Chapter 1
"Order up!"
I sighed and walked over to Table Ten. Carefully, I placed a tray filled with mugs of coffee and plates of avocado toast on the 'not-so-flat' surface of the table.
"Here it is," I breathed out, forcing a smile. I evenly distributed the food to the three women who had not stopped taking photos since they had walked in. They began to take pictures of the food, probably posting it on 'Instargrim'.
"Have a nice day!" I added overexcitedly, then picked the tray and walked away.
My foot trudged on the plain white and black tiles of the café. I passed by many identical 90's tables that somehow matched the yellow and white wallpaper. I walked under the aesthetic roof that came together with the curtains and the beautiful chandelier that sparkled in the evening.
I rolled my eyes, but quickly rebuked myself. I mean, who am I to judge their Instargrim life? I am just here to do my job.
The Stand By Cafe had lively customers; students who were living their drama-filled lives, adults coming in to forget their stress and children screaming and playing with each other, which shocked me since there was only one child.
Sadly, my life was not like any of these people. I had dreams once, just like them. Just like them, I had hope and a life. I went to school just to achieve these hopes. Not anymore. Not after my dreams of acting got crushed under the soles of reality and horrible mortals.
So, I was stuck waitressing for a while.
Anyway, as I reached the counter, I met the only person who made my grounded routine bearable, my best friend Davis. He was also waiting for the chef to pass his order. He grinned as I walked towards him and I rolled my eyes again.
"One of these days, a customer will finally see your light." Davis said, picking a tray of food a worker collected from the kitchen.
"You say this every day. Maybe, they have to see me first," I said back. He gave me a small playful nudge and started walking away. He called back
"You'll see!"
I sighed and turned away from the counter. Table 9's order was not ready. I pulled out a notebook and pen from the pocket of my white apron that was tied around the waist of my black dress. I scanned the room to take someone else's order when my eyes fell on a blue hoodie.... No that's not right... someone wearing a blue hoodie.
I looked at the figure for a while, contemplating whether he was a gunner or just our every day weirdo.
Deciding that I had a really weird imagination, I moved to the table, dodging a spill on the floor that made a river towards the walls. As I neared the blue-hooded customer, I saw him look at the door, and realized he must have been waiting for someone else.
Before I could stop myself though, I had already reached his table. I faked a smile, saying,
"May I take your order?" His eyes darted to me. The tension in his eyebrows disappeared and he began to observe my presence.
I used the opportunity to scan him as well; blonde hair, blue eyes, defined jawline, perfect teeth, flawless skin... I knew at that point that I had just described someone I knew but it didn't hit me yet.
He smiled, ending my thoughts and flashing his white teeth.
"Well, love, what I ordered has already been served." I frowned at his words. Was he really a weirdo? Before I could show my disapproval, he added,
"Can you act?"
"What—" "Doesn't matter. I need you to pretend as my date to the reopening of my friend's new hotel."
Was it a prank?
I crossed my arms and frowned at him, whispering,
"Can you be less shameless in front of all these people? Look sir... or possible mad man, I don't know you or understand what's going on right—"
He took my hand, cutting my words short, then pulled me onto the seat facing him. Slowly, he pulled down his hoodie.
"Doesn't Kevin Yujin ring a bell?"
My eyes widened and I let out a sigh. Of course I had to go and insult Kevin Yujin, famous actor and global entrepreneur. He had restaurants to his name and he had played the leading role for many famous movies.
I should have realized the unique blend of the tips of his blonde hair. His fingers rhythmically hit the table. He said,
"Look, my friend is opening a new branch of his hotel and I need a date. I thought someone would be so kind as to join a handsome stranger during his boring meal in an okay cafe but now the waitress charms me instead."
"Sir- Mr. Yujin, I can't do that. I'm sorry, really," I answered. The offer did not sound so shocking anymore. Have you watched movies? Read books? Celebs do that all the time.
"I'm paying for a pretty waitress to be my date. Then I won't worry her again," He countered.
I could NOT wait to say something stupid to him when Davis walked to us. I stared at Davis, trying to tell him to leave but he looked away and eyed Kevin.
"Are you okay?" Davis' voice asked but he still was not looking at me.
"Of course, why?" I asked him back. He was not talking. He and Kevin seemed to be having a staring competition. Davis was an aspiring actor and technician who decided to go into the IT world because it was more ideal. I don't know what happened after that but all that I know is he is my coworker.
But believe me when I say I was shocked when he did not SCREAM in awe of one of his favorite actors but rather decided to stare him down.
"Kevin Yujin, right? I'm kindly asking you to back off." Kevin rolled his eyes at Davis' words and turned to look at me, his frown dissolving into a smile.
Davis scoffed and turned to me as well, his expression still the same. It then hit me.
They wanted me to decide who I was rejecting.
Fun, right?
Yes, I'm being sarcastic.
