02

SOLENN'S POV

I slept soundly on the warmth of a soft bed and under a roof that has no leak or whatsoever. The walls and windows contain no cracks where cold chill from the weather could seeps in. The stay in my new house is comfortable indeed.

But no matter how suitable and comforting this place is, I cannot get the thought of my family I left behind out of my mind. I can't fully relax since I am feeling guilty about their situation when I left them in that place and did not take them together with me to this new city.

The condition of our house back in F City is awful enough for me to not feel relieved even if I had gotten myself out of that poor living. My father whose health is now deteriorating. My mother is eager to help my father in earning a living but has her hands full just with tending to my father's health. My sisters ... who are helping our parents by taking various jobs to earn some measly change from others.

And the fact that I had the nerve to sleep soundly despite all of that was weighing me down when I opened my eyes this morning. I feel stupid and guilty since I had this way of life when my family might be suffering back in my hometown.

I took a quick shower to make sure that I will save some fees for water payment. Even the water fees seem to be like paying gold in this city. It was as if every necessity in this city is made out of finest materials ever seen. 

Although I did not take much time in showering, I still made sure that my body is cleaned thoroughly and not a single scent of my sweat can be smelled out of me. I also made sure to brush my teeth since I need to smile at my customers.

I dressed up presentably with my clean clothes and made some sandwiches for both Raya and me for breakfast. This will serve as a small token of my appreciation for the things and opportunities she gave me yesterday.

I cannot express how grateful I am towards her for giving me a lot of opportunity in this city. She gave me the chance to share this low-budget apartment unit together with her. She offered me one of the sandwiches she just bought when I was hungry in the middle of nowhere. The job opportunity and the connection she has was one of the best things that happened to me yesterday.

This decision was one of the greatest and one of the things that I am most thankful for. With this decision that I made, I can now see a brighter future ahead of me and my family. A future where we, as a family, will have enough money to buy for our daily necessities and provide for ourselves.

I woke Raya up since she is now free to do her morning routine and because I have finished with mine. This cuts back the time spent and makes our time used more efficiently. While I did all of that, she can rest much longer. For the next time, she can just do the same for me to call it quits between the two of us.

We ate our breakfast together after she was done taking a bath. Afterward, she insisted that she will be the one to wash the dirty dishes since I was already the one who made our breakfast.

We quickly made our way to the coffee shop since early birds always get the worm. It is better for us, especially for me, to be earlier and not be late since I am still new to the job. And I might get fired even for the smallest thing or action that I made wrong.

As soon as we arrive, the shop is yet to open for customers. So, we did some basic cleaning here and there, after wearing our supposed uniform, which is an apron and a hat. That was all that was required for us to wear during working hours. 

I cleaned up the tables and wiped the glass windows to make them crystal clear. I also made sure that there are no dirty spots on the floor and made sure that your reflection can be seen once you look at it.

I made an extra effort during my work today although it was still early in the morning. I, myself, am not a hundred percent sure as to where this kind of energy of mine is coming from. I just know that I have a lot of energy to spare during my work today.

I need to work even harder to earn more money and reap more rewards. We only have less than ten minutes before the official opening of the coffee shop. I washed my hands and sanitize them as well while I am at it.

Aside from me, the other employees lined up as well on the counter near the employees' lounge area. We all did a team yell to lift everybody's spirits at work. This also maintains the positive atmosphere inside our workplace. 

I was ordered to be the one to deliver the customers' orders together with some other co-workers of mine. Raya, on the other hand, handles the making of the coffee. Whenever there is free time or when there weren't many customers giving their orders, I've got some time to practice my skills in making coffee.

I was praised by our manager since I am such a quick learner. This form of compliment made my day brighter, as it made me feel happy that I was able to learn in a short amount of time. The other employees, despite feeling jealous of my fast growth, are also happy that I learned quickly.

They even joked that I will be the one to do everything once I mastered doing everything there is to offer in our shop. I am genuinely happy when they showered me with such kind praises.

I cannot help but smile all throughout the day. For our lunch break, we are divided into two groups so we all can eat alternately for a period of time. The first group was Raya's and they are to eat their lunch for a maximum of thirty minutes in time. 

While her group was having their lunch, our group were assigned to do everything from taking the orders of customers, making the coffee, and serving it to them. Since I am still a newbie, in a sense more than one, I was tasked to give the ordered coffee to the customers.

After half an hour, finally, it was our turn to have our lunch. I just have to give this last ordered coffee for table number 8. I searched for the table which has the number 8 on it. As soon as I spotted one, I was about to give it to the customer when he dashed off the shop.

If he leaves his coffee, it will be his loss since he has paid for it already. But I cannot afford to just let the man go without giving him his coffee. So I took off my apron and placed it on the counter. I informed someone that I will be running after the customer to give him his order.

I left the coffee shop without looking back to my colleagues who were calling out for me. I paid them no mind since I need to give this to the guy first and foremost.

His stride was long and fast. I was barely able to keep up. "E- excuse ... m- me ..." I called for the man while panting really hard as I try to catch my breath. The man looked back at me when I tapped on his shoulder.

I recognize this man's face. He was the one from yesterday. The customer with the tablet. "Sir ... Sky ...?" I called for his name a bit unsure if what I called him was really the name he gave me yesterday.

"Oh ... the tablet savior~," He said gleefully. "What can I do for you?" he asked. I stretched my arms and handed his order to him. "Oh~ That's the reason why I felt I forgot something when I left the coffee shop. Thanks again."

He gave me a small smile. 

"Oh ... Right. In order to officially thank you for yesterday, can I treat you for lunch? That is if you haven't had your lunch yet." His offer is right on the spot. He really knows the right timing for these kinds of stuff.

"I'll take you up for the offer then. I'm pretty much hungry right now as well," I politely accepted his offer and so we left for lunch.