Addictive Romance [Yuyan X Jiaqi]

06

"Xu Jiaqi, where have you been?" Sternly making their way to the quiet girl, Daimeng and Sunrui were both ready to shoot their questions. She was already 15 minutes late to reach the gate which worried the two as they were afraid she was being bullied again.

Normally whenever Jiaqi was late to meet them after school, it was most likely because of her bullies throwing insults at her again. Smiling reassuringly, Jiaqi playfully linked arms with the two and dragged them to the bus stop, "Teacher held us back a bit later today. Don't worry guys."

Narrowing their eyes suspiciously at the panicking girl, the two friends decided to let it off the hook without asking anymore questions since Jiaqi seemed reluctant to talk about it. "Alright...but if you have anything on your mind or anyone bothering you, tell us."

Once the three reached their dorm, Jiaqi's mind was still occupied by Yuyan's words back in school. She couldn't help but feel guilty for avoiding her. Sighing heavily, she headed into her room and went straight for the shower. This shouldn't be bugging me so much, so why does it feel so...wrong?

The next day arrived quicker than usual with Jiaqi hurriedly putting on a casual wear. She didn't want to be late for her job. It was Saturday and she had a shift from 8am to 3 in the afternoon. Rushing into the café with her colleagues greeting her, Jiaqi timidly bowed and headed to the back to change outfits.

She had been working as a receptionist in the café for a few months now yet she still couldn't communicate that well with the other employees. As for the customers, she had always been respectful and polite even though eye contact doesn't last for more than a few seconds.

As usual, her day would pass by with dealing with different customers and selling food and drinks. However, this time it seemed it wouldn't pass by that quickly for her. As two girls walked into the café with a stack of books in their hands, Jiaqi immediately recognised both of them.

Biting down onto her lip nervously as tore the receipt out for her customer, Jiaqi then prayed that they would leave and not notice her. She didn't expect any of her schoolmates coming to the café which she's working in especially when its far from campus.

Unfortunately for her, the ash brown haired girl made her way to the counter with the redheaded seated down by the window seat. Calming herself down, Jiaqi reminded herself that she was like any other customer that had visited. There was no difference.

"Hello, what can I get for you?" Politely gazing at the shocked woman, Jiaqi supported a courteous tight little smile. Yuyan gaped in shock and had to double check if it was actually her. With her eyes widened and jaw slightly dropped, Yuyan glanced at her nametag before scanning her from head to waist.

"You work here?"

Heaving a sigh, Jiaqi nodded her head before urging the girl, "Are you ready to take orders, Mam?" The latter looked behind her to see a forming queue therefore decided not to drag it any longer. After all, she didn't want to disrupt business even if it meant having her attention.

"Yes, one medium Matcha latte, one small Americano and a slice of carrot cake please. Thank you."

As Jiaqi typed it in the register, Yuyan took this opportunity and stole glances at her. Seeing the latter in a skirt was the last thing she thought she would ever see. Other than her skirt, Yuyan enjoyed how her shirt was a little more tight fitting than her usual loose and baggy ones. Her workwear had pastel navy stripes too, making Yuyan want to coo at how adorable she appeared.

Waiting by the side as Jiaqi took others' orders, Yuyan admired her every move. It all seemed so elegant and professional to the latter. So drawn into observing Jiaqi, she had forgotten about a waiting someone.

"Yan, are the things you ordered done?" Xueer had hogged the seat with their studying materials before making her way to the girl. Flustered by the sudden appearance of her friend, Yuyan awkwardly cleared her throat and instantly adverted her gaze from Jiaqi to her, "Uh yes- wait I mean no. Apparently the previous batch of carrot cake sold out so the new batch is still baking."

Raising a brow suspiciously, Xueer teasingly smirked, "Were you staring at the receptionist just now? Is she that beautiful to make you that embarrasse-" As she turned around to have a good look at the short haired girl, Xueer froze.

Jiaqi? She works here?

Her eyes instantly shifted up and down the oblivious girl while gulping down her panic. There was no denying that Jiaqi in her workwear was completely different from Jiaqi in her usual clothes. Her slender body line was emphasised even when she wore an apron.

Forcing herself to tear her gaze away from Jiaqi, Xueer glanced back at Yuyan, "Well I'm just going to head back first, once they're done please hurry and come back. I'm craving for cake so badly now." Playfully rolling her eyes at her hungry friend, Yuyan nodded her head and agreed.

When Xueer turned around, she accidentally dropped her wallet without her and Yuyan noticing. Jiaqi on the other hand had caught that from her peripheral vision. Since there was no more queue, Jiaqi contemplated whether she should call out to Xueer or hope someone else would see it. But of course no one noticed.

Groaning internally, Jiaqi cleared her throat before raising her voice loud enough for the redheaded to hear, "Xueer, your wallet dropped." Realising she had called the girl by her name and not Miss or Mam, Jiaqi wanted to slap herself and hide in a hole.

The redheaded paused momentarily before turning back and grinned gratefully, "Thank you Jiaqi." It was awkward and all but Jiaqi was just happy Xueer had stopped there and not start a conversation. On the other hand, Yuyan had a look of confusion painted all over her face.

Her eyes darted between the two before raising a brow. Do these two know each other?