Two

Lily's POV

"It's one of my favorite places here and I love it." Stella said, leading me on the street.

I was walking beside her as we left the library, where she had asked me to be this morning. We were hopefully about to reach the place she had been constantly bickering about.

I couldn't help but notice the cold breeze today. The clouds looked like they might burst any moment. It had been like this the past few weeks, raining frequently.

I wrapped my arms around my peach sweater. I had chosen a casual wear, my peach sweater, jeans and my sneakers. I would've pulled a hoodie over myself but I'm not sure Stella would've taken me along that way. She was that kind of person who didn't go around anywhere without her heels.

"Believe me, the croissants there are just amazing!" She continued.

I hadn't slept much last night. My mind had been filled up with thousands of those questions and disturbing thoughts. I wanted grandpa to be fine. I wanted my family back again.

I wasn't paying much attention to Stella until she stopped. For a moment, I thought she kind of noticed that I wasn't listening to her until I realized how we had stopped in front of a French Bakery.

It looked like a nice, cozy shop. With twinkling lights decorated at it's entrance and Bakes 'N

Shakes written on the top with bold letters.

I went ahead with Stella inside the shop. A melodious bell chimed as we entered. From the inside, it was actually like a cafe. With smooth white tables and a whole breakfast atmosphere. The aroma was mouthwatering. Believe me, it took everything in me not to run over and devour all those yummy pancakes.

I was taking the whole place in when Stella squealed, "Steph!"

I turned around, expecting to see a woman, but all I saw was a man probably in his thirties. His eyes crinkled up at the corners as he smiled. It seemed like a contagious smile, because soon my mouth was curving into one too.

"Stella, so good to see you." He said warmly.

She went ahead and hugged him while I stood where I was. Stella was like that. She got along with almost everyone.

"No time for talks, Steph. I've got my bestfriend here and she needs a job. Can you arrange something for her?" She asked.

I looked at her then at him.

He raised his eyebrows, a small laugh bubbling out of him. "Alright, alright. But where did your manners go?" I warmed up at the slight hint of a French accent in his voice.

"Right." She rolled her eyes before coming beside me. "This is Lily and Lily, this is Steph. My favorite baker in New York city."

Steph, as she had named, came closer and smacked Stella on the head playfully.

"It's Steve actually." He corrected with another smile.

No wonder.

×××××

"So, you need a job. I think I can arrange that. Cash register or taking the orders?" He asked, looking at me.

To be honest, I was happy in this atmosphere. Steve was a really good person. You wouldn't find people just offering you jobs here in New York and I was really grateful for that.

Before I could've replied, Stella bursted in, "Yes! Lily will take the orders. She'll look awesome in the staff uniform."

I shrugged in response. Anything was fine with me. All I needed was a job. And hopefully, enough money to get done with grandpa's treatment.

"Okay then, when do you want to start your job?" Steve asked, walking over towards one of the countertops.

"If the shop's opening now, maybe I can start it right now." I suggested. "Stella can help me too."

Stella perked up at that. "Of course, of course."

Steve stood up and laughed before motioning us to go inside and change.

×××××

The uniform was a peach shirt with white stripes and your basic jeans. I didn't even notice the difference in it and my clothes. Stella, on the other hand, was beyond excited. I really wouldn't be surprised to see her happy even in trash bags.

"Alright, people are coming up and we have some work to do." Steve ushered us outside, back in the café.

I followed Stella to see three people already seated on the tables. This was about to get busy. It might even be fun.

I plastered a smile on my face and went ahead with a booklet and a pen. Stella had already gone over to the othet one. I wasn't sure if she was taking orders or flirting. But then again, she didn't need this job.

I was the one who needed this job.

I went ahead and took the order from the woman. She ordered a croissant and a cup of coffee. Just as I was done with taking the order, Steve motioned me to come towards him.

I went towards him.

"I know you are confused. Take orders and bring the slips right here. The cooks right there will be making them, alright?" He asked.

I nodded, tearing the paper and slipping it onto the cook's counter.

"Okay." I said, keeping in mind all that he had said.

That's when my phone rang.

Grandma.

I hadn't told her where I was going. I hadn't even told her that I was going out. I hadn't known what to say. Not thinking about it, I quickly answered the call.

"Lily? Where are you?" I heard her voice. She was probably worried. And I couldn't exactly blame her.

"Grandma, I'm out with Stella right now. I'll be back in a while, okay?" I replied quickly once I saw Steve motioning for me to go to the next customer.

Somehow, grandma ended the call. Though I knew she wasn't satisfied, but I really didn't want to lose my job just when I got it.

I was just keeping my phone back in my pocket when I heard the melodious bell chime again.

Another customer.

I turned around abruptly, almost slamming into the guy in front of me. My eyes instinctively flew over to his and I found myself looking into blue one. My breath hitched midway in my throat as I looked in them. It was as if a sense of déjà vu hit me right at that spot.

As if I had seen him before.

But that couldn't have been right. My mind was probably playing tricks with me.

I blinked, breaking the eye contact. Taking a small step back, I couldn't help but notice him all.

Wow.

That was the first word that came in my mind.

His brown hair were tousled like crazy and his grey shirt was slightly sticking to his body, as if he had jogged all the way to here. But that didn't make him seem bad at all.

What was I even saying?

I was still staring at him when I realized that he was actually staring back at me too. A sudden chill went up my body as I forced my eyes away from his.

I never liked people staring me back.

"Good Morning, Mr Morwood." Steve came beside me.

I have most definitely heard that name before.

"Good morning, Steve." He directed a small smile towards Steve and once again, it felt extremely hard keeping my eyes off him.

I was so weird.

He turned around and walked to the table at the corner. I looked at him as he sat down, taking his phone out and getting busy with it. A small frown formed on my forehead.

I think I know him.

Before he could've caught me staring at him again, I sighed and turned away. I should probably not do this here.

"Go and take his order." Steve hissed, waving me off in his direction.

Steve was probably getting off with his patience with me. It wasn't my fault I had no experience with this. And no way was I taking that guy's order. Something felt off about him.

But saying no to Steve seemed a little hard. He'd probably ask me to leave this job next. I looked around, trying to search for Stella. But for some reason, she wasn't anywhere in sight.

Did she ditch me?

Inhaling deepky, i picked up the booklet and went over towards the blue eyed guy. He didn't look up from his phone.

I flipped a new page and asked, "Your order?"

He looked up at me, a little startled. That just made me look back at him. And oh, God.

Where the heck was Stella?

"A latte." He said in a curt voice.

It slightly ran shivers up my spine. Again.

Why did I have a feeling that I've seen him before?

I noted it down and noticed my phone was vibrating again. It must be someone other than Grandma. Why would she be calling me again?

I took my phone out and saw Grandma written over it.

Why was she calling again? Did she really want Steve to throw me out of my first ever job? But then again, she didn't know I was here.

"Hello?" I answered with a frown.

Grandma, on the other side, was frantic.

"Lily, the doctor, he said that he moved. He slightly made a movement." She said, her voice full of hope.

I wasn't frowning anymore. Anybody could've seen the relief on my face.

Grandpa made a movement?

"Wait right there." I wasn't surprised at my trembling voice.

I ended the call almost abruptly and unconsciously slammed my booklet on table. I would've apologised for my sudden actions but all I could do at that moment was look around for Steve. I couldn't find him anywhere between the rush of customers that weren't even here before.

Without waiting for another second, I ran towards the exit. I should've told Steve but he was nowhere in sight. And if grandpa was fine, what was the point of the job anyways?

"Lily! Wait, where are you going?" Stella asked, running after me.

I quickly turned towards her.

"I-I need to go right now. Please cover up for me?" I pleaded and turned to catch a cab.

She hesitated for a minute but nodded anyways. I knew how it wasn't right for me to just runaway at my first day of the job. It was highly unbelievable. But nothing was quite believable in my life anymore.

I sat down in the cab and headed for the hospital.

What if Grandpa woke up?

I closed my eyes and tried to level my breathing as I waited for the hospital to arrive.