FOR RICHER, FOR POOR

CHAPTER TWELVE

"Hey Nadia, you a witch or something?" I asked a smile still plastered on my face.

"I wish. Why?" Nadia said, and I chuckled, "You tend to call just when something interesting has happened in my normally boring life." I said.

"What happened this time?" Nadia asked curiously.

"Well, Gordon asked me on a date. I said yes. But I'm super nervous. It's been a long time since I was on a date and I have nothing to wear." I said very quickly.

"Jeez Kat breathe. It's just a date, not a marriage proposal," Nadia said, "now understand why I kept pestering you to go shopping?" Nadia said laughing.

"It's not that I didn't want to, you know how much I want stability in my life. And I had a plan for my money. Now I have invested in the café I hope I get a return from it." I explained myself.

"Speaking of café, how was it today? Also, did you already talk to Lorenzo?" she asked.

I was finally at the door, it was locked. Olivia wasn't home. "Well, today it was so slow but luckily Trisha had an idea that we're putting into action tomorrow to see if it will work out. About Lorenzo, he called but I ignored him, you know giving him a taste of his own medicine." I said with a smirk.

"That's my girl. I taught you well. But about the café it's new and refurbished give it time you know to be able to pick it up and everything will be fine," she said reassuringly.

"I hope so, I have a lot riding on this. I'm exhausted and I have an early day tomorrow. I'd like to call it a night," I said as I felt exhaustion take over my body.

"I'll let you rest but first tell me when you are going on this date with Gordon or when I get to meet any of these guys?" Nadia complained.

"Gordon was in the party. I'm sure you wouldn't have missed him you just didn't know it was him at the time. Lorenzo is a different story. But sooner or later you'll see them. Now goodnight." I answered my tone indicating I was finishing the conversation on that note.

"Fine. I also have to go to work tomorrow so goodnight." She said then hung up.

It's been a while since I prepared a meal in this house, and had a conversation with Olivia. But today isn't going to be that day either. I took a warm shower to help ease my nerves, after thirty minutes in the tub, I was starting to doze off and took that as my cue to get out and into bed. Running a café is exhausting, I barely had time to relax or to myself. I went to get into bed took my phone to set an alarm and found a text from Lorenzo. Jeez, he is persistent. I'll torture him for one more day I thought with a cheeky smile, got into bed, and fell asleep almost immediately.

I made Trisha a copy of the café's key, just in case she comes early or I'm unable to come on time to open up. Like today I had to go and see Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, they called me early in the morning, they've always been early risers. It must be important if they want me to go and see them. I was willing to go and see them considering they're the reason I have a little business to run. They lived in a suburban neighborhood which explains why the barista had a key to the café it was too far for them to come early to open up.

I got there and found Mrs. Johnson outside watering some really beautiful garden filled with flowers. She saw me approach and she smiled not her usual cheery smile, something must be wrong. "Hello, Mrs. Johnson. How are you today?" I greeted her once I was close enough for her to hear me.

"I'm good dear. I'm happy you agreed to come all the way here. I hope it wasn't much of a hustle?" she asked as she approached me.

"No, it wasn't," I answered and helped her as we entered the house.

When we entered Mr. Johnson and his daughter were there laughing together by the dining table. Their attention shifted to us once they heard the door open. "Kathleen how nice to see you. It's been a minute." Mr. Johnson said with a smile as he approached me. I didn't miss the daggers that were been thrown my way by Ruth, the daughter. He hugged me, I did miss having them around the café. "How have you been? Still giving Mrs. Johnson a hard time?" I teased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and I laughed.

"She's the one giving me a hard time," he whispered.

"I heard that," Mrs. Johnson said as she walked to the kitchen.

"See what I'm talking about the old lady is like a bat, she hears everything," Mr. Johnson said.

"I heard that too," Mrs. Johnson said from the kitchen. I just laughed at the old couple's playfulness.

"Kathleen, would you like something to drink?" Mrs. Johnson asked.

"No Mrs. Johnson I'm okay. Thank you for offering," I answered.

She came back and sat on the chair, Mr. Johnson sat together with Ruth. Well, the whole family was seated this wasn't good. "Kathleen I will go straight to the point," Mrs. Johnson started, "earlier this week Ruth came and told us that she wanted to transform the café into a boutique. She wants to enable us to get a little income to be able to live a comfortable life for the rest of our remaining days," she said.

Of course, she does I thought. I looked at her and she smirked as if she just achieved something great. I was about to speak when Mrs. Johnson raised her hand to stop me. "I'm not done, Kathleen. I told her that I'll call you here and we'll all get to talk about this." She said.

She looked at Ruth, "Ruth my dear, when I offered you the café you said you didn't want it because it looked like a "dump" as you very eloquently put it." Ruth's smirk turned to a frown, Mrs. Johnson continued, "Now that Kathleen has transformed the place suddenly you care about the place and us? No, I don't think so. Kathleen is going to keep the place and we are okay," she said holding his husband's hand. "We have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of our days. So, this conversation is done and I won't want to hear any arguments." She said he tone leaving no room for argument.

"Dear," Mrs. Johnson said looking at me, "I'm sorry for making you come down here but I had to clarify that in person," she finished. I nodded in assurance.

"Anyway, I know you're busy I'll let you be on your way. Thank you for coming to see us." Mrs. Johnson said I stood up to leave when Ruth offered to walk me to the door. "I promise to visit more often once I've settled everything down at the café. It was a pleasure seeing the both of you again," I said, bid them goodbye. Ruth then walked me to the door.

"You think you have won, don't you?" she said vehemently. "Remember I'm the one who's related to them and once I inherit everything from them, I'll kick you out of that place and back to the streets where you belong." She said the final statement with a smirk. "Travel safe," she said so casually as if she didn't just threaten me. I was too puzzled to even respond. I just walked away unsure of what just happened.

I got back to the café and it was packed with people to my surprise. I rushed to the counter "Trish, what happened?" I asked a bit confused.

"It was all Amanda's idea. She made a few dishes took pictures of them posted them on a few social media sites and pinned our location and people came pouring in. We're busy. I have to go." She explained then she scurried off. Maybe I do need to add more staff. With Myra being a barista and Amanda, our little chef, Trish won't manage by herself. I'll help in the meantime. We were running around here and there, taking orders and serving it was amazing.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted and just wanted to rest. We had run out of baked goods and I'd need to shop for more. We were all happy with our progress today. I didn't even have time to check my phone, I found lots of calls and messages from Lorenzo, I'll respond once I get home. "Hey Kat we should have an open mic since you already have a stage, it would be our unique signature," Myra suggested.

"Yeah it would," I answered softly with a sad smile. Remembering Lorenzo inspired the stage. "We'll make a flyer and plaster it outside," she said excitedly.

"Girls, we should call it a night. I'm exhausted and I need to go home and sleep." I said and got up to leave, leaving them to close up.

Today Gordon wasn't there to take me home so guess I'll just be by myself today. I texted Nadia about our newfound success today and promised to fill up the details tomorrow. I got home and did my daily routine when my phone rang. After finishing up, I checked my phone it was Lorenzo. I forgot I was to text him. Kathleen, please talk to me. I'm sorry I let you down. The text said. I sighed and responded. I have nothing to say to you. You knew how important the café was to me and didn't show up. I didn't expect that from you.

Can I see you tomorrow? I promise to explain everything he replied. Was I ready to see him yet? Well, I miss hanging out with him, and I have ignored him long enough already. I hope I don't regret this later.

Tomorrow, 4 pm at Sunnyside. Hope your explanation is good. Goodnight. I finally texted.

Thank you, see you tomorrow. Goodnight. He replied. His explanation better be good or I'll just keep ignoring him. Today was one hell of a rollercoaster. I need sleep.