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All Chapters of A Latte and a Billion Dollars : Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

6 Chapters

Brewed Ambitions

A Latte and a Billion Dollars /Ariel Russell

The morning air outside La Petite Bean was brisk, but the warmth inside wrapped around anyone who stepped in like an old friend’s embrace. From the outside, the café looked simple—a small, worn sign, chipped at the edges, swayed in the breeze.Inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee blended with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Sunlight streamed through foggy windows, casting a soft glow on the worn wooden floors and mismatched furniture. Bookshelves filled with old novels and local art lined the walls, making it feel like a cosy living room that welcomed everyone.“Mary, table four needs an extra shot in their Americano,” called Gale from the back.“Got it,” she replied. Gale Bryan, the owner, worked quietly behind the counter. His gray hair peeked out from under a faded baseball cap as he moved with the ease of someone who’d been doing this for over fifty years. He wasn’t much for talking, but his kindness showed in the way he brewed coffee.Mary Jane Carter stood behind the c

After Hours

A Latte and a Billion Dollars /Ariel Russell

“Good work today everybody, make sure you get a good night’s rest and stay safe.” Gale said.“Thanks, boss!” they all chorused. Mary Jane went to the changing room to take off her apron and work outfit while preparing to close the café for the night and leave. She picked out a face wipe from her bag, carefully wiping away the grime, dust particles and sweat from her face that had gathered: from the days work . She sighed deeply thinking about the bills that were waiting for her at home and finally decided to head home. She said goodnight to Gale one last time before she left the cafe. A little way down the the street, she ran into David Beckham. “Were you waiting for me?” She asked, a little bit confused. “Uh…yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks turning red. “I, um, wanted to see if you’d be free this Friday. Maybe grab a bite, or something?” “I’m really sorry, Dave,” she said gently, “but I’ve got another shift Friday night—over at that diner across town. I’d lo

Nostalgia

A Latte and a Billion Dollars /Ariel Russell

Mary Jane’s life had once been easy. Before her father’s sudden death when she was nine, her family had known comfort. But after that night, everything changed. Her mother, Lynn, was left alone with bills piling up, raising Mary in a small, shabby apartment. Lynn took on multiple jobs, and Mary watched as the toll of long hours wore her mother down. She promised herself that one day, her mother wouldn’t have to struggle anymore.Now, sitting together on their worn couch, Mary sensed those old worries in Lynn’s eyes.“It’s alright, Mom,” she said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Things will get better.” She tried to sound confident, but her mother’s silent tears struck her deeply. Lynn dabbed at her cheeks, then forced a small smile.“You’re right,” she said softly. “But have you even eaten today?”Mary hesitated, realizing she hadn’t. “You caught me,” she admitted with a sheepish smile.Lynn chuckled gently and moved to the kitchen. Mary watched her mother’s steps, noticing how frail

Sunrise

A Latte and a Billion Dollars /Ariel Russell

The first blush of dawn spread across the horizon as New York stirred from its slumber. The towering skyscrapers and bustling streets slowly awoke under the soft touch of morning light. From Ethan’s office, perched high atop a prestigious skyscraper, the sunrise over the city was a mesmerizing spectacle.The eastern sky, once painted in deep shades of indigo and violet, began to brighten as the daybreak drew nearer. Clouds caught the early light, their fringes glowing pink and gold. Below, the city remained in shadow, awaiting the dawn’s magic.As minutes passed, the skyline slowly emerged in silhouette against the shifting colours. The towering buildings, symbols of human ambition, cast long shadows across the parks and avenues. The distant hum of traffic broke the morning stillness, hinting at the day to come.Ethan stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, watching as the city below transformed from darkness to light. The sun reflected off the glass buildings, filling hi

At The Café

A Latte and a Billion Dollars /Ariel Russell

“Hey, why don’t we grab a coffee this afternoon?” Cliff suggested, glancing at Ethan, who was focused on a stack of papers, studying them for their next meeting.Ethan looked up, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t have time for that, Cliff. There’s way too much work to be done, as you can see.”Cliff laughed, undeterred. “You work too much, man. You're a certified workaholic. Seriously, If there was an award for the hardest worker, it’d go to you, Ethan Cogsworth.”Ethan chuckled, shaking his head, but Cliff wasn’t about to give up.“Come on,” Cliff urged, drawing out the words. “It’s this cosy little café I found—La Petite Bean. And, trust me, the staff there are easy on the eyes, if you catch my drift.” He winked, and Ethan rolled his eyes.“Fine,” Ethan agreed, amused. “We’ll check it out later this afternoon. But I’m going for the coffee, not the ‘eye candy.’ I looked them up just now, and they’ve got good reviews.”Cliff grinned. “Whatever gets you out of this office works for me.”Aro

Unexpected Connections

A Latte and a Billion Dollars /Ariel Russell

Mary Jane took a deep breath as she walked over to Ethan and Clifford’s table. The cosy café, with its warm lighting and comforting smells, suddenly felt too big and too small all at once. Her heart raced, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her apron. Ethan Cogsworth wasn’t just any customer; he was a billionaire, known for his powerful place in the business world. And she was just a barista, trying to get by.As she reached their table, Ethan looked up from the menu. His deep-set dark eyes met hers, and she felt a sudden flutter in her chest—the kind she thought only happened in movies. He had a presence that was both intense and oddly accommodating. Mary Jane swallowed, hoping her voice would sound steady as she took their order.“Hi there! Welcome to La Petite Bean. I’m Mary Jane. What can I get started for you today?” Her voice sounded steadier than she felt, though she could hear a slight tremor.Clifford smiled, his boyish grin infectious. “Hi, Mary Jane. I’ll take a cappuccino a