Y/N's POV
I was walking down the road toward the café when I passed by a small park. Children were running around, laughing, and playing together. It reminded me of how Emma and I used to play at the orphanage. We were best friends. 🤗
I still remember those days—when nobody wanted to talk to me, when I was bullied and left out. Then Emma arrived. She was four, and I was three. At first, she was a victim of bullying too, but once we started talking, we became each other's strength. We faced everything together. Those days were really tough for us...
I sighed, shaking off the memories, and finally reached the café. I looked around for James, but he was nowhere to be found. Shrugging, I headed to the staff room, changed into my uniform, and walked toward the counter.
Just as I was scanning the café for him again, I saw my boss approaching. Panicking, I quickly grabbed a cloth and started pretending to clean the counter.
Boss: "Where is James???" 😠
"I don't know, boss. Maybe he's just running late!" 😯 I answered quickly.
Boss: "Call him and ask why he isn't here yet! Do you know Miss Ava is coming today?? Call him fast!" 🤨 He barked before disappearing into the kitchen.
I sighed and pulled out my phone, dialing James' number. He picked up on the first ring.
📞 James: "Hey, Y/N, I—"
"James, where are you?? Boss is looking for you! Miss Ava is coming, and he needs you here!"
James: "What—? Well, turn around."
"Wh—?" I turned around, and there he was, standing outside the café, smiling smugly. 😄
I rolled my eyes and cut the call.
"James! I thought you weren't coming!" 🤨
James: "Umm… if I had known Ava was coming, I probably wouldn't have come." 😓
I smirked at him.
"Ahh, I see… You're worried your girlfriend will get upset if she sees you with her." 😏
James: "Umm… yeah." 😑
Before I could say anything else, our boss stormed out.
Boss: "James! You're here. Go change, fast! She'll be here any minute!" 😅
James just nodded and hurried into the changing room.
After a few minutes, Miss Ava arrived—like a queen. She walked in wearing a tight, red off-shoulder dress 💃, high heels, and black sunglasses 😎. Her long, wavy hair cascaded freely down her back. She was rich, she was beautiful... but her attitude? Awful.
Miss Ava: "James! Where are you??" 🤗
And just like always, she started yelling the moment she stepped inside. She acted as if she owned this place and we were her personal staff.
Boss: "Ah, Miss Ava, please, have a seat! I'll call him right away!" 😅 He smiled nervously, flashing all his teeth like his life depended on it. She just nodded arrogantly.
Miss Ava: "Yeah, and tell someone to bring coffee for us." 😏
Here we go again. Now, she was going to flirt with James.
James finally walked out of the kitchen, and I saw Miss Ava's lips curl into a flirtatious smile.
Boss: "Y/N, get two coffees for Miss Ava's table." 🤨
"Yes, boss." 🙂 I quickly prepared the coffee and placed them on their table.
James smiled at me. I smiled back.
Miss Ava: "James… she's your friend, right?" 🤨
James: "Yes." 😑 He answered in a single word, just like always.
"Excuse me." 🙄 I muttered and returned to the counter. Customers started coming in, and I got busy taking their orders.
Suddenly—
Miss Ava: "AAAH! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, JAMES?!" 😡
I turned around. Miss Ava was screaming at James, her face red with fury. James just sat there, looking tired.
James: "Calm down, Miss Ava." 😠 His tone was firmer this time.
Miss Ava: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'CALM DOWN'?! I SAID I LIKE YOU, BUT YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU LOVE SOMEONE ELSE?!" 😡🤬
Ooooh. Now I get it. James must have just told her he had a girlfriend. This is going to be bad...
Boss: "Miss Ava! Is everything alright??" 😱 He rushed over, looking nervous.
Miss Ava: "NOTHING IS ALRIGHT, MR. MILLES! YOU BETTER STAY OUT OF THIS!" 🤬
Boss: "O-okay, if you say so..." 😰
Then, Miss Ava suddenly turned to me.
Miss Ava: "AND WHO IS IT THAT YOU LIKE, JAMES?! IT'S HER, ISN'T IT?!" 😡
Wait… what?!
I followed her finger.
…She was pointing at me.
WHAT?!?! 😨
James: "DON'T BRING HER INTO THIS!!!" 😡
Yeah. He's right. ☹️
Miss Ava: "Oh, really? But I think he does like you! AM I RIGHT?!" 😡
"No! I mean—no, Miss Ava, he doesn't like me! We're just friends—" 😰
Miss Ava: "Really? Do you think I'm a fool?"
"N—okay, fine! James has a girlfriend, and it's not me, ok-?"
She cut me off, laughing like a psycho.
Miss Ava: "Hahahaha... okay, fine. You two are just friends. But if James really had a girlfriend, I would've known about it already. You're lying." 😆
She turned back to James.
Miss Ava: "AND IF HE DOES HAVE A GIRLFRIEND, THEN I WANT TO MEET HER!!" 😏
James: "I don't want you to meet her." 😠
Miss Ava: "Oh, really? That only proves you don't have one. That's why you're avoiding it." 😏 She stepped closer and whispered something into his ear.
Then, she pulled away with a smirk.
Miss Ava: "Fine. I'll find that girl myself." 😠
With that, she turned on her heels and stormed out of the café.
The room was silent.
After that we went to our places
After that, we went our separate ways.
After some time, I changed my clothes and went outside.
I glanced at James—he was standing there, leaning against the wall. I walked over to him.
"James… I—I'm sorry. I—" 😔
He cut me off with a small smile.
James: "It's okay, Y/N. I'm not mad at you." 😄
"But what about Cassey? If Miss Ava finds her—"
James: "Don't worry about that. I'll handle it. Trust me." 😌
I nodded, watching as he went to the changing room. I sighed, changing out of my uniform before heading outside.
To my surprise, James was still there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"James?" 😲
He turned and smiled. 😄
James: "I was waiting for you. Let's go."
I nodded, and we started walking in silence. Neither of us spoke.
Then—
James: "Hmm." 🙄 He cleared his throat.
"James… can I ask you something?" 🙄
He looked at me and nodded.
"What exactly did you say to Miss Ava?" 😐
His eyes widened slightly before he sighed.
James: "Ah… that… I—I told her I like… someone." 😳
I stopped walking.
"Why didn't you just tell her you have a girlfriend?" 😮
James turned to face me, his expression serious.
James: "Y/N… you saw how crazy she is. If she knew which girl I liked, she'd do anything to hurt her." 😖
His voice was full of worry. I hesitated before stepping forward and hugging him.
"It's okay, James. I understand. Don't worry."
He stiffened in shock. I started pulling away, but he suddenly pulled me back—his grip tighter this time. 😨
James: "Stay… please, Y/N."* He whispered.