TWWRCBAT 42

chapter 42

Because she had mentioned going on a night date, Linette ended up being tormented by Katrin’s morning massages and scolding. If she’d known it would be like this, she would have just said she was going out for a bit instead of saying it was a date.

She regretted it over and over again, but it was already too late. Without realizing it, she had dozed off while tending to Sian. When she opened her eyes—thinking she should get up quickly to change his wet towel—the sun was already up.

“Huh?”

She thought she had only closed her eyes for a moment, but it was already morning. Realizing her plan to leave as soon as Sian fell asleep had failed, Linette sat up abruptly.

“Why am I… in bed?”

The last thing she remembered was sitting in a chair next to Sian and dozing off while caring for him. But now she was lying in the bed. Surprised, she looked around, wondering if she had unconsciously pushed the sick Sian aside and taken over his spot.

“S–Sian? Sian!”

She called out, but there was no answer, so she quickly got up and hurried out of the room.

“Ah! Linette, you’re awake. I already drew you some wash water in the bathroom, so go wash up. I’ll prepare breakfast.”

“S–Sian? Are you okay now?”

Approaching him in the kitchen, Linette reached out and gently touched his face. He didn’t seem feverish anymore, and she let out a small sigh of relief.

“See? I told you I’d be fine after a day’s rest. Now go wash up. Even though I think you look cute with sleep in your eyes.”

“W–what!”

Flustered, Linette spun around and rushed into the bathroom. The wash basin was already filled. After rinsing her sleep-worn face with water, she stepped back outside. On the table were dishes that looked absolutely delicious.

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I made a bit of everything.”

The food looked perfect, but Linette hesitated and looked at Sian.

“I don’t deserve to eat this. I fell asleep instead of nursing you properly—and even stole your bed.”

“I’m just grateful that someone stayed by my side. I’ve lived alone for a long time, and sometimes I get lonely. That’s why I go to Attraction so often.”

There, there were always people. Even if no other customers were around, Linette was. Sometimes she even shared the snacks she made for her employees with him. To Sian, that had become a small joy—and happiness.

“Come on, eat up. It might not taste great to begin with, but if it gets cold, it’ll taste even worse.”

Unable to resist his gentle urging, Linette started eating.

“Mm?”

“What’s wrong? Is it bad?”

His ears drooped like a disappointed puppy. Seeing that, Linette quickly shook her head.

“No, it’s delicious. And it’s full of things I like.”

“Really? That’s a relief. Then eat up before it gets cold.”

There were fried chicken and wine-braised chicken dishes, along with seafood pasta—a full feast from early morning.

“I’ll do the dishes.”

“No, no, I can’t let a guest do that. Please sit down and relax. I’ll take care of it.”

Sian placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her from standing, then carried the empty dishes away. Watching him, Linette noticed a jar of coffee beans in the kitchen and stood up.

“Did you buy this?”

“Not really. A friend from Sefia gave it to me as a gift, but every time I try brewing it, it tastes bad.”

Recognizing the same brewing tools she used at Attraction, Linette rolled up her sleeves.

“Then leave the after-meal coffee to me. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Finally, something she could do. Examining the beans, Linette began roasting them. As she rolled them in the pan, a rich aroma slowly filled the room.

“These beans are from Liender, in Sefia.”

“Really? How did you know? I just received them as-is.”

“Each region gives its beans distinct aromas and characteristics. This must be from a farm that produces beans most people can enjoy.”

With a soft smile, Linette ground the freshly roasted beans, placed the grounds in a filter, and poured hot water over them. The dark liquid collecting in the glass pot looked like it could wash away the heaviness of the meal.

When enough coffee had dripped through, she handed Sian the first cup. He thanked her politely, took a sip, and nodded.

“Mmm. It tastes different from the coffee you make at your shop. But now I’ve learned something.”

“What’s that?” Linette asked, taking a sip of her own fragrant morning coffee.

“That you mix several kinds of beans to make your blend. This tastes like just part of that flavor I had at Attraction.”

When he roasted alone, he’d never been able to reproduce that balanced taste. Smiling faintly, Linette enjoyed the gentle fruity sweetness of the Liender beans.

“You’ve got quite the refined palate, Sian.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. I just noticed the flavor’s missing some brightness and aroma. Still, it’s good.”

Even so, it didn’t quite match the complex blend from Attraction.

“Still, drinking coffee brewed by you this morning makes me feel great—refreshed, even.”

“I’m glad. Well then, I should get going. Someone’s waiting for me at home.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry for keeping you overnight because of me…”

“Don’t worry. They weren’t expecting me home yesterday anyway. Take care.”

Seeing her off, Sian stood by the door as Linette walked back home. It wasn’t far—she realized how close they lived. Through the window, she spotted Katrin sitting leisurely, drinking tea.

“Oh my, young lady! Did you have a wonderful time?”

Linette smiled faintly.

“Not exactly. Sian suddenly fell ill…”

When she explained the very wholesome series of events, Katrin sighed softly.

“Well, nothing to be done. You can meet him again another time. Just tell me next time if you’ll be staying out overnight.”

Shaking her head, Linette quickly changed clothes and got ready for work. Since she’d taken a break yesterday, she had to work hard today. Such was the burden of being a business owner.

“Even if you don’t get married right away, at least start dating someone.”

Every time Katrin spoke, her words hit closer to reality.

“I’ll handle it, so don’t worry too much.”

“You say that, but you never actually do anything. That’s why I have to nag you.”

“Dating isn’t something I can do alone, you know.”

“Half the world’s population is men, my lady. There’s bound to be at least one gentle one out there.”

Because he’d once been sick, Sian had now been labeled the delicate type in Katrin’s eyes—despite his healthy appearance.

“Cheese, I don’t know what’s gotten into Katrin. I’m fine, really. I just wish she’d focus on her own love life.”

Meow~

Having stayed in at night lately, the lively cat was rubbing affectionately against Linette’s legs from morning. It was all because of that “peanut incident.”

She’d only mentioned it once, but somehow Cheese had understood—and since that day had become unusually attached to her, even allowing her to rub its belly without complaint.

Holding the now-heavier Cheese in her arms, Linette escaped Katrin’s nagging, grabbed a basket filled with sandwiches, and hurried out.

“Oh my! Taking Cheese to work today, I see?”

“Yes, hello! Have a lovely day.”

Greeting everyone she passed, Linette had become something of a local favorite. At first, people thought her café Attraction, which sold unfamiliar coffee, would fail. But even with its higher prices, the café only grew more popular with time.

“Looks like it’ll be a busy day again, right, Cheese?”

Meow!

Cheese answered promptly, rubbing his face against her chest. And just as he’d predicted, the day was nonstop from morning to night. She worked herself ragged—but the profit was worth it. She even gave Angela a generous bonus.

Linette was the kind of boss who took good care of her employees whenever business went well. When she returned home, Katrin seemed to have something to say but kept hesitating, eventually closing her mouth.

Seeing her expression, Linette smiled and nodded.

“Take tomorrow off. Don’t come in—just rest.”

At her words, Katrin gave a faint smile, as if she knew exactly what day tomorrow was.

The next morning, Linette woke before dawn. She went out to buy a bouquet of flowers and placed it in Katrin’s room before heading out to shop for groceries.

“Since Katrin’s resting today, I guess I’ll have to make the sandwiches myself.”

Though she could’ve made them at home, Linette found it tedious, so after buying the ingredients, she went straight to Attraction. As the clear morning sun rose, she began slicing the ingredients into neat portions. She made thin egg crepes, added prosciutto and cheese, and layered them with dressed vegetables inside the bread.

After pressing the sandwiches with a heavy weight, she took one out to taste it. Having skipped breakfast, Linette ate the sandwich with a cup of her own coffee and nodded. It tasted just as good as Katrin’s recipe.

“As expected, Katrin’s recipe never fails.”

She allowed herself a little leisure, sipping coffee and eating her sandwich. There were still about two hours before opening time. She should’ve finished making the rest and cleaned up—but Linette wanted to savor this peaceful moment.

“If only time could stop like this…”

A wish everyone makes, though one that never comes true, she murmured softly. After finishing her coffee, she resumed making sandwiches.

“Ah!”

Lost in thought while chopping vegetables, she accidentally cut her finger. Feeling the sharp sting, Linette dropped the knife and clutched her injured hand.

She hadn’t even checked the wound yet, but when blood began to seep between her fingers, she bit her lip, too afraid to look. Panicking, she stomped her feet slightly, unsure what to do. Just then, a voice she shouldn’t have heard at this hour echoed through the shop.

“Are you badly hurt? How deep is the cut?”

“S–Sian? It’s before opening hours—”

“Now’s not the time for that. Don’t be afraid—show me your finger. Quickly.”

He stepped closer and gently took her hand, moving her fingers aside to inspect the wound. Even after rinsing it with water, the bleeding didn’t stop, and fresh red drops welled up again. Seeing the gash made the pain sharper.

“I heard that home remedies work well for cuts like this.”

“What? Wait—S–Sian, you’re not planning to suck on it, are you?”

“Well… actually, yes.”

What kind of outdated method was that? Linette gave him a faint, incredulous smile.

“You could cause an infection that way, so absolutely not.”

“Oh, I see. I didn’t know. That would’ve been a mistake.”

Sian’s face reddened slightly, and he looked embarrassed. Even while her finger throbbed, Linette couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“But what if it leaves a scar? The first-aid kit should be around there…”

He immediately fetched the kit, took out a few items, and began treating her wound with care. Watching him tend to her finger, Linette asked,

“What are you doing here this early—and how did you even know where the first-aid kit was—mmp!”

Before she could finish, Sian gently placed one of the café’s lollipops into her mouth.

“Please keep that in your mouth for a bit. You’re distracting me while I’m treating you.”