Sebastian’s shift for Tuesday—much like on Monday—started from the opening time. Blue Rose opened at ten in the morning, though most of the first shift waiters came in at 9:30 AM. Unlike yesterday, Sebastian didn’t wake up late. He came in at 9:15 AM, finding only Caleb was already there.

From what he learned, it seemed that Ray was taking a week off, so someone else covered from him. Another Beta—he guessed. And he was right—because at 9:28 AM, a Beta clocked in. She greeted the café owner casually, but she was surprised to find a new face in the kitchen.

“Camila’s little brother. I’ve told you about him,” Caleb chipped in when he realized the confusion in the Beta’s face.

“Oh,” she blinked, caught off guard. “Hi, Camila loves to talk about you. I’m Rachel.”

“Sebastian,” the college student gave a polite nod, acknowledging the older woman’s introduction. “I hope she doesn’t say anything weird about me.”

“Oh, no, no!” Rachel giggled. She patted the tall man’s back. “You’re fine! I’m just surprised that she has an Alpha brother.”

Sebastian chuckled awkwardly, not sure what he should say. Fortunately, Caleb chipped in before the younger man could say anything. “Sebby, can you mop the floor?” he requested.

Sebastian held a sigh of relief—he wasn’t good with new people, after all—and drifted his attention to the owner. “Yes,” he replied, bouncing away to do his work.

At the usual time, Chester came. It was as if Sebastian had been conditioned to look at the clock around lunchtime. Or, dared to say, he was Pavlov dog-ed by Chester’s lunchtime.

Right on expected time, the office worker came in. Sebastian beamed up, wagging his imaginary tail once again as his eyes landed on Chester. He looked exhausted, and Sebastian couldn’t help worried.

“Are you okay?” Sebastian asked, concern painted over his features.

Chester gave a weak smile. “Not sure,” he answered, stopping in front of the counter and tilting his head up. His eyes scanned the menu, though they were out of focus.

“Work problem?” Sebastian—couldn’t contain his curiosity—decided to ask carefully. He wasn’t sure if it was a right question to ask.

Chester pursed his lips, giving a curt nod once. His eyes were fixated on the menu, although in the end, he ordered the exact same menu he always got. After purchasing the order, Chester waddled his way to his usual table. Sebastian’s eyes followed Chester’s every step; concern lingering in his mind. He didn’t like seeing Chester sad—he didn’t want the person he was interested in to feel down. But, what could a college student like him do?

He huffed, turning around to start the coffee machine. Maybe a bit of a sweeter coffee that Chester preferred would be a good idea—Oh, well. Sebastian lifted his head, finding his employer approaching the cashier to replace him. “Owner,” he called out. “Which cake is the sweetest?”

Supporting his head with one of his palms while elbow rested on the table, Chester aimlessly pressed on his phone’s home button multiple times even though he kept his phone locked. He wasn’t sure what he was doing himself. Finally, he turned his phone face down and let out a long sigh.

Just this morning, he was excited going to work on the prospect of spending lunchtime at Blue Rose. But, well, once again works had disappointed him. Being scolded for something he hadn’t done—that sucked, a lot.

Things like that made him wanted to resign—and made him disliking Alpha all around him. Things like that made him thought that—Alphas were all the same, in the end.

Sebastian set a cup of coffee down in front of Chester—who was lost in thoughts. Chester, startled, lifted his head up to find the warm smile of the man who was said to be his fated partner. The waiter set down a plate.

“I didn’t order a cake,” Chester furrowed his eyebrows, tilting his head to the side.

Sebastian grinned. “You love sweet, don’t you?” he asked playfully. “In the house.”

Chester blinked, even more confused. “Why?”

“You seem down,” Sebastian admitted, scratching the back of his neck as he felt embarrassed all the sudden. “And you don’t look like you wanna talk, so... yeah.”

Chester’s confused stare was directed towards the waiter for a second longer, before he broke into a laughter. “That’s so cheesy,” he wheezed. “Are you seriously worrying about me?”

Sebastian cringed, embarrassed.

“Then, accompany me,” Chester picked up the fork from the plate of cake—using it to point at the waiter—and grinned cheekily. “This is an order from a customer.”

Sebastian laughed. “Sorry, dude, I have to work,” he declined, though Chester could say a hint of reluctancy in his tone.

Chester raised his eyebrows, whirling his head towards the café owner. “Owner!” he called out and—when he got Caleb’s attention—pointed at the innocent waiter. “I’m stealing this guy.”

Caleb—looking alternately at Chester and Sebastian—pursed his lips in amusement. He smirked and shrugged. “You can have him,” he teased, waving his hand dismissively.

“Thanks, dude,” Chester replied with a grin, before diverting his attention back to the waiter. He tapped the table, close to the chair across him. “You hear that? Now, you have to keep me company.”

Sebastian—surprised with the sudden development—gesticulated in a strange way. “Well... if you insist...” his voice trailed as he pulled the chair and sat down. It was random, true—but, hey! At least Sebastian got to spend his time with Chester.