I had dreams, they were clouds in my coffee

CHAPTER 1

I started working as a barista when I was only 16, my parents never had a good income, my father used to do random jobs here and there and my mother is a nurse. I had to take care of my grandpa that was ill during my childhood and I wasn't invested in my studies, I couldn't go to university because of lack of money and bad grades so I put to good use the only thing I was good at: making coffee.

My grandpa was a big fan of coffee, he needed to drink it 3 or 4 times a day, even when he was told to stop drinking it for his health he wanted me to make a cup for him to put on the table next to him to smell it while reading. He taught me all the secrets of making  good coffee and the passion grew in me so much that I started experimenting lots of different ways to do it, my grandpa was so happy to smell my new creations everyday and praised me so much. He died when I was fifteen in his sleep, with his favorite book on his lap and a smoking cup of coffee next to him. Coffee is what makes me remember him so when he was gone I decided to make other people happy smelling my coffee and became a barista. Also I needed to help my mum since my dad died a few months after my grandpa, he had a car accident ...or that's the official story,  he was actually depressed and committed suicide, I'm the only one knowing the truth because he called me right before it happened saying goodbye. But I never told my mum, she was already too heartbroken; I wanted her to not  have any regrets of not being able to help him.

I'm only 23 and the story of my life already sounds too depressing but I'm quite a joyful person, I was loved by my  father even if I wasn't a reason strong enough for him to keep living, to keep fighting. I'm not angry at him, I was once but not anymore. I was loved by my grandpa who taught me everything I know, who read me out loud his books, who was with me everyday until his last breath and he always gave me a smile even when he was hurting. I am loved by my mother who might be too occupied with her work but has always had time for me and my needs. Being loved makes me think I need to be cheerful also for the people who always gave me love to thank them and to give a smile to others who may not be as lucky as I am.

Working as a barista makes me happy, the boss is really nice and lets me try new recipes all the time. I could use a hand sometimes, mostly on weekends and during holidays, the bar is pretty big and it's only me and  the boss' girlfriend that serves at tables when it's too crowded. So I'm mostly alone here but there's a lot of regular customers that I know quite well by now, some have even become good friends.

"Gulf hey, how's my favorite employee" well I'm actually the only one he has "I got good news for you" my boss has an exuberant personality but his good news are usually not that good, it's almost always big meetings he organized where I have to make coffee for 20 people all at once 

"Don't tell me, how many people is this time? From what company?" I answer him while cleaning the counter 

"What do you mean? It's not what you think. I finally decided to take your request and give you a helping hand" he exclaims happily clapping his hands. 

"P'Boss are you serious? " I can't believe it, I've been asking him for years now

He tells me he found someone and he accepted the low salary he offered, it's a good looking guy, tall like me and with some pretty eyes. That's how he described it. He also told me I'll need to train him at the beginning because it's the first time he works as a barista but he said he's a fast learner. I don't mind teaching people what I know, I've never done it before since I was never the one good at something worth teaching.  I thanked him for finally fulfill my desire and before leaving he told me my assistant is gonna come tomorrow. I'm excited.  

The next morning I wake up energy-filled, I'll finally have someone to help me and to talk to on pauses, when the café is empty, someone to teach all my secrets. I must say I tried to picture him last night, I imagined him as a hard working but cheerful young boy. The boss said this is his first job so he must be very young, maybe same age as when I started or maybe a little older. I'm really curious if we would get along, if he'll try all my creations to help me, if he'll be so kind to take my place some days to let me rest...

I arrive at the café when P'Boss is opening it, usually I'm the one to open but today he needed to come to welcome the new employee, anyways I'm still gonna close, I always do; the boss isn't very passionate about working.

"Gulf, set up everything , the new guy is gonna come in a few minutes, he already texted me" the boss informs me.

I start by putting on my black apron, I then open all the cupboards and turn on the machines. I'll make the first cup of coffee for my boss, he likes it black and bitter, like the true coffee addict that he is.

"What a nice smell" I hear a low but deep voice behind me but before I can turn around to see  who it came from I feel a big presence on my back , I see a muscular arm circling me to take the cup of coffee I just made from the counter in front of me, taking it higher at the level of my shoulder and I glimpse a nose smelling the cup right below my chin. Somehow I'm petrified.

When this mysterious person puts down the cup again and gets slightly away from me and I immediately  turn to face him. What I find in from of me is a man with a big figure, probably older than me but I can't tell how much. He's looking at me with a grin on his lips and the darkest eyes I've ever seen.

"The coffee smells great" he says with his profound voice again " but you.." he continues getting closer to my neck " you smell .." 

I just had a shower and it's impossible I already smell "What smell, I had a shower just half an hour ago" I say getting farther away from this distinctive man. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"That's not what I meant" I think his voice is now less shivering or maybe the more I hear it the more I tolerate it "Hi, I'm Mew Suppasit, your new colleague. I hope we'll enjoy each other's company from now on" he says with a sweet smile, his gaze has turn sweeter too and it seems less dark than before

I might be losing my mind but this man got me so curious and captivated I could even say flattered.