Sweet Temptations

Chapter 2

CHRISTINA’S POV

“We have two dozen orders for frosted flower cupcakes together with a Large Cappuccino.” My co-worker and cashier Ashleigh called in the order from the window so the back kitchen can prepare the orders in a minute.

It was a Monday morning which means that orders should be done fast since cranky Monday customers are either hangover or late.  I take the Cappuccino order and get it done and ready as the cupcakes are places on the boxes efficiently by Ashleigh.

“Here’s your order sir. Have a Good Day!” I regard the customer with a smile who is already in the claim counter ready to rush in the Monday crowd. Mondays are always hectic. Which also means that I’m out here on the counter with my staff, helping with the rush before it settles down before lunch.

The ringing of the phone for delivery orders pulled me out of my thoughts,

“Good Morning this is Sweet Tooth, how may I help You?” I chirped on the next line still with a smile even though they can't see me.

“Hey Tina!” Oh I know that voice so well. Which makes me roll my eyes at the caller. He always calls every Monday, why am I not surprise. Pulling me out again from my thinking mind I heard him state his orders and surely which I know by heart.

“Thanks Tina! I’ll give Zack the tip as always.” Jeremy said on the other line.

“yeah, yeah. I’ll have your order in half an hour.” I caught Jeremy chuckled on the other line and wishing me a good day.

Yes, Jeremy Veall is my bestfriend. Gay Bestfriend. His been with me since kindergarten that I know he still snores when he sleeps. Its annoying but I love him. He was my first crush but that puff out the air once he told me that he likes the guy that liked me. Were a complicated pair, I know but I won’t change it for the world. Remy as he wants to be called, was there with me when my parents got divorced. He was my crying shoulders to lean on and of course the man can pass as my boyfriend if the situation calls. He's that hot. Saying and I quote ‘I need to look good bitch if I wanna compete with you.’ Not that there’s any to compete I thought.

“Tina, Tina” I caught a smiling Zack on the other side of the counter.

“I’ve been calling you since I got in the back, where is it this time?” He said. Well Zack was our delivery guy.

He came in the café a year ago looking for a job to support his studies and since during that time Jeremy was with me, He was hired on the spot. Zack was an eye candy if I may say. The 20-year-old is as tall as 6-foot pole broad shoulders, dirty blonde hair and cute dimples when he smiles, He can possibly pass as a model but he wants to go into law so he’s here working in his free time.

As I was saying, Remy always wants Zack to deliver his orders to be able to have ‘vitamin Z’ everyday.
“It’s on Remy’s Office, Zack. You know the drill.” I told him as I stepped back to get a box to place his orders in.

Zack went out back to the kitchen to get the wrapped Banana chocolate chips bread and Vanilla flavored marble cake slices. He placed it on my side and tuck all those sweets on the box before tying around a baby pink colored ribbon on the box.

“These ones ready!” Zack called upon accomplishing the task which means that I need to hand him the receipt.
I hand him a copy and said “Tell Remy I said Hi” with a mock salute he picked the box from the counter and Zack is on his way to the Empire. I shake my head with a smile and continued behind the counter with the piling order of Coffee.

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Lunch Time came which means that I can go to my office and finish the reports I need to make.

These things are piling up I thought to myself. I get started so I can finish before dinner came in. I wanted to try an experiment again tonight and invited Remy, he called a while ago and agreed to come by after he picked up some groceries. Sweet Tooth Café was made because of these experiments. As a kid I love to bake but that got boring when they all tasted the same.

So, one day I dragged Remy into some baking experiments and we made edible new recipes from scratch. From that day on, I dreamt to open my own Café.

I look up from the papers and glanced outside my two-way mirror to see the Café outside my office. For a small corner space, it sure has many regular since it opened 3 years ago.

The interior was adorned with classical white and cute splash of baby pink plush chairs that goes together in harmony with the warm lighting in corner booths. It has the warm and cozy atmosphere which attracts my regulars.

As I was looking at the view, I was distracted by the ringing of my phone. I picked it up and glimpsed at the caller ID and saw my mother’s name on it. Hesitating for a second about picking it up, I choose to be the good daughter and answered. “Mother” I said on the other line.

“Christina!” she said in a loud screeching voice that made me pull the phone away from my ears. I waited for her to stop saying my name and when I consider that she is in her normal voice I decided to further listen to what she is saying.

“You will not believe who I came across today, honey” she started.

“Yeah? And unfortunately, who may it be?” I replied to her. You see my mother and I, does not have the best relationship but I still tolerate her more than my Dad.

“Ohhh I’ll let that comment slide for now. You will not believe me,” She said and as dramatic as my mother can go.

She continues after a deep breath and said “I meet Clarrissa’s Fiancée! Oh the Charming young man he is.” And there you go folks. She always likes to brag about my Step Sister, seems all her phone calls are about to notify me about Clarrissa this, Clarrissa that and blah, blah, blah.

I sighed on the phone and listened to her telling me about my Step Sister’s incoming wedding of the year. My mom had Clarissa after she divorced with my Dad when I was just five. She met Mr. Stevenstone and become Mrs. Stevenstone, then a few months after she conceived my Sister Clarrissa Monet Stevenstone.

“The wedding will be summer themed and in Three months, that’s why I’m calling to invite you for her engagement party in the coming weeks. And I expect you here honey, dolled up and all.” I heard her say this and can’t keep me rolling my eyes at her. Good thing see can see me. This takes on for another hour which I honestly zoned out the whole way if not for her saying goodbye and hanging up after my reason that it’s about closing time now.

She talks my ear off literally.

The lights on my office are turned on signaling me that I need to get and check on the counter before the closing hour comes in.

I weaved on to Ashleigh’s side which is sitting on a bar stool near the coffee maker looking out for customers that comes in last minute.

Everything seems at place and I bend in the display counter to check the remaining Sweets and the ones that should be made and iced for tomorrow. I heard the door chimes indicating someone coming in. I was minding my work yet somehow saw the other side of the glass display.

A pair of shiny shoes greets my bent position and straight to pants tailored to legs that goes up to a belt that tucked in an ash buttoned shirt covered by a black suit. My eyes continued to a pair of striking blue eyes that held me on my own spot.

I think I’m in coma. Snap out of it! Tina.

I cleared my throat that seems to be blocked right now and said

“Is anything to your liking Sir?”

My eyes not leaving the man in front of the counter.

“Surely, everything is to my liking, sweets” with a wink he pointed to the red velvet cake on display.

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Hey there lovelies sorry to leave you hanging but don’t forget to read the next chapter!!
This is getting great!!! See yah!!!