Machiatto Encounter

Rainy and Draining

It has been a year ever since the opening of Cafe Cinnamon. This coffee shop is a sister company of the coffee shop I used to work with. I like the progress of the shop since it opened. Ever since the opening, we never ran out of customers especially that the location is just a few steps away from a big Call Center. Well, this is somewhat miles away from my previous job. Whenever I see employees from that Call Center, I would always recall the days I used to work as a Call Center Agent. That's why I proposed a generous discount for them. Of course, terms and conditions apply because we are talking about business here.

I am so hands on with the Coffee Shop everyday because I want to make sure that everything is okay. Rita, Hans and I decided to name the coffee shop Cafe Cinnamon because of our love for coffee and cinnamon rolls. So basically, our menu has coffee (obviously) and a variety of pastries with cinnamon. We also serve meals with cinnamon bread unless the customer is allergic to it. Sometimes, we offer our customers to try adding cinnamon to their coffee for a different twist. Most of them doesn't want to. So, we're cool with it. A few minutes after, I decided to go to my office to check some paper works.

While I was reading something on my email, someone knocked on my door. It's Hans.
"Hi Hans! How are you?" I greeted.
"I'm doing fine, Sefi." He responded. "Anyway, I bought you coffee. You seem a bit stressed." Then, he handed me the cup of coffee. "You deserve a break. We told you not to overwork yourself. Didn't we?"
"Thank for the concern, Hans. But I have things to finish." I said. "What's this?" I checked the coffee cup.
"Well, it's Caramel Machiatto. I didn't really know your favorite coffee but Rita said you like something that has Machiatto." After Hans said those words, I was reminded of the first time I met Joseph. Then, I had to stop thinking about it immediately since I have no time to reminisce.

A few minutes later, one of my staff came inside my office carrying a small pouch of coffee beans. However, he's a bit wet. When Hans noticed that, he and I checked out the window. Then, we both realized that it's raining. Wait. What? Why now? I still have to go some place else to meet a potential client. Of all days, why does it have to rain now?

"Ma'am," my staff handed me the pouch. "here's the coffee bean sample you asked for."

"Oh." Then, I took the pouch. "Thank you. You're done for the day. Just clean up and change your clothes. You might get sick." I handed my staff a box of tissue.

"Thanks, Ma'am." Then, my staff left my room.

"Now what do I do now?" I asked. "It's raining so hard. I don't want to cancel my meeting! This could be our biggest break for the coffee shop." Now I'm furious.

"Sefi, calm down." He handed me my coffee. "Have a drink."

"Yeah. I need one." Then, I took a sip. "I think that worked. Now," I took a very deep breath to make sure that I am really calm. "What do you suggest?"

"Well, I say we call our contact person for that company. Lemme give JC a call." He said.

"Alright." Then, I left my room and decided to visit my staff in the coffee shop.

As expected, there are a lot of people inside the coffee shop during rainy days. I can see how busy my people are. Most customers today are students. Now I am reminded about Joseph again. The day he saved me from the bratty student's cellphone throwing came into my mind. Okay. This is enough. It has been two years ever since we broke up. I should no longer be thinking about him even if it is an accident to think about him. Then, when I looked at the door entrance of the shop, I saw a guy in a black suit. He seems familiar. When I looked at him again, I am shocked. Am I dreaming? If I am, then this could be a nightmare I never want to dream of. Oh my gosh. Of all the people I'll be seeing today, during this rainy day, why does it have to be Joseph? What is he doing here?