Bittersweet (English)

CHAPTER 30

“Oh, thank goodness we are finally done!” 

Jenny grunted as she raised her hands to the sky stretching her body. Her back was aching from moving things around. They expected a lot of people but it was still draining to exhaustion. 

It was seven in the evening and they just left the cafe. Kaye and Jenny left a little bit later than the others. It was the last day of the summer festival. Everyone in Mt. Salvador was drained from the two-day event. 

It was only a two-day event yet those were the busiest two days for Mt. Salvador and its residents. The crowd was even double the population. It even got to a point where they had no choice but to close early because all resources went dry. 

Even the ferry had to stop its trips since the beach got overcrowded. It was undeniably a productive day. Profitable for everyone, too. 

Haaa… Kaye slouched her back as she released a deep sigh. She was burnt to the core. At least she would be off tomorrow. Though she would actually be making visits for supplies. 

She wanted to close Sweet Macys’ since they barely have anything to sell. They only have drinks and few portions of pasta left but Jenny still wanted to open. 

‘Let’s not forget our regulars.’

True. They have a few people getting coffee from their shop. Aside from that, workers too might lose a place to dine if they were to close. After all, it was business as usual for the whole town.

While Kaye was moping in exhaustion, Jenny couldn’t help but grin. She placed her arm over Kaye’s shoulders slightly pushing her aside. 

“That Christoph really put you to work, huh.” Jenny snickered. 

“Urgh! Shut up,” Kaye complained. Hearing his name was annoying. She was dead tired. Not just physically but mentally, too. And Jenny’s gag was not helping her get better at all.

“Come on! It’s not like you severed your head from thinking and experimenting. Though you scared me at some point.” Jenny trembled looking like she was having chills remembering something. “It's not every day I see you with extreme focus. H*ck, it was as if I was staring at the embodiment of work under pressure. Even I never kicked you that hard.”

Jenny was rambling on and on that felt like forever for Kaye. Not that she was actually listening to her complaints, it was more like she didn’t have much energy to respond. 

Hearing Christoph’s name wasn’t pleasant to her ears. She had bittersweet feelings about him. His presence could mean good business for her but then again he demands full-time dedication to his purpose. She never felt this tired before. 

“Oh well, he may be pushy but he left a good impression on us. Especially to you who had been driven to the corner by his requests,” Jenny added.

Yes, she had gone over her breaking point just to satisfy his request. 

The Rainbow Parfait and the smoothie were one. Although they already had the seasonal menu, Christoph asked her to add something new to the regular menu. Ones they could specifically introduce during the event.

And he wanted something trendy. Something that could haul the interest of new customers. 

She did her research. Check the accessibility and availability of the ingredients. Of course, it would be hard to maintain a product with rare ingredients. And she didn’t want to order outside of town because it won’t be economical. 

Aside from that she also had to try it out first. Sample to a few people to know what they exactly prefer. She had to do that at least thrice to be satisfied with the results. 

And everything was to be done in a span of two weeks. Christoph was a monster! He was even smiling at her throughout the process. 

“He may be handsome but he sure is a monster.” Jenny snickered. She took the words right off her mouth. “We even need to help him convince others to join. What a slave-driver.”

Kaye turned to Jenny with distaste. Jenny was right about one thing. But the slave-driver part, Kaye felt like Jenny had no right to resent others for that.

“What?” Jenny snapped. She straightened her back and looked at Kaye with disbelief.

“Nah. I’m kidding,” Kaye laughed at her friend’s reaction. 

Jenny clicked her tongue pushing her to the side. This was how they cope up with exhaustion. They just need to laugh it off to blow off some steam. 

The month before the summer beach festival was hectic. Aside from her addition to the regular menu, they had to roam around town to convince the skeptics to join the event. 

They were doubtful as some of them thought Mt. Salvador had no potential. The place seemed barren. Like a typical provincial state. For years it had been deprived of any progress. 

It was a bumpy ride persuading the mass. But it never reached beyond the bounds of possibility. 

Since many of the business owners were the younger generation, they welcomed the invitation. Many saw the chance after the success of their Trick or Treat. They saw how outsiders began to flock to the cafe after the online advertising. 

“So that was why he invited us first,” Kaye murmured upon realization. Christoph knew about their gimmick and saw it worked. With that example, people saw how their small town could likely attract customers.

“What? What?” Jenny asked repeatedly in confusion. She was caught by surprise by Kaye’s sudden statement. 

Kaye stretched her arms up to the sky. She needed the reset after a long tiring month. Actually, she never seemed to have a decent break since the website blew their popularity. 

Kaye grabbed Jenny’s arms and dragged her along as they continue to walk. 

“Nothing. I was just thinking how fast we grew in a few months.” Kaye said with a smile on her face. “How will I ever manage without you?” 

Jenny stared back at Kaye astounded. It took her a while before she burst out of laughter. She was chuckling so much tears began to form on the side of her eyes.

“Now what? Don’t get too emotional on me.”

“The h*ck! I’m telling you the truth. At least show some appreciation, lady.”

Jenny stopped in her tracks and took a deep breath. Laughing while walking could be tiresome at some point. 

“I’m sorry. You just caught me by surprise.”

Kaye grunted and softly punched Jenny on her shoulder. It was embarrassing now that she realized. She has never been this sentimental on regular days. 

But there was no point in keeping it to herself. How else can she also encourage Jenny if not through her honest words? She had given her encouragement on all occasions. It was high time she does the same for her. 

“Seriously, though. I owe you a lot, Jen. I would have never risen Sweet Macys’ to this point on my own.”

“Aww. Someone’s acting sentimentally today. Must be out of fatigue.”

Jenny jokingly massaged her face. She was laughing but soon as she saw the seriousness on Kaye’s face, she sobered up.

“You know, I always have your back, right? No need to be sappy. We are friends and sisters.” Jenny gently shook her. “Aside from that, I feel like a champ for bringing out the best in your talent.”

“Yeah. Like how you pushed me around as Christoph did.”

Kaye pouted. It was tiring to imagine how she has two people now pressing her further. It felt like torture. 

“Yet you always reach our expectations,” Jenny smiled with pride. She saw it all. Like how Kaye cultivated and grew her talent. Because like her, she worked hard too just to make Macy happy.

They walked together until they had reached Jenny’s home. The place where they lived was in opposite directions. But Kaye could reach her house from Jenny’s route. She just had to take a long way home. It would take her around fifteen more minutes to arrive at her destination. 

Kaye would frequently do that if she wanted to discuss something with Jenny on the way home. But if she was tired, then she’d always choose the shortcut. Today was an exemption though. 

She looked around and the streets were empty but there were lights on every corner. So she never really felt scared leaving on her own.

But it was not like she was going home alone from here. 

“So, see you tomorrow then.” Jenny bid her goodbye. She had an amused expression on her face as she pointed at the figure walking towards them. “Doesn’t he seem like a creepy stalker?”

Kaye briefly glanced at the place Jenny pointed at. She laughed at her description which was almost true. 

Mykel slowly walked in their direction. He stopped midway when he noticed Kaye was already walking towards him. He waved his hands wishing Jenny a good night as they left. 

It was a brief encounter but Jenny saw how happy they were. Kaye immediately grabbed the edge of Mykel’s uniform like some child. With the difference in their height, it was impossible to imagine. 

But the smile on her face as soon as he arrived was genuine. A smile like any of them had seen before. Even her eyes were smiling in delight. 

Even the way he protectively placed his arm around her was sweet. It was dark but they were glowing. Like the stars.

They were the same but it was hard to overlook the mushiness. Do all lovers act that way? Well, she would never understand. She never had someone all her life.