TWWRCBAT 64

chapter 64

Lynette, looking as dejected as cheese whose cookie had been taken away, stared at Sian, who was apologizing to her.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t expect things to turn out this way.”

As soon as Sian got off work, Lynette had planned a relaxing week of dates.
She had even mapped out a night market stroll as part of their evening dates and intended to book a table at a famous restaurant.
But all those exciting plans were crushed because of Sian’s job.

“It’s not like Sian wanted this to happen. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

“I really am sorry, Lynette. When I get back, I’ll take time off and we’ll spend every day together.”

“But when you get vacation, I’ll have to work…”

She understood there was no helping the situation, but that didn’t make her feel any better.
Still, she couldn’t tell Sian to quit being a knight and say she’d support him instead—she knew how honorable the title of knight was and how much respect it brought from others.

“When I’m back, I’ll stick by your side all day. Give your staff some time off too. I’ll serve customers, wash the cups, and even take Cheese for walks.”

“You’re a knight, Sian. You can’t do that kind of work. What if someone recognizes you?”

Especially if Edgar or Casper saw him, his future would be at risk.
They’d smile to his face, but behind his back they’d make his life miserable.
That’s why Lynette couldn’t bring herself to ask him to help out at the café.

“Lynette, I understand you’re upset. Please, just be patient for a while.”

“Waiting isn’t the problem. It’s not like I can move the shop somewhere else.”

Seeing Sian apologize over and over again, Lynette sighed softly—then smiled.
He was being sent on a business trip he didn’t even want to go on; frowning would only make him feel worse.

“Travel safely. But you’d better come back soon. Otherwise, I might find another man.”

“Don’t worry. There’s no man in this world closer to your ideal than me. So while I’m gone, eat well and stay healthy.”

“You should worry more about yourself. That trip’s going to be rough.”

At first, she had sulked when he said he had to go, but then she realized Sian was the one who’d have it the hardest.
Sleeping outdoors and walking on eggshells around his superiors—he’d barely be able to rest.
Gently stroking his cheek, she said,

“You’re not leaving tomorrow, right? Then let’s go on dates until then.”

“Yes, let’s make the most of it.”

Watching from a distance, Angela hugged Cheese and giggled.

At first, she had thought he was just a regular customer wearing his hat low.
But recently, she’d noticed he was wearing the same ring as Lynette.
At first she thought it was a coincidence, but their obvious affection made it clear—Lynette and the regular customer were definitely dating.

“Looks like Miss Lynette’s in love. I want to meet a wonderful man and get married too.”

Feeling a little envious of Lynette and Sian, Angela clenched her fist in determination.
If she wanted to meet a great man, she’d have to become a capable, confident woman like Lynette.

“Even if I can’t surpass her, I’ll become an amazing coffee master!”

Angelo had promised that once he became a knight, he’d introduce her to a handsome knight—but that was still far away.
He was only in his second year, meaning at least eight more years until he graduated and received his title.

“Forget Angelo’s introductions. I’ll become a coffee master and find a great man myself.”

Angela, inspired by what she saw, held Cheese with a bright grin.
When her eyes met Lynette’s, she quickly looked away.

“Angela, you can head home. There aren’t any customers left.”

“Yes!”

Angela put down Cheese and left right away, and Sian’s gestures grew bolder.
He held Lynette’s hand tightly and kissed the back of it.
Feeling the warmth of his lips, Lynette smiled and quickly finished closing the shop.

“Alright! Let’s go on a date. Is there anything you’d like to eat? It’s my treat today.”

Seeing her tap her full purse proudly, Sian patted his own pocket.

“I’ve got plenty of money too.”

They dated as much as they could until the day before his trip.
It wasn’t long dates, since they met after work, but they made every moment count.
And eventually, the day came.

After a short farewell kiss, Lynette opened her café Attraction the next morning.
Even though his previous business trip had lasted two years, she missed him more now—less than a day since he’d gone.

“Could it be… I actually love Sian? No way. Love? We’re just dating.”

Love felt like something that led to marriage.
But having been badly burned by Fernando, Lynette shook her head.

“There’s no law saying you have to marry just because you love someone. That’s right. A comfortable relationship is better.”

Choosing to stay within the safe boundaries of a relationship without legal duties or responsibilities, Lynette muttered to herself—then locked eyes with Cheese, who was staring at her.

“You can stare all you want, but no cookies for you. Go play outside.”

He used to go out and play all the time, but ever since he gained weight, he’d stopped going out alone.

“Don’t tell me you’re being bullied for being fat. Cheese, do the girl cats not like you anymore?”

“Meow, myang.”

Tilting his head, Cheese squeezed himself into a small box.
Ignored by the aloof cat, Lynette turned to welcome the wave of customers that came pouring in.
Maybe because her vacation started tomorrow, the café was busier than usual.

“Miss Lynette, two caramel macchiatos, with lots of whipped cream!”

As soon as Angela took the order, Lynette began brewing the coffee.

“Girls my age working elsewhere say they don’t get any vacation.”

“Of course not. They don’t stay long enough anywhere.”

Since they weren’t adults yet, no one would hire them long-term.
At best, they did odd jobs—helping out where extra hands were needed.
Vacations were a luxury they didn’t have.

In fact, in this era, the concept of vacation barely existed.
Many people worked seven days a week without rest.
She’d seen people fall ill but keep working for fear of being fired, or stay silent under unfair treatment.
If they lost their job, their families would starve.
So they had to pretend not to see, and keep their mouths shut.

To people like that, Angela must seem very lucky—
a regular day off each week, yearly raises, and a thriving workplace that wasn’t at risk of closing.
Working at a stable café, Angela had become a sort of idol among her peers.
After all, just two years ago, she’d been scavenging food scraps to fill her stomach.

“Hehe, I love it here. Miss Lynette, please run Attraction for a long, long time.”

“We’ll see. By the way, did you finish the homework I gave you?”

To become a coffee master, Lynette had told her, she needed to distinguish flavors by bean origin—and had given her several beans to practice with.
The homework was to write down tasting notes for each.
Soon, Angela handed her a sheet of paper.

Lynette nodded approvingly at her neat handwriting.

“Well done. You’re showing real promise as a coffee master. Now it’s up to you to learn how to blend them.”

“Th-thank you. I’ll work even harder!”

“Not too hard. I don’t want to end up on the list of cruel bosses.”

Angela smiled brightly, and Lynette couldn’t help but smile back.
Angela had started smiling a lot more these days.

The café Attraction had been so busy that they’d nearly run out of milk.
As closing time neared, it slowly grew quiet again.

“We’re out of milk, so no lattes or cappuccinos, sorry. How about a clean Sepiano instead?”

Since she’d be closed for a week, she hadn’t ordered extra milk—but the unexpected rush had emptied the supply.
So Lynette switched customers’ orders to milk-free coffee instead.

When business finally slowed, Lynette, feeling cheerful about her upcoming vacation, called out to Angela.

“Need me to do something else? Oh! I saw leaves outside—I’ll go sweep them up.”

“No need. Take this instead.”

Lynette handed Angela a small pouch.

“What’s this?”

Curious, Angela opened it—and found it full of silver coins.
At least twenty of them. Her eyes widened.

“It’s vacation money. Angelo will visit tomorrow—buy something tasty to eat together.”

“But that’s too much!”

“You think it’s only for your brother? Make sure you treat yourself too. And buy new shoes—the toes on yours are worn out. What would that say about me, your boss, if my employee walks around like that?”

Because she always wore hand-me-downs that were too big, her shoes often slipped off and the fronts wore down.
Hearing Lynette scold her affectionately, Angela’s nose stung.

“I’m no good at comforting criers, so go cry at home.”

“M-Miss Lynette… sniff…”

When Angela burst into tears anyway, Lynette shook her head and pressed a handful of leftover cookies into her hand.
Since the café would be closed for a week, she couldn’t leave them there.

“There, there. Don’t cry. Share these with your friends, alright? I’ll make you the most popular girl among them.”

“Waaah!”

Despite the words, Angela only cried harder.
After patting her back awkwardly, Lynette suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, I almost forgot—the tailor said your new uniform’s ready. Stop by and pick it up.”

Bowing again and again, Angela left, clutching the cookies and the money.
She stopped by home first, dropped off the things Lynette gave her, then headed to the tailor’s shop.

“You’re the one Miss Lynette sent, right? Here’s the outfit she mentioned.”

Angela had been measured for a new uniform recently, but the box felt oddly heavy.

“Ma’am, how many uniforms are in here?”

“Just one. The rest are clothes for each season. Your boss said you’d grown taller but were still wearing clothes from two years ago, so she ordered them specially in your size.”

At that, Angela began to sob again, this time with snot running down.
The shopkeeper handed her a handkerchief and patted her back.

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I don’t think there’s anyone quite like your boss. Even I don’t treat my employees that well.”

“sniff… sob…”

“She said there are other orphans out there, but she wants you and your brother to grow into people who can choose your own paths.”

The shopkeeper recalled how Lynette had handed over the money, asking for several outfits to be made to match Angela’s uniform size.

When asked why she was so kind to her employees—after all, they were just workers she paid—Lynette had just shrugged and smiled.

‘Because I want to see them grow beautifully. Watching them chase their dreams will make me happy too.’

‘But isn’t there no reward for that?’

‘Of course there is. If they grow up and, when asked who guided them, they say my name even once—that’s reward enough for me.’

Smiling as she spoke of the children’s futures, Lynette had left the shop.
The tailor couldn’t help but feel envious of Angela for having such a boss.

“When you grow up, repay her well. She said that repayment is simply to live proudly enough to speak her name.”

“sniff… Yes… No matter what happens, I’ll work hard so that I can proudly say the name of the person I respect most—Miss Lynette.”