Chapter 4: Last Shift

Conrad arrives at Ultimo Coffee. Knowing that he needs to tell his manager about him leaving, he starts to feel nervous as he doesn’t know what to tell his manager since everything was so sudden. He takes a deep breath and gets out of the car. By the time he gets out of the car, he sees Duke opening up the café.

“Good morning Duke!” Conrad greets while approaching him.

“Hey, Conrad.” Duke greets back as he opens the café.

“I see you’re in charge of opening up today.” Conrad said. “Do you know what time the manager will arrive?” He asked Duke.

“No, why?” Duke asked back.

“I’m leaving for college tomorrow morning.” Conrad answered. “I have to tell Sir Devon about it since everything was so sudden.” He added.

“That’s cool.” Duke said. “What culinary school you’re going to?” He asked out of curiosity.

“I’m going to the Institute of Culinary Education.” Conrad answered.

“The Institute of Culinary Education?!” Duke said surprisingly.

“Is there something wrong?” Conrad asked confusingly

“Of course there is!” Duke exclaimed as he grabs Conrad’s shoulder. “That’s one of the schools that is hard to get into due to the popularity.” He explained.

“Yeah, I know.” Conrad said. “That’s why I put every thought that would benefit my application there so that I could get accepted.” He explained to Duke. “And believe me, it was hard.” He added.

“Well, congratulations!” Duke congratulated Conrad. “We better get to work before customers start to go in.” He said.

“We should.” Conrad agrees as they went inside.

Conrad goes to the employees’ room to put on his work apron and cap before starting his shift. As soon as he puts it on, he punches in his timecard and starts working. With no customers coming in yet, he wipes the counters and fills the case with freshly baked pastries.

Moments later, customers start to come in one by one and Sir Devon still wasn’t there. Conrad starts to worry since he really needs to tell him about it or problems will arise.

By the time it was lunch, the café was full of customers and customers won’t stop coming in. While Conrad was busy handling the cashier, Sir Devon comes in with someone. He tells every worker there that he’ll be announcing after the lunch rush. After Conrad hears Sir Devon’s voice, he wasn’t nervous anymore and gathers up the courage to tell everything about him leaving for college.

Once the lunch rush finishes and not many customers are coming in, Sir Devon gathers everyone and starts to tell everyone the announcement.

“Everyone, I would like to introduce to you our new cashier, Lillie.” Sir Devon introduces Lillie and she shows her face to everyone with a smile.

Duke suddenly freezes in place as she sees Lillie’s face for the first time. With Conrad noticing, he gets the idea that Duke might be falling in love with Lillie. He gets the attention of Duke so that he could focus on Sir Devon and Lillie.

“Hey everyone.” She greets while waving her hand. “I’m Lillie, and I’m Sir Devon’s daughter.”

Hearing that she’s the daughter of Sir Devon, everyone was shocked by the news since they didn’t have any idea that their manager is married. They didn’t see Sir Devon wearing a ring as well so everything is complicated beyond this.

“You’ve married Sir Devon?” Duke asks to make sure.

“No, actually we’re divorced.” Sir Devon answered Duke. “Even when divorced, I can never leave my daughter.” He explained. “She’s the little bundle of joy in my life.” He added.

“Dad, you know I’m not little anymore.” Lillie said to his father.

“I know that.” Sir Devon replied. “But to me, you’re still my little girl.” He added. “Since Lillie will be working here, I want you guys to treat her well.” He said. “Conrad, I’m leaving you with her in your hands.” He told Conrad. “Orient her about the job you’re doing here.” He added.

“I will.” Conrad replied.

The meeting finishes and everyone goes back to work. Conrad asks Duke to take care of Lillie for a while, while he talks to Sir Devon about him leaving Ultimo Coffee. Duke agrees and Conrad follows Sir Devon to his office.

He arrives at Sir Devon’s office door. He takes a deep breath, knocks on the door, and goes inside.

“Sir Devon, can I talk to you about something?” Conrad asks nervously.

“Sure thing, Conrad.” Sir Devon agrees. “Take a seat.” He added.

Conrad takes a seat and Sir Devon asks him about what he wants to talk about.

“This might be sudden, but I’m leaving Ultimo Coffee.” Conrad said

“When will you leave?” Sir Devon asked.

“I’m leaving after this shift ends.” Conrad answered.

“Why so soon?” Sir Devon asked again. “Did you receive your acceptance letters already?” He added.

“Yeah, I did.” Conrad answered.

“When does class start?” Sir Devon asks confusingly.

“Two weeks from now actually.” Conrad answered.

“If classes start two weeks from now, why not work here for another week?” Sir Devon asked again confusingly.

“Funny story actually.” Conrad answered with a nervous laugh. “My aunt also found a great apartment for me.” He added. “She also told me that I need to arrive there by tomorrow since she already paid for it and they’ll give my spot to other tenants even if my aunt paid for it.” He explained.

“Well, good luck with culinary school, I guess.” Sir Devon said unsurely. “It’s a bit sad that you’re leaving so suddenly.” He added. “Well, since it’s your last day today, you better make it memorable.” He suggested.

“I will, and I’ll start it by orienting Lillie so that she can handle everything when I’m gone.” Conrad said.

“Now, go back to work and I’ll check on you guys later.” Sir Devon said.

Conrad stands up and goes to the door. Before he opens the door, Sir Devon suddenly asks him another question.

“Before you leave, did Duke just fall in love with Lillie?” Sir Devon asked out of curiosity.

“I think so…” Conrad answered unsurely.

“Okay, you may go now.” Sir Devon said.

Conrad goes outside the manager’s office, closes the door behind him, and starts to go back to work. As he was about to go back to handling the cashiers, he notices Lillie and Duke talking. He goes over and joins the conversation.

“Hi, Lillie.” Conrad greeted. “I’m Conrad, and your father asked me to orient you on things on how things work here and explain to you our jobs as cashiers.” He said. “Shall we get started?” Conrad asked Lillie.

“Sure thing.” Lillie answered.

Before they start, Conrad tells Duke that Sir Devon is on to him. Sir Devon realizes that Duke fell in love with her daughter. Duke suddenly blushes a little and Lillie chuckles as she sees Duke’s face. Conrad also asks Duke to take care of the cashier for a while, while he orients Lillie on how things work here.

Conrad starts orienting Lillie starting with introducing everyone to her and explain their jobs in Ultimo Coffee. He also makes a joke or two so that things won’t be that serious between them. With Lillie being familiar with everyone who works in Ultimo Coffee, Conrad explains his job as a cashier and tells everything that Lillie needs to do.

“Another thing, besides taking orders from customers and handle the cashier, we also refill the case with freshly baked pastries and wipe the counters here.” Conrad explained. “This way, we’re still working and help our co-workers at the same time.” He added.

“One question, do I also get to work with the coffee machines?” Lillie asked.

“No, but Duke will take care of that since he’s the barista.” Conrad answered. “Any other questions before I manage you working the cashiers?” He asked.

“I’m good.” Lillie replied.

They start to work behind the cashier as Lillie’s first customer comes in. Conrad gives her encouragement as she takes her first order. Lillie’s a natural working as a cashier. She has a friendly approach to the customers, and she knows every item on the menu already. By the time Lillie finishes taking her first order, Conrad and Duke praise her for doing an excellent job. For the rest of the day, they take turns in taking the orders since there was only one available cashier.

Conrad finishes his shift and leaves Lillie with the rest of the work. He heads over to the employees’ headquarters to rest and punch his timecard for the last time. As Conrad sits down, Duke comes in talks with Conrad.

“Hey, so this is it.” Duke said. “You’re about to leave for college.” He added.

“I’m going to miss working in this place though.” Conrad said sadly.

Sir Devon also comes in along with Lillie. He hands over Conrad his paycheck and gives him thanks for working there.

“Hey, you’re leaving already?” Lillie asked sadly.

“Yeah, I am.” Conrad replied.

“Was it because of me?” Lillie asked again.

“No.” Conrad declined. “I’m actually leaving for college tomorrow.” He added.

“If that’s the case, good luck.” Lillie said.

“If you ever need help, just ask Duke and he’ll help you right away.” Conrad said while looking at Duke.

“I will and thanks for helping me on my first day.” Lillie said.

“Conrad, you’re a great worker and everyone here in Ultimo Coffee will surely miss you.” Sir Devon said sadly.

“I will also miss you guys.” Conrad said sadly. “I promise to visit Ultimo Coffee as well when I’m back here in Philadelphia.”

“We’ll be looking forward to that.” Sir Devon said sadly.

Conrad stands up, hands over his apron and cap, and shakes Sir Devon's hands as well as Lillie’s. Duke hugs Conrad and tells him good luck in college. Conrad gathers his things and leaves Ultimo Coffee while waving back to them.