CHAPTER TWO

GIANNA

FOUR YEARS LATER

"Table 5c. Corner. Coffee, completely black and not even a drop of sugar should go in. Got it? Also, says whoever makes the coffee should be the one to serve him. Everyone else is busy right now so you're gonna have to take this one. Don't mess it up. This one looks important," Janelle ordered as she came in with her notepad. I nodded at her and set to work.

I quickly made the coffee then stepped out to give it to the customer. My eyes landed on the back of a man sitting by himself and holding his phone. From what I could see, he looked well off. I smoothed my apron and plastered the widest smile I had as I stalked to his side.

"Be Warm Café, we hope you enjoy this warm cup of—" I began immediately I reached his side but as I looked at his face, my heart jumped to my mouth and I lost balance, immediately falling on him along with the coffee in my hand.

The coffee spilled on both of us and I fell into his arms. Instinctively, I closed my eyes and pushed myself closer to the man's chest. After a few seconds, I realiser what happened and I immediately pulled away from him. I tried to use my hair to cover my face as I apologized.

"I'm extremely sorry, sir," I apologized, grabbing a napkin off the table and trying to wipe off the stain. It only made it worse since he had a white shirt on. Fuck, this would cost a lot. I really hoped he wouldn't report to the boss.

"Would sorry pay for a new shirt? Or a dry clean?" he asked, his deep voice resonating within me. By this time, we had gathered a lot of people's attention. I bit my lip and stopped.

"I'm extremely sorry, sir. I'd gladly make another coffee for you. On the house," I said, picking up the cup and tray and immediately turning around. I was walking away when he stopped me.

"Wait," he said. I slowly turned around while still keeping my head down. I couldn't let him recognize me. "What's your name?"

"Anna," I breathed. "Anna Hunt."

"You'll be hearing from me soon, Miss Hunt," he said, going back to his seat. I was almost convinced I heard a mocking tone in his voice when he called my 'name'.

I swiftly turned away and hurried to make him another cup of coffee.

"What happened?" Rhea asked immediately I came into the kitchen. I hurried to grab a cup as I dismissed her.

"Hold on a second, let me just do this then I'll explain. You know what, when I'm done, mind giving that guy this cup of coffee?" I asked her, desperately hoping she'd agree so I wouldn't have to see him again. Rhea nodded and I gave her the cup.

I stayed back in the kitchen as I waited for her to come back. Soon, she came back with the still full cup of coffee, a note and a very handsome tip.

"What? What's this? You didn't give him? And is another customer flirting with you?" I asked, frowning. Rhea shook her head in the negative and I furrowed my brows.

"That's not it. The note and tip is for you and surprisingly, I didn't see the mystery man when I went to give him the coffee," she said, dropping the note and tip on the counter. "Might as well drink it and claim he did," she continued and took the coffee in one whole gulp.

"Rhea," I scolded, absentmindedly. I grabbed the note first and read what was written on it. 'Take the money. You'll need it very soon,' it read. I frowned and picked the money so as to count it. Just as I finished counting it, a perfectly manicured hand snatched the money away from me.

"Didn't I tell you to be careful? You just have to ruin everything every damn time! I should've let someone else handle that," she complained, glaring at me. I rolled my eyes at Janelle.

"Janelle, that's rude and you should give me back my tip," I told her. Janelle scowled and counted the money.

"Your so called tip is for damages. And you don't talk to your senior that way," Janelle spat out. She glanced at the note and smirked. "You can keep the note though. I'm pretty sure it wasn't his number he left you," she taunted.

"Janelle ever thought of running your filthy gutter somewhere else? This is a kitchen, not a dumpsite for your dirty attitude," I fired before I could stop myself. Janelle stilled then turned to face with the deadliest glare I'd ever received. I swear, if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under with knife marks all over my body. I shivered.

"What did you just say, Gianna?" she asked, lowly. The other workers in the kitchen stopped what they were doing and waited with bated breath for what would happen next since everyone knew about the sour relationship between Janelle and I. But this was what I hated about this place; you never had YOUR business. It was EVERYBODY'S business. Sigh.

"I'm pretty sure you heard what I said," I told her, raising my chin. Janelle clenched her jaw and twisted her neck.

"I'm reporting you to Mr Jiang," she said then left. I rolled my eyes and went back to what I was doing.

"Aren't you worried?" Rhea asked, frowning. I shook my head. I wasn't worried at all. Janelle came back with a smirk on her face.

"Gianna, Mr Jiang asks for you. Let's go," she said. I followed her to his office and after knocking, we entered.

"Miss Gianna Hunter, I hear some complaints about you. Shall I mention them or you already know your mistakes?" Mr Jiang asked. I gave him an indifferent expression then examined my nails. They were due for changing. They had already started chipping.

"I'm not sure she knows what you're saying, sir. Please read it out for her," Janelle said, innocently. Mr Jiang glared hard at me and did as she said.

"For negligence and clumsiness to customers. Bullying Co workers and seniors. Disrespect to your senior. Insulting those above and a new one, disrespecting your boss," he listed. I laughed.

"So?" I asked.

"You'll be suspended until further notice. Goodbye for now, Miss Hunter. We'll meet again when you learn balance and manners," Mr Jiang said. I had expected this. I stood up and walked to the door.

"Correction, you're not my boss; you're Janelle's lapdog and fuck-buddy. We'll see tomorrow, Fred Jiang. I promise you," I told him then walked out. Fred Jiang wasn't the actual boss. He was just his son. The actual boss, Elder Jiang was much nicer and was like a father figure to me. I'd report this to him.

"We see tomorrow?" Rhea asked. I nodded as I picked my bag and left the coffee shop. I might not have had the best day, but I was still glad. As I stepped out I glanced at the empty table 5c. I had successfully avoided and escaped Ryder Black once again and thankfully, he didn't recognize me.