THE FOLLOWING MORNING, at the company of Christopher, he was busy with working on the new game they’re developing. In the midst of this busy morning, his secretary, Grian, called him regarding the coffee shop.

“So I have to pretend I’m the owner?” He asked for the millionth time again.

“Yes,” he answered, a bit annoyed.

“Interview Fatima and hire her to work there.” Grian nodded and sighed.

“Why don’t you do it?” he asked and Chris rolled his eyes. “She seems to be avoiding me so do it.” He ended the call and continued working. His mind is boggled by Fatima, he can’t stop thinking about her.

“I’ll take a break,” he told the group of game developers before standing up from his seat and taking his coat.

He left the room and entered the elevator. He took a deep breath and smiled sadly. Fatima must’ve gone through so much these past six years. Her condition right now makes it obvious how much has changed.

When the elevator opened, he was greeted by a woman. “Chris! I was going to visit, how’s your mother?” The woman giggled flirtatiously.

“Not now, Hannah.” She frowned and held on to his arm as he walked out of the elevator. “But... your mother said-“ he cut her off.

“I’m not a kid anymore, I have my own choices. Now leave.” He removed her grasp and started walking to the exit. He cannot deal with her today. He was tolerant before, his mother likes Hannah to be with him, but he doesn’t. Now that he suddenly found Fatima, he wants to be with her and no one else.

“Chris!” she called out but he ignored her. She stomped her foot and groaned. “He’s so stubborn!” she exclaimed to herself as she didn't know what to do now.

He proceeded to enter his car and drive to the coffee shop. That’s right, the coffee shop is owned by him. It was his grandmother’s shop but she passed away. To honor her, he continued to let the coffee shop thrive. It's a two hours drive from his company to the coffee shop though. He still couldn’t believe Fatima was that close to him, he could’ve found her if only he stayed in that part of the country.

After driving for almost two hours, he arrived at the coffee shop. He carefully got out of his car and looked at the windows of the coffee shop. Fatima is talking to Nikki, the barista working with Philippe. He walked inside and a bell rang. “My regular order, please.” Nikki looked at him and bowed her head.

“Sir-“ Chris shook his head lightly and signaled her to not say anything. Fatima stared at him with her eyebrows raised. (Why the hell is he here?) she thought to herself. He looked at her and she avoided eye contact right away.

“I’ll prepare his order. Go ahead and go to the back so you can talk to his secr- the OWNER, I meant. Go ahead and talk to the owner..” Nikki almost spilled her words. Fatima followed her orders and walked to the back office. Christopher watched her and she took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

“Come in,” a deep voice said and she opened the door and came face to face with Grian. He smiled at her and gestured to her to sit down. “Oh..” She scratched her neck before sitting down.

“How have you been, Fatima?” He questioned and she smiled.

“I’ve been great, you? It’s been years..” she said and he nodded and smiled charmingly. “I know.. who knew we’d meet again, right?” She nodded in response. Her eyes widened in the sudden realization that she admitted to being Fatima.

He leaned forward to her face and she stepped backward. “I knew it was you, Fatima.” She stepped back again and struggled to find her words.

“No- n-no, you’ve mistaken.” She cleared her throat and avoided eye contact with the man.

“If you want this job then tell me the truth,” he said and crossed his arms. Fatima frowned, knowing she can’t get out of this one. It just felt so natural talking to him that she forgot to tell him she’s Glen.

“Please don’t tell Christopher,” she begged and he squinted his eyes.

“Okay,” he agreed and she sighed in relief. He knows that Chris already knows and he can’t do anything about it though.

“It can be our little secret.” He winked and she didn’t know how to react.

“Let’s start the interview, then. Shall we?” She nodded and laughed awkwardly before taking a seat. After a few minutes of the interview, it ended. But Grian still has questions for her.

“What happened to you, Fatima?” They both went silent as she smiled sadly.

“Strange, right? I was this girl loved by many and now I’m.. this..” She chuckled because of the irony. One moment she lived a good life and the next, she’s living a horrible one. Funny how things can change so quickly.

“I think you’re still the girl I knew before,” he said and she raised an eyebrow.

“You think so?” He nodded.

“I missed you, and so did Chris. It’s nice to see you again.” Memories of him flooded her. He liked her back then but she didn’t. She loved Christopher.

He stood up and walked to the door and she followed him. “Work hours start at 6 in the morning, are you in?” Her eyes widened in excitement.

“I got the job?” she asked enthusiastically and he nodded.

“Oh my god, thank you!” She squealed in excitement and hugged Grian. He froze in place and stared at her. She let go when she realized what she did. “S-sorry..” she whispered and he chuckled. He extended his arm and hugged her. “It’s nice to know your personality is still the same.”

They exit the room and she couldn’t help but keep her smile. “I’ll be sure to arrive tomorrow early,” she said and Grian nodded. She walked out of the coffee shop and raised both her hands. “Yes!”

Christopher and Grian watched and the pair both laughed. “She doesn’t want you to know it’s her,” he explained and Chris nodded.

ONCE FATIMA RETURNED home, she saw William, her co-worker at the bar waiting for her outside. “What are you doing here?” He stood up from the ground and approached her. He smiled and shrugged before answering, “Sorry I couldn’t visit yesterday when I told you I will.”

“Aish, it’s fine. I was going to the bar later anyways,” she answered.

“You really need to find a better job, I hate how men look at you in there,” he stated and shook his head. Fatima smiled.

“I got a new job! I wanted to go to the bar later so I can quit,” she announced and William’s face lit up.

“Really? Where are you going to work?”

“Coffee shop ten minutes away from here.” William nodded and smiled before hugging her. She giggled and hugged him back.

“I’m so glad. I’ll come with you later to talk to our boss.” Fatima nodded.

“How about you? Don’t you want to quit too?” She wondered about him but he shook his head.

“I can, but I still need more money. I still haven’t given up on starting my own bar,” he answered with confidence which made her proud.

“I’ll be your first customer then, alright?” He chuckled and nodded his head.

WHEN THE NIGHT came, William and Fatima went to the bar together. Without any hesitation, they went to their boss so she could quit her job there. In case anything happens, William is there to protect her from harm.

“What?!” Their boss screamed in disbelief.

“No. You’re going to work here until I say so!” He argued with her.

“Sir, I can’t work here anymore.” Her boss hissed and raised his hand as if he’s going to hit her but he stopped.

“Of course you can. You’re my property, go wear your work clothes right now.” He grabbed her arm and forced her to the changing room but William stopped them. “You should go, Fatima. I’ll sort this out,” he whispered which made her worried.

“But William..” She held his arm in refusal but he removed it.

“Go. I’ll visit you again tomorrow.” Their boss looked pissed and tried stopping her but William blocked his way. “How dare you! Come back here, you bitch!” Fatima ran to the exit and caught her breath. She looked back, worried about William but she has no choice but to go back home.

She worriedly went back home to her siblings. She saw the dining table filled with food and her confusion got to her. “What the... where did these come from?” She looked around and Philippe walked in with a bowl of food in his hand.

“Oh, you’re home. I went to the coffee shop earlier and the owner gave me money to buy food for us. He found out you’re my sister.” Fatima’s mouth opened as she looked at their table.

“He said he’s your old friend? Good thing we have food for tonight,” Philippe stated before chuckling.

“This is so much though..” she murmured to herself as she eyed the food.

“You should just be thankful! If it weren’t for him we would’ve just eaten bread today.” Fatima pouted knowing he’s right.

“Call Timothy and let’s eat.” He nodded and called their younger brother so they can eat their dinner.

WHEN THE NEXT DAY came, Grian waited for Fatima to arrive at the coffee shop. Five minutes before six in the morning, she arrived while catching her breath. He grabbed a cup of water and gave it to her. “You okay?” She nodded.

“I woke up late and I ran all the way here...” she explained and he nodded.

“Did you enjoy the food last night?” She blinked a couple of times before answering yes.

“Thank you.” Grian smiled in response.

“First, go wear the apron and cap. It’s on the back.” She nodded and went to the back of the coffee shop. She entered a room and saw a brown apron and cap on the chair. She grabbed the pair and put them on before going out of the room.

“You look pretty.” She blushed at what he said before she cleared her throat.

“So uhm, my brother’s shifts are on Saturday and Sundays?”

“Yes, since he has classes from Monday to Friday.” She nodded.

“You can work on Monday till Friday and have the weekends off.” He smiled to see the joy on Fatima’s face.

For the first hour of the morning, he taught her the basic recipes. He also encouraged her to talk to customers and if she has any problems, she can call him using the telephone on the counter. She was very thankful and was easy to teach to which made Grian happy.

“Coffee for table 5 coming right up,” Grian announced and he was about to go to the table when he accidentally bumped into Fatima who was bringing an empty cup back. The coffee Grian was holding didn’t spill but Fatima dropped the cup she was holding, shattering it on the ground. The shard of the glass pierced Fatima’s leg.

“Shit.” Grian put the coffee on the counter before bending down to check her leg. Her face twisted in pain as blood dripped from the wound.

“Bring the coffee to the customer,” he told Nikki who just arrived and she followed him.

“I’m fine, I can take it out myself.”

“Are you insane? I’m taking you to the hospital.” Fatima tried to argue but he insisted. He held her back and placed his arm under her legs. “W-wait-“ He lifted her and Christopher arrived at the coffee shop. Their eyes met before his gaze went to Fatima. “Please, I’m fine. I just need first aid.” Grian breathed heavily before looking at the shard of glass again.