

 The elderly woman then went to grab a broom to do a quick clean up. Seeing this, Kai hurried to take it from her but she casually shooed him off,

"I'm not that old I can handle this on my own. It's your first day so just go clean the tables." She pinched his cheek and sent him off.

He took a folded rag from the counter and a spray sanitizer and went on to do what he was told to,

"Aunt,-"

"- You can just call me Mrs. Lyn, aunt makes me feel a little older than I am."

Kai smiled at this. Despite the woman's slender looks, the wrinkles that surrounded her dull green eyes and her grey hair could easily tell someone that this woman had lived a long time. But it won't hurt to go along with her youthful dream.

"Mrs. Lyn? Do I get to learn how to make some dessert? Or perhaps the latte is fine for my first day."

"Do you plan on making it for your lover?" The woman smile widened and Kai flushed again.

It wasn't a bad idea,

"Well I do hope to prepare it for him." Maybe if he returns home today.

"How straight forward of you. I see you two must be really open about your relationship." The woman beamed "Of course, Ava can teach you! Now hurry up so I can flip the sign."

With four persons, the work was done faster than usual and soon enough, they all changed into their work clothes and the cafe was fully open. The customers who walked in all demanded the usual morning coffees to start the day so it wasn't much work. Kai assisted Ava out a bit till he understood how the drinks were served and what dessert served best with the other. It didn't seem that hard as far as he smiled and carefully placed the customers request on the table and ask if they needed anything else.

 When they had reduced, the elders took over and Ava took Kai on a tour round the cafe.

It wasn't a large cafe but the interior was quite elegant.

The cafe had a cozy charm, with an elegant interior that caught the eye. Its walls were painted in a crisp white, while the tables and chairs featured black wooden finishes which contrasted greatly. Artificial vines and delicate flowers adorned the walls, accompanied by flower pots nestled in the corners. Paintings of various sizes hung on both sides of the walls creating a gallery- like feeling for the customers. The ceilings housed built-in light bulbs that illuminated the space.

The counter and prep area was a sleek marble surface and behind it was a finely crafted black wooden shelf that added the final touch of sophistication to it.

When they were done with the main interior, they went to the break room and staff and patrons restroom and just like the rest of the cafe, even these didn't disappoint.

Finally they were done with the tour,

"There aren't many customers anymore. So... can I learn the preparation basics?" Kai asked when they got back to the counter.

Before Ava replied, another customer walked in and Kai groaned, exasperated. Just when he was getting to the good part.

As the man walked up to the counter, Kai noticed that Ava was frozen in her place with an enchanted smile and flushed face. He rose a brow wondering why she was stuck in her place and turned to the man who had walked in,

His eyes widened...