Carys Mae Stelle arrived at the coffee/bar and immediately slipped into the employees' room. It only took her a few minutes to change into her on-duty uniform—long-sleeved blouse, a fitted vest that hugged her petite waist, and an apron that covered her pencil skirt.
She stood in front of the mirror to fix her hair properly.
You got this, Carys.
As she brushed her hair into a neat ponytail, Joyce, another employee, came rushing in.
"Really? How can you not be late?" Joyce muttered, hurriedly changing into her own uniform.
Carys just laughed. "You done? Do you have any plans later?"
"Yeah, I need to attend my sister's wedding, so I'm only taking the morning shift." Joyce almost tripped while pulling on her dress. She twirled around and asked, "How do I look?"
The light pink dress suited her well, especially with her short hair, making her look even cuter.
"You look lovely. You should hurry so you'll still make it on time."
Joyce's face lit up at the compliment. She quickly grabbed her things and dashed out of the coffee/bar.
Carys just shook her head and stepped out to start her shift.
"Not tired yet?" a newly hired barista, Samuel, asked.
Before Carys could reply, someone else cut in.
"You may not know this, but she's really hardworking. She could even take your shift right now if needed. She works both as a waitress and barista."
It was Carlos—the owner of the bar and coffee shop—speaking with confidence.
Carlos Maren, son of a wealthy multimillionaire businessman. Despite his background, he refused to inherit the family empire. Instead, he built his own company, C.C. Shipping Lines, and managed this hybrid coffee-and-bar establishment that technically belonged to his sister.
Why was a rich, self-made man always here?
Carys didn't need to wonder long.
A classy woman with a fine figure walked straight to the bar. Carys immediately noticed and excused herself.
Here we go again, she thought.
A sharp sound echoed—(slap!)—the woman struck Carlos across the face.
Another scandal.
Carlos Maren was also known as the town's most eligible bachelor and notorious playboy.
Seriously? When will he get serious? That's exactly why I don't get involved with boys.
Carys ignored the commotion and focused on her work, roaming the café floor to attend to customers. Hours passed with no chance to sit or relax.
Every day she worked tirelessly—for her mother, for her siblings, for survival. Tuition fees, bills, medication… her life was a cycle of responsibilities. She had given up her college education due to financial struggles, trading her dreams for double shifts and side hustles.
Three to four hours of sleep was a luxury. Insomnia and pills became her routine, but she endured. Because she had to.
Tonight, she would be working until midnight.
"May I take your order, ma'am?" she asked politely, flashing her bright smile.
"Yes, I'll have a caramel macchiato and a slice of blueberry cake, please."
"Got it, ma'am. It'll be served in twenty minutes."
Just as Carys passed the order to the counter, a loud voice startled the customers.
"CARYS!!!"
Her happy-go-lucky best friend stormed into the café with a huge grin.
"Chloe! Tone down your voice!" Carys nearly scolded her.
Chloe just shrugged. Spotting the order slip, she handed it off to another employee and then grabbed Carys by the wrist, dragging her upstairs.
The second floor, dim and cozy, was meant for bar customers. Curtains were closed, lights low.
"What do you want?" Chloe teased, smiling wide.
"No, what do you want?" Carys asked, suspicious.
Carys frowned. She's acting weird today.
"Come on!" Chloe pouted dramatically, slamming her forehead against the table.
"Wow, Chloe, I still have work to do."
"Relax, won't you? We have plenty of staff downstairs, and besides, it's still coffee duty—you're working with me." Chloe mumbled without lifting her head.
Carys rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair.
Chloe Maren—her best friend since childhood. Youngest of the Maren family. She had graduated college just last year, then opened this very coffee shop, which her brother Carlos later got involved in.
Unlike Carlos, Chloe couldn't completely escape her family's legacy. She served as her father's CSO, handling major deals and international partnerships. Though often absent due to business trips, her sharp business mind shone through her childish demeanor.
And now, she was crying.
"BOB\$@& hic %OB@*(G\$ hic UV\@B@*\$ wahhhhh—!"
"What?" Carys blinked.
Chloe lifted her head, hair messy and eyes swollen with tears.
"They want me… *hic*… to get… *hic*… married! Wahhhhh!"
Arranged marriage? Still in this day and age?
"Calm down," Carys said, patting her shoulder.
Minutes later, Chloe finally composed herself, though her face still held a pitiful expression.
"They arranged a blind date for me at the end of the week! I don't want to go, and worse, I don't want to get married."
"Wait, what? A blind date? But you've had plenty before. Why not just ditch this one like usual?"
"Well, before, it was my mom arranging them—she's wild, you know her. She wanted me to have a celebrity boyfriend. But this time, it's Dad."
"…Okay?"
"And I can't ditch it! My usual plan was to send someone to cover for me, but last time that girl almost got caught."
"So? Just send someone else who knows you well."
Carys said it casually, not realizing she had just dug her own grave.
Chloe's eyes lit up as she grabbed her hand tightly.
"You're right! Exactly what I expected from you!"
Oh no.
Carys felt her stomach drop. I said the wrong thing.
"That's why I need your help!"
---
Meanwhile—
A private jet touched down at the airport. Employees lined up neatly to welcome the man of the hour.
The secretary descended first, followed by a tall, majestic figure. His pale blond hair gleamed under the night lights, and his sharp blue eyes radiated dominance.
"Welcome back, Mr. Lancaster," the crowd greeted.
Adrian Volkov Lancaster.