Papers fluttered and heels clicked while the copy machine ringed and spewed out and more papers in hand and heels clacked against the tile floor and idle conversation about today's lunch break and papers shuffled in preparation of next week's presentation before a glance at the ten stacks of documents and keyboard keys clicked and–
"This is filed incorrectly! Aren't you paying attention?!"
"I-I'm sorry...It won't happen again, Mrs. Ainsworth."
"One more mistake and you're done. I expect nothing less of perfection. Don't forget why I offered you a position."
While disdain slammed the door and strolled away from her, the woman typed a quick reply; however, it was a response that was less than desirable. A notification appeared on the computer screen, and she checked her inbox. Then, she picked up the phone, glanced at scattered sticky notes, and began to dial several numbers.
"Hello, this is Erika from the VeeMoovd company. We would like to inquire..."
Exhaustion continued as reviewed schedules and voice memos forced the mind to turn muddled. A pen tip scribbled remaining tasks into a small agenda after she closed the spreadsheet. Her head ached, but meetings needed to be recorded. Several drafts of itineraries needed to be revised. Reminders needed to be sent. Light, skipping footsteps followed by a swift knock on the office door led to an ink smear.
"Come in..."
A young intern poked her head behind the door. "Am I bothering you?"
"No, of course not." A polite smile ached. "Please, state your business."
The intern shut the door and plastered the widest grin on her face. There was a sort of bounce to the intern's step as she approached the wooden desk. Her hands wrung each other as she shifted back and forth.
"Well? Is it something" —the woman rapped her fingers against the desk top—"of extreme importance? I, too, have things to take care of."
"Hahah, straight down to business. Not that it's a bad thing for our new secretary! Your bun looks great, by the way. But, I was wondering..."
"Alajéa, was it? Don't stall."
"I want you to come with me to a café."
"...Why?"
"To celebrate the fact you're apart of our family now, of course! I promise it's the best place in this city. And you recently moved here, right? So, this is the perfect..."
Bubbly speech rambled, much to someone's annoyance. She started to write in the agenda again.
"Alajéa, please save these kinds of things for later."
"Okay, but will you go?"
"Yes, fine. Now, please get back to work."
"Thank you! Meet me outside the building then, all right?"
Once the girl left, Erika leaned back in her chair and sighed. Certainly gray hairs had begun to appear. Work back home was nothing compared to the meticulous standards of this place. One mistake was only a mistake. She returned her attention to the menial tasks before; that headache only worsened. Meetings with various executives, establishments of business partnerships...
"So," she said.
The intern beamed. "Deylara. It's under the company name Eldarya which is run by Chii, but she prefers to be called Miiko. Anyway, it's actually a rather small place, but it's typically packed with lots of people."
They strolled—Alajéa almost frolicked along the way—past the street lamps and the talkers and the skyscrapers. And while the young girl went on and on about the baristas, Erika checked her pager. The café appeared as a cozy little place; some outsides tables and antique-looking decorations. Blue, crystal-like ornaments were the motif. A little bell ringed when they entered, and the smell of crisp, baked goods permeated through the air. Almost all the tables were filled with chattering girls and women and some men. The two sat, and Erika noted the arrangement of the area into four sections. Their table was located in the night-themed portion of the café. Flowers decorated another area, yet one area held gray tiling and the other contained golden tables.
"What's with the design choice?"
"What do you mean, 'what's with the design choice?' It's a reason why they're so popular. Not to mention, the service is the reason. The reason, because–"
"Ladies, what can I serve you today?"
A sultry tone. Or rather, the sort of voice that tasted like chocolate. With the barista uniform, that man attracted almost all the attention. Surrounding women started to drool, and others looked ready to spew jealousy. Even some of the men stared.
"N-Nevra! I thought you were serving some, oh, you know, other people," Alajéa said. Her excitement was reminiscent of an ecstatic puppy.
"Mm..." He sat on the edge of the table and crossed his legs; some sighed in admiration.
"Yeah?" The intern looked as if she waited for a command.
"That's true. But Alejéa, you brought a friend. I couldn't help" —he smirked and stood— "my curiosity, after all. So, back to answering my question?"
"Two chocolate parfaits. I'm paying."
"Oh? How nice of you. What's the occasion?"
And as she tuned out the interaction between the two, Erika noted the arrangement of coffee bean varieties on a shelf. Shrill sounds worsened her headache. Her name was mentioned somewhere. That man chuckled at the two of them before he left to fill their orders. Observers lost interest and returned to idle conversations; Alajéa gave a soft squeal.
"Can you believe that he actually talked to me? Me. And, and he knew my name."
Erika unfolded a napkin. "Yes, you must be a special snowflake. I'm so proud."
"Hey, you're sounding like Ezarel now."
"Who?"
A tray with two parfaits slid in front of her.
"Chocolate, yes? Now, Alejéa, be a dear and go pay Kero, will you?"
"Of course!"
The girl skipped towards the counter, and Nevra took her seat.
"Do you often socialize with customers?" Erika grabbed one of the desserts.
"Part of the job. Typically one employee per area. You happen to be sitting in mine. Think of us as leaders of these small areas. Well, unless you're sitting in that section with all the gold."
"Isn't having a...small staff inefficient?" She glanced at him and the cashier. Were they the only ones?
"Sometimes when we get really busy. But we manage. It's a shame two of the boys are only part-time however."
When he saw Alejéa's returning, Nevra frowned for a moment. He flashed a smile as he stood.
"Visit again sometime. We'll always welcome people with open arms."
The man then walked to another table with a couple of girls. They squeaked in delight as he spoiled each with flirtatious remarks. Alejéa watched the scene when she sat down and sighed. Again. Meanwhile, Erika looked at her food. She took a bite, and her eyes widened. The intern noticed her expression.
"Amazing, right? They always experiment with recipes, believe it or not. Thank Karuto for that," she said.
They finished the parfaits; Alejéa pulled out some money and walked toward Nevra. She then caught up with Erika as the door opened.
"You know tips aren't necessary, right?"
"Yeah, but..." The giddy girl giggled.
She accompanied the secretary until they walked to the next street. The intern said some casual farewells; Erika, polite but relieved goodbyes. And when she returned to the small apartment complex, she threw herself into the couch. Bottle of ibuprofen on the coffee table before it was time to turn on the TV. Whether it was some soap opera or local news, exhaustion led her eyes to droop.
Groceries. An empty fridge never boded well. A single list drafted in a few minutes; honestly, it was a decent list compared to the ones at work. With a simple outfit and damp but shampoo-scented hair, Erika strolled out of the apartment. She took a laptop bag with her. No matter how many times silver, black, white, blue cars passed and people and pets, major and minor city sights were almost nerve-racking. Upon first arrival, the constant sound of horns and roaring motors were startling.
"Hey, move your feet, will you? I'm sweeping."
A young boy and a broom forced a smile. She blinked and realized she stood in front of Deylara café. There was some contemplation—the boy tapped his foot— and it was decided.
"Sorry, um..."
"Chrome. Volunteer and apprentice of, sadly, a skirt chaser."
"...Nevra?"
"He's the only one who can actually waste time at this place," he said.
"Oh, all right. Have a nice day."
She entered the establishment while the boy continued his cleaning. Almost all the areas were empty except for a single table. A person typed away at his laptop, and the table was located in the nature-themed section. Well, it wouldn't hurt to check the inbox; she took a seat at that table. Teal eyes flitted from the screen before they refocused. Meanwhile, upon the opening of her e-mail, Erika remembered due submissions and frowned. And as typed responses and edited drafts were sent, the expression worsened. In fact, that pestering headache returned. She rubbed her temple while she reread a response.
"What do you like to drink?"
Keystrokes began to fill the space with words. "Anything's fine. Hm...Maybe something sweet? Not too much though."
Her typing continued as someone stood. Several minutes of continuous review and communication with Mrs. Ainsworth passed. When she leaned back in the chair, the smell of warm tea caught her attention. There were two cups filled to the brim as he set the teapot onto the tray.
"What–"
"Chamomile with honey. Enjoy," he said.
"...You don't look like you work here."
"Well, I'm quite certain I wouldn't be able to get into the kitchen without the keys."
"Part-time?"
"Oh no, I only work here in the mornings and sometimes afternoons as I try to balance my projects and studies. You?"
Before she responded, the little bell rang. Both of their attention turned to Nevra who waved.
"Ez, are you getting along with her?"
"This subpar person? I'd hope there was a little more common sense than the average customer."
A polite smile. A. Polite. Smile. "Well, I thought all employees wore the same uniform."
There was laughter. "Our boss isn't strict on that policy. For me, it's because of the looks. Anyway, Ezarel, how's the research?"
"It's been a year or so, but our project has finally been approved," he said. He shut his laptop.
"Congrats. Are you still going to do afternoon shifts?"
"We'll see."
"And what brings our lovely Erika here?"
She head a scoff. "It's a day off. Well, until I had to submit some documents."
He nodded. "So that's why you look different. I actually like that hairstyle."
"Isn't that the same thing you say to other women? At least try to be original," Ezarel said. "I'll be leaving now."
"Okay. Come back soon!"
Erika watched as he raised his hand for a farewell gesture as the bell rang.
"So, first impressions?"
"He's...quite the character," she said.
"Oh, don't be so hesitant. Ez might be a prickly cactus, but he's such a softie."
"Are you sure?"
"Hm, he did take your order, right? You're sitting in the area he's in charge of, after all."
Attention returned to the cups of tea. One was empty. The woman grabbed the other cup as some steam drifted away. It was still warm in her hands. She took a sip.
"Need me to reheat it?"
"No. It's fine," Erika said.