Chapter 1
↬Chapter 1: Brewing Connections↫
{Mordecai or Mocha ☕}
The early morning sun painted a warm palette across the cozy café, its vintage furniture and antique decor exuding a sense of charm and serenity.
Mordecai, affectionately known as Mocha by his friends, moved around the counter with an easy grace. The shelves were adorned with a carefully curated collection of anime merchandise, each corner of the café telling a story of his passion for the animated world.
As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of aged wood, and freshly baked pastries, Mocha's monologue danced in the air.
"Coffee, my dear friends, is a symphony of flavors. It's like a well-choreographed dance, each element in perfect harmony."
....
'Okay, now I feel like I've been watching too much of The Way of the House Husband.' He thought to himself while snickering.
Getting lost in his thoughts once again, Mocha expertly ground the coffee beans, his fingers moving with the precision of a practiced artisan. He poured hot water into a French press, his eyes alight with the anticipation of the brew's magic.
"Ah, the magic of coffee," Mocha murmured, his voice a gentle hum. "Its complexities and simplicity, all in one sip."
Just as he was about to indulge in his moment of quiet reflection, the café's door jingled, drawing his attention.
There stood a woman in a pristinely ironed cream suit, her presence commanding the room's attention. Mocha's gaze shifted to the clock-7:30 am, a half-hour before the café's official opening.
“Sorry, we are not yet open for the day." He smiled courteously, as he stirred the cup of coffee he had just been mixing.
The woman's response was direct and unyielding. "Iced Americano, Large. To go."
Mocha's eyebrows raised in mild surprise, as he looked at her, almost looking back to make sure he was the one she was talking to.
'Did she not hear me?' He thought to himself.
However, he maintained his courteous demeanor and answered her. "Of course. May I offer you anything else?"
A subtle shake of her head accompanied her reply as she went to take a seat at a table. "Just the coffee."
Mocha nodded, his fingers moving with practiced ease. As he prepared her order, he couldn't help but wonder absurdity of the whole situation, here he was making coffee for someone, a whole thirty minutes before opening.
The door chimed again, and Mocha's gaze shifted to see his best friend and co-owner, Amaka, entering.
"HEY MORDECAI!!!, WASSUP MY DUDE?!" She shouted.
Mordecai smiled and nodded at her "And a good morning to you too, love."
The customer who just happened to be on a call at that moment turned and glared icily at her.
Amaka's eyes widened in recognition as they landed on her, walking briskly witg poorly concealed excotement, she nudged Mocha discreetly as she got to the other side of the counter.
"Mocha, do you know who that is?" She whispered in what he believed she thought was a whisper.
Mocha's brows furrowed in confusion as he looked up from what he was doing, "No....? Do you?"
Amaka rolled her eyes in exasperation and looked at him. "But if it was an anime character i asked about, you would tell me everything from A to Z." She said sarcastically and clicked her tongue.
To that Mocha, just shrugged and said "Different tastes."
"That's Alexandria Cole, you otaku doofus" Amaka whispered, her voice tinged with excitement. "A titan in the business world."
Mocha's eye widened in fake recognition "Ahhhhh, ....I still have no idea who she is?...she on tv a lot? She just gives me the vibes of Esdeath from Akame ga kill."
Amaka sighed and rolled her eyes again "See what I'm saying, Anime A to Z". She said as she shook her head.
As Alexandria talked in clipped tones on the phone, Mocha found himself stealing glances. Here was a woman of immense power and influence (according to Amaka) with a docial standing of probably the highest order in his space, she seemed oddly out of place in his quaint café.
"Order-" he was about to call when Amaka, swiftly took the coffee from him.
"I'll bring it to her, if you don't mind" She said as she hip butted him out of the way.
Amaka couldn't contain her enthusiasm and approached Alexandria with a smile and her order in hand. "Good morning, Ms. Cole. We're honored to have you here."
A donut appeared on a plate beside the coffee, a subtle offering of peace for the earlier occurrence.
Ignoring the donut, Alexandria collected her coffee, nodded once and walked out briskly leaving a ten dollar note on the table and left the way she came, her commanding presence intact.
As soon as she exited, Mocha turned to his friend, a mixture of awe and disbelief coloring his features. "I can't believe you didn't go out there raining fore and brimstone, you normally don't tolerate rude people."
He turned to put a batch of blueberry muffins in the oven.
Amaka grinned and shrugged playfully, a twinkle in her eye. "I do have my moments of civility."
Mocha snorted "Oh please, we both know that even if it was the president of America who was rude to you, he was going to get a ton of shit talk to his face."
Amaka chuckled, a hint of mischief in her voice."Well, I kinda expected that, and so i got a little revenge planned already besides she was rude first thibg in the morning to me, how could I stand that."
Mocha narrowed his eyes in suspicion "what did you do?"
Amaka shrugged and entered the break room. "Nothinggggg big...maybe I just added a dash of salt in her coffee that's all. Just for fun."
Mocha's eyes were as big as saucers as he stared in disbelief "When did you? How did you?.... Oh, thats why you gave her the coffee personally... But how?".
Coming out after changing, she just grinned and said "Nimble fingers."
That little criminal.
The doorbell chimed once again as the employees made their way inside greeting each other and going to change.
Mordecai let out a sigh of relief thinking she was back again.
"Let's hope she doesn't sue, I don't have bail money" He said as he nodded in greeting to someone who called him.
"Ohhhh.... Nah, i don't think she will, its not that big of a deal. Okay chop chop, its opening time, let's get this show on the road" Amaka said as she clapped her hands signaling everyone to go their different work stations.
Tge doorbell chimed as the first - or rather second customer of the day entered.
"Welcome to Café Amore, Where you taste love in a sip."
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