A Little Bit of Sugar

Chapter 1: Sunday - Molly

I needed a job.

And I needed it fast.

I sighed deeply as I walked down the busy streets of Toronto, feeling dejected after another rejection to a position I interviewed for last week. It was at one of Toronto's biggest advertising firms so I shouldn't have let myself get carried away into a seemingly unattainable world and gotten my hopes up.

The plan was simple. Graduating with a degree in advertising and a minor in general business, I was supposed to be a force to be reckon with. I would land a job straight away through one of the many paid and might I mention, unpaid internships I've landed throughout my summers during school and then climb slowly but steadily up the corporate ladder. By the time I was thirty, I would have a nice house of my own in a quaint neighbourhood near the downtown core, a cat or two, and a fiancé that loved me unconditionally.

In about two weeks, I would be twenty-five and I would be living in a small room above a convenience store that my parents helped pay rent for each month, a leaky faucet that my landlord absolutely refused to acknowledge, and no sign of a potential boyfriend in my near future.

My shoulders slumped at the thought of letting my mom know I didn't get the job again. She was so excited for me when I told her I gotten a call back. She had squealed with delight, telling my dad that I was finally being gifted of my dreams and I had even allowed a few tears of relief roll down my cheeks. For once, I made them proud. For once, I wasn't a failure.

I walked over to the wall of a nearby café and turned away from the crowds, my face facing the chipping white walls. Inhaling a deep shaky breath, my chin wobbled as I focused on breathing in and out before I lost control.

How the hell was I going to tell them I didn't get the job again?

The mere thought made my eyes sting with tears. Tipping my head back, I looked up at the June sky. It was a stunning warm day. The skies were bright blue and the sun felt warm against my face. Closing my eyes, I allowed the last few tears to roll out before I sensed someone staring at me.

"Get yourself a cup of coffee and collect yourself." The man in the plain white cotton t-shirt said to me in a deep flat voice. He was a couple of feet from me but I could sense his presence.

He was tall with broad shoulders and muscular arms that clearly told everyone he took care of his body. His sharp green eyes were hard, narrowing at the sight of me. I took a step back when his mouth that was surrounded with a gruff beard flattened, clearly displeased by the state of me.

"It's been a long day." I offered, hastily wiping my tears off my warm cheeks.

He stared at me before giving an understanding nod. Turning away, he finished the task he originally set out when he stepped out of the café. Ripping a piece of scotch tape, and unfolding a piece of paper tucked inside his dark denim jeans, he taped the sign on the door before returning back inside the busy store.

My eyes followed after him but it stopped and zeroed in on the help wanted sign for a barista.

Okay, so clearly, I didn't study four gruelling years of advertising to become a barista. But I just didn't have the will inside me to hear my mom and dad's pitying words ever again.

With a new goal and filled with purpose, I stormed after him, ripped down the sign, and searched for the mysterious cold man. He was behind the marble counter, leaning forward as he scribbled some notes into a notebook before turning his attention to the bag of coffee beans in front of him. When he realized I was standing in front of him, he raised his eyes slowly up my body, sending my body into overdrive.

He was far more handsome up close.

No time for this!

"Hi!" I said, my voice higher than I ever heard it before. I stuck out my hand across the counter and kept my eyes firmly fixed on the counter in front of me, scared that if I met his green eyes again I would lose all my confidence and adrenaline. "My name is Molly Right and I think I'm perfect for this job." I said as I unfolded the scrunched up helped wanted sign onto the counter and flattened it with the palms of my hands.

The man raised his eyebrows at the sign, shocked by my boldness.

"Do you have experience as a barista?" He asked, leaning forward even closer than before. I looked up, meeting his eyes again and felt my cheeks heat immediately.

"No but I learn very quickly and I make an awesome cup of coffee." I reassured him desperately.

"Then I'm afraid, it's a no." He stepped back, folding his arms across his chest. "I need someone who knows what they're doing and not someone I have to babysit."

It felt like a slap to the face. Normally when people let me know I didn't get the job, they would be nice about it. They would recite the HR protocol speech. The speech about how I was a top contender and I had all the necessary skills but just not the experience they were looking for and then wish me the best of luck on my next job search.

How dare he be so rude! How dare he disregard me like everyone else! I had enough of it! I had enough of constantly feeling like some useless excuse of a human just because I may not have all the experience employers were looking for or all their skills. I was not useless. I was smart. I learn quickly. I adapt and fight.

"Give me a chance." I said firmly. We locked gazes and this time, I wouldn't look away. I was going to stand my ground. "I can wash the floors, the toilet, clean tables, and do everything else. I just need a chance so I can prove it to you."

He stayed silent for what felt like an eternity. Every second that passed was more painful than the last. My heart was beating so fast that I thought I would have died from a heart attack if he hadn't broke our staring contest. He remained silent, twisting his mouth before relaxing his face again.

I ground my teeth, fighting the urge to cry out in frustration but it didn't help me stop a tear roll down my cheek. I hated myself for not being able to stop myself from crying whenever I felt overwhelmed or frustrated or angry more than I ever had in this moment. When he heard me sniffle, his head whipped up and for one single second, his expression softened before it quickly turned hard again.

"I'll give you a one week probation." He said tightly. "If you fuck up in any way, you'll be out of here faster than typing out my café's name on your updated resume."