𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀 - 𝗠. 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 | ✔︎

𝟭𝟰. ➪ 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱

"Hey Skye!" I greet my lovely co-worker as I enter the Craving Coffee. She greets me back before I make my way to the back in order for me to switch clothes. Today will be a good day, especially since it'll be the first day of executing my plan that I've come up with alongside Amelia. I'm, however, also a bit nervous and mostly insecure. I'm hoping that Mason will like whatever I've set up today though, otherwise the whole plan will already be blown.

"You seem happy today." Skye remarks as she's cleaning a table after I'd come out of the back, resulting in me smiling like a 5 year old. Only the thought of me and Mason alone makes me smile, especially if everything happens according to the plan we've set up. We'd thought about anything, except for when it'd go wrong, but a gut feeling of mine says today will be a good day.

"I can say the same about you girl, look at you." I compliment Skye back, a shy chuckle escaping her mouth. Me and Skye have been talking about our love life's a lot with one another, which makes me believe that the happy mood and glowing appearance had to do with a guy, it must be. She's been talking to me about this brown haired guy and the more she told me about him the more curious I got.

"Spill the tea." I encourage as I clean a table next to her, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink.

"Well, his name is Kai and he's a football player apparently. He isn't even from here, which is clearly audible by his accent." Skye informs me, my mind instantly making the link to Mason's team mate Kai Havertz. The description is similar and ticks all the boxes, but he might as well be someone else. As I'm thinking the girl is still beaming, probably imagining who knows what with the boy she's been talking to for a while now. From what I'm hearing he's a cute, caring and hot, so I can't blame her.

"You should definitely let him come around some time." I nudge Skye as I go and clean another table, only to see Tammy, Reece, an unfamiliar figure and Mason entering the cafe. Skye seems to notice too. Before she can even ask I indicate to her that I'll serve them, resulting in her nodig ging her head before she walks off. As I collect my thoughts I approach them, a smile making its way on my face. I have faith in the boys to stick to the plan, they must.

"Hey Tammy, a table for four?" I calmly ask, hoping not to break character. My lower stomach is killing me as I look into Mason's eyes, but I can't let it get to me, especially since he's the reason I'm doing this. I can't just run away or break down in front of them when the person it's about is right there.

"Defo Zoë." He smiles as he puts his arm around my shoulders, the way taller boy engulfing me into a hug. After hugging Tammy I also share a hug with Reece and Trevor, who apparently also is a youth player Chelsea have signed to their first team. Lastly comes Mason. I greet him with a friendly nod, resulting in an embarrassed attitude as he returns the favour. I walk the four of them to their tables and then get to the back, taking a moment to breathe.

"Is everything okay Z?" Hailey asks out of nowhere. I point at the boys to answer her question before sliding down the wall a bit. She slides down the wall besides me, fear written all over her face, which must have to do with Tammy. She told me that the two of them went on a date, only for her to misunderstand a move he'd made. When their date ended Tammy wanted to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, but Hailey turned her head in his direction. Their lips connected and she liked it, but she pulled away just as fast as it happened. She hasn't heard of him since and even though it only happened 3 days ago, she thought he'd hit her up to go on a second date with her by now.

"I should serve them." I convince Hailey, but mainly myself. Hailey also partly knows about the plan and the girl nods my way whilst putting her hand on my shoulder, it being her way of wishing me luck. As I make my way to their table me and Mason lock eyes. Even though words aren't exchanged, it feels like his expression on itself apologises in all the ways they can. I ignore it though and ask what they want to order. They all take Tammy's usual order and thank me for my service before I head off. I give it through to Rufus, who then gives me a nod.

"Are these for your boyfriends?" He asks in a playful manner as he also gives the order through to Jake, the other chef. His comment makes me roll my eyes, which results in Rufus laughing at my actions. Rufus has always been a good friend of mine and honestly, I love the man with everything I have. He's always taken care of me on the work floor and even off, him providing me with money when I began with working here. He'd heard my story and told me nobody should go through that, something which I appreciated a lot. We've looked out for one another ever since and I told him almost everything that's going on in my life, which automatically means he knows about Mason and his friends too.

"Listen, kiddo. With the grin you have while looking at him I can only say that you like him a lot. Just do you and you'll be fine." He gives me a reassuring nod again. His words make me smile as I mouths quick 'thank you'. My confidence was low at the moment and Rufus must've noticed. It makes me realise that Rufus truly is a good man. He always knows what to say and it only makes me like him more as the days go on.

"Actually, can you give one plate a cake in the shape of an heart. I know we usually don't add cake to the dish but-"

"On it." Jake interrupts, a loving smile sent my way. Jake is also a good friend of mine. Maybe not as good as Rufus, but just like him he's helped me out with a lot. Where he helped resolve financial problems by looking into the bills I had to pay and my account, I helped him with relationship issues, once he's benefitted of quite well. He's still with his girlfriend, Fiona, until this day and the two seem happy. We believe Jake won't stay long though, even though he's still young. He's been exceptional and it'll only be a matter of time before he's noticed by some of London's best restaurants. I give Jake a small smile back and a wink before serving another table, also giving their orders through as Rufus hands me the four plates.

Anxiously I make my way to the four of them, three of them laughing at something whilst one was sitting rather quiet, staring a bit in front of him. I put their plates down and tell them to enjoy their meal, making my way to the kitchen as quickly as possible. I didn't want him to notice the note whilst I was at the table and definitely wanted to see him open it with Rufus at the kitchen counter, which was exactly where I was headed towards. The two of us see him open my 'tell your friend you'll pay, I've got something to say ;)' note, his face lighting up a bit as he looks around in the cafe, desperately searching for my presence. I give Rufus a small high five before serving other tables, getting back to my job in a rather distracted state.

As I serve others the boys round up after a while, the three of them making their way to the entrance. Even though Tammy wants to pay, Hailey let's Mason pay. I suspect it's partly because of my plan, but mainly because Tammy has been ghosting her a bit. She sends a quick glare to Tammy, indicating that she hasn't heard back of him, the boy turning a slight shade of pink before turning around the the exit, Trevor and Reece tagging along. After a few seconds someone taps my shoulder, making me jump slightly. As I turn around I look into brown, familiar eyes as he speaks,

"So, Mrs. Williams, what did you want to talk about...."

-Dɪғғᴇʀᴇɴᴛ Wᴏʀʟᴅs-