THE OPENING

"Welcome to Maya's coffee shop. Free treat. Enjoy," I recite the familiar greeting with a practiced smile, placing yet another perfectly arranged cup of steaming coffee and a plate of freshly baked cookies before the waiting customer. The satisfaction in their eyes as they receive their order is a small reward for the effort put into each creation.


"Thank you so much, miss," the customer responds warmly, their gratitude echoing in the air as I turn away, my mind already moving on to the next task at hand. With purposeful strides, I make my way back to the counter, the steady rhythm of the day's activities propelling me forward.

But before I can fully immerse myself in the bustling atmosphere of the café, Grace's voice cuts through the din, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Don't you still want to rest, Ellie?" She inquires, her concern evident in the furrow of her brow as she delivers yet another order to a waiting patron. She's been hovering around me all day, her persistent questioning bordering on exasperating.


Her well-meaning intentions do little to ease the frustration bubbling within me. I truly do appreciate her concern, but there's a fine line between care and meddling, and she's been toeing it all day long.

Her skepticism, though born out of genuine concern, feels like an unnecessary intrusion into my autonomy. I've been managing just fine, thank you very much, and her constant prodding is starting to wear thin.


"I am fine, Grace," I reply tersely, my tone betraying my growing irritation. "I'll rest when I'm ready."

It is a simple statement, but one that carries the weight of my determination. I refuse to be coddled or babied, even if it comes from a place of love. I'll navigate this day in my own way, on my own terms, no matter how much Grace may protest."Yeah, madam. Leave us to this." Here comes the voice of another one, Janine. I appreciate her confidence in me that day I rambled in this place and all she saw was an affluent lady who could afford this coffee shop even though I was the impoverished queen of destitution, but now she is annoying. She stayed back with all the other five waiters, the cashier, and the chef.

I won't refute the fact that I am depleted and that, too, the overwhelming sensations of visiting this cafe inundated with people on my very first day are taking a toll on me. I was so afraid of opening it today and not seeing even a single customer walking in. God knows the skepticism of this day didn't allow me any slumber for the past two days, but attesting to how it has thoroughly overrun now, some few minutes to seven in the evening, I am offloaded of all the distress.

I am definitely going to treasure this God-given special bounty for the rest of my life. I am going to honor that nice woman's request, which is why I did not rebrand the shop. I don't quite understand the reason behind the name, but it will always remain Maya's coffee shop. I owe that woman at least that much. And for all that I hold dearest, I beseech the heavens that she recoups. Beautiful souls such as her merit a long, joyous life under this sun. I hope she really gets help and regains her health. I am looking forward to having that cup of coffee with her here someday as she narrates the origin of this coffee to me like she promised. Until then, I will take care of her shop and try to be happy every moment I live here.

As for these workers of mine, can they just get off my neck? "You guys should move your asses and cease vexing me. I will rest when I feel like it," I retort to them, and Janine walks to take orders like the rest of the waiters, while Grace shuffles to me.

"Wow! My boss has quite a dirty mouth. You might chase the customers away with that." She lets out as we crouch down at the counter.

Well, it was a free treat today to mark my first day as the cafe owner, though the customers don't have to know that, and since the cashier had no work to do here, I gave her the day off.

I look at Grace, "I surmise I wasn't that audible," I state, and my breadbasket rumbles, reminding me that I haven't taken anything to my system from the morning.

"If you continue working like this, you will develop migraines and lose like twenty pounds in a week from starving yourself," Grace states.

"Come on..."

"Don't come on me, Ellie," she cuts me off. She is acting all bossy here, like she is my boss, honestly. 'you can't overwork your ass and starve your belly at the same time unless you have a death wish. I will go get you coffee. Cookies or cake?" She asks.

Eyes roll! What am I? A kid that she needs to feed and babysit? "Cake. And hurry the fuck up before I blackout from anger." I mumble, and she walks away, wiggling her head.

Shit! I'm really drained. Maybe I should take their advice and quit being a tenacious, bossy bitch. Boss, huh! Cliche, right? My happiness right now is immeasurable, and it's high time I share it with my special someone. He still doesn't know anything, and I can't wait to catch a glimpse of his reaction and hearken to his impressions about this.

I fish out my phone, dial his number, and wait for his response.

"Hi, gorgeous! How was your day?" He speaks after picking up on the third ring.

He is always on time for everything. Never late. Never keeps me waiting. "I'm fine, handsome. My day was fabulous. The best day of my life, I must say," I say, and I know he can sense my enthusiasm through the line.