In Cali


    WORKING at the café for a while would be safer for Zoe. She has a hunch that Helios will look after


    her. She doesn’t know, but she has a strong feeling about it.


    She doesn’t want to see him—oh, who is she lying to?


    “Don’t worry, sweetie. I will still give you your sry—”


    “It’s okay, Aunt Millie. I am willing to help.”


    Millie pouted her lips, which made Iris stand beside her and roll her eyes. “Stop acting like you’re a


    kid, Millie. You’re already forty-nine. Turning fifty in a few days,” Iris said.


    Zoe smiled and shook her head. It’s been a while since shest saw her Aunt Millie. She was her


    mother’s best friend. They both studied and worked in Manhattan, but when Millie’s parents moved


    to California, she had no choice but to follow.


    A decade after, her parents died in an ident. Thus, she lives alone.


    As for boys? Well… Iris said that Millie wasn’t interested in them anymore after her first breakup.


    Maybe she really loves the man, but they are not meant to be. Sometimes, that’s how life works.


    Some are in a long rtionship but end up separating. Also, there are many temptations on earth.


    However, if you’re disciplined enough and know your boundaries, perhaps you can avoid it.


    “It doesn’t want a sry, then just get anything you want, sweetie,” Millie said.


    Zoe nodded. “Thank you, Aunt. Anyway, what kind of job—”


    “She’s a waitress,” her mother interrupted, making Zoe re at her, even arching her brow.


    “Mom… I am not talking to you.”


    Irisughed and shook her head. “Oh, I see.”


    Zoe could sense her mother’s mocking tone.


    Seeing this, Millie couldn’t help butugh. “You two are funny. Anyway, I am a waitress in a fancy


    restaurant, dear. Where water has a price that you wouldn’t even imagine,” she said andughed


    again.


    Zoe frowned. “The water has a price? Is it usually free?”


    Iris walked closer to her daughter and sat beside her. “Well, that’s why it’s a fancy one. A diner for


    the elite who loves to show off.”


    “Mom… you’re rude,” Zoe uttered.


    Irisughed. “Don Lincoln is an example—”


    “Mom!” it’s a warning tone from Zoe.


    Her mother scoffed. “I am just stating a fact. Anyway, highway, my dear, Millie got me a spot in


    there,” she said, making Zoe’s lips part in awe.


    “Wow, seriously?” she asked and looked at her aunt Millie.


    Millie nodded and smiled. “I can look for another one if you want to, Zoe.”


    Zoe smiled and shook her head. “Thank you, Aunt. But I think I still can’t work—I mean, focus on it.


    Maybe, I will start or train first here in your café.”


    Besides, her Aunt Millie’s café is quite popr because of its many customers. She was surprised


    that even if the café was not that big, the things were luxurious, and she tasted their caramel coffee,


    and it was deliciously amazing.


    Zoe kind of loves the aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread. And even loves the small cakes.


    “Who’s your baker, Aunt?”


    “The boy next door. He’s living in the neighborhood.”


    Iris smirked. “How old is he?”


    Millie seems to sense something in Iris’s words.


    “Same age as mine,” she replied, which made Iris p her hands.


    “Great, then it could be awesome if I meet this—”


    “Stop with your flirtatious mind, mom.”


    Iris arched her brow, and Millieughed as she shook her head.


    “What? I’m single. Is he single?” Iris asked as she turned to Millie.


    Millie nodded and gave a faint smile.


    Iris frowned. “You like him?”


    Millie bit her lower lip and stood up. “Come on, let’s go. So that you can arrange your belongings, if


    you want to Zoe, you can have a tour of the café.


    Zoe nodded and smiled.


    Her aunt, Millie’s café, is located on the first floor of the building, while she lives on the second floor,


    and the location of the café is between the tall apartments.


    As for the baker, he’s living just a few steps from the café. And by Zoe’s senses, it seems like her


    Aunt Millie has a thing with the baker.


    Zoe shook her head.


    “What’s wrong?” her mom asked.


    “Nothing, Ma.”


    Iris wasn’t convinced. “Really?”


    Zoe arched her brow. “Mom, what is it again?”


    Irisughed. “Don’t mind me. It’s just that I can sense your sad—”


    “Ma, please. I don’t want to hear anything about it. We moved in—”


    “For you to move on. I get it!” Iris replied, making Zoe shake her head. “Anyway, sweetie, you can


    stay here, and I will move into Millie’s room,” she added.


    Zoe’s forehead creased. “Why? This room is spacious, Ma. We can fit in that wide bed,” she said as


    she pointed to the bed.


    Irisughed. “It’s fine. You can have it. Also, do you want to buy a new phone?”


    “What would I do with the phone?”


    Iris bit her lower lip. “Perhaps it can ease your boredom—”


    “No, thanks, Ma. I rather help at the café. Since aunt is in need of a cashier or a waitress.”


    Iris nodded. “Yeah, she only had one baker, a cashier. Just two employees—uhm three, including


    herself.”


    Zoe nodded. “I’ll just go down and look around at the café, Ma.”


    “Sure, sweetie. Your aunt and I will go to the supermarket. You know, her cupboards and fridge are


    near to be empty,” she said and chuckled.


    “Take care then, Ma,” she said, and after that, she climbed down.


    Soon as she stepped in front of the café, she saw some customers having some chit-chat, and


    some were busy in front of theirptops. Some are students who dropped by for a snack.


    She pushed the ss door, and the chimes rang, giving a swaying sound inside. When she lifted


    her head and gazed at the front, the girl in front of the monitor waved her hand.


    Zoe was hesitant, but she smiled in the end.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.