Bittersweet

First Encounter

Scarlett Johansson strode into the bustling café, her heels clicking with purpose on the tiled floor. Her eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, a mask that added to her already formidable presence. The regulars knew her well: the cold and demanding actress who commanded the room without a word, her vulnerability safely hidden behind a tough emotional wall.

"Americano. Black," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for small talk.

Behind the counter, Y/N's face lit up with her usual bright smile. "Coming right up! How's your day going so far?" she asked, her voice as warm as the morning sun.

Scarlett barely acknowledged her, nodding shortly. Y/N, the café's new sunshine barista, was always ready to give people a reason to be happy, despite how ignorant her customers were. Her cheerful demeanor was a stark contrast to Scarlett's icy exterior, and Scarlett couldn't decide if it was endearing or annoying.

Y/N hummed softly as she prepared the coffee, the melody incongruously uplifting for such an early hour. Scarlett watched her, unable to ignore the genuine warmth in her actions. Despite her best efforts to remain detached, she found herself drawn to the barista's inexplicable brightness.

As Y/N handed Scarlett her coffee, she added a personal touch—a small heart drawn on the cup. "Hope things get better." she said, her eyes meeting Scarlett's with sincere concern.

Scarlett took the cup, her fingers brushing against Y/N's hand for the briefest moment. The unexpected warmth and sudden concern startled her, and she found herself hesitating. "Thanks..?" she muttered, the word feeling foreign on her tongue.

Y/N's smile widened, lighting up her face even more. "Anytime. Remember, there's always a silver lining."

Scarlett nodded, leaving the café with the coffee in hand and an unfamiliar feeling in her chest. Her usual routine of striding out without a backward glance was disrupted as she found herself looking back at the new barista through the window. Y/N was already busy with the next customer, her infectious cheerfulness unwavering.

That day, as Scarlett navigated the familiar chaos of her career—photoshoots, interviews, and endless demands—she couldn't shake the memory of Y/N's smile. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her with such unguarded kindness.

The following mornings, Scarlett found herself returning to the café, drawn by more than just the coffee even though she tried her best to convince herself that it was just the best Americano in the city.
From time to time she decided to enjoy her coffee at a table and not taking it to go as usual, using these opportunities to watch the barista. She began to notice the subtle details of Y/N's interactions with customers: the way she remembered names, the way she could make anyone's day brighter with just a few words. There was a depth to her cheerfulness, a resilience that intrigued Scarlett.

As she left the café, the realization hit her: Y/N's unwavering sunshine was beginning to melt the ice around her heart. And for the first time in years, Scarlett welcomed the warmth.