Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE
7:56 P.M. AT PURR PASTRIES
Aishika sighed and wiped the countertop, getting ready to close the cafe.
The waning sunlight had filtered in through the half closed window blinds, and the light danced over the tables and onto the floor. The area was cast in a dreamy golden glow, and the smell of fresh pastries and coffee wafted in the air while calming music was playing over the speakers. It was the perfect atmosphere, and she was glad that there was no one else left except for a few cooks in the back. Everyone else had already gone home - seeing that the cafe would close in a few minutes- and only she stayed behind, getting the store ready for tomorrow.
It had been a busy day, and all she wanted to do was go home and sleep.
Her maid dress was getting quite uncomfortable; the white ruffles made her neck itch, and the dress had gotten hotter as the day progressed. It was mid-autumn, and the heat still hadn't receded, making it hard for everyone in the cafe to concentrate.
Aishika huffed, and adjusted her headband, being careful not to mess up her meticulously styled hair.
Today the customers had been rude, pushy, and annoying, and she was tired of trying to calm them down.
Some guy had asked for a Cappuccino, and when she had brought it out, he had yelled at her for not getting her his Latte!
Absolutely annoying, but whatever. Like her manager had said, the customer was “always right”.
Aishika tossed the rag over her shoulder and glanced at the clock.
7:57 PM.
Three more minutes.
She could survive three more minutes.
She walked toward the front of the cafe, flipping the chairs upside down onto the tables as she went. One by one, the tables disappeared beneath the wooden chairs, leaving the room strangely empty. Without the usual chatter of customers and clinking cups, the cafe seemed almost unnaturally quiet.
Then, the bell above the front door jingled.
Aishika froze and slowly turned around.
A woman stood in the doorway.
She looked like the kind of woman who could silence an entire room without saying a word. Her long black hair fell smoothly past her shoulder, framing a sharp striking face. Her dark brown eyes watched everything with a calmness that seemed unsettling, their intensity making it difficult to tell what she was thinking. High cheekbones, defined brows, and a strong jaw gave her an elegant but intimidating appearance.
Her outfit reinforced her appearance. She was wearing a tailored suit of high quality; a striking black against her skin. It was fitted tighter near the waist with an open collar, and she completed the look with pointed black heels. She wasn’t all that tall, but with her looks? She didn’t need it.
Her scent hit all at once.
It was a rich blend of warm roasted hazelnuts, sweet milk chocolate, and creamy vanilla, seemingly similar to… Nutella? It was rich and sweet, and Aishika could subconsciously feel herself inhaling deeply to savor the scent.
Aishika stared at her for a moment before glancing back at the clock.
7:58 PM.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered under her breath.
The woman didn’t really seem to notice. She stepped inside and looked around the nearly empty cafe.
“Are you still open?” Her voice was smooth and velvety and her eyes cut into Aishika as she looked up and down her dress slowly. Her slow, deliberate gaze traveled from her stockings, to her apron, and headband before finally lingering on the lace collar.
Leisurely, she met her eyes.
Aishika squirmed and forced a smile.
“Technically, … yes.” She really hoped the lady would take the hint and leave.
Instead, she smiled back. “Great.”
Aishika walked behind the counter once more, already preparing herself for another irritating order.
“What can I get for you today?”
The woman walked over to the countertop, putting her elbows on the table, and looking over the menu, humming thoughtfully. “Do you have anything with cinnamon?” She raised an eyebrow, and cocked her head, gazing intensely at Aishika.
“We have cinnamon rolls.”
“I’ll take one. Or actually, make that two.”
“Anything to drink?”
Her gaze turned to the coffee machines before responding.
“Surprise me.”
Aishika blinked
“Excuse me?”
“Surprise me.” She smirked, propping her head in her hands; still staring with the same intensity she had entered the store with.
Aishika stared at her, trying to figure out if she was joking or not.
She wasn’t.
“Right,” she said flatly. “Okay. Name for the order?”
“Sara.” The woman replied, a light smile playing on her face now.
“Alright.” She turned around and started making her drink. As she was making it, she heard the woman laughing quietly.
Aishika spun around, coffee cup still in hand, pointing accusatorily at her. “What is it?” She asked, frowning.
“Nothing.” Sara’s hand was over her mouth, obviously hiding a smirk.
“You laughed.”
“Maybe.”
“Why?”
“You look like you want to kill me.”
Aishika nearly dropped the cup. She blinked slowly and looked at Sara.
Sara was grinning.
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
“I don’t murder customers.” She crossed her hands over her chest, still holding onto the cup. “It’s against our policy here.”
“Well then, I might just be the first. Not only have you been glaring at me for the past few minutes, I haven’t gotten any cute treatment. This is a cat maid cafe, isn’t it? ” Sara’s eyes seemed to provoke her, as if trying to poke out a reaction.
Aishika frowned. She stared at Sara for a couple of seconds before letting out a tired sigh. “You walk in here three minutes before closing and expect the full experience? Next time, come earlier.”
She places the drink in front of Sara, raising an eyebrow.
“Here, a cinnamon latte. It should be to your liking.”
Sara glances at the latte and then back at Aishika.
“You remembered I said cinnamon, huh?”
“I have ears.”
She cocked her head to the side and smiled. “Fair enough.”
“And my cinnamon rolls?”
“They’re coming out soon. Just wait a bit, will you?”
A minute later, the cinnamon rolls finished heating up. They smelt amazing, and the sugary smell filled the air between them. Carefully putting them in a bag, Aishika handed them over to Sara.
“And …. Here's your two cinnamon rolls.”
Aishika glanced towards the clock.
8:00 PM.
Great.
She could have been out by now.
Sara took a sip of the cinnamon latte.
And without realizing it, for the first time all day, Aishika found herself waiting for someone’s reaction to her coffee.
Sara smiled.
“This is actually really good.”
“Actually?”
“I meant that as a compliment.”
“It didn’t sound like one.”
Sara laughed once more, and took another sip. “ I might come by again, but if I do, you better treat me better, alright?” She snickered and took a step back, setting down the coffee and cinnamon roles, and dusting down her blazer. She took them both back into her hands, and followed Aishika’s eyes back to the clock.
“Right..”
Aishika looked at the clock once more, impatient.
8:02.
“We’re closed now.”
Sara glanced at the clock.
“Oh.”
Aishika pointed to the door.
Sara took a few steps backwards, eyes still trained on Aishika. Doing a little wave with the bag of cinnamon rolls still in her hand, she replied with a, “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Aishika raised an eyebrow.
“You planning on becoming a regular?”
“Maybe.”
The bell jingled as Sara opened the door and stepped outside into the night, still waving over her shoulder.
Aishika watched her disappear down the sidewalk before shaking her head.
“Strange woman.”
Then, Aishika grabbed her bags, turned the lights off and locked the door.
For some reason though, she couldn’t stop smiling.