Flawed In Love with Kiku (LOVE COFFEE SERIES #1)

Chapter 6

Another week passed, KoiKohii Cafe is still a bit busy because of the increase in the volume of customers who visit us. Kaya naman kahit noong una ay mayroon akong pag-aalinlangan, tinanggap ko na rin ang tulong ni Errol na mag assist sa akin dito sa Cafe. It is much easier when Kuya and our friends are around but sometimes busy rin sila sa work and personal life nila that is why I appreciate Errol's helping hand.

"Seryoso na kasi, Errol, ano ngang ibabayad ko sayo?" Pangatlong beses ko na sya tinanong ngayong buong linggo. He regularly comes to help but whenever I would ask him about his compensation, ayaw naman magbigay ng seryosong sagot.

"Bakit ba gustong gusto mo ako bayaran? Mukha ba akong lalaking bayaran?" Gaya na lang niyan! Wala sa ayos sumagot akala mo naka-hithit ng katol sa sobrang kulit kausap.

"Isa nga, mananapak na talaga ako!" Banta ko sa kanya sabay abot nung tray na dadalhin niya sa table ng isang customer.

Sa totoo lang, it was hard to reject Errol's proposition na mag work with me kasi in a way, mula nung naging serbidero ko sya dito ay mas dumami ang napunta and majority ay mga babae na high school and college students pa. So what can the businesswoman in me do sa ganito ka-effective na marketing strategy diba? I cannot let the opportunity slipped. Watashi wa baka dewanai, I'm not stupid.

"I've finally decided what you gonna pay me." Sabi niya nung makabalik sya dito sa counter kiosk. "You owe me a date." My eyes widened sa sinabi niya.

"Me? You? A date?!" I raised my voice a little. Saktong dating ni Feli-chan.

"You guys going on a date?" Simpleng sabi lang niya like it is not big of a deal.

"Yeah, you free this Sunday boss? Just a friendly date. Nothing more." Habol ni Errol. Napatulala lang ako. Tumigil ang pag function ng utak ko. 

Bakit parang ang bilis naman niya? Parang kailan lang crush ko sya, tapos biglang parang natatakam ako sa kanya, tapos ngayon he's asking me out on a date?

"Shijirarenai," I cannot believe this. "Anata," turo ko kay Errol. "Anata mo.." turo ko naman kay Feli. "I just can't believe how this is so easy for you guys." Then I shrugged. Masyado na ba akong nahuhuli or does asking a person out on a date is really easy as this?

"Kiku-chan, do not ovethink it kasi. He asked you out on a date, say yes if you feel like going, and no if not. That simple." Sabi ni Feli-chan at tinukod ang mga siko sa counter before placing her chin on her palms.

"You are free to reject me though." Singit ni Errol sa usapan. "But my rate per hour is quite high and I've been working here for more than fifty hours now this week, so..." at nag kibit-balikat sya.

"Besides, it is just a friendly date, Kiku. I think Errol just wants you to take a breather and relax, that's why." Feli-chan hypothesized.

"Yep, that's exactly it. Ang sipag masyado ng boss ko. She needs to get a life too outside the cafe. And I am willing to go with her, being the nice person that I am." at malaki ang ngiti ni Errol as if he is some good samaritan who just helped a needy.

"Thank you ha! Kinaawaan mo akong yayain makipag-date!" Sumbat ko sa kanya pero tumawa rin after.

Maybe they are right, I also need to relax once in a while.

Sunday came and I was waiting for Errol to arrive. Sabi niya susunduin niya ako. I have no idea kung saan pupunta so I just decided to wear something nice and comfy. I put on a pink pastel sweatshirt and tucked it in a white skater's skirt then wore my white high-cut converse. I got all the essentials on my totebag and simply braided my hair na nakalaglag sa harap ng right shoulders ko. I added a pastel pink ribbon na rin and wore it like a headband. Yep, I look cute and preppy. Hindi masyado nagpa-bongga at hindi rin naman underwhelming for the date.