Chapter Text
Cassie was recommended this particular new coffee shop by her co-worker, who is also her own sister, Gabriela, who could be a bit difficult to work with, but she got through it. Another reason she needs her caffeine, although she's not exactly a huge sugary coffee drinker, her sister, who is a social media addict, found this spot through media, somehow convinced her to check it out. Now, Cassie is exactly in front of the cafe right now, sitting in her car in a free parking spot. She is a bit busy texting Gabriela about what she wants from the place because Gabriela forced her to buy them their drinks before she gets to work. Cassie sighed after looking at her sister's text message. “Is it really necessary to have a really detailed order?” she asked herself before finally leaving her car and going into the cafe. It's 6:30 in the morning, and it can not be that packed.
Cassie was wrong. Lines after lines just for people to order or pick up their drink after it was nicely made. She started to regret agreeing to get a simple black coffee and a really detailed drink for her stupid sister. She then looked at her watch in huge frustration; she really couldn’t be late for work just because of some drinks. Completely not like her, so it will be a pointless excuse.
It feels like it has been forever just from being in this line. Are the drinks here really delectable? After exactly twenty more minutes, according to Cassie, tracking it from her watch, she has finally made it in front of the counter to order.
“Hey, welcome to our cafe. Our drinks are the best that taste could explode in your mouth! What can I get’ cha?” The barista said to her…possibly a slight excitement in her (maybe a her) tone, but they sort of made it obvious they have to say that every time there is a customer. Anyway, back to the “maybe a her,” Cassie doesn't want to be completely rude and just focus on whether this barista is a girl or not from their appearance, but the slight pitch in their voice seems like she is a female; the short hair is probably just throwing her off. Although this barista is quite handsome for a lady and quite beautiful as well, possibly because she looks quite young.
“Just one black coffee and uh… an iced, 16oz, oat milk, sugar-free vanilla latte, with an extra shot of espresso, please.” Cassie finally replied after thinking to herself.
“Wow. Is the espresso for you?”
“It's for my co-worker.”
“That will make more sense. You don't look the type to drink something like that!” The barista said with a laugh, putting Cassie's order in on the cash register computer to get the full price. Cassie felt a bit awkward after hearing the barita's reply, but she didn’t think too much of it. Before she hears the total amount, she starts taking out her wallet from her bag in order to take out her credit card. “Alrighty… that will be fourteen bucks.” The barista said while looking back up at Cassie, looking into her eyes, which caused Cassie’s cheeks to feel a bit warm. Cassie cleared her throat with a nod before inserting the credit card into the small machine so it could charge and take the money out of her card.
“Quite busy this early in the morning,” Cassie spoke softly but loud enough for the barista to hear her from the crowded cafe. She looked back up at the barista, looking into her eyes. Waiting for the machine to process her card to take it out. “Tell me about it! I just had to be stuck with the early shift.” The barista slightly groaned, keeping her eye on Cassie. The barista's response made Cassie wonder, causing her to slightly tilt her head. “Are you the only worker right now?” The barista shook her head, “My buddy co-worker, Charlie, is here too; he's in charge of the drinks right now.”
“Ah. That makes more sense.” Cassie replied, nodding.
“Yup. Well, you're all set!.. I’m Deanna, by the way.” Deanna said with a slight smirk.
When Cassie heard her words, she took out her credit card and put it back in her wallet before looking back at her. Noticing the barista teasing, looking smug, causing her to feel a bit nervous, “Nice to meet you, Deanna. I’m Cassie.”
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Cassie finally made it out of the cafe. She secured both of the drinks so she could take them to work. As she makes her hand with her watch on it free from the small drink carrier to check the time. Shoot, she’s extremely close to being late, and this cafe place just had to be far away from her workplace. Jeez, if only she didn’t waste too much time on making conversation or embarrassing herself in front of the hot barista! Cassie then immediately panicked and quickly made her way into her car before gently placing the drinks inside the drink carrier onto the passenger seat. Starting her car, before driving away to make her way to work, she grabbed her hot and ready black coffee to take a drink out of it. As she was about to take a sip, she noticed something written on the coffee cup in a Sharpie, “Call me ;) (620) - xxx - xxxx!” Which simply caught her off guard, but she could feel her face turning red. No wonder Deanna wanted to specifically make her black coffee rather than her co-worker, Charlie.
Cassie immediately wanted to brush this off and pretend the number wasn’t written on her coffee cup. Unfortunately, she can’t focus on getting into a relationship, especially with being too busy with work right now.. But Gabriela will definitely be bugging her about it when she gets to work.
After a long car ride, she finally made it to work. But Cassie is frustrated for not being there on time and having to turn up late with no good excuse for her boss.. Gabriela definitely owns her. Cassie angrily grabs her coffee, her sister’s, and her work bag before fully exiting her car to then lock it and quickly make it inside and into her office.
Not even her black coffee can help her anymore from being so stressed and frustrated this early in the morning. She is never late before, so she hopes that her boss never finds out. Finally, she made it to her office table and was greeted by a familiar, annoying voice.
“Hiya, Cas! Why are you so late?” Gabriela asked Cassie, raising a brow as she moved her spinny chair to get a better look at Cassie from the small wall that is between all the office tables. Cassie gave her a blank look, handing her an espresso coffee, which made Gabriela mumble “oohh sweet!” to herself before taking it from her. “The reason is because of the new cafe you made me drive all the way to,” Cassie replied with a slightly harsh tone before taking a sip of her black. Cassie’s coffee was raised with the side with the written phone number, the perfect view to the point where Gabriela could see it.
“Are you sure it's just because of the cafe?” Gabriela asked with a tease, raising her brows.
“...Yes.”
“Reallyyy suree–”
“Let's drop this conversation before I refuse to help you with any of your work.” Cassie immediately cuts her off, while Gabriela stays quiet, and she brings her arms up in defense with a slight laugh before going back to enjoying her espresso and her own work.
Cassie decided to focus on her own work as well, especially because she arrived too late. She set her coffee down on her table to focus on her work. But she simply can’t because she kept glancing at the phone number on the coffee cup. She does not understand why she is overthinking a simple phone number from a barista that she barely knows. No chance she is interested in—
The sound of her telephone ringing cut off her thoughts; she immediately focused on what was happening to pick up the phone.. Let’s hope it's not her boss. “Cassie Novak.”
☕
Great. It is officially around 2 am. She is so relieved that she finished her own assigned work for the night, but her stress has been piling up from her boss assigning her specifically more work to do for him, as he couldn’t do it himself.
As if right now, Cassie is totally not pulling up to a gay bar for the night. It’s really not looking for someone to hook up with or end up having a one-night stand since she’s not necessarily interested in that or wanting to deal with that right now. Either way, her appearance isn’t very professional-looking anymore from working; her hair bun is undone, and you can see her beautiful, curled hair that is the length to her shoulders, her work jacket is taken off, and her tie is unloosed. She couldn't care less about it, she’s only here to drink. A gay bar could be a bit too much if you're just going to drink right. Well, Cassie hates all the fighting that happens in regular bars, and guys keep hitting on her, and she's really not interested in guys, if that wasn’t obvious enough.
After finally parking, she makes her way out of her car and then into the bar. As soon as you enter, you can see many things happening: queer couples dancing together, or on each other…, people drinking, or just a full-on corner for people to make out in. It sounds a bit extreme, but Cassie decides to ignore it and just focus on going to the actual main bar.
“Just a beer, please,” Cassie tells the lady bartender as the bartender gets her attention away from the girl that Cassie ends up sitting next to, who seems like they were flirting with each other, but she didn’t really care, just wants her drink.
“Cassie?” A familiar voice calls out, looking straight at her. Her calling out her name made her turn her head to face the girl with the familiar voice.
“....Deanna?”
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