005-
Its a busy day for the cafe and orders come in one by one.
Apparently, the Museum across the hall had an exhibit.
And many tourist came in to attend the event.
As a result, the cafe is filled with costumers who just came out.
What Ken and Lea didn't anticipate was that many of the costumers liked their coffee.
Luckily, Lea and Ken are masters of their craft.
So the orders are served in a timely fashion.
They didn't notice the time until the last costumer was served.
The wave of costumers stabilized when dusk came.
Lea
Boss, we're out of cups. I'm gonna go get some in the storage.
Ken
I didn'y expect the influx. But I'm fine. Don't worry.
Lea
I'll be back in a minute. Hang in there Boss.
Lea ran towards the storage and quickly returned.
Lea steeped a chamomile tea and heated a clunhouse sandwich for Ken.
Lea
Boss, how bout you take a break?
Ken
Are you fine by yourself?
Lea
Yeah. I believe we won't have that much of costumers this time.
Lea
Rest while we have the chance.
Ken
Then, I'll take you up on your offer. Call me when you need help.
An elegant lady came in a few minutes later.
Mina
One cold brew please. Also add a pump of sugar free syrup.
Lea
May I have you name for the cup Maam?
Lea paused for a moment and looked at the costumer intently.
Mina
Are your cookies gluten-free?
Lea
Yes Maam. They're also sugar-free.
Mina
Give me two of those too.
Lea
Should I warm it up for you Maam?
It was only when Mina handed her card that she noticed Lea.
Lea
That would be 5.95 Maam. Should I check your card for points as well?
Mina's eyes started to water.
Mina
Ah. N-no. That's okay.
Lea
Here's your receipt Maam. You can find your seat, I shall take your orders to you shortly.
Mina
...yes. okay... Okay.
Lea immediately turned around and take a deep breath.
Seeing her estranged mother now made Lea tremble and nervous.
She brought the coffee to Mina's table after crafting it.
Lea took a deep breath before turning around with a fake smile.
Lea
Anything else that you might need Maam?
Mina
C-can I ask what is your name?
Lea
I'm sorry Maam but if there's nothing else, I have to go back to work.
Lea
Hope you enjoy your stay.
Mina looked at Lea as she returned to her work.
She stirred her coffee and took a sip.
The delicious aroma and taste of the coffee somehow made Mina tear up.
Mina
[So you survived after all this time.]
Mina thought to herself. The guilt of what happened that day still haunts her in her sleep.
And now that she finally saw her only daughter grown up, words can not describe what Mina's feeling.
After an hour, Lea took a break and Ken covered the counter.
Mina
Hi. I'm sorry to disturb you.
Ken
Not all Maam. What can I do you for you?
Mina
Ahm, is your barista still around?
Mina
You know, the tall slender girl.
Ken
Ahh... She's currently on break Maam.
Mina
C-can you give me her contact information?
Ken
I'm sorry Maam but I don't give out my employee's contact information.
Ken
For our security and safety.
Mina
Can you atleast give my business card to her?
Ken
Sure Maam. I'll let her know your wishes.
Mina thriftily smiled and left.
Ken saw the lingering sadness as Mina left the shop.
He then opened the door where Lea was peeping.
Ken pinches her ear until she confessed.
Lea
S-she's someone I know from w-way back.
Lea
Please have mercy on my cute little ear.
Ken
She wanted me to give you this.
Len handed her card and Lea just stared at it.
Ken
Do you want me to discard it?
Ken
Whatever it is that you're feeling now, know that I'm here for you.
After work, Lea checked her bank account online.
Ken said he already forwarded this month's paycheck to her account.
Lea felt a little proud looking at her life savings.
All the frugal efforts she endured since she got her job felt satisfying.
Lea remebered that she needs to replenish her groceries and essentials so she ran over the nearest mall that was still open.
As she arrived, she noticed the department store.
The freshly stacked clothes seemed like they're waving at her.
Lea
Walk away Lea. You don't need new clothes.
Lea struggled to convince herself that new clothes aren't her priority.
She steeled her resolve and went down the supermarket.
Arriving at the supermarket, Lea felt at ease.
She took her time to pick and when she came by the produce section, she saw Pia and Dean Gu picking apples together.
Pia
I want some oranges too.
While they obliviously picked fruits, Lea nonchalantly picked some strawberries.
It was Pia who first noticed Lea.
Dean Gu
W-what a nice coincidence this is Miss Lao.
Lea
You can call me Lea Dean Gu.
Lea
I don't like it when people call me by my last name.
Dean Gu
I'll have a look at the vegetable section.
Pia
What are even doing here anyway?
Lea
As you can see, I'm grocery shopping.
Lea
What? So you thought that having a sweet rendezvous this time of the night was safe?
Pia
I swear this town is getting smaller by the minute.
Lea
Exactly my sentiments.
Pia
So? Do you plan on rattling about our relationship?
Lea
I don't see any benefit in doing that.
Pia
You can play saint all you want but all I see is your pretentious face hiding behind your fake smiles.
Lea
Sure. Whatever you say. I'll leave the hating on you then.
Lea left Pia and resumed her shopping.
The next day came and on her way to her work, she saw Mina waiting for her by the cafe.
She stopped on her tracks, unsure what to do.
When Mina saw her, she immediately walked towards her.
Lea
I'm sorry Maam but our cafe's still closed.
Mina
Its not about that. I know you know who I am.
Ken
Hi Maam. I'm sorry but our cafe's still closed.
Mina
C-can I have a moment with her?
Ken
In the mean time, let's have the talk inside.
Ken
But if you wish to talk to my employee Maam, I need to be present with her.
Mina
But this is a family matter.
Ken
As long as I've known Lea, I'm her only family.
Ken
So its either you talk to her with me, or you don't get to talk to her at all.
Mina
T-that's fine with me.
Ken
Very well. Let's go inside then.
While Ken went to make some coffee, Mina fidgets as she sat across Lea.
Mina
Y-you've grown into a beautiful young lady.
Lea remained silent and uninterested.
Mina
I know meeting me after all this time must bring unpleasant memories back.
Mina
Lea, please know that we're really sorry for what happened back then.
Ken brought the coffee and set it. He then sat beside Lea.
Mina decided to continue talking.
Mina
You can hate me all you want, but can you please do me one little favor?
Mina
I don't know if you know this, but your twin brother Theo is a famous idol now.
Mina
He's not really aware of you existence.
Mina
If you could just keep your blood ties a secret, it will do him a huge favor.
Lea
So you're afraid that Theo might gain haters if his fans found out that his twin sister was abandoned by her family in a hospital after getting beaten to death by his mysoginist grandfather?
Mina
Must you say it like that?
Mina
We didn't abandon you.
Mina
We were just struggling with money back then.
Mina
And we couldn't afford to offend your Grandpa because he hasn't finalized your siblings' inheritance yet.
Mina
Even now, your Dad still needs to work hard to gain his favor.
Mina took an envelope full of money and slide it across Lea.
Mina
This isn't much but could you please promise that you won't declare our ties in public.
Ken felt his anger rising.
Lea
I don't need your money.
Lea
No. If you wish to compesate me, your life wouldn't suffice.
Mina
I'm still your mother Lea.
Lea
I'm sorry but I'm an orphaned kid.
Lea
I grew up not knowing any maternal love, so I'm fine without your money.
Lea
In fact, I don't see the point of this conversation at all.
Lea
Your worries are unjustified. Cause as far as I'm concerned, I don't want anything that has to do with your family.
Lea
Just seeing you makes my skin crawl.
Lea
You weren't wrong for saying that talking to you brings up unpleasant memories.
Lea
Just being in this table with you is unpleasant and disgusting.
Lea
I was fine until you showed up. Can you just disappear from my life already?
Mina
Lea, please, listen to reason.
Mina
If your Grandfather died, then you can come back to us.
Lea
Are you hearing what you're saying right now?
Mina
Lea, I love you. I know I'm not the best mother, but we only did what we did because we care for you.
Mina
You could've died a long time ago if we didn't left you in the hospital.
Mina
You grandfather could've beaten you to death as soon as you went home.
Lea's tears streamed down her face.
Lea
It would've have been better if I died then.
Lea
Atleast I would've died with you trying to protect me.
Lea
All I ever wanted back then was for you to fight for me.
Lea
Because money can always be found as long as we keep trying.
Lea
You could've fight for me, and even when we're thrown out of his mansion, at least we were set free.
Mina
But how can someone like me work?
Mina
I never did any hard work in my life.
Mina
How could I provide you with food if I don't even know how to care for myself.
Lea
What about me then? You abandoned me when I was 5. What things could I have known at that age?
Lea
How could I fend for myself if I was only a mere five year old?
Mina
You disrespectful child! What do you even know?!
Mina realized what she did and wasn't sure what to do.
Even Ken didn't expect the slap.
Lea
Take your dirty money and get lost.
Ken
Maam, I think we should end this here.
Ken
You both are fueled by your emotions.
Ken
We can talk some other time.
Lea
There won't be any next time. Cause from today onwards, you are already dead to me.
Comments
♤♧♢Queen of Black jokes♡~
I won't say she us bad mother or even cruel for me she is a weak mother for me mother are never weak they are courage and brave kind and loving... They are so strong and their unique love connection is very strong with their child that child always look first for their mother instead of father their unique embodied connection with their mother even before their birth is special...... For their child that's why they are always address before father mother-father not father mother...... and she is right when there is will there is a way.....
2020-07-22
1
(◍•ᴗ•◍)∆IP @ PRÏYÅ (*˘︶˘*).｡*♡
what a bad mother 😒
2020-07-01
3
Anonymous
Ugh. Is she really her Mother?! Wth!
2020-06-12
4