Chapter 1

“One cup cappuccino for Mr. Hampton!” Henney called out from the counter in the café.

The café is almost full today. We are expecting for a full house later in the afternoon. It’s the anniversary of the hotel in a week and I heard that it’s going to be really extravagant this time. I heard the staff from the kitchen that Mr. Bennett will announce the wedding date on the anniversary night.

Mr. Nero Bennett is the owner of the Beach House Hotel where I am working as a barista. He’s engaged to Kinsella Sloane who is the daughter of the owner of the KS Construction and Design Company. I know. I’ve probably seen her in one of the events where our companies attended before.

Henney said it was really a rollercoaster ride for the two. Kinsella left Mr. Bennett more than once and he was very devastated that he couldn’t even concentrate on his work anymore. Tears were shed and hearts were once broken but that made their relationship stronger.

“Mr. Greene will be back today.” Henney told me as I was making another set of cappuccino.

I looked at her with confused eyes. “Who’s Mr. Greene?” I asked.

Henney smiled. “Oh, you didn’t know him? He was the manager of The Strand before. He left because he had to study about management. Now, he’s going to come back because of the wedding of Mr. Bennett and Ms. Sloane.” She explained.

I nodded. I have been working in Hermosa Beach for about six months now. So, I guess, that Mr. Greene left before I even started.

“He left last year. So, I think you didn’t know him before.” Henney added.

I smiled and nodded. “I guess so.” I shrugged and continued to design the cup of cappuccino in front of me. I made two more cups before coming back to the counter.

“So…” I trailed. “Is Mr. Greene a friend or an enemy?” I asked, chuckling because I was nervous. Our current manager is Ms. Heart Dixon and she’s kind so I’m kind of scared of who this new manager is.

Henney looked at me and smiled. “Don’t you worry! Mr. Greene is a bit stiff but he’s kind, too. He’s just quiet unlike Mr. Pole who keeps joking with the employees.”

I nodded and placed the cups on the tray. I know Mr. Harvey Pole. He’s funny and we were on the same team in the last team building. He’s got a good sense of humor but he also has that leader vibe that radiates around him.

“So, if he’s coming back, is he going to be our manager?” I asked.

Henney shrugged. “I don’t know. Ms. Heart is managing the café well. So, I don’t think so.” She said and I could only sigh in relief. “But you know, Mr. Bennett, Ms. Heart, Mr. Greene, Mr. Pole and Ms. Lucy are all friends. So, expect Mr. Greene to always be around this place.”

I gulped and nodded. Ah! Whatever! I don’t need to impress him anyway. He wasn’t the person who hired me. It was Mr. Bennett. So, why would I even care about him?

“Four cappuccinos for Heaven.” I called out, deciding to just concentrate on my work rather than thinking of some person who I’ve never even met.

A slender woman came to get the cappuccinos. She has wavy hair and tanned skin. Well, almost all of the people here have tanned skin and bleached hair. Henney was an exception because she’s also not from the beach side, like me.

The whole day, I anticipated for the coming of Mr. Greene but he never came. Until we closed, he never showed up. Well, it’s not like I needed to see him or whatnot. I just thought that maybe I needed to see him so I would be at ease with all the worries I am feeling right now.

“Hi, Darren!”

Greg walked up to me when I was cleaning up the counter and the bar. He’s been a friend of mine since I got into Hermosa. He was the first one to talk to me when I first started working here. He was a former barista and is now working as a caddie in the country club.

I looked at him and smiled. The bells on the door chimed as it shut behind him.

He grinned and his dimple showed. “Are you finished?” He asked.

I shook my head. “I just need to finish cleaning the counter.” I replied. “Henney had to go first and I volunteered to finish off for her.”

He nodded as he looked at the counter I am cleaning. “It’s already clean.” He told me.

I laughed. “Well, it’s not. It has sticky stains for the frappe that was spilled because of a child.” I explained and pointed at the obvious sticky portion of the stain.

He nodded and took one of the scrubs to help me finish off.

“I can do it alone, you know.” I told him.

He grinned and just shrugged.

I exhaled and just let him do whatever he wanted to do. After all, he’s been through all these before.

We finished off cleaning and I was only putting the scrubs into the janitor closet when he spoke. “You didn’t forget that we’re supposed to go out tonight, right?” He asked.

I smiled and shook my head. “Of course, I know that.” I replied.

Last week, we have planned to have a night out with Henney, Bash and Dave but it didn’t push through because the boys were caught up in the country club. We rescheduled it tonight. That’s also the main reason why Henney had to go home first. She needed to iron her clothes.

“Are you going home or can we go straight?” Greg asked me.

“I need to go home.” I replied as I removed my apron and placed it on the hanger behind the door. “I need to take a bath. The café was crazy a while ago.”

Greg chuckled. “You’ll know how crazy it will be on the day of the anniversary.”

I narrowed my eyes at him before getting my bag under the counter. “Why? A lot more people come?” I asked.

Greg laughed. “Oh, Darren. The population now wouldn’t even compare to when the Beach House celebrates its anniversary.”

My eyes widened in horror. It can’t be even more busier, right? It can’t be.

Greg was laughing at my expression as we walked out of the café. He was carrying his duffel bag as he walked beside me.

“Aren’t you going to change, too?” I asked.

He smiled. “I’ll change after I walk you to your door.” He told me.

I know. I’m not naïve. I know that he’s been hitting on me. Bash and Henney never failed to point that out since day one. The way Greg cared about me was different. I know because I can see how he treats Henney and Bash.

Well, Greg’s not bad. In fact, he’s hot. His blonde hair and tanned skin are what the rich people in the country club want. He has a toned body that all the women in every generation would want to stare at. It’s a bonus that he’s kind and caring. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

When we reached the entrance of the staff dorm, I faced him. “I’ll just go with Henney and Bash to the bar. I’ll text you when we’re almost there.”

I can see how he wanted to protest but he stopped himself. I hope he knows that I am not here for a relationship. I went to Hermosa because I want to escape my engagement with someone I don’t love. I didn’t come here to find love. I am here because I want to prove my parents that I can live without their money. I can provide for me. I don’t need them—or anyone—to decide for me. And that’s what I am doing.

“Sure. I’ll see you there.” Greg smiled at me.

I smiled weakly at him before walking towards the building. Mr. Tan, the security guard, greeted me and I greeted him back. If there was one thing I learned here in Hermosa, it is to be kind to everyone. All my bratty attitude issues couldn’t work if I need to start anew.

When I stepped inside my room, I immediately stripped and took a bath. Until now, I still couldn’t believe how fancy the dorms of the staff and crew are. Fully furnished and with an amazing bathroom. It’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t miss my own bedroom.

After showering, I wrapped my body in a towel and looked for something to wear. I have been to parties and clubs. I am from Las Vegas and it’s normal for us to party all night. I reached for that yellow cropped halter top and that tiny leather skirt.

I looked at myself in the mirror and decided on what makeup I will use tonight. In the end, I went for the dark theme. I put on my dark brown lip cream, matching it with my smoky eye shadow. I put my hair up in a messy bun before wearing the perfume I love.

Series of knocks came to my door and I knew it would be Bash and Henney. I went to open the door for them. They were too noisy as I put on my favorite pair of boots.

“Wow! You look sexy and hot.” Bash told me as she sat on my bed. “Are you planning on getting Greg into a fight tonight?”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Why would I?” I asked.

Bash shook her head. “Well, Greg likes you and he’d be glaring at all the guys who will look at you in that party. You know how possessive that guy is when it comes to you.”

“Shut up!” I shook my head.

Bash and Henney laughed. “It’s true, though.” Henney was smiling at me as she was already retouching her make up in front of my mirror. Bash followed soon after. When we were all done, I sent Greg a message. He was fast in replying that he was already there with Dave.

Somehow, the thought of him getting into a fight because of me made me uncomfortable. Perhaps, it’s true. There was one time when a European tried to hit on me on the beach and he almost went ballistic. Dave was fast enough to stop him.

Loud music was blasting through the speakers outside the cub. There were couples who were already making out in the dark alleys at the sides of the club. I had to look away because it grosses me out.

Bash, Henney and I walked towards the table that Dave told Bash. Greg was there with a woman trying to get his attention but he was shrugging her off. When he saw me, he sat up and glared at the girl.

I smiled at him. He smiled back. The girl beside him saw me and glared at me before leaving the table. Henney was laughing as we approached the table. She probably saw what happened as well.

I shook my head and sat beside Greg. He immediately asked me if I wanted a drink. “Just the lightest.” I told him when I saw a man staring at me across the dancefloor.

He has a clean cut hair, slicked back as wore a black V-neck shirt and jeans. Even from here, I can see how his biceps flexed as he crossed his arms against his chest. He titled his head to the side and bit his lip as he eyed me. I’m not hallucinating, right? He’s looking right at me.

“Darren, here’s your drink.” Greg’s voice almost made me jump. It was the signal that I had to stop staring at that god. I looked away from the man and calmed my beating heart. What was that?