special brew. | BrightWin

20.

B

We were now in our last week of business here. I had been having trouble finding a new place as I couldn't afford the rent for most of the places, and I didn't want to move to another province.

"What are you going to do after the last day?" Win asked me one night as I was cleaning up after the end of a day's work.

"Well, I haven't been able to find a new place that I can settle in, so I'll have to say goodbye for real." I said sadly. "But you know, my passion has always been making coffee. I have been thinking of getting a job at another café, and I'll work as a barista for them. At the very least, I can still continue doing what I love."

"Hm." He mumbles. There was a funny look in his eyes. I knew that look all too well - whenever he had something up his sleeves, there was always that glimmer that sparkled from behind those round glasses.

"What are you thinking?" I stopped what I was doing and leaned against the counter, staring at him.

"Just wondering if you'd be interested in seeing this..." He says as he fishes out some documents from his bag. I walk over to see what he was talking about, and my eyeballs were about to drop out of their sockets.

"What is this?"

"I know you can read the title. It says right there, 'lease agreement'." He says, giggling to himself.

I look at him in disbelief, picking up the document to take a closer look. There were various terms and conditions written on it, and it was signed off with Win's signature. The contract was for a shop space that was a twenty-minute drive away from here. The rent was just slightly higher than what I'd been paying, but it was in a great location that had lots of traffic. So even though there were a couple of big franchises in that area, I still stood a great chance of doing decently as compared to this current location.

I had come across this listing before and wanted it, but had been informed that someone else had taken it before I did. That someone was Win.

"The initial deposit's been paid, and you can move in any time you'd like. But you'll have to pay the subsequent rent on your own. You have no idea how lucky I was to get it, there were so many people eyeing the place." He said with a big grin on his face. He handed a key to me, which he explained was for the new shop. "I'm handing it over to you now, boss Bai. It's all yours."

I was in utter shock. No wonder he'd been staying up late surfing the internet so much lately, and talking on the phone a lot. Everytime I asked him what he was up to, he'd always say it was just work related.

He'd been doing all of this for me.

I wanted to scream and shout all over the place. I put the paper down, and started covering his face with kisses. I just couldn't find the words to tell him how happy I felt. I kissed him so much that he started tearing up from the tickles and was pleading with me to stop. Luckily, Film had taken leave for today, or she'd definitely be judging us like crazy.

"What did I do to deserve you?" I mumbled as I wrapped my arms around his waist. I knew that if I looked at him right now, I'd start crying. He hugged me too, and we sat there in the empty café for what felt like forever in each other's arms.

"And um, I know I can't replace this place, but I hope that the new shop can give you the chance to start anew." He says after pulling away, and squeezed my hands.

"What do I even say?" My lips trembled, and a tear flowed out of my eye before I could even stop it.

"Oho~ crying again, P'Bai? Come here."

I called Film after reaching home to tell her the news, and she screamed into the phone. I almost thought that I would go deaf from how loud she was shrieking, and she started sobbing. I could hear her girlfriend on the other end trying to soothe her, and had to stop myself from laughing.

"Win." I called out softly while we lay in bed in the dark.

"Hm?"

"Come here."

He scooted over to me, and I put my arm around his body. He looked up at me with sleepy eyes, waiting for me to speak.

"Thank you for everything you do." I said, and softly pecked his forehead.

"Anything for you." My baby's eyes were half closed as his cheeks puffed up in a smile, and puckered up his lips to kiss my cheek. "And promise me, if you have any problems in future, talk to me about it okay? We can find a solution together, don't put all the burden on yourself."

"I promise. You have to do the same too, okay?"

We intertwined our pinkies to seal the promise. He then buried his face into the crook of my neck, and I held him close to me. The comforting scent of the shampoo he uses wafted around my senses, reminding me of sunlight shining over a field of flowers as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

-

Five months later

Business has never been better. After moving into the new place, I was busier than ever as I welcomed a new crowd. There were also a handful of familiar faces every now and then of those who had missed the café, and found our new location. No doubt that I couldn't see Win as much now as I was further away from his workplace, but it was okay as we could see each other back home at the end of the day.

I also hired two more people as things were getting way too busy for just Film and me to handle. They were great at their job and helped to lighten my load significantly, which meant that I could step back a little to focus more on improving the menu and making new drinks that would surprise people. I also had two days off every week now instead of one, and my employees were more than pleased about it.

"I just have one question, boss." Film asked me one day.

"Hm?"

"Why did you change the name of the café to 'Special Brew'? I mean it's a great name, I'm just curious."

"Well, I met someone who made a very special drink. I can never forget the taste of it - even I can't match up to that level no matter how good I am at making beverages. That's where the inspiration came from."

"Was it that amazing?"

I thought for a while, and smiled. "More than you will ever know."