Luxury Cafe Owner - Chapter 39 The Reques

Alan got up early the next day. After washing up and getting dressed he went down into the cafe and began to prepare the coffee cake for Gerald’s date.

After he put it in the oven he made himself a cup of coffee and scrolled through his Twitter feed. He saw a tweet from Tom asking if he could come over before the cafe was reserved for coffee. Alan ignored it. Knowing Tom he’d try to find some way to stick around for the date.

Alan sipped on his coffee while allowing himself to relax. Checking on the oven timer and seeing he still had some time before the cake would be ready, he went around the cafe and swept up, making sure the cafe was spotless. Even though he didn’t think Natasha Bianchi would really help him out it didn’t hurt to make sure the cafe was in its best condition.

Alan checked his phone and saw it was nearly time. He checked on the oven and saw it was just about ready. He stood by the oven until the timer went off and took out the cake. The smell of cinnamon and cake filled the cafe, making his mouth water. However, he ignored his hunger and set the cake on the cake rack to cool.

Leaving the kitchen, he went to the front of the cafe and put up a piece of paper he’d prepared before that read “closed for private event”. He unlocked the door when he finished putting the sign up in the window.

Then he stood by and waited for Gerald to come.

He didn’t have to wait long as Gerald arrived slightly early. Even though he wasn’t excited about the date, this was business to him; he wasn’t the sort to disrespect the opposite side in a business deal.

“Good morning,” Gerald greeted as he walked into the cafe.

Alan nodded back. “Morning. I have cake fresh out of the oven ready for you and Natasha. Additionally I’ll make you coffee when the time comes.”

“Could I ask you to make espresso instead of coffee?” Gerald asked.

Alan smirked. “Don’t want to drag this out? That’s fine.”

Gerald raised his hand and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Thank you.”

Gerald looked around and debated where to sit. Normally he’d sit in the armchairs, but they weren’t placed too closely together. On the other hand, the tables were meant to seat four.

He looked to Alan. “Would it be possible to move the two armchairs slightly closer together. They don’t need to be that close, but it would be weird to have too much distance. I don’t want her complaining that this didn’t count as a date.”

Alan thought about it. The system never prohibited from moving chairs around.

“That’s fine, but you’ll have to stick around afterward to help me move them back into place.” Alan said.

Gerald nodded. “Of course.”

Alan and Gerald worked together to move the large armchairs slightly closer together so that they would be at an ideal distance to hold a conversation.

After they finished, Alan checked his phone. “Isn’t it about time?”

Gerald checked his watch and nodded. “Yeah it’s supposed to be. I guess she’s running late.” He shook his head. He tried not to hold it against Natasha, and made some preemptive excuses for her. “She’s probably just stuck in traffic or got stuck dealing with some business.”

Alan didn’t say anything and just went back to the counter. He thought to himself that if that was really the case she should have at least called to let Gerald know. Still, he kept his thoughts to himself.

About fifteen minutes later, Alan saw a car pull up to the curb and a glamorous looking woman step out. She was tall and blond. She wore a fur coat that bordered on gaudy. She also had extremely ostentatious jewelry on, as though to say to everyone that saw her that she was extremely rich. Alan silently judged her as he went to open the door for her.

“Ms. Bianchi, this way please. Gerald is inside.” Alan held the door for her and gestured for her to enter. She ignored him and walked inside. Taking off a large pair of sunglasses she looked around the cafe and tsked under her breath. Seeing Gerald she strode over to him and offered her hand like she expected him to kiss it.

Gerald’s face furrowed into a frown. He himself was extremely wealthy, but he disliked people who felt the need to flaunt wealth. Furthermore, she had clearly been dismissive of Alan. Rather than kissing her hand, he simply gripped it in a handshake.

“Ms. Bianchi, a pleasure.” Gerald said cooly.

She looked annoyed briefly but quickly her features smoothed out. “None of that now. Call me Natasha please.”

“Natasha then,” Gerald acquiesced.

He offered to take her coat and she accepted. He walked over to Alan and said, “Could you?” Alan nodded. He was being paid very well for this, so he was willing to treat them a little specially. He went and put the fur coat on the coat rack standing by the door.

Then he went into the kitchen to prepare the espressos for the two.

Walking back into the cafe he went over to where they were sitting. He handed them each their espresso.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of having Alan, the cafe owner, prepare espresso and coffee cake for both of us.” Gerald explained to Natasha.

“It’s no problem,” She said tersely. She took the espresso and sipped it lightly.

“Well then, shall we discuss moving your line into my store?” Gerald said once Alan had finished giving them their food and drink and had left back to the counter.

A frown passed across Natasha’s face. “This is a date, why must you ruin it with business?”

Gerald sighed. “Very well then, what do you want to talk about?”

Natasha looked dissatisfied with his performance. “Shouldn’t the man at least try to make conversation? I feel like I’m forcing you at gunpoint here. If I’m not welcome I’ll leave and take my business with me.”

Gerald frowned in annoyance. On the one hand she complained that she felt like she was forcing him, and then in the next sentence she threatened him. He really couldn’t deal with people like this. They were so self-centered they refused to recognize the problems in their own behavior. However, he really wanted her fashion line in his stores.

Swallowing his annoyance he proceeded to make casual conversation with her about what it was like in Italy, her upcoming fashion shows, and other aspects of her life. She still seemed dissatisfied though and she was recalcitrant in her answers.

Gerald quickly grew frustrated. From across the room, Alan was able to read the mood from where he stood and quickly brought them cake. If they hadn’t even had anything to eat then Natasha might claim it wasn’t a date and refuse to allow her fashion line to be sold in Gerald’s stores.

Carrying two plates with a slice of coffee cake on each, Alan walked over to them clearing his throat as he briefly interrupted Gerald. “Here is your cake. Enjoy.”

Natasha was annoyed at the date was going. It wasn’t at all as she had imagined it. As Alan interjected her annoyance peaked and she lashed out at him. “Can’t you see we’re trying to have a conversation? Go to the side and stop interrupting.”

Alan raised an eyebrow but didn’t bother responding. He couldn’t care less what this woman said to him or thought of him. Gerald, however, had similarly reached a breaking point. “He was just bringing us food, there’s no need to snap at him like that.”

Natasha looked at him eyes widening with anger. “Are you serious? You barely managed to engage in conversation with me, and he comes and interrupts. Then you get angry at me for telling him to not interrupt us? You’re ridiculous. In what way is this a date? If you were really on a date with me you’d have told him not to interrupt us yourself.” She was practically sputtering in anger and failed to articulate the true reason she was annoyed very well.

“He was just bringing food that was hardly an interruption. Even if he had interrupted it would have been a welcome change from talking to a bratty woman like you. You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here.” Gerald’s tone became cold as he spoke.

Natasha stood up, indignant. “I don’t have to take this. I’ve never met such a rude man. You can forget about having my fashion line in your store. I’d rather have it in a dollar store than in your cheap place.”

Gerald snorted. “I won’t bother seeing you out then. I’ll find some other fashion line. With such an idiotic owner I’m sure your line will tank soon enough.”

Natasha went to grab her coat.

At this time, Alan cleared his throat calmly. He felt slightly awkward in this situation, but knew he wasn’t the real problem here. The real problem was this date was forced to begin with. He looked to Natasha as she walked towards the coat rack.

“Excuse me miss, before you leave I do have something to ask of you.”

Natasha looked back at him in annoyance. “What?”

Alan looked at where Gerald sat and then back at Natasha. He walked over to where she had sat and picked up the cake.

“It’s about this cake.”

“What is it?” Natasha asked impatiently.

Alan paused before continuing. “My store has humble origins. It’s a new business and is still just getting started. I’m trying to build my business and gain new customers.”

Natasha looked at her watch and then back up at him. “Get to the point would you?”

Alan raised an eyebrow. “Very well then. My business may be just getting started but I have my own morals and values. One of them is that I don’t allow anyone to waste food. Thus, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to finish your cake.”