PART I - Teasing Phoenix

SAM

Mom looks in my direction and smiles when she notices me approaching. “Morning sweetie, I didn’t hear you came home last night. I must be in a deep sleep when you arrived,” Mom says, pouring coffee into my mug.

“I’m sorry, mom. It was Amy’s birthday party last night. I couldn’t come home early because I carpooled with Maya and Garrett.” I take my plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and two strips of bacon she offers.

She hands me a cup of coffee. “You didn’t mention to me about going to a birthday party, sweetie. You also forgot to send me a message.” She looks at me with her famous worried look.

I sit on the stool of our small kitchen counter and start sipping my coffee. “Yeah, you worry too much. Did forget I’m twenty-one and not a twelve anymore? Don’t you have duty tonight?” I munch my breakfast quickly. I only have twenty minutes to get to the coffee shop where I work as a part-time waitress.

“I have. I’ll be here in the morning. We can have a movie marathon.” Mom’s duty at the general hospital as an ER nurse makes it difficult for us to catch up every day.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah. We can have a movie marathon while you’re snoring on the couch.”

Mom works hard to let me go to college. She took all the responsibility since Dad died in a car accident when I was fifteen. Mom didn’t even date anyone and just focused on her work and me.

Dad worked as a bank clerk in a local bank in town. He was the best father I could ever wish for, but unfortunately, he was taken away from me by a tragic car accident. His car hit the tree when he was trying to avoid hitting someone who crossed the road—he was confirmed dead on arrival.

“You, silly, you always chose a boring movie, all they did were killing each other. Who will enjoy watching that kind of movie? It’s too violent for me.”

I roll my eyes again, stand up, and take the empty plate and mug with me to the kitchen sink. I love action movies while Mom loves drama.

“Your choice of movie is more boring, mom. If not dying of cancer, a husband cheated on her. So dramatic. I won’t waste my tears for sappy movies like that.”

She laughs and shakes her head—Mom is funny. She’s not only my mother but also my best friend.

I go up to my bathroom to brush my teeth, re-coat my mascara, and wipe more lip gloss.

I grab my purse and my keys from the couch. “Got to go, Mom. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I love you.” I peck her cheek.

I pull my car 2014 Ford to the driveway—Mom’s birthday gift for me two years ago.

Ten minutes later, I’m already in the coffee shop. I notice many customers—most of them are college students, football players, and a few couples busy chatting with each other. Suddenly, I feel a twist in my stomach.

“Sam, get your ass in here and wear your apron. We have customers to serve.” Daniel “Big D” Chase, who manages the coffee shop for five years now. A six-foot-tall and bulky standing in front of my locker wearing a scowl on his face.

“Good morning to you, too, Big D. Why so grumpy early in the morning?”

He is like a big brother to us, but, of course, he’s still strict when it comes to our job.

I grab my apron from my locker and wear it. Our coffee shop is the biggest coffee shop in the area, and it’s open seven days a week.

“The new owner will come to check the shop. I can be demoted or replaced by someone else, or worse lose my job.” He shrugs. Worry is palpable in his deep gravely voice.

My brows furrowed. “Why would you lose your job? You’ve been good at it. He’ll not be going to replace you, and I’ll kick his ass if he’ll demote you, Big D.” I playfully punch his huge bicep, but he doesn’t even flinch.

I’ve heard the buying of this shop, but I don’t know who’s the new owner. I don’t really care for as long as I have a job and get paid.

“You don’t have any idea who the owner is. He’s ruthless and heartless. He bought some establishments here; restaurant, night club, coffee shop, and a house on the Hillside. He already started changing management and fired staff.”

I purse my lips while listening to him. He must be very rich if he bought establishments and a house at the same time.

“He got a huge share when his father died. He and his brother got equal shares of the assets. He moved here from New York since his father died, but his brother stayed in New York and managed his own business there. I heard that’s where their mother stayed when their parents divorced. He is related to Hughes.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Wow! You seem to hear a lot of gossips lately, Big D.” I fix my hair and walk with him inside.

“People talked around, Sam. I couldn’t help but listened especially when my only job was at stake.”

I feel bad about him. I grab his huge arms and squeeze them. “I’m sorry, Big D. I wish I can help, but if your job is in jeopardy, I am sure my part-time as well. I need to get to work.”

He nods, and I move to the counter and check all the supplies.

The door chimes and my work starts when a college couple gets inside and sits at the left corner of the shop.

Thirty minutes before my shift ends, I take a seat for a few minutes since only a few customers left. All their orders are served and supplies are refilled.

Something wicked in Amy and Maya’s smile as they walk in my direction.

“Did you know that the new owner is hot?” Amy giggles. She’s my close friend, dated a bunch of guys, but as she said, nothing serious. They just want to have sex with her and grab her D cup size. Well, I can’t blame them because Amy is a gorgeous blonde with blue eyes. She’s sassy and sometimes blunt. Okay, maybe most of the time, but she has a good heart.

I still don’t show interest.