Eleven Favours I Owe Him (Kismet-on hold)

Chapter 16

The cold breeze blows from the east lifting my wavy hair over my face as I exit the car parked close to the cafe. I push them all back then tucking the strands behind my ear. My warm breath creates steam as it makes contact with my frigid October night air. I blew a warm breath on my palms rubbing them vigorously hoping that it will suffice to soften the stiffened joints of my fingers. as A part of me scolds myself for thinking that I could brave out the cold without my cute dark blue mittens, but no one else seems to be wearing them, and I feel so out of place if I do.

"I'm gonna go ahead," I howl at Alvin who is still bent down on his trunk collecting his belongings, tucking my hands inside the pockets of my vest, my teeth beginning to chatter, so violently they feel like they are going to shatter.

Alvin has an annoyed look on his face when his head bobs up from being bent up in the hood of the car.

"Go then," he replies with a scowl, then continues collecting his belongings. I can only roll my eyes at his childish attitude.

Before coming to the cafe for our shift, the two of us came to the public library so I can give him a crash course on what he missed the three days and suffice, it wasn't easy. Alvin easily becomes distracted by the littlest thing. For example, my breathing bothered him, or how the wind makes a whistling sound as it made contact with the building. At first I was understanding but as minutes, and then an hour tick by without any progression, that's when I changed my teaching strategy, showing my true colours entirely.

In a snap of a finger my demeanor and manner changes, as in reality, I'm anything but patient. I took away his phone so that he couldn't play flappy bird and text Tricia-I had to tell her to lay off a little as Alvin needs to study for midterms, but agrees reluctantly. Somehow even after a few childish attempts of ditching me, we finish the tonnes of lecture he missed. He hated me by the end of the session but I felt accomplished, more than anything.

He will thank me later.

I trudge up the street, towards the cafe, where I know there will be warmth and sweetness are waiting for me. As I open the door, I am met with the strong scent of earthy coffee, chocolate, and freshly baked pastries. I draw in the homely scent filling my lungs with its aroma, and my mouth waters, in excitement to taste the delicious treats. Comfort washes over me, and I close the door behind me. The man behind the counter smiles wider-the way his kind brown eyes twinkle when I walk in, and lanky stature reminds me of my own father's.

"Hello, my dear," Will-Alvin's father-greets as he makes his way around the counter his lanky hands wrap around my shoulder. I glance around, seems like mom had a morning shift today. I imagine her lounging in the house eating junk food while watching her crime shows.

"Annyeong haseyo, Appa,"I smile, he knows exactly what it means-father-as he spent most of his childhood in Korea, before he moved here to the States. His gestures, and the way he speaks reminds me of my own father. The scent of bread more pronounced while I'm in his embrace.

Ever since we started working here at the cafe, I've become really close with Alvin's family. Marie, and Will have been nothing but generous to us-they treated us like family even though we were strangers to them at the beginning. They helped us transition, to the small community of Landon. Now, it seems like we have become a big family, Marie and Will prefered that I call them mother and father-both had always yearned for a daughter after Alvin- which somehow felt natural.

"Emily!" I hear Marie chirps, bouncing out from the kitchen, holding what assumed were customer orders. Her youthful smile brightest as it always been, her jet black hair neatly combed and pulled back into a tight bun. She moves quickly, her slender figure beelines around the cluttered chairs and tables, to deliver the promise of sweets, and caffeine to the customer who have been waiting patiently. "Thank you so much," Marie says to the customers. "Please enjoy, and let us know if you need anything else," she adds polite in her accented English. She then rushes over to me, practically ripping me off Will and giving me a crushing hug. Will laughs, then busies himself with the new customers that strolls by us.