Matched Up With My Tomboy Childhood Friend

Enough of Your Jokes

He looks at me as he closes the cash register. “A newbie, huh?” he mutters, thinking while rubbing his chin. “For the moment, it might be best if you help clean the tables and mop the floors while observing Jake and Arthur how they serve the customers. I don't want to put pressure on you on the first day.” Oh, he understands me! “Just familiarize the cafe until you're comfortable.”

“I'm glad I hired you, Luke,” she compliments, showing her fist at him. He gives her a brofist.

“It's just common sense in managing, boss.”

“Okay, I'll leave him to you. Do well, Kevin,” she says to me.

“I will,” I answer. She nods before turning and walking out of the counter. “Where are you going?” I ask.

Half smiling, she says over her shoulder, “Gonna have fun. I'll be back.”

Luke chuckles for a moment before focusing on his job. She continues walking to the door, leaving me here with them. I have a suspicion of where she might be going. Probably, she's gonna flirt with girls anywhere she can.

Now, to do what I came here for. “Where can I get the things I need, sir?” I ask him.

“Oh, at the back in the stock room. There's a closet for mops and stuff that you need to clean the tables. For now, just clean the tables. Clean the floor later when it's less busy.”

“Got it, sir,” I nod and went there.

I have to go to the kitchen and be mindful not to get in the way of Jane and Edgar. They're busy as hell! But they look like they love this job or that Eli is paying them well enough. She's that kind of person, after all. In the stock room, I'm trying to find the closet. I found it in the corner. When I opened it, there are mops, rugs, and sprayers used to clean the tables. I grab what I need then went out to do my job.

There aren't many tables that are left with dishes and empty cups because people tend to stay longer in cafes. So, I could tell by myself that I'm doing the least in this cafe. I feel bad. But I'm not confident enough to step up doing more. I'm afraid that I might get in the way.

Eli said that the busiest time in cafes is at around 8-10 in the morning and 6-8 in the afternoon. Right now, it's 9 a.m. and she's right, it's vigorously busy here. While cleaning a table, a waiter who I think is Arthur greets me when he passes behind me. In his hand, he's carrying the tray of coffee and pastry. He is taller and could be one year older than me. His hair is dyed red, and our uniforms look the best on him. He's saintly nice to me and comes to check on me unlike Jake, who's so focused on helping in the kitchen and cashier as well as serving the customers. He's like a jack of all trades. A very hard-working person. His appearance is very tough with that slick back undercut.

“You're doing great, dude,” Arthur compliments but this is nothing compared to what they're doing.

“Thank you but you guys are doing the most work.”

“It's okay. We can handle it. You'll get used to it in time. Well, I'm off to serve the customers.”

“Okay,” I nod.

From here, while I wipe the table, I see him almost looking like he's flirting with the group of girls as he puts their orders on the table. They all look at him, showing their best smiles. Wow, he's good! He leaves them and goes back to the counter.

“It's your turn to order, girl,” I overhear when I pass by, bringing with me a tray full of used cups and plates. There are four of them around one table, almost looking like they're meeting to come up with a battle plan.

“Okay, who's gonna order after me?” asks the other.

“I will,” says another. “Okay, girls, let's keep him coming back here.”

“The guy in the cashier is so hot too!” Then they squeal amongst themselves.

I gotta say... that tomboy is a sly businesswoman, alright! Who knew you could use the charms of boys this way to keep the customers ordering for more? Oh, man! She's gonna stonks! Also the food and coffee, it's no joke that they're made well! They look and smell delicious! Eli has experience running businesses—that's why this cafe is successful in just a short time. She knows her stuff.

My work of cleaning the tables and dishes went on until lunchtime. The place is not that busy anymore with only a few of the tables occupied. No one is ordering every minute so it gave us time to have a lunch break together. We eat from the cafe's menu for free. Jane and Edgar prepared them for us. They cooked steak and we eat inside the kitchen. We sit around a long table It's so good that I couldn't get enough of it! I have a craving for meat this time around.

“Is it good?” asks big-sis Jane.

“It's so good!” I complement.

“It's from our cook, after all,” Edgar adds. “Not only she can do baking but also dishes like these.”

“Yeah, Boss Eli has a good eye,” Arthur remarks.

What? Do they know? I'm not sure but I feel I need to ask. “Do you guys know-”

“That she's a tomboy?” cuts Jake with a stoic face. “It's so obvious.”

“Oh.” Now I know I could safely talk to them about her.

“How did you meet her, Kevin?” asks Luke.

“Well, we're childhood friends.”

“Wow, that's unexpected!”

“Yeah,” Jane agrees. “A friend becoming an employee is quite something.”

“Nonetheless,” says Jake. “Boss Eli will have to be hard on him even if she's his friend if she wants to keep his place here.”

He looks at me, piercing my soul so I look away. I could not say anything against that because he's right. The others realize this too that"s why they're silent. I know that I've been good as useless today since all I could do is clean the tables and wash the dishes—anyone can do that.

Luke clears his throat when a customer is waiting at the counter. “Excuse me for a minute,” he says, standing up and leaving his food unfinished for a moment.

Jane and Edgar hurry to finish their food because the customer might order food for lunch at this time of day. “Okay, we'll get back to work now,” says Jane, before drinking her water.

“I'll get the order from Luke,” says Edgar. Both of them leave the table bringing with them their used plates and utensils.

Jake leaves as soon as he finished his, he says, “I gotta go and tend to the customers, Kev. See ya there,” He smiles at me, patting my shoulder.

“Okay,” I answer. Jake leaves the table without saying anything.

I'm so out of place here. Everyone is working so hard but I'm here looking ridiculous like an extra that can be replaced by anyone. Jake is right. I must not drag everybody down with my incompetence. What am I gonna do?

“Yo, bro,” calls someone behind me.

I know it's Eli's voice. I turn around and what the fu- She has a girl with her! She's wrapping her arm around the girl's shoulder! The girl is no doubt... hot. She's wearing a uniform of the university that's just a few walks away from here! Eli... what the f*ck have you been doing?

“Oh, Eli-” I hesitate, clearing my throat. “I mean, Boss Eli.”

“Oh, you know you don't have to call me that.” She smiles, adjusting her shades. “Sweetie,” she's referring to the girl. “This is Kevin, my friend since we were children. He's like a brother to me.”

“Hello,” I nod and smile, feeling awkward.

“Hi,” the girl smiles at me.

“This is Rebecca,” Eli introduces her. “She's pretty, isn't she?” she asks, winking at me. I guess that means I should go with it.

Nodding and smiling as wide as I can, I say, “Super pretty.” Rebecca brushes her hair over her ear and Eli grabs her by the waist. They chuckle together. I just turn my attention to my food. This got to be the most awkward lunch I've ever had.

“How is your first day going?” she asks, grabbing my fork and takes a large part of my steak. Ugh! No manners!

“It's fine,” I tell her, succeeding to hide my anger. I take back the fork from her hands.

“Let's sit, sweetie,” she says, pulling a chair for Rebecca at the opposite side of the table as if she's a gentleman.

They sit side by side with Eli at her left. I'm here on this side of the table, slowly losing my appetite. I'll eat fast so I could escape this hole of awkwardness. Both of them flirt and I'm getting goosebumps all over my back. Why do they have to do this in front of me while I'm eating?! Geez!

“Oh, the food's here,” Eli realizes as Jane brings two plates of this special dish from the menu to them. She is smiling, proud of what she cooked.

“Here's your food, Boss,” says Jane.

“Thank you, Jane nee-san.”

“Enjoy!”

“We will definitely enjoy this!

Jane goes back to her station while I just finished my food. “Well, I'll go back to work now,” I tell Eli before standing up. I grab my plate and went to the sink to wash it together with the other dishes.

“Good luck,” she replies but her attention is still focused on Rebecca.

She's so good in cooking, I tell you.” she says to Rebecca.

“Really?”

“Yeah, try it.”

“Mmm! You're right!”

“I told you.” They both giggle.

While I wash, I remember Irene. D*mn, I miss her, so much! This Eli is reminding me of it as she flirts even though they're eating. I remember how we had our lunch yesterday. I want to do that again with her.

Luke just came back ro finish his food. He's so good at chatting with Eli and her girl. I wish I was confident like him. How can I be that confident?

The three of them finished their food and I grab their dirty dishes to include them in my washing. Later after I finish cleaning the dishes and having them sorted out, Eli and Rebecca went out again.

“See ya, guys,” Eli byes holding Rebecca's hand. I just nod at her from here.

“See you again, boss!” byes Edgar.

“Have fun,” wishes Jane.

At last, I feel at peace! An hour more, my bones would've turned to dust because of the endless shivering I feel when she flirts with another girl. The day went finer than I expected it would. I expected that I will succumb to my clumsiness and ruin everyone else's jobs. Even during the rush hour of the afternoon which is 6-8, I didn't get in their way. I can say that I helped in everything I can. I even got a compliment from Jane nee-san. She said it became much easier now that I'm here. She's so nice! Others also encourage me except Jake, of course. He's a low-key type of person although he's interacting well with the customers.

Finally, it's 10 p.m. and we have to close the cafe. The last of the customers left already. That's when I mopped the floors again so that, in the morning, we just have to open the cafe. I'm so tired after cleaning the whole cafe floors.

Eli texted me to come and pick her up at a hotel somewhere around here. She said she's drunk and can't go home on her own! I feel something bad is gonna happen. This tomboy...

“Well, good job, everyone!” Luke compliments us after he locks the door of the cafe.

We said our farewell and they ride their way to their home while I just walk on the sidewalk to find that hotel she's talking about. I must hurry or someone will take advantage of her. After half a minute, I found it. It's an expensive hotel! I enter, proceeding to the lobby. Only a few guests and staff are here.

Ask the people in the reception area—she said. So, I did. Upon approaching there, a man in a suit smiles and greets me, “Good evening, sir. How may I help you?”

“Uh, I'm looking for a guest named Elizabeth or uh... Eli for short.”

“May I ask your name, sir?”

“Kevin Carmona.”

“Thank you. Please wait for a moment.”

I nod then he picks up the telephone, dialing a number. He talks in a way I can hear what he's saying but all I could say is that he's very approachable. He puts it down, ending the call then looks at me.

“The guest you're looking for is in room 203, sir.”

“Thank you,” I thank before turning around.

“You're welcome!” he says.

203... It could be on the second floor. After climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, I found out I was right. Rooms with “2” as their first digits are here. Then I found room 203 easily and not that far from the staircase.

I knock on the door, and I hear sliding footsteps getting louder as it gets near the door. The doorknob clicks and it opens to the inside. Then her drunk face is the first thing I see and... WHAT THE F*CK?!!! She's only wearing robes and her cleavage is showing!

“Hello... Kev,” she greets, tipsily smiling.

I enter, close the door and yell, “What the hell have you been doing?!!”

“Having s*x,” she smugs.

I lean to the side to see what's going on and, “What the-” Rebecca is there breathing hard on the bed covered by a blanket! She could be n*ked under it! I don't want to find out what she's doing under there.

“It was so... fun, Kev,” she chuckles.

“You two dress up and I'll wait outside! I'll take both of you to your homes!”

“No,” she disagrees, shaking her head slowly. “after she climaxed, she said... she needs a d*ck to suck.”

“The f*ck?!” Sh*t, I'm getting hard! “Stop it!”

“I don't have a d*ck to satisfy her so... that's why I called you here.”

“Ugh! Are you out of your mind?! I won't! You're drunk right now, so you can't think straight!”

“Nah, it doesn't-” she hiccups. “matter. You must always satisfy a h*rny girl or you'll get unlucky for the rest of your life, Kev—trust me.”

“What you're saying is sh*t and doesn't make any sense! Get dressed now and I'll take you home!”

“Are you dumb?”

“I should be the one asking you that.”

She ignores me and proceeds to say, “This is... a hotel, you dummy.” She's blinking her eyes rapidly. “We can... sleep here. I just lied to you because I know you won't come if I told you the truth.”

“Argh! So, that's what it is? Then, I'm out of here!”

I turn around and grab the doorknob but she pulls my shoulder, saying, “No, you don't.”

“Let go of me!”

(Seriously, let go or your robes will slip from your shoulder and your t*ts will be uncovered.)

“Just think about, Kev,” she smirks. “you're gonna be drilling two vaganas tonight.”

“You're out of your mind!” Argh! I'm so hard right now! But I gotta resist! I have a girlfriend!

“I'm a lesbian but... it's okay if it's y... you,” she startles. Her face looks like she's nervous. She really wants it? But...

“Ugh! Seriously!” I shook off her hand that's grabbing my shoulder and open the door. Just when I started to leave, both of them laugh. “What are you-” She's laughing so hard when I look at her.

“Told ya, Becca,” she says. “he's very hard to seduce. He even refused a great offer.”

“What the hell?!! What are you guys up to?”

“We're just kidding all this time, Kev.”

“Well, I don't like it!” I growl at her. I'm furiously mad right now! “I've had enough of your jokes! This might be funny for the both of you,” I point at her face. “but not for me! F*ck you!”