Chapter 1
“sorry ma’am, we dont need any help.” the barista’s soft voice apologizes. his brown hair falling over his blue eyes. “thats alright, thank you anyway…” i squint at his name tag, “cole”
he gives me a slight sad smile and tells me to have a good day. i wave back and leave, the bells on the door ringing behind me as i step into the cool morning breeze. i huff as i cross of the good day cafe on my job roster. since my horrible breakup with a co-worker at my past job 4 months back, things went wrong. my sister got engaged to my ex-boyfriend/ex-co-worker, jacob, my mom completely blames me for losing jacob and kicked me out of the house for quitting and my best friend left for jamaica.
i walk past all the shops until one shop catches my eye, well the help wanted sign technically. its a small tool shop and theyre looking for a cashier. i walk into the shop, admiring the tidy shelves, shiny floors and how cozy the shop is overall. i walk up to a elderly couple.
“hi, i couldnt help but notice the help wanted sign out front! i was wondering if i could help out here.” i ask. the elderly man smiles,
“yes, yes. come along dear, we can have the interview out back” he waves me behind the counter and into a door that says “employees only”. inside theres a small room with a table and a few chairs. in the corner is a water fountain, coffee machine and a small refrigerator. we sit down across from each other and the woman hands the man a notebook and pen.
“alright, so my name is lee soo-jun” he starts, “and my wife’s name is lee sam-jin” i nod and he continues, “we need a cashier because we’re getting older and our backs are getting rusty.” he chuckles. “so, lets get started. whats your name and do you have any past experience of being a cashier?” he asks.
i nod, “my names kaira winters and i used to work at a convenience store and a grocery store”
he scribbles it down in script on his notebook. “alright, and can i get your resume?” i hand him my resume and he skims through it, eyes lighting up as he reads.
“you are JUST what we need here. you’re hired” i smile wnd thank him, shaking his hand. “you can start today sweetheart” he says. he hands me a uniform, just a shirt for now and sends me to the register. he shows me the way to bag things and where everything is and then i get started with my job. i tie my long hair back in a clip and i wait for my customer. i get bored after 10 minutes so i open my phone and text my brother, the only family member who still supports me, about my new job. he sends back a bunch if exclamation marks and emojis. i laugh when the bell rings and i look up. there at the door coming towards me is a tall guy, he has a sharp jawline, beautiful silky dark hair, slight muscles under his black shirt, shoulders so wide and a presence the orders attention. he locks his dark eyes with mine, surprised to see me. on his arms are marks of gasoline and oil.
“hey” he says to me, voice deep. “wheres soojun?” “mr. lee’s out back” i reply softly, “do you need him or can i help you?” “thats alright, you’ll suffice” he says, eyes sweeping around my face. “can i get the tool box kit?” he asks, pulling his wallet out. i nod and pull it iut from under the counter, scanning it and tapping for it to be send to the machine in front of him. “that will be 95.99 dollars, would you like to tip?” i ask, eyes not meeting his. “yes, ill put it in” he says, tapping on the paying thingy. “alright and will you be paying cash or card?” i ask. “card” he says, eyes boring through me. “ok, just tap, swipe or put in your card” i say.
when hes focused on his card, i allow myself to really look at him. he really is intimidating. he looks up, meets my flushed face and smirks. i shift my gaze, “and did you want a bag?” i stammer. “no ill be just fine” he says, that stupid smirk still on his face.
i hold his gaze until, “matthew?” mr lee’s voice rings.
“hey soojun, whats up” he says, joy filling his features. they hug and mr lee introduces me, “this is Matthew Kim, hes a worker at the garage nearby so if your car breaks down, he can fix it up for you, Matthew this is Kaira Winters, our newest employee” i nod, and matthews eyes light up with amusement and interest.
“well matthew, unfortunately we have to get back to work but you can sit over there for the remainder of your break” mr lee says, pointing to a corner with tables and chairs. “ms winters, later on, i will put you on cafe duty later on in the week and my wife will teach you.”mr lee directs me, going to the back to get my schedule. i turn back to matthew, picking up the tool box and handing it to him.
“here you go sir, thank you for visiting, please come again and have a good day” his eyebrows raise to me holding the box out with one hand but he takes it and goes to sit down, throwing a deep thank you over his shoulder. I continue to work as more customers walk in, each of them greeting Matthew and thanking him for fixing their car or so. Who is this guy?
After 5-7 customers, Matthew leaves and I can finally breathe without his judgement. I take my break, eat a quick lunch and get back to work.
When my shift ends, Mr. Lee hands me my schedule and thanks me for my work today. I grab my shoulder bag and decide to study at a cafe for a while. I'm in college still, my last year and I want to go get more degrees to become a lawyer. That's the dream but I'm unsure. I leave the shop and the cool evening air welcomes me. I find a cute cafe, small and cozy so I walk in. I sit in the corner and open up my laptop, researching where I can get my masters. I reach flow state, writing down certain colleges I want to apply to when,
"ahem" a deep familiar voice coughs. I look up and there he is, Matthew Kim. I huff and remove my headphones, "what? are you just stalking me at this point?" He glares, "actually, you're in my regular table, so move along" he motions for me to go away. Is he joking right now? what an arse. I scoff, "I don't see your name on the chair, it doesn't belong to you. I suggest you shut up and find another chair like a grown man." I put my headphones back on and continue to research. I hear him huff and he sits his dumb butt down! "Not sit with me. Get out." I hiss. He smirks and takes out his laptop, getting his stupid butt cozy in the seat. I clench my fists as I glare daggers at him. I HATE MATTHEW KIM
