Stupid Cupid

08: The Drive Home

- New's POV -

"Good mood, boss?"

I look at the man beside me and feel my cheeks tightening. I suddenly stop smiling and furrow my eyebrows.

"Tsk. P'Podd and his instinctive self," I think.

"I'm alright," I shrug, placing the baked goods in the display cabinet. I try to appear nonchalant and relaxed, but P'Podd's sharp eyes catch me.

"Alright? No, boss. You look more than alright. You look like you're on cloud nine! You've been humming ever since I got here!" He crosses his arms and scrutinizes me.

Have I?

I am about to put the last cream cheese-filled bread in the cabinet when I pause. It hits me that I have indeed been humming "Jump Then Fall" by Taylor Swift for a while now, which was the last song that played on my phone before I turned the music off.

My face turns crimson red as I feel embarrassed. But should I really be embarrassed? It's not every day that I receive a 'good morning' message from a handsome guy. Yup, that's right. That jerk took two weeks before asking for my number—about time! Still, better late than never, right?

Not that I'm any better myself; I never make the first move. For two weeks, all I do is serve him drinks and snacks and engage in small talk whenever we aren't busy. He is even the one who initiates those conversations!

"See? You're not just okay. You look happy! It's been a while since I've seen you this happy, boss! Is it about that handsome, hot, nerdy guy who comes in here every day?" I look at P'Podd, and he beams at me like a proud father, wiggling his eyebrows.

Argh. I place the last piece of bread inside the display cabinet and close the lid. I roll my eyes at him before heading to the kitchen. After putting down the tray, I make my way to the employee restroom. I have a little time before we open, and I don't want to spend it waiting and looking like a fool, especially around P'Podd. I put down the seat cover of the bowl and fish my phone out of the right pocket of my jeans. My hand automatically leads me to the messaging app and I press on his name absentmindedly. 

'Tay Tawan'

I prop my left elbow up on my knee and rest my left cheek on my knuckles as I read our latest exchange.

From: Tay Tawan

Hi, Newwiee! Good morning!

To: Tay Tawan

Argh, that nickname again. Can you drop it already? It's the name of the cat! Not mine!

Also, good morning :)

From: Tay Tawan

Can't. Sorry. It's too adorable not to be used for you. Plus, you look like an adorable kitten yourself.

I slightly chuckle and bite my lower lip as I shake my head in disbelief.

Yeah, I'm feeling giddy just by reading the word adorable. What the hell is wrong with me?!

To: Tay Tawan

Whatever, mister. Just got here in the cafe. Got to go. I have to bake.

From: Tay Tawan

Alright! Be safe. Don't burn your hands or anything.

'Be safe.' 

Reading it instantly brings a smile to my face, as though I'm a little kid discovering the joy of baking for the very first time!

'Be safe.'