Monday has arrived. I bounce out of bed, showered and sprayed my favorite cologne more heavily than normal. I am looking forward to speaking to Yulia. Maybe progressing my perceived friendship with her and then...maybe.
When I got to work at the usual time of 6.15am, Jess greeted me as always, but this time she told me Yulia is no longer working here, as she quit last Friday. I was deflated at the news. Who's going to replace her I asked. It's just the 3 of us until we find a new person. I will help you today. Just let me know if you get busy. I am disappointed at the news. Will I see her again I wondered. This is crazy, I was just getting to know her and now she's gone. I kick myself for not being more assertive last week. I tried to focus on the customers as they come thick and fast.
By midday, I am still wondering what happened with Yulia. I asked Jess what happened. She could only say Yulia decided the job wasn't right for her and promptly quit. I asked her if wasn't because of me. But Jess politely says it's not me and not to concern myself with the matter.
Again by 2pm I am still day dreaming, then Lloyd turns up. His voice booming as usual.
"Where's my pretty lady?" I asked loudly.
"She gone Lloyd." I managed to splutter out.
I start to make his coffee and he kept saying silly stuff about her. I pretend to listen and hand over his long black.
"Never mind young fella, she was just good eye candy!" He stated in front of other customers already in the cafe.
Fortunately he goes away quickly and not hang around talking about what could have been. I felt more deflated after seeing him.
Then by 2.30pm, my heart almost stops beating. Yulia turns up. I am so excited to see her. She request a flat white. I promptly tell her it's on me. I feel myself "raising the flag" as I made her coffee.
She smiles at me as I hand it over.
"You win." She smiles.
"What do you mean?" I nervously mumbled.
"Last week some customers came back who had takeaway coffees said your coffee was brilliant, really great tasting." She explains. "I promised if you win, I take you out. I am here to take you out."
I nearly froze, almost speechless. This is a dream come true.