Cafe Maid, Cafe Boy

“Choyoung, come over here!” I heard someone call my name. I turned as my eyes met with my angry manager. I gulped, took a deep breath, and with confidence I took a step forward. But since I knew I was probably getting fired, I didn’t take the next step, which made my boss rage with anger. He waved his hand harder, beckoning me to come forward. Finally, I did.

My manager sighed as he raked his fingers through his black hair. Turning to glare at me, he pointed at me. “Park Choyoung,” he spitted out, “you do understand that this cafe has been falling to a horrible rating ever since you came. Three mistakes! And with only those, lots of angry costumers had been complaining!”

I sighed, “I’m really sorry, sir.”

“Do you really think ‘sorry’ is going to do it this time, Choyoung?” He took a deep breath. “No, it’s not. I might as well fire you-”

“Wait,” I cried out, “please! Please don’t! Mr. Kwan, I-I don’t have enough money to pay for my apartment rent! Give me one more chance, and I promise I will be better.”

“Promise?” He questioned. I nodded my head desperately. He rubbed his forehead. “Alright then, Choyoung. But remember, if you mess up on this chance, I won’t want you back.”

I nodded, before he left. I felt a soft pat on my shoulder, and turned to see Jasmine staring back at me. She gave me a soft smile as she asked, “Are you alright, Cho?”

Lin Jasmine was the few best friends I had in the cafe. Actually, she was my only friend in the cafe. She was kind, and caring. I wish I could hang out with her more, but her house was a bit far, so I couldn’t really talk to her anyway. But it was nice interacting with her in the cafe.

“Yes,” I let out a shaky breath. I removed her hand from my shoulder. I didn’t want anyone to feel pity on me. I was a weakling, and this is the only job I could have. But I guess with someone like Jasmine, I should be grateful that she was at least there for me.

“Ok...,” Jasmine still had concern in her eyes. But she looked away before I could see more of it. “Anyway,” she poured some hot water into the coffee powder, “I’ll be in the back, if you need me. I’m packing up to leave home. Jihee will take my shift for the rest of today.”

I nodded, signaling that I understood. Jasmine gave me one last assuring smile before she disappeared through the doors. I walked up to the counter, tapping my fingers impatiently on the cold marble. While scanning the cafe, I realized that Mr. Kwan was right. Our ratings had dropping. Because of me, I guess. I was messing up too much.

The costumers we now had, the only ones, were the same people that came here since the day we opened. It was usually middle-aged people, coming her for their daily coffee, or parents feeding and buying their children strawberry cakes or other desserts.

The bell rang, and a boy, seems to be at my age, stepped through it. The jingling of the bells stopped as he walked forward to the counter. I felt my cheeks warm, this boy was handsome. He smirked at me as he said, “Can I have a cup of caramel macchiato?"

"O-of course," I stuttered as I tapped on the screen in front of me. "Anything else?"

"Yes," he smirk grew, and I gave him a confused look. "You."

"Um," I looked away, embarrassed. What the hell? I turned back to him, the smirk still there. "Sir, I don't think that's a proper order. So, if you can just..."

I waved my hand a bit, shooing him away from the counter. I didn't want this creepy, yet handsome, dude on the newly-cleansed counter.

"Yes," he said, "I know that's not a real order. So can I have your number instead?"

Now my cheeks were warmer than before, "Mr--"

"Kim," he finished. "Kim Taehyung."