Amorous Misconduct

1.

The sweet aroma welcomed me upon entering Mrs. Nylund's coffee shop. I have been working for her since I moved here in Newcastle 6 years ago. It helped me a lot for college, the lady was kind enough to hire me and see the potential in me, Mrs. Nylund is like a grandmother to me and I'm lucky enough to have her.

"Hi dear, did you sleep well last night?" The ever loving boss and guardian greeted me with a warm smile on her face, she then proceed to the counter to make a cup of coffee and a hot chocolate. 

"I did. How are you, Mrs. Nylund?" I said, 
"I am great dear, the nightmares aren't as bad as before." 
Her voice was calm but heavy. I gave her an apologetic smile and put my bag in the counter. 
Her husband died of lung complications two years ago, and left the old lady devastated .

"I know he's watching over me and won't let anything bad happen to me." She gave me a weak smile before handing me my chocolate drink.

"I'm here for you Mrs. Nylund,  you're like my grandma, you treated me like family and gave me a job  to help me get through college. I'll be here and watch over you too."  I said from the depth of my heart, as I reach for her hand on the counter to give it a gentle squeeze.  She's the only family I have now after my real family threw me out the house. I can't afford losing family again.

"I know Serina, I'm glad I have a granddaughter like you."  My heart felt full and warm when she called me her granddaughter. 

"Aren't we too emotional at this hour of the morning?"  I laughed at her remarks and she finished her coffee before going to the back garden at the back of the cafe, leaving me to work for the rest of the day.

~~~~

The day is dragging,  I spent most of my time answering phone calls and ordering stock for the catering service. Mrs. Nylund and her husband established this business after they got married, and it's already been 40 years ago. They worked hard on it and having more than 30 branch, I must say that it is a successful business. The pastry and blends the old couple made, speaks for itself. It amazes me how the old lady look so demure and gentle but is a very competitive businesswoman.

It's three in the afternoon and the shop is filled with a lot of customers, servers are busy taking orders and acommodating the new comers. I went to the counter to assist Peter who's busy taking orders.

"Enjoy your drinks!" He bid the customers goodbye. 

"I like your energy with costumers as always, keep it up." I said as I put the apron and sanitised my hand.  "Thanks,  it's because I like what I'm doing, darling." 

Peter started working as a cashier here five months ago and he is doing great so far. It's not much I know about his family, he said that he ran away and is just trying to provide enough for his daily needs, and I somehow relate to him, that's why we became close.

"I'm going out tonight,  would you want to come?"

He said leaning on the counter and flashing me his million dollar smile.  I remember when I first met him for his interview and he tried to flirt with me.  What a great thing to do on your job interview.

"I'm not sure, you know I'm not really the kind of person who's good with crowds." I reluctantly said and started stacking the plastic cups.

"You're a supervisor of all the store branch,  it's hard to believe that you aren't good with socialising."  He has a point, but I don't see the purpose of engaging with strangers just for drinks and steamy dances. I'm trying to think of what benefit people will get from partying and getting wasted, and I can't think of one.

I have never really went partying since I moved here, not that I haven't tried it, but I just sucked with it. I did tried checking out some nice clubs around the city on my own,  and the only thing I got from it was harassment from drunk guys and awkward encounters with girls that will always make me cringe every time I remember them.  It's not that I am anti social or a snob, I just don't have a lot friends, and it's hard to find them these days.

When I finished stacking the plastic cups, I found Peter still staring at me with a wide grin spread on his face. His white teeth and perfect smile plus his dimple made him look so attractive, though his smile is really creeping me out.

When I didn't spoke it was his turn to break the silence.

"I can't believe that I finally convinced my boss to go out with me."

"Who said I was gonna?" I asked while raising my eyebrow. 

"That long pause before means you were thinking of going out." I laughed upon hearing his statement because he was wrong, I was just thinking of how I don't have a social life, and how lonely I have been since I decided to move here. 

Should I go out and have some drinks tonight?  It's been a long time since I went out, will I like it tho, I don't know if it was a good idea but I ended up accepting his invitation and agreed to meet at 7. I have a feeling I will regret it when I heard him say, "Don't worry, it's gonna be lit there."

~~~

When Peter picked me up earlier he made me change my outfit first because according to him,  we're going to a party, not into some teenage slumber party.  I was hesitant but I painfully changed my sweatpants and sweater into a a red silk dress he brought with him, and paired it with heels. He also encouraged me to apply a minimal make up to match my outfit.

I like the way I look but I'm not sure if I will still have the same confidence later at the party.

After getting ready, I finally left with Peter and he keeps on giving me compliment and joking that he will introduce me as his girlfriend.  I would glare at him and he'd burst out laughing. We arrived at a huge house which he said was owned by one of his friend. There's a lot of people already and the music was blasting.  Is this legal? The energy coming from these party goers is already draining mine. 

I met some of his friends and had a casual chat with them, Peter was kind of the life of the party and I was just laughing along with them, I feel awkward.  While everyone is busy drinking, I excused myself and sent Mrs. Nylund a text asking about how she is, and also telling her that I am out with Peter. I then made my way to the front door and explored the front yard garden. The scenery reminded of those fictional books that I use to read online when I was sixteen. A girl trying to escape a party and wanders around then she'll find her destiny. The thought made me snort and I had to look around if someone saw me. I'm such a dork, that must be why I don't have a friend. 

Before I could torture myself with my awkwardness, I got a reply from Mrs. Nylund, she said she was okay and told me to enjoy the night. Could it be that she is a fairy godmother? Cause the moment I looked up from my phone, my heart stopped beating for the most gorgeous woman on Earth.