Capítulo Tres (Chapter 3)

Layla was having a quiet day at work. It's was exactly what she needed after the morning fiasco. Carmen was being, well, Carmen. Ooohing and ahhing every hot guy that walked in or out. As Layla was just leaving out an order for six macchiatos and a frappe, her phone rang. It was her dad. What on earth did he want now?

"Hola, papa..."

"Get some milk and eggs on your way back, we're running out." The line went dead immediately. She didn't really expect anything more from him during the conversation. Not like he was ever going to say 'I love you' or 'how is work going?' Layla hoped Azaera was doing okay. She was a well behaved cat but would lash out if her patience was tested. Such was the case most times when she left her home with dad. As she worked, she thought about her future without her dad. No shouting, no yelling, no smelly house or untidy living rooms. She was not her mum and wasn't going to put up with his behavior. She looked out and stared and the high-rise building a few blocks away from the café. She wished she was rich and able to buy anything she wanted. Red bottoms, Louis Vuittons, Jimmy Choos, Versace. She'd have so many foundations for the less privileged and...

"Layla! Hello? Earth to Layla?"

"Oh my god, Carmen! ¿Qué estás haciendo?""She snapped out of her day dream and saw Carmen waving hysterically in her face.

"Estabas soñando de nuevo. ¿Estás bien?"

"Si. I'm okay. Just thinking about what it would be like to be rich and have a business and be able to buy anything you want," said Layla with a smile.

"Oooohh. Well we can talk about that later. Just don't let Will catch you slacking off. Plus we have fifteen new orders."

"Fifteen!" Layla had never had so many orders at once.

"Yeah. Will handed them to me. Said they are from that business firm a few blocks down. They'll be on their coffee break soon. Here's the order."

"But they have never ordered from us. I heard they always order from that other coffee shop across the street."

"Yeah I know. Heard it closed down today, permanently, due to some electrical hazard or something."

Layla stared at the list. She had never in her life seen such a diverse and specific order. There were two cappuccinos, one with cream and one with two pumps of caramel, a frappe with goats milk, a strong black coffee, two mochas without sugar, three cafe au laits, two affogates, two double espressos, a flat white and a latte with a heart shaped latte art. She really had her work cut out for her.

"Why you staring at the order for," said Carmen. "Hurry up! They'll pick it up by 12 noon."

Layla looked at the clock. It was already 11:30am. She thirty minutes to get the order ready. She set to work. Espresso machines whirling, water boiling, cream and milk steaming. She wasn't a slacker and a pro at coffee making. She was going to make sure every order came out perfectly.

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"Logan, would you mind getting the orders today. Natalie is attending to something important," said Damon. They had just finished the inspection. Saudi Arabia were excellent at their job. Not a single dent or fault in any of the panels.

"Urgh," said Logan with a scoff. "Do I have to?" He hated the idea of being made the coffee boy. Even if it was just for a little while.

"Unless you want no coffee, that's fine with me. But I don't think everyone else who ordered would be very happy." Damon knew Logan hated being blamed for things. He always did his work to perfection to avoid criticisms.

"Fine. But just for today. Which coffee shop is it?"

"Uhmmm...Will's coffee shop. The regular one we always order from closed down permanently this morning. Something about an electrical malfunction that made the whole place unsafe."

"Right. Will's. Got it."

They went to their offices and then Logan set out for the coffee shop. At exactly 12:00pm, he entered the café. He was annoyingly always on time. He walked to the counter and rang the bell. Carmen attended to him.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Wi..."

"Save it," Logan cut in rudely. "Order from Prince Inc."

"Rude," said Carmen under her breath. "Yeah, sure, it's..." Before she could finish speaking, Carmen brought out the orders.

"Order for Prince Inc.?" asked Layla.

"Yes. That's me."

"Okay. Here you go." She handed him the carriers that held the fifteen cups. Logan picked up the order that belonged to him and opened it to taste.

"Urgh," he said in disgust. "Who taught you how to make coffee?"

Layla was taken aback. There was nothing wrong with any on the coffees she had made. She always tasted the brew to make sure it was right before pouring it.

"Excuse me Sir, but I don't think there is anything wrong with this coffee." Layla was going to handle this in a matured professional manner. "However, if you don't like it, I could have it re-made."

"Re-made? Your brew tastes awful already. What good do you think a remade one will do? I wonder how the others taste. I'm sure just as bad, looking at those sloppy hands of yours."

Everyone in the café turned to look at Logan and Layla. The exchange had obviously caught attention.

"Well if you don't want it remade, that is fine. Your order is $45.30."

"Fine. I'll pay for this abomination of a coffee."

He handed her a $100 bill. Layla took it but didn't hand him his change.

"Sir, your change will be given to you once the carriers are returned."

Logan flew into a rage.

"What do you mean by 'you won't give me my change?' First you serve me awful coffee and now you withold my change"

Layla was unimpressed. Will was watching from the back. He wanted to see how Layla handled this.

"Well Sir, you heard what you heard. Once the carriers are returned, your change will be given to you. Store policy."

"You dirty, greedy little bitch! Do you know who the hell your talking to?"

"Yeah," replied Layla in a calm apathetic voice. " A stuck up asshole with poor manners and a moustache that makes him look like a pornstar from the 80's."

Giggles rippled through the café. Everyone was enjoying the drama. Even William stifled a laughter from the back

"How dare you?!" Logan was boiling. He had never been spoken to like that in his life plus he had a very distinguished moustache. "You'll hear from my superiors!"

"Alright then. Then in that case, please use the door. It's on your left. Thank you. And don't let it hit you on the way out."

Logan had obviously been beaten. He angrily took the orders and stormed out. He might as well have had steam coming out of his ears.

"Grosero, mal educado, pequeño idiota," said Layla angrily. Everyone in the shop almost wanted to clap. They had really enjoyed the argument. Will finally came into the shop.

"Layla. Please meet me in the back," he said and he disappeared again.

Layla wasn't scared. She followed.

"Layla, you were a bit rude to that guy," Will started.

"Me? He called my coffee abominable and said I have sloppy hands." Layla was still pretty mad.

"I know. He did act like a bag of dicks to you. Just be careful with entanglements with all these rich folks. They could make some real trouble for you, okay?"

"I'm not going to back down because of some rich dickhead." And with that, she walked out. Will loved her spirit and courage. He was however worried that she would one day get into trouble a lot bigger than herself.