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.
“You should’ve been careful,” Christopher calmly told her and she scratched her head. She’s sitting down on a chair while he is kneeling while tending her wounded ankle. Instead of going to the hospital, they went to the back since Christopher arrived at the coffee shop. Grian went out to buy medicine for her so she can get treated by Chris. He was reluctant to leave her but he agreed anyway because it’s for her sake. “So you’re a doctor?” Fatima asked and he nodded. “And a CEO,” he added to what she said. “Pretty cool, huh? CEO and a doctor,” he boasted about himself and she rolled her eyes. He never changed, he&rsqu
“I love coffee, you see. So I always want to be at my brot- at Grian’s coffee shop.” Nikki is also in on the lie. The coffee shop is owned by her family, specifically her brother. She didn’t want to do it at first but she eventually got persuaded. “I’ll get these for my brothers,” Fatima whispered to Grian which made Chris annoyed. “If you’re going to say something, let us hear it as well,” he complained and she almost rolled her eyes. “Leave her be,” Grian said and sighed. After they had their dinner, Fatima hurried outside when she found out what time it was already. “I’ll take you home, it’s dark now.”
FATIMA WAS LEAVING for work when she saw William walking to her house. She stopped walking and waited for him to get to her. She smiled and waved her hand and so did he. “What happened at the bar?” she asked and William shrugged before looking at her with a smile. “Nothing much, he wanted to fire me but he knows I’m the most valuable employee he has,” he bragged while smirking. “Fatima, there’s a parent’s teacher conference tomorrow, can you come?” They turned around to her brother who seemed shy with his request. “Of course, I’ll go with you.” Philippe smiled and hugged her before running to the side of the street to ride his bike to school. “That boy really needs some new bike,” William commented before turning to her. “Let’s walk to your work?” They both went out to the busy streets and walked on the sidewalks. The moving cars, tall buildings, and pedestrians walking are what make a city. It’s just like any other day.
“There’s a lot of customers coming in,” she answered while pouting. Christopher scoffed before smiling. “I’m a regular customer here, okay? Give me another coffee then.” She stared at him before going at the back and making him another drink. She brought it to him and he stared at it. “The design isn’t perfect,” he commented and she almost scoffed. “Do you want another one?” she politely asked. “No.” (You made it so it’s fine,) he thought to himself. While working, she looked at Christopher who’s typing on his laptop. His hair was blond more than six years ago but now he dyed it black. His eyes are still beautiful with the color of the sea. His eyebrows, nose, jawline, all perfectly match each other. And his lips.. the most kissable lips. She got back to her senses once he moved his gaze towards her. She cleared her throat and held her hear
FATIMA AND WILLIAM got ready to go to her brother’s school because of the conference and the card of Philippe. It’s been a while since she went to his school so she’s a bit nervous. The last time she went there, the other moms judged her for how she dressed and how young she is. They all thought she’s the mother of Philippe which she didn’t mind because she acts like his mother figure. “Call me dad,” William teased Philippe and he scoffed in disgust. “No way!” He chuckled loudly to his response and so did Fatima. William didn’t have to come with her but he insisted on coming and so he did. Once they arrived at the school, they got out of William’s car and walked to the building. As they were walking, they met Christopher and Grian walking inside as well. “Sir Grian!” Phil greeted and waved his hand. The pair turned ar
“The world is small, isn’t it?” he murmured and she looked up at him and furrowed her eyebrows. “Huh?” she asked. “Nothing.” He cleared his throat before looking at Philippe who’s preparing his coffee. After he got his coffee, he went back to his seat to continue what he was doing on his laptop. More customers came in and they got busy real quick. Fatima was fixing a sign outside and Christopher looked over at her and smiled. He thought about helping her with putting up the sign or not. He stood up from his seat and walked outside the shop. “Need any help?” She looked at him and she shook her head. He sighed and leaned against the window. “Did you grow up here?” he questioned. “Uh
Fatima didn’t go to work the next day, making Grian worried. Christopher isn’t here today and told Grian to go to the coffee shop for him. But today, both Fatima and Philippe didn’t go. He’s worried something could’ve happened to her as he waited. “Can you manage here alone?” he asked Nikki and she nodded. He grabbed his coat before going outside on the cold windy day and getting in his car. He started the engine and drove off in the direction of Fatima’s house. A couple of minutes later, he arrived at her place and got out of his car, and knocked on her door. A couple of minutes passed and no one was answering. He looked around and saw another house next to Fatima’s and he knocked there. The door burst open and saw a woman getting pushed outside. “Leave them alone,” the middle-aged woman told the other woman who has b
Philippe walked in front of Grian and he followed behind till they reached the hospital. They took a turn and rode an elevator to the third floor before turning a corner again and arriving at the hospital room. Phil opened the door and let Grian inside. Fatima looked shocked to see her friend with her brother. She stood up from her seat and approached the pair. “Why are you here?” Grian shrugged before showing the food he brought with him. “He’s here for the girl he likes or something, not sure,” Phil casually teased before giving Grian a look. His eyes widened and raised a fist at Philippe. (He likes someone?) Fatima thought to herself. “I bumped into your brother at the lobby. Uh, here’s some food,” he said before smiling at her and she grabbed th