AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sofie snapped out of her reverie and checked the amount. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry, you’re right. Thanks for being honest.”
Sarah replied, “Don’t worry about it! I don’t want you to get in trouble if your till is off or something. Have a great day!” The customer grabbed her hot tea from the counter and turned to exit the line.
The woman in the Burberry coat approached the register, and Sofie felt her face grow warm. She had the most luminescent silvery hair color Sofie had ever seen; her stylish bob was platinum, offsetting her olive-colored skin.
Standing six feet, she was draped in expensive fabrics under the Burberry and dripping with tasteful jewelry that Sofie could tell was definitely the real deal. She towered over Sofie’s five-foot-two frame. Tasteful makeup highlighted her gray-blue eyes,and while Sofie admired her cheekbones and her dress sense she felt sure the woman was someone famous.
An ex model, maybe? Maybe she is still a model? I should know who she is. Ugh.
But what fascinated Sofie the most was how she carried herself; she had a royal air about her, like a queen. Sofie was a sucker for older powerful femmes. Immediately her heart began to beat.
“Good morning, welcome to Sunny’s. What can I get for you?” Sofie asked, trying to appear calm. The woman loomed over her, and Sofie caught a whiff of her perfume, which Sofie recognized immediately as Chanel.
“I’ll take an almond-milk latte with two shots of espresso,veryhot andvery littlefoam.” The woman was unsmiling and specific with her enunciation, emphasizing her latte preference with a direct attitude. To Sofie, her tone sounded more like an order than a request, but Sofie was used to dealing with all types of personalities, particularly grouchy morning patrons.
“Of course, coming right up,” Sofie replied, offering a warm smile. The woman remained in front of Sofie’s register with her arms folded in front of her. “I’m in a hurry, so be quick.”
Hoping to hide her attraction and blushing skin, Sofie turned her back, crafting the latte using the espresso machine. She made sure to heat the almond milk to a higher temperature than usual and strained much of the foam so that only a thin layer lay across the top of the takeout cup. Carefully placing a lid over the drink, she whirled around to face the customer, proudly presenting the latte.
“Here you go, just as you asked; an almond-milk latte, two shots of espresso, extra-hot, little foam.” Sofie grinned and considered winking at the woman as a way to flirt. But unlike other women that Sofie could be coquettish with, this woman appeared intimidating, so Sofie held back.
With a snobbish expression, the woman peeled back the lid and looked at the latte with disdain. “I saidlittlefoam, notno foam.And are you sure this is almond milk?” The woman sniffed the cup. “It smells off, like cow’s milk. I think you made a mistake.”
“Um, but no, I-I usedalmond milk. Look, the carton is still out.” Sofie smiled, trying to lighten the conversation. “It was a new container, so I know the milk is good.” Sofie recognized a difficult customer when she saw one. But Sofie knew she was good at customer service and she always took pride in her work.
Impatiently, the woman snapped, “Isaidthe milk smellsbad.It’s rotten, and there is no foam. Make it again.” The customer’s icy-colored eyes seemed to permeate Sofie’s soul, drawing her in and, at the same time, repelling Sofie. In the nine months she had worked at Sunny’s, she had never been spoken to by a customer like that. However, as frustrating as she was, she had hypnotized Sofie. The women held each other’s gaze for a moment; the customer seemed to challenge Sofie to look away. The tension was high, and for a second, Sofie considered getting her manager. But she also refused to back down from a challenge, and it was obvious that the older woman was testing her.
Taking a deep breath, Sofie replied evenly, “Of course. I’ll make you a new latte.” The woman smirked arrogantly. It was clear to Sofie that this customer was used to getting her own way. Turning her back again, Sofie repeated the same steps as last time because there was no other way to create the drink the customer ordered. Sofie knew she got it right the first time. But Sofie valued her self-control and job, so she knew to suck up the attitude and redo the order.
Sofie politely offered the woman a new latte. “Please let me know if this one is okay for you.” The woman eyed Sofiesuspiciously as she lifted the lid to inspect the beverage. Taking a cautious sip, the woman gave a curt nod. “That’s better.”
Sofie exhaled, thankful that she had made a satisfying drink. Shaking slightly, she entered the latte into the POS system, and the woman paid, adding as she left. “Next time, don’t fuck it up. I’ll be back for the same thing tomorrow.”
Sofie froze at her register as the woman stormed out of Sunny’s coffee. She was filled with adrenaline, which was arousing and confusing. Sofie was apprehensive about seeing her again, but something inside her made her desperate to please this woman. The way the woman had fixed her in her icy gaze kept playing through Sofie’s head.
Does that make me a masochist? God, how can someone be so beautiful and such a bitch at the same time?
And why on earth does that turn me on so much?
3
Gabriella sipped her almond milk latte, savoring the brew’s robust flavor. Gabriella was well-aware that she had given the barista at Sunny’s a hard time, but in her mind, she felt justified.
If you don’t demand perfection from people, you are settling for mediocrity. I will never settle for mediocrity.
And this is how a latte should be done.
Setting the cup on her desk, Gabriella focused on her morning tasks, which consisted of getting caught up over the past twelve months. She knew returning to the office could be overwhelming, but Gabriella was determined to prioritize the success of Deluxe Redux.
The nutty scent of espresso tickled Gabriella’s nostrils, and she thought about the woman who had served her latte. Allowing her mind to wander, Gabriella remembered her innocent beauty and fresh, clean skin.
She couldn’t be any older than 25; god, I’m old enough to be her mother! But she was certainly attractive. It’s too bad she was wearing the hideous uniform. I’ll bet her body is youthfuland perfect…mmmm…small perky breasts, itty-bitty nipples. I’d love to have her serve me and obey my every command…
Gabriella shook her head, shaking off her sexual arousal. She felt deliciously devious, fantasizing about the woman who worked at Sunny’s. It had been over a year since Gabriella had been intimate with another woman, which was more than she could say about her now ex-wife.
Maybe I’ll visit the little barista tomorrow to test the waters. She’s probably straight anyway.
No, I should concentrate on work. Come on, Gabriella—focus!
