Sebastian rushed to Blue Rose, panting as he was out of breath. Ten thirty in the morning, he was late for his shift. He only woke up twenty minutes ago—at ten past ten, for a shift at ten o’clock. He dashed straight from his flat to the café as he woke up, only able to brush his teeth and change his clothes.

“Oh, gosh, sorry I’m late,” he announced, wheezing with every last breath he had. He slumped on the floor; his knees weak.

Caleb glanced at the sorry state of the part-timer, then threw his apron. “Wear it quickly and help me,” he ordered. “And here I was wondering why you haven’t been here.”

“Sorry,” Sebastian cringed, pulling himself up and putting his apron on. “I overslept.”

“Can’t sleep?” Caleb asked, which Sebastian replied with a nod. “Worrying about Chester?”

Sebastian darted his gaze to Caleb, blinking in confusion. Caleb ignored him, though. He walked up to the cashier and wiped the countertop. “How—”

“Well, I’m not telling you what to do,” Caleb waved his finger. “But remember that he hates Alpha with all his might.”

Sebastian’s gaze dropped. He pouted, brushing his bed hair. He made his way to the cashier, looking at his surroundings. It wasn’t lunch time yet, so he could be at ease. “Anyway, is Ray not back yet?” he asked. The café felt quite that Ray wasn’t there. Even though he had only been working for a week, it felt odd because he always saw Ray and Caleb on his shift.

“Yeah,” Caleb gave a curt reply. “He’s off for this week.”

“Why?”

The owner raised his eyebrows. “Quentin,” he replied briefly, putting glasses on glasses holder, and then starting the coffee machine.

“Quentin?” Sebastian repeated.

“His roommate,” Caleb replied, his tone firm as though telling Sebastian that it wasn’t his business. “If you’re curious, you can ask him instead. I have no right to tell you everything.”

“Oh, sorry,” Sebastian mumbled. “Then, you always work alone at this kind of period?”

“Not really,” Caleb shrugged nonchalantly. “I have other part-timers working on weekends, and your sister used to work here before she got pregnant.”

“Ah, you’re right,” Sebastian nodded in understanding. “Is that the reason you accepted me?”

Caleb sighed, leaning on the counter. “You’re asking a lot, eh?” he teased, making the Alpha felt guilty for his questions. “Well, kind of. I only hire Betas, so I don’t have a lot of employees. Also, I’m kinda in dire need since your sister is on paternity leave.”

Sebastian nodded as a reply. There was something else he wanted to ask, but before he could open his mouth, the bell on the doll rang, indicating a customer entering. “Welcome,” Sebastian greeted instinctively.

A group of customers came in, stepping up to the cashier to place their order. Sebastian gave a professional smile, attending the group’s order. Well, it was time to go back to work.

As lunch time crept in closer, Sebastian’s heart pounded louder. He kept glancing at the clock, and then he was constantly in daze. Seeing his easy-to-read behaviors, Caleb asked, “Waiting for Chester?”

Sebastian jumped in surprise; heart pounded even louder. He turned to face his boss as though he was caught doing something illegal. “Eh—well—” he gesticulated awkwardly, while his boss’ stare was judging him.

Though, upon seeing the nervousness of a young man in love, Caleb let out a faint chuckle. “You’re really head over heels for him, huh?” he teased.

Hearing his boss’ words, Sebastian beamed in joy. “Yes!” he answered with profound excitement. “I’m really interested in him. He looks tough and cool, and he hates Alpha. I want to learn more about him and win him over. After all, he’s my fated partner.”

Caleb scrunched his eyebrows, turning to face the black-haired part-timer. “Fated partner?” he probed.

Sebastian nodded so excitedly his head almost fell. “Yeah,” he exclaimed. “Isn’t it cool? He’s destined to be for me.”

Although it sounded romantic, Caleb frowned. The Chester he knew was someone that didn’t want to settle down with an Alpha, let alone someone who believed things like fated partner. The Chester he knew would think that being a partner of an Alpha was ‘degrading’ himself.

When Caleb was beating himself whether to break the news to Sebastian’s pure soul or not, the door opened, and Chester came in. Strange, Caleb thought. Chester was early today.

The salaryman stepped in clumsily towards the cashier, lips pressed together to hide a faint smile. Upon seeing the older man, Sebastian was overjoyed that Caleb could imagine him wagging his tail.

Chester stopped in front of the counter, tilting his head up to meet the college student’s eyes. Then, he looked down to his phone. “Give me your number,” he ordered, unlocking his phone. “I didn’t know your number.”

Sebastian was caught of guard. His hand, shaking, pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket. “A-ah, well, I can add you instead?” he suggested, stuttering.

“No, tell me your number.”

“I’ll add it,” Sebastian took Chester’s phone and added his number. His cheeks flushed red and he couldn’t stop smiling. He gave his phone back. “Don’t forget to call me any time you want.”

Chester accepted his phone back and read the number Sebastian just put in. Luckily, he saved the name normally. He expected Sebastian to name his contact ‘Darling’ or something like that. Chester nodded curtly, gesturing he heard Sebastian’s wish. “Then, I’ll order the usual,” he changed the topic. Then, with a soft embarrassed voice, he added, “And—the coffee, I wanted you to make it.”

Sebastian was stunned. His face turned red in an instance; he was speechless. “Ah, s-sure,” he replied, nodding profusely as he didn’t know what else to do. Chester—on the other hand—averted his gaze and crossed his hands in front of his chest, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Their interaction was too sweet, in Caleb’s opinion. A little disgusting, he’d even say. But, it was alright. Caleb sighed in relief, knowing that he didn’t have to remind Sebastian of Chester’s hatred towards Alpha, and how Chester seemed to accept Sebastian’s advances. Well, maybe his feelings were reciprocated.

Caleb turned around, humming while making his way to the kitchen. He didn’t want to get in the way of the love birds—too sweet for his liking!