How would everyone react if their S/O wanted to work at the cafe with them?
OOC: Hello and good afternoon, Summer. This Barista hopes you’re well, and that your day is nothing but smooth sailing so far!
Precise and to-the-point as always, aren’t you? I love orders like this.
Certainly! One combo order coming right up, dear! Please enjoy!
To everyone else: enjoy this quadruple serving as well. Cheers, dears!
Lastly, credit goes to the amazing @the-corgi-persona for helping me out with Arsène’s bit. So thank you, corgi dear! You’re a saint!☕
Recently, you’d been laid off from your job. It wasn’t just you, but more than half of your fellow co-workers had been notified that, unfortunately, due to over-staffing and the recent shuffling of roles, they could no longer work there.
For two whole months, you sent out résumés to wherever you could think of. You see a “now hiring” billboard outside the business? You pass in a résumé. You see a “help wanted” sign in the window of a coffee shop? You hand in arésuméto the manager.
You snagged an interview here and there, but never got past putting your foot in the door.
No matter how many times you heard the words, “You’ll hear from us in a few days” from the head manager of the place you scouted out, you never did.
Needless to say, you were beginning to feel a bit disheartened. You felt that you’d never get anywhere.
Fortunately, there were two shining rays of hope presented to you.
The first was the ever-constant presence of your live-in boyfriend, Akira Kurusu.
He was there when you shuffled in after a long day of passing out résumé after another, looking as downtrodden as you felt. He was there with a steaming plate of curry and a hot cup of coffee or tea, ready to serve with a dazzling, award-winning smile curling his lips. He was there to hold you close, kiss you, and tenderly whisper, “Don’t get discouraged, dear. I’m sure you’ll get somewhere. Please keep trying.”
The second ray of hope showed itself in the form of a “help wanted” sign in the window of the Huggamug Café one early fall morning.Akira’s eyes lit up the moment he saw it, punching in the necessary information and sending it to you via a text message.
It took some convincing on Akira’s part, but the next day during his shift, he watched as you stood in front of the manager, EiraRundström. Everything from your trembling figure, to your wide eyes, to the beads of sweat dripping down your face screamed, “I’m anxious!” as you handed in a résumé.
The day after you showed up and handed in a résumé, Eira called you, asking when was a good time for your interview. Nervous, you spluttered out a random date and time.
The day of your interview, you were a nervous wreck. Your hands dripped with sweat as they shook, fingers clutching the tacky dress pants that covered your legs as Eira asked question after question.
Afterwards, you couldn’t hide your low spirits as the all too familiar words of the manager echoed in your mind. “I’ll be in touch.” However, the day after your interview, much to your surprise…
The manager contacted you, asking you when you could begin working at the coffee shop. Still surprised, you asked her, “T-Thank you. I can begin as soon as possible, but… Why am I the lucky candidate? You had other interviews, didn’t you?”
It took a few moments for the young woman to reply, but finally…
“You’re that idiot’s partner, right? Someone needs to keep an eye on him when I can’t deal with him. The other women didn’t care for work, or the café’s policy; they care more for Akira. I don’t have the time or patience to entertain the nonsensical whims of people like that, not when I have a business to run.”
For a few moments, the manager was silent before adding, “So… Is tomorrow morning a good time for you? Eight o’clock sharp. There’s no excuses you can give me that I’ll accept.”
Behind you, standing in front of the sink and washing the dishes, Akira snuck a glance at you, watching as a pleased grin pulled on your lips.
He smiled as your voice rang out, clear as a church bell. “Tomorrow morning is fine! Thank you very much for your time, Ms.Rundström!”
No sooner had you hung up the phone, a giddy smile curling your lips, you felt arms encircling your waist as a voice crooned in your ear. “See, darling? Didn’t your handsome devil tell you? I told you you’d get somewhere.”
You giggled as Akira pressed a few kisses to your neck, murmuring, “Congratulations, love. I’m proud of you. It’ll be such a pleasure to work with you~.”
The words still managed to worm their way into your thoughts whenever you were alone, thinking back to the incident that caused you to lose your job.
You hadn’t been late. You stuck to the strict protocol of the business, following the rules and orders of your superiors to the letter. You addressed any concerns the guests brought to your attention. You got along with your co-workers, some of whom were your friends outside of work.
No, in fact, the incident in question occurred during an extravagant dinner that was hosted by the hotel you previously worked in. Apparently, some big-wig up-and-coming politician was aiming for the biggest office in the country: the Prime Minister’s office.
A rug. The up-turned end of a rug had resulted in you tripping as you headed toward the table where several man sat, talking and laughing. Unfortunately, it resulted in the contents of the serving tray to be sent flying, splattering across the men’s faces, to stain their expensive tailor-made suits. The lavish tablecloth quickly became stained as wine spilled over the edges, soaking the bland surface.
Clearly furious, the man whirled around you, face set into a scowl as he spat angrily, “You clumsy simpleton! I’ll have your job for this!”
You could still remember when your manager called you into his office, eyes full of shame as he spoke the words you hadn’t wanted to hear.
Since you were let go, it had been extremely difficult to get an interview, and even if you did, the moment your would-be employer learned how you managed to lose your job… Despite his or her promises to stay in touch, you’d get a call saying someone more reliable had been selected instead of you.
Day in and day out, that was your routine for a whole month. Passing out résumés, roping in an interview here and there, and being constantly denied the position you were aiming for.You were beginning to feel downtrodden, walked on and walked over, ignored despite your best efforts.
Ren couldn’t bear to see you returning home in such low spirits; he was the one who brought home suggestions of where you should start snagging interviews, after all.
Fortunately, lady luck soon smiled down upon you. It just so happened that as he walked into work one day that he spotted his manager, Eira, setting up a "now hiring” sign outside the Huggamug Café. The noiret’s glasses glinted as, suddenly, he was hit with a bright idea. If you were seeking work, surely his boss would at least give you a chance when no one else would.
So it was much to your surprise that after returning home from another failed interview, Ren greeted you with a small smile and dinner waiting for you at the table. “My boss is looking for new hirelings. Interested, darling?”
You couldn’t help but to allow an excited, hopeful gleam to sparkle in your eyes. You nodded eagerly in response to your boyfriend’s suggestion. However, soon, the feeling of uncertainty wrapped itself around you.
“You really think she’ll give me a chance, Ren?”
“Focus on snagging the interview first, then worry about what comes after.”
Invigorated by your boyfriend’s confidence in you, you nodded as you both sat down to enjoy a quiet, relaxing dinner, enjoying a quaint, stress-free evening together afterwards.
To say that you were a bundle of quivering nerves as, the next morning, you stood in front of a certain café was an understatement. Despite its warm, welcoming exterior and interior, the Huggamug Cafémay as well be the Diet Building to you.
It didn’t help that you soon directly in front of the manager of the coffee shop: Eira Rundström. Swallowing a gulp that was the size of a baseball, you nervously greeted yourself, résuméin hand, sweating bullets as the icy gaze of the young manager fell upon you.
“Welcome to the Huggamug Café. How may I help you today?”
“I’m… I’m here about the sign out front. You’re interviewing candidates?”
Ren couldn’t help but smile as Eira took your résumé, adding, “I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll look over yourrésuméduring break, and if all looks good, I’ll schedule an interview.”
You nodded, watching as the dark-haired manager walked away. However, the moment she was out of your sight, you sighed as your shoulders slumped. Then, you felt a hand resting on your shoulder, and you glanced up to see Ren’s smile, his onyx irises staring at you as he talked.
“Don’t worry too much. I know the Boss has a good feeling about you.”
“Hey, Arsène… Is that café you work at hiring?”
“Ah, the Boss was saying that she was looking for help. Why do you ask?”
“J-Just wondering… That’s all.”
Arsènewasn’t a fool; he could see right through your little white lie. Sometimes, you were easier to read than an open book.
“…You want to work with me?”
The surprise in Arsène’s voice was obvious. His obsidian gaze stared into your eyes, but the surprise was just as palpable in his irises as it was in his voice. There was also a faint trace of amusement, too.
“Yeah. I mean, you always come home after your shift pleased, and I have yet to hear anything bad about this café. Sounds like it’s a good place to work.”
Smirking,Arsènewas quick to reply. “Perhaps it’s because there are so many wonderful customers who visit. My employer is quite easy on the eyes as well.”
You took a moment to roll your eyes heavenward, breathing a sarcastic “haha” immediately afterwards.
“Ohh,” he drawled, looking positively amused. “Is someone jealous?”
“Of course not!” you said, denying his teasing accusation with a huff.
Seeing Arsène’s tooth-filled smirk irritated you, causing you to add, “Why would I be jealous when I’m the only woman you’re with, right? Unless your proposal was just sugarcoated bullshit?”
To prove your point you raised the hand in question, its ring finger wrapped in a golden, diamond-encrusted engagement ring.
“Hmm,” he hummed, pausing only to add, “Touché, my dear rose.”
“Anyway, jokes aside,” you said, pausing as Arsène chuckled.
“Do you think your boss would hire me? I mean, it’s been a while since I worked anywhere… Three months…”
Slightly disheartened by what you said, you lowered your head, staring at the plate of food that was in front of you. You gripped a fork in your hand, absentmindedly picking at the side dish as your thoughts strayed back to your former workplace.
It had its ups and downs, just as every other place did, but part of you was glad that you weren’t working there anymore. It had been nothing short of a godsend when your manager informed you of being let go.
For the past three months, you’d been receiving unemployment income. You had to get somewhere, find a place to work at, and fast. Soon, the income was bound to dry up, more quickly than you’d realize.
You looked up the moment you felt a hand clasp yours, a thumb gently stroking your slim knuckles. A smile curled Arsène’s lips, but there was a short pause before he spoke.
“I will talk to the manager first thing tomorrow, dear.”
“R-Really? You’d do that?”
“For you, my dear, I’d do anything. I’d even go up against the Devil himself, if it appeased you.”
“L-Let’s not go that far, Arsène.”
You glanced up as a cup of your favourite hot beverage was set down in front of you. Small wisps of steam wafted up from inside the cup’s rounded interior, hinting of its piping hot contents.
To polish off her question, the head barista set a plate of your favourite dessert down in front of you; a fork and a serviette completed her efforts of offering you her quiet condolences.
You breathed a sigh, smiling as you nodded. “Was it that obvious?”
Eira smiled slightly as she nodded, her bangs–dyed black–brushing across her skin along with the nodding motion of her head.
“Maybe. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t help but notice that, to you, the world might as well be ending.”
In response to her words, you voiced a laugh that was half-sarcastic, half-sincere.
“If it does end today, at least I’ll go out eating something you personally made.”
There was a quiet clatter as you picked up the fork, sliding it through the generous slice of dessert that innocently sat on the plate. You popped the piece past your lips.
Eira busied herself with tending to other customers, pausing only to order a certain frizzy-haired, bespectacled barista to get back to work as you ate your dessert. You were savouring your journey through your steaming hot drink when Eira returned.
She looked a bit worried; her furrowed brows, coupled with her pursed lips, told you that she was concerned for you.
You breathed a sigh, setting down the cup of coffee with a quiet clink as its rounded rim touched the saucer.
“It’s… nothing,” you muttered, blinking owlishly as Eira frowned.
“It’s not ‘nothing’ if you got sacked, is it?”
“…I was framed.” Eira said nothing; she merely waited for you to continue talking.
“Someone was taking money from the register. Since I was one of the last ones on duty, the boss assumed it was me. She didn’t have any evidence, but I was fired on the spot when I went into work earlier.”
Again, the blue-eyed manager didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to; she knew you well enough that you wouldn’t risk your job, your hard-earned job, just for some extra pocket money.
“…Hey,” you began, glancing up from the warm depth of your hot drink to stare into ice-blue irises. “Can I work here, Ei? I’ll pull my own weight. I’ll pull twice my own weight.”
Silence permeated the area of the café you and Eira stood and sat in, silence that was broken only by the clinks of forks and spoons, the laid-back chatter and associating laughter of the other customers, but finally…
“…Got your résumé on hand? If not, send it to me via e-mail. I’ll look it over, and schedule an interview. How’s nine o’clock tomorrow morning sound?”
