Undisclosed Desires

2. The Less I Know The Better

The coffee shop was only meant to be a pit stop, to caffeinate your body before trudging along on your day of rejection. You asked if the place was hiring on a whim. You were desperate. And apparently, so is the coffee shop.

Yes, I can start today.

Immediately, you were handed an apron, black with the words "Delicious Delights" etched in red. "Names Tanaka Saeko. Manager of DD's. As you can see, shits kinda crazy right now. I won't have time to teach you much, just watch and learn, Kay? We'll do all the boring paperwork after the rush."

You stare at the advanced technology that was the coffee maker, in confusion, trying to figure out which button was what.

"Have you worked at a coffee shop before?" The first question she asks you. Looking to the ground, you shake your head no. Hoping that your lack of experience wasn't making Saeko change her mind about hiring you. "But I've worked at a library before. A-and I love to read..." you respond, hoping that your knowledge of books is a redeemable factor. This is a book store, after all.

"How about you just fill the black coffee and tea," Saeko spoke, noticing your confused state. Your duties ended up being busing tables, filling water glasses, sweeping—far away from the expensive coffee maker.

The coffee shop is situated on the busiest streets, smack in the middle of the city. Honking cars, a sea of walking bodies can all be seen through the large glass window. Directly across the street is a glass multistory building. Even though from a distance, you can see the golden letters, in cursive spelling out the name "Miya's." Luxury vehicles, with elegant passengers, shuffle in and out of the building, tossing their expensive car keys to the valet that eagerly speeds away in the sports cars. "What's that over there?" You curiously ask. All the surrounding buildings had people walking in and out. But that one, in particular, seemed to have more traffic than all the rest.

"How do you not know? Miya's. It's literally the most popular restaurant in town." Saeko responds.

"Well, I literally just got here this morning." You respond. The city, in general, is a definite culture shock from the suburban lifestyle you were used to.

"Where are you from, Bonnie?" Saeko makes small talk in between customers.

"Oh, you know, west of here. Small town you probably never heard of..." You nervously respond.

"Why did you come here if all places?"

"I don't know. I just wanted a change of pace." Your statement wasn't a complete lie. Coming to the city was a calculated decision. A large population means it's easy to blend it—hide.

"Well, Miya's is a staple. You haven't lived here properly until you've eaten there! I'll have to take you." She smiles as the line begins to form again, interrupting the small talk.

The coffee shop, unlike the outside traffic, was calm and peaceful. Except for the occasional cuss word coming from Saeko. The interior was cozy, with warm hues with the occasional pop of the dark red color, matching the Delicious Delights sign outside. The soft rock music over the intercom, whispering bodies enjoying their books and coffee, scattered around the ample seating, couches, benches, even an area with large beanie bags.

"I need a smoke. You can handle it, right?" Saeko lets out a sigh. The rush of people seemed to have subsided. Everyone has found a cozy area and made camp. "Yes." You nod. Just as long as no one orders something with a bunch of syllables, you can definitely make a simple coffee and use a cash register on your own. "Just don't give Mrs. Hashimoto any more coffee. She is limited to 2 cups a day. Don't let her fool you." Saeko giggles. "You hear that? No more coffee!"

"Respect your elders girl!" The older woman playfully bickers back.

Happily sweeping behind the counter, you hear the bell chiming as the front door opens. The chattering, even the music, seemed to have gone silent. The only sound from moving feet, some scurrying out the way, and two walking towards the counter.

"Welcome to DD's." you rehearsed in your head after hearing Saeko's customer interaction.

"Welcome to—" you begin to say as you're turning around to face the counter.

"—Who the fuck are you?" Your words, your body freeze as you see two towering men walking past the employee's only sign, directly towards you.

"I-I'm B-Bonnie." You nervously respond as your back smacks into the wall behind you. The one with short dark hair and thick eyebrows remained unemotional and silent as the other man walked closer to you. The one with green eyes and clenched jaw was the one who spoke.

"It's my first day." You squeal like a literal helpless baby calf at the predators in front of you.

"Okay, let's do all the boring paperwork before Lev gets here and throws a fit," Saeko says as she walks back inside. "Lev, what the fuck!" Your rescuer with the dangling earring walks in front of you. Unfazed by his large stature and angry expression. "We get it. You successfully scared a helpless girl not even twice your height. Now back off, okay?" Saeko rolls her eyes.

"You can't just hire anyone off the street, Saeko." The man with silver hair speaks. After the intense staredown, you nervously serve the two men some coffee as Saeko explains the entire situation. The two men have matching black suits and an unemotional gaze.

"Why not? I desperately needed the help, and you were taking your sweet time to find someone." Saeko huffs. You almost tremble at her tone, how she can speak so bluntly towards the intimidating man.

"She doesn't even have proper identification. And what kind of fucking name is Bonnie." He retorts.

"It's a nickname." You whisper. Praying that the man with the angry voice doesn't hear you. Which he didn't, the other man, however, with the caramel skin, he heard it. He was more composed than the other man, quiet and calmly drinking his cup of coffee. Looking at your frightened state, he speaks to his angrier friend. "Who cares, Lev. It's just a name."

"Who cares? I care, Aran." He huffs. "Don't tell me you're okay with a random stranger working here. We know nothing about her."

"Y/N." You speak up. "My r-real name. If you must know, it's Y/N. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble for you, sir. I'll leave. Just don't blame Saeko. I was the one who cornered her into giving me the job. It's all my fault." You begin to untie your apron. Your first day, and you're already getting booted by the coffee shop owner. He does have the right to be angry. You are a stranger in his home, with no proper identification or a way of explaining why you can't provide any identification.

I ran away from home. Seems pathetic to say aloud, especially coming from a grown adult woman.

"C'mon Lev. I'll vouch for her," Saeko speaks up in the last attempt to help you keep your job. "She just needs a job to get back on her feet."

"Tsk," he huffs, cursing under his breath in a mixture of multiple languages. "Fine. Saeko." He stands up, reminding you of the massive height difference he has—to pretty much everyone.

"But if she causes any trouble—" there was a moment of silence as he pats his suit jacket. The shuffling of his fingers looking for the button, momentarily exposing a harness, latched into his body. Not the cute ones everyone uses as a fashion accessory, but the gun holster kind. With two matching weapons carefully concealed underneath both of his sides.

"—I will not hesitate." His words echo the coffee shop. Without needing to completely finish his sentence, you harshly swallow. Because like everyone in the coffee shop, you knew what he meant.