Desire Unleashed

''Damn!'' I hiss under my breath. I force the jammed filter contraption on with a quite curse and it slips, scattering the coffee grains everywhere. I got to say, working as a barista isn't easy. Damn this coffee machines, what looks like some kind of spaceship. It's really difficult to use it. For me at least. And I don't like coffee at all. Hate it actually. I'm more like tea person. But hey I need the money and this coffee shop was the only place to hire a girl with only high school diploma. Melanie, my co-worker uses the damn thing like it's part of her body. She can do Mocha with her eyes closed. When I can't even do Americano. I'm not this lame at every job. I'm great at waitressing and being a cashier, because I love working with customers.  '' Are you alright, Char? ' Melanie asks behind me. I turn my head toward her and try to make a pleading face with puppy eyes. She smiles with humor.  '' Here, let me help.'' she takes my place and restarts making the coffee. '' I have been working here for 2 weeks and I can't even make Americano. '' I say to Melanie. While wiping the mess that I've made. Melanie taps my shoulder. I look up, angry with myself. Melanie still smiles at me. She looks younger than me, which makes me so jealous. But she is five years older than me and has two beautiful children. I'm 23 years old for f**k sakes and she looks younger than me. Maybe because she is so petite while i'm almost 180cm long. '' Hey it's alright. Do you really think I was good at this job when I got this job. No... I takes time honey. You are good with customers and our regulars loves you. AND you got us new regulars too. Go take a break. It's not crowded anyway. '' She says. I look inside the coffee shop. Only few tables are seated. I nod and go outside from backdoor to back alley. I look to side where is a busy New York street. Full of yellow taxis and fast walking businessmen. Then I look to other side where is dark and quite. Even New York city is two faced. Has own secrets. On outside busy, full of life. On inside dark and slowly dying. I lean against the wall and inhale in deep, then slowly breath out. Try to calm myself. The staff door opens and the owner Jeff comes outside. ''So messing around my shop again, huh?'' he asks with warm smile. He is tall, with blond wavy hair and black rimmed glasses, dark eyes. He's cute dorky kind of way. When I came here for a interview. He only asked why I wanted this job. And I answered honestly, That I lives alone and didn't have money to pay my bills or rent.  He told me that I can start job right away. I was surprised but later almost everyone told me that Jeff didn't have anything and was homeless before he got to his feet. Only sleeping 5 hours per day and work 3 different jobs. Two years after that he got this coffee shop and then onward he tried to help everybody he could. ''Well, of course. I thought you hired me because of that.'' I shrugged, smiling.  ''Don't worry. You will get hang of it.'' ''I guess. I think I just have too much in my mind.'' I sigh. My good for nothing mother was calling me everyday for a week. ''If you want, you can take rest of the day off.'' Jeff suggested. ''Nah... This keeps my mind occupied. Mostly.'' I said. ''Okay. Just don't over work yourself.'' he said while gripping my shoulder softly. He went inside. Leaving me outside alone.   I take a deep breath. Guess I need to get back to work. I turn around and go inside. When I get back to cafés counter Melanie asks me if I can be at cashier. I make a face like '' Why would I? I hate being cashier. ''. She just laughs and goes to make new orders. *** About 3 hours later my shift almost at end. Still few minutes to go. The doorbell above coffee shops door rings. That means new customers. I put on my customer service smile. When I notice who comes inside and I gape.  A tall man, taller than me. Black hair which was pushed back, like he ran his fingers through his hair all the time. He has dark stubbled jaw, which is mouth watering. I gulp my own saliva. His muscular body is covered by dark grey suit, which looked custom made. Collar open and his tie was loosen. He was speaking to his phone. A little loud, so few customers turned to look at him. But then ignored him, just few women still leered at him. One or two men too.... '' I told you, didn't I. This deal is very important. Make sure you have the files in half an hour. '' He say or should I say yells, then ends the call. Then he looks at menu which is above my head. At that moment I saw those green emerald eyes. They sucked me in deep. '' What can I get you, sir? '' I breathed the question. My voice low and maybe a little seductive. Now I had his attention. He looks down at me. Well that's new, cus I'm pretty tall myself. His eyes widen a little then looks at me with frowned eyebrows. I notices at that moment that  I have big goofy smile on my face. '' Just tea, thank you. To go. '' he adds. His voice was really low, in sexy kind of way. Then he looks at his phone. Obviously he isn't interested for friendly chitchat. Well I'm happy he isn't asking for coffee. I can make tea. '' What kind of tea, sir? '' I ask. '' Any kind of. Just make it quick. '' He says with irritated voice. Then he sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. Damn! I don't know why, but I can't be angry with him, even though his so arrogant. I turn and start thinking which tea should I make him. Then it hits me. '' Rough day, huh? '' I ask. Trying keep him talking, while I make him ''Charlotte's special''. It's ginger honey lemon tea, which I make myself. It will calm him. I don't look back and he just hmms his agreement. Oh, well. If he doesn't want to talk so, be it. I make his tea ready and then hand it to him. '' Here you are, sir. That would make 2,60. '' I say with smile. He hands me 5 dollars, then murmurs something like ''Keep the change''. His phone starts to ring and he puts it on his ear, takes the tea mug and leaves. '' Well, thank you very much. '' I say silently. Put the money in tip box. Melanie comes and takes my place, cause my shift has ended. Then I go to change my clothes from my work clothes. I check my hair and make-up before I go to Melanie to say goodbye. ''Oh, I thought you left already.'' Melanie says when she sees me. ''Just come to get myself a tea before I left.'' I said with confusion. ''Oh there was a tall hunk that wanted to see you.'' she said, which made me more confused. ''Who?'' I asked. ''He was your loud, grumpy customer. He wanted to thank you and say sorry for his behavior.'' Melanie smirked.'' But I told him that you left already. And he left after that. He did asked when will you work again, but I didn't tell him that.'' ''Oh,..'' I said a little disappointed.  ''But he did leave a note.'' she smiled and giving me a piece of paper. I squealed and hugged her. I left with giddiness. I opened the note and read what he had wrote. I am sorry that I was rude to you. The tea was great. Thank you Sincerely, Mason C.  I was blushing like a teenage girl with her first crush. I put the note in my bag and went to my small apartment. Throwing my keys to the counter. There were voicemails on my phone. I started to listen to them. First one was from my bestfriend George. ''Hey, baby girl. How was your day? I just wanted to say that I will be in NY the day after tomorrow. So don't make plans. Meet you then byeee.'' I smiled. We were friends since middle school. But now he was traveling so much, we saw each other lesser and lesser.  There was a second voicemail and he moment I heard her voice I grimaced.  ''Hi, honey. How are you?'' Then there was a long pause.''I have to talk to you. Face to face. Call me. Missed you so much. Kiss, kiss.'' my mothers voice was overly cheerful, which told me that it was fake. I'm no fan of my mother so I ignore her message, but I'm happy that I will meet with George. I saw him half a year ago last time, so I missed him so much. Can't wait. I throw myself to my bed and think about the tall, grumpy customer. Mason, huh... Nice name.