Chapter 60

KATELYN.

The climate has become extremely chilly, and as a result, the number of visitors to Brentwood is steadily increasing, all seeking to experience the breathtaking beauty of this place during the winter season.

Amidst this cold weather, more and more people are flocking to our cafe. I must say that my parents made a wise decision to venture into this business. The weather is the perfect reason for them to indulge in our warm coffee and delicious food, all lovingly prepared by Mom.

It has been five months since we opened this cafe, and the three of us have been quite busy, gradually recouping the investment we initially put in. Mom and Dad purchased this location, and our home is situated above the cafe. I often find myself sleeping here, but now I own our old house, which I sometimes retreat to.

On weekdays, I also conduct online classes for my students, and in the afternoons, I head to the cafe to lend a hand. The holiday season is upon us, and with most people off work and school, everyone wants to take a vacation. As a result, Mom's schedule has become incredibly hectic.

"We really need to hire a part-timer. Please put up a hiring sign outside," Dad said, to which I readily agreed.

"You're absolutely right. We've been short-staffed for weeks, and it's taking a toll on all of us," I replied while preparing the orders for the customers. The shop was bustling, with more and more people pouring in. Sometimes, even when there were no available seats, they would simply order takeout or stand in line outside, eager to taste Mom's delightful creations.

"Kate, please serve this to table number three," Mom instructed, and I nodded, swiftly carrying a tray filled with drinks and sweets to the designated table.

The three of us were busy until our closing time at 10 p.m. I grabbed a mop and started mopping the floor while they cleaned up the kitchen utensils.

"Kate, make sure to put up the hiring sign tomorrow. We might fall sick with all the workload we have every day," Dad said, showing genuine concern for Mom and me.

"Okay!" I replied with a smile, watching them both work together, taking care of the cafe's belongings.

Ever since Mom was discharged from the mental facility, Dad has been taking excellent care of her, making up for the years he spent away from us. He often looked exhausted, managing all the shop's necessities, making deliveries, and cleaning the entire place. He also assisted Mom in cooking and serving, and I could clearly see how dedicated and grateful he was to both of us.

I remember the day I returned home after meeting Eli. Dad immediately asked me where Eligor was and if I needed to introduce my beloved to them. I couldn't answer at that time; all I told them was that Eligor needed to leave again to sort out some things.

I knew Dad wanted to ask for more details about what happened to me and Eligor, but he refrained, allowing me to make my own decisions. He waited for me to be ready to share everything with him.

Gradually, Mom also learned about Eligor. At first, she was extremely nervous when she found out that I had a boyfriend who was an incubus. We thought she might get hysterical or we would need to seek her doctor's assistance, but that didn't happen.

I gradually told her everything that happened between me and Eligor, sharing all the details about Eli and the conversations we had before he left.

Both of them now know what transpired between us and why I am still waiting for Eligor's return.

"Ah, my back is hurting. A sign of aging, I suppose," Dad complained, playfully slapping his arm.

"Let me translate it into English and make it more fluent, grammatically correct, and engaging for readers. I'll create an extended and captivating description that will draw readers into the emotions of the characters and their stories.

"Leave it to me, and I'll patch you up later," Mom replied, and I glanced at Dad because I always catch him smiling whenever Mom takes care of him.

"Really? Hehe, I'd love that," he replied, and I just chuckled at the two of them.

"What about you, Kate? Get yourself a boyfriend, so someone can take care of you, too," Mom said, and I shook my head.

"Wow, it's like you used to hate the idea of me having a boyfriend, and now you're all for it?" I joked with her, and she sighed while wiping the glasses on the counter one by one.

"Better than seeing you sad, waiting for that guy all the time. So many people ask for your number, and that's also why we have many regular customers because of you," Mom explained, and I let out another sigh. I knew she was still against me being with Eli, and that's why she wanted me to try dating other guys.

"If I have a boyfriend, you'll lose your regular customer. So just let me be for now," I replied, and of course, they couldn't do anything about my decision.

I bid them farewell, as I needed to go home. I won't be staying with them tonight because I have some things to do tomorrow, and I also forgot some books I needed for teaching my online class.

"Bye, guys!" I said goodbye to them, and they both waved at me as I got into my car and drove home. But as I drove, something caught my eye – a man with brown wavy hair, tall and walking in the direction of our café.

I stopped for a moment and waited to see if he would enter the café, but he didn't. The guy just kept walking straight, and it seemed like my mind was playing tricks on me.

I often find myself daydreaming and fooled by my own thoughts and eyes, as in the past few months, he keeps appearing in my mind's eye. Only to realize later that it wasn't him, and it was another guy altogether.

Maybe I just miss him so much that I'm feeling like this. I'm finding it increasingly hard to wait for him, and I miss him terribly. So now, my brain is conjuring up images of him just to get a glimpse of him.

Unbeknownst to me, tears were streaming down my face. I leaned forward on the steering wheel and cried my heart out because I couldn't contain the sorrow I was feeling.

"Eli, where are you?" I whispered to myself as tears escaped my eyes due to longing.

"Please come back, Eli."

***

The sun shone high in the sky, accompanied by a clear blue backdrop and a refreshing breeze brushing against my skin. I instinctively covered my mouth and rubbed my chilled palms together. Looking up at the sky, I marveled at the sheer beauty of the day, radiating warmth that penetrated my very soul.

"What a glorious day! I shouldn't waste it sulking," I whispered to myself as I grabbed the poster I had prepared for our current job hiring during vacation season.

Placing it prominently in front of our shop, I took a moment to tidy up some flower pots. Outside, I swept away the remnants of last night's snowfall, and the snowstorm was surprisingly strong.

Although it was still early to open the shop, I arrived promptly since one of my students canceled today's session. With some extra time on my hands, I decided to entertain myself by staying busy.

"Kate! Could you get some milk? We've run out," I heard my mom call from the kitchen, prompting me to head inside.

"Why me? Where's Dad?" I protested, not feeling up to driving since I was feeling a bit lazy.

"He's still taking a shower, I got up late due to yesterday's exhaustion," Mom explained, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for my dad. Reluctantly, I agreed to go out and buy the things he forgot to purchase yesterday.

"Oh, here's the list," she replied, handing me a small piece of paper.

"I thought it was just milk?" I grumbled, and she smiled back at me.

"Just to save you the trouble of coming back and forth, you might as well do it all at once," she said, and of course, I couldn't argue. So, I left the shop, but just before getting into the car, I caught sight of that man from last night again. He was still with his back turned to me, gazing at the poster I had put up in front of our shop.

"Tsk, Katelyn. He's not Eligor. Your mind is playing tricks on you. Better focus on what needs to be done," I tried to convince myself, talking to myself again without caring about what others might think.

I needed to resist these visions and imaginations. I had to concentrate on my work and stop dwelling on Eligor.

I drove to the supermarket and bought everything on the list, using my credit card since my cute mom forgot to give me cash.

Frowning, I walked out of the grocery store, carrying five white plastic bags in my hands and arms.

"Will I be forever alone like this? I want to go on a date!" I exclaimed in frustration in the parking lot as I loaded my purchases into the back of the car.

Some people looked at me and laughed, but I didn't care! I'm getting closer to becoming a permanent fixture on the calendar, and my boyfriend is still nowhere to be found!

Four years of being single! I even sleep alone in my bed! I need Eligor in my life, and I can't wait for another ten years.

I slumped back into the car, scowling, and drove back to our cafe.

Upon my return, I carried all the groceries inside, and my mom just chuckled while thanking me.

The afternoon approached, which meant it was time to open our shop again. As soon as I flipped the "open" sign outside the door, customers immediately streamed in.

"Hi Kate, I noticed that you're hiring for a part-timer position, and I thought I'd be a good fit," I said to my friend Kate. My father glanced at me, waiting for my response to Lance, one of our regular customers at the shop, who had also asked for my number.

"Could you please submit your resume first?" I replied, trying to maintain a professional tone but couldn't help adding a hint of playful sarcasm. After all, we were just a small business, but it felt like I was conducting a rigorous job interview, almost like asking for a bachelor's degree from him.

"Uh, do I really need that?" Lance asked, looking puzzled as he took his change from me.

"Yes," I responded briefly, making him wince slightly before leaving. I sighed and looked down, focusing on the cashier's screen as I took the next customer's order.

"Good afternoon. May I take your order?" I greeted the familiar voice, one I had been longing to hear for a long time.

It felt like my tongue had been tied as I hesitated to look at the man standing in front of me, afraid that my mind was playing tricks on me and my eyes were deceiving me.

"Oh, one more thing. Can I apply for the position of your husband? I mean, the part-timer job," he said with a chuckle, causing me to choke back tears. I faced him, and in front of the bewildered customers and my parents, tears uncontrollably streamed down my cheeks.

"Hi Kate, sorry I took so long," Eligor said, and I hugged him tightly.

"Why did you take so long? You annoying incubus!"

The people in the cafe were taken aback, but their surprise grew as Eligor kissed me passionately, catching even my parents off guard.

"I miss you so much, Katelyn," he whispered.

"I miss you too, Eligor," I replied, briefly returning the kiss.