Golden Stars / Scarlett Johansson

Chapter 8: Unwelcome Encounters

It was Friday evening, and Y/N was running on fumes. The day had been long, starting with an intense law literature test that drained what little energy she had left after a sleepless night of studying. Now, standing behind the counter at the coffee shop, she could hardly keep her eyes open. She groaned internally, knowing that she still had a few more hours to go until her shift ended at 10 pm. The evening rush didn't help her mood either—people from nearby offices and schools were pouring in, the line seemed endless, and to make matters worse, Y/N was working alone. Randy, her usual evening co-worker, had already worked the morning shift, and her other co-worker was out sick.

As the clock approached 7 pm, the crowd finally began to thin out. Y/N let out a heavy sigh of relief as the last customer walked out the door, giving her a moment to sit down and catch her breath. She plopped down onto the stool behind the counter, running a hand through her hair as she leaned against the counter, her eyes closing for just a moment.

Ding!

The familiar sound of the doorbell chiming jolted Y/N back to reality. She groaned softly in frustration, not quite loud enough to be heard but enough to vent her exhaustion. Forcing herself to stand up, she plastered on her best customer-service smile, trying to summon some energy as she turned to greet the newcomer.

Her mood instantly brightened when she saw who had entered. It was Carolina, a regular customer who always made Y/N's shift more enjoyable. Carolina was the type of person who could lift anyone's spirits with her jokes and cheerful demeanor, and Y/N felt a wave of relief wash over her.

"Hey, stranger!" Y/N greeted with genuine enthusiasm, her smile turning real. "Back for more coffee?"

Carolina laughed as she approached the counter, waving her hand dismissively. "You know it! But I also needed an excuse to procrastinate, and you, my friend, are the perfect distraction."

Y/N chuckled, feeling her energy return. "Well, I'm glad I can help with your noble cause of procrastination. What can I get you this time?"

Carolina leaned on the counter conspiratorially. "Same as always, but let's make it quick before I get sucked into any more reading. Speaking of which..." She raised an eyebrow. "Have you seen the latest premiere for the second part of that book we're both obsessed with?"

Y/N's eyes lit up. "Yes! Oh my god, I've been meaning to talk to you about that! Can you believe the twist at the end?"

For the next fifteen minutes, they fell into a lively conversation, discussing plot points, character arcs, and all the juicy details of the latest book they were both engrossed in. Carolina's animated expressions and quick wit had Y/N laughing, and the fatigue she had been feeling earlier seemed to vanish, replaced by the warmth of friendly conversation.

When Carolina finally had to leave, she waved goodbye with a wide smile. "I'll see you around, Y/N. Keep up the good work!"

"Will do," Y/N called back, grinning. "And don't forget to finish that book—we need to discuss the ending!"

As Carolina walked out the door, Y/N felt a renewed sense of energy. The conversation had lifted her spirits, and even though she still had a few more hours to go, she felt lighter. The café was quieter now, with only a couple of customers scattered at the far tables. Y/N wiped down the counter, humming softly to herself, grateful for the brief reprieve.

But the peace was short-lived. Just as Y/N finished cleaning up, she heard the doorbell chime again. She quickly glanced toward the entrance, and her breath hitched slightly when she saw the new customer.

A woman entered the café, wearing perfectly tailored suit pants and a crisp white shirt tucked neatly in. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, and she carried herself with an air of confidence that bordered on intimidating. She wasn't tall—maybe 165 centimeters, Y/N guessed—but her presence made her seem taller. And though Y/N wasn't usually one to dwell on appearances, she couldn't help but notice that the woman was stunning. There was something about her sharp green eyes, the way they seemed to take in everything with a single glance.

As the woman approached the counter, Y/N realized they were nearly face-to-face—well, almost. Y/N stood at 177 centimeters, and the height difference was noticeable. Still, Y/N offered her best customer-service smile as the woman came closer.

"Hello! What can I get you?" Y/N greeted her brightly, hoping to break through the woman's cool exterior.

The woman merely rolled her eyes, an action that made Y/N's stomach twist slightly with unease. There was something about the way she looked at Y/N, as though she were barely worth acknowledging. But Y/N kept her smile in place, determined not to let it get to her.

"I'll have an espresso," the woman said curtly, her tone as cold as her expression.

Y/N's fingers twitched at the sharpness in the woman's voice, but she nodded politely and entered the order into the system. "Coming right up. And, um, can I get your name for the order?"

The woman's eyebrow arched in a way that made Y/N feel like she had asked something ridiculous. Her green eyes scanned Y/N from head to toe, as if trying to figure out whether she was serious. The scrutiny made Y/N feel slightly uncomfortable, but she waited patiently, refusing to let her smile falter.

"Scarlett," the woman finally said, though her voice was laced with skepticism, as if she couldn't believe she had to give her name at all.

Y/N blinked, feeling a slight blush creep up her neck. "Thank you, Scarlett," she said, doing her best to remain professional. "It'll be ready in just a moment."

As Y/N turned to start making the espresso, she couldn't help but feel the weight of Scarlett's gaze on her. It was unsettling, but she tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the task at hand. She worked quickly, hoping to get the order done as soon as possible. When the espresso was ready, she placed it carefully on the counter and called out, "Scarlett!"

The woman approached, taking the espresso with a swift, precise movement. She brought the cup to her lips and took a sip, her face immediately scrunching up in distaste.

"This is... too thick," Scarlett said with clear irritation, her voice colder than before. "It needs more sugar."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by the complaint. She maintained her calm, though her patience was wearing thin. "There's no sugar in the espresso—it's just coffee. But you can add sugar yourself," she explained, gesturing toward the sugar packets on the counter.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed, and she let out a soft, annoyed huff. "Really? Isn't it your job to make the coffee taste good?"

Y/N felt a spark of irritation flare up inside her, but she kept her tone polite. "Espresso is traditionally served without sugar, but you're welcome to add some if you'd like."

There was a tense moment of silence as Scarlett glared at Y/N, clearly displeased. Y/N held her ground, offering a neutral smile despite her growing frustration.

"Whatever," Scarlett muttered under her breath. She grabbed a sugar packet, poured it into her espresso, and stirred it with a quick flick of her wrist. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the café, the door swinging shut behind her with a quiet thud.

Y/N let out a long breath, slumping against the counter as the tension left her body. "Well, that was fun," she muttered sarcastically to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. She had no idea who the woman was—some celebrity, probably, given the way she carried herself—but it didn't matter. What mattered was that she had ruined the good mood Y/N had been in after her conversation with Carolina.

With a sigh, Y/N got back to work, cleaning up after the last few orders of the evening. As she wiped down the counter, she couldn't help but think about Scarlett's piercing green eyes and the way they had seemed to judge her with every glance. Whoever she was, Y/N hoped she wouldn't be back anytime soon.