= SARAH POV =

The walk to the café was pleasant.

11 am in the morning, the sun was soft through passing clouds, the air was light and crisp.

 I stopped in front of the café doors nervously. There were only a few people, someone behind the counter, another serving out orders, so I figured perhaps I could talk to that barista first instead of the manager who approached me.

“Oh, hello; I hope you didn’t get too wet in the rain the other day,” A familiar voice said from behind me.

I jumped and turned to find Ms. Jun standing at the entrance of an alleyway next to the café, holding a trash bag.

“Ah yes, I was completely drenched, and I am so sorry, so was the contract,” I said apologetically.

Ms. Jun smiled. “Ah, of course. I expected as much after it started to rain. Why don’t you speak with Amber, who is currently at the cash register? She will show you to a meeting room where we can discuss things further. I’ll be right with you,” Ms. Jun said and disappeared down the alleyway with the bag of trash.

“Ok thank you!” I said after her.

I lingered for a bit, still under certain whether I should take this opportunity or not, however after a few more minutes, and thinking about Chris’ disappointed face, I pushed open the doors to the café.

Soft jazz was playing from the speakers, creating a relaxed atmosphere. 

I knew I had decided to do this, but I was feeling so nervous, palms growing sweaty and cold. 

 I had completely forgotten how Ms. Jun’s good looked and the aura around her made my stomach do flip-flops.

 I started to have really stupid thoughts like “ I really wouldn’t mind being taken advantage of her…” and “ I wonder if she needs a new roommate…” but I quickly suppressed those thoughts by the time I reached the cashier.

Amber, a short and petite girl with a blond pixie cut and the largest green eyes I had seen smiled at me as I approached the counter.

“Hello, what can I get you?” Amber asked, beaming.

“Oh, sorry, I’m here for an interview?” I replied sheepishly.

“Ah! Yes, the prospective hire who got washed away by the rain,” Amber said, slapping her hands together and laughing “Ms. Jun must be so happy you found your way back to us, she couldn’t stop talking about how she tried to run after you with an umbrella, however, you disappeared in the distance before she could help you out”

My heart skipped a beat “S-She did that? Wow, Ms. Jun is really kind” I said.

Amber nodded “Kind…more like responsible and a bit eccentric. Anyway, she is a really good boss, we all enjoy working here at her café as she really emphasizes work-life balance”

I felt my face flush “S-Sorry this is her café?” I asked in a low whisper.

“Yup! You know…Café Jun, it’s out on the front of the building. Oh, I should take you to the meeting room before more customers come in,” Amber said and beckoned me as she walked out from around the counter.

Amber led me out towards a long corridor off the main dining area.

The corridor was lined with dark wood paneling that was illuminated by flower-shaped light features. It gave a very soft cottage vibe, which was an interesting contrast from the font area, which was also vintage, with a lot more modern elements.

“This area looks really umm-“I started, trying to find a word other than “old fashioned”.

“Vintage? Haha, yeah, I thought the same when I first started working here. This building is an old Victorian Shophouse that has been converted into various retail and recreational spaces. The second floor of the house has a small dance studio and gym, and the top floor is where Ms. Jun lives. She said that she wanted to preserve a lot of the old elements as this was her family home previously, and although her parents have passed away, she still wishes to remember them while she works,” Amber explained, beaming.

“Wow, you…really know a lot about the house, and Ms. Jun. You must have been working here for a long time,” I said as we stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor.

Amber opened the door and led me into a beautiful parlor room. It was as if it was stuck in time, with family portraits on the wall, a grand piano in the corner, and bookshelves lining the wall. There were a few plush sofas all facing each other in the middle of the room, with a low coffee table that had some bottles of water and a tray of snacks on it, which were probably the only modern things in that entire room.

“Oh yes, I started working here with Ms. Jun when she first graduated and turned her old family home into the café it is today. I love everything about Ms. Jun’s vision and what she has achieved; Ms. Jun is the best,” Amber replied, beaming in admiration.

I smiled; it was so cute to see how much Amber looked up to Ms. Jun. I felt like teasing her.

“Sounds like you are in love with Ms. Jun,” I said cheekily.

Amber immediately turned bright red and shook her head “No, no, it’s not like that, I admire her. I…I already have someone else I like,” she said shyly, making me blush a little as well at how cute and sweet she looked, fawning over the one she loved. 

My eyes lingered on Amber for a moment. She seemed really smitten…Though at the back of my mind, there was something about how that fawning felt a little too…perfect….

However I didn’t have time to linger on it. Amber smiled at me with a smile I felt was a little too sweet.

 “I think you and Ms. Jun would make a cute couple, though,” she said, and before I could stop her, she strode out of the room, saying, “Ms. Jun will be with you shortly!”

I felt my face go red. Was she saying that because of me teasing her? Or had she perhaps…seen Ms Jun hit on me the other day?

 I sat down gingerly on the nearest couch and waited nervously for what was to come.