KARINA

The date with Winter went great. It was different than the other ones that I had. It was an unsual one but in a good way. 

"Ri unnie!" Ningning called me. We are currently in the mall because it's our day off and Ningning had asked me if I could accompany her.

"What do you think about this bag?" She ask me as she held a bag on each of her hands.

"Pick whatever you like Ning, don't worry if it will fit your style or not. If you like it then buy it. You always rock different styles of clothing." Was my immediate response. I really don't know why she's really having a hard time choosing one. You can't love two things with the same intensity at the same time. There's just no such thing. She should pick the one that she likes better.

"Okay I'll listen to you this time, I'll get this black one." She said grinning. This kid really likes shopping. She just bought a bag last month and now she's buying another. I'm pretty sure I'll have to treat her dinner tonight or else she'll go home with an empty stomach.

"I haven't seen your friend go by the café for days. Have you been ghosted unnie?" Ningning asked me as we were walking towards the cashier to pay for her bag.

"We text casually. She said she's working on her paintings on her studio that's why she hasn't visited the café lately." I answered her.

"Good to know that. If she ghosts you I'll hunt her down." She said as she hands her credit card to the cashier.

And as expected, I'm the one paying for our meal. I don't mind though. It's not like I have someone or something to spend money on. It's only Ningning that I treat usually, might have to do with the fact that she's my only friend. I have a good relationship with my other co-workers though, don't get me wrong. But its just that I feel comfortable around her even if she's a tad annoying and loud sometimes. For friends, I moved here in the city when my parents died and so far Ningning is the only one I fully trust.

A new week but the same morning routine. Every Monday is the busiest day in the shop maybe because of the rush hour, the deadline or just people needing caffeine in their system to wake their body up from the weekend's rest. My shift today didn't even help because I was put at eight to five since a co-worker of mine was absent so I have to endure the busy morning hours of Monday. Good thing that Ningning was at the same shift as me which makes it bearable somehow.

The bee line of people didn't stop until the clock hit eleven. By this time we usually get at least four hours of calmness in the shop until three in the afternoon where people come in moderately until the evening hours.

It was almost two in the afternoon when a dozen of red roses appeared before me which made me look up as I was tidying up the counter top. One look and I recognized him easily. James. We went out a couple of times before he left months ago. He's kind, cool and a gentleman but I'm not just into him. I've rejected him repeatedly before but that doesn't seem to stop him. 

He started to talk as he handed me the roses.

"For you Karina and can I get an Expresso?"

"Thanks James yo