Romance Is The Key

LOLA IGNA'S LAST REQUEST

SHAINE'S POV

My Lola Igna, the founder of Lola Igna's Book Cafe, recently underwent surgery. The doctor said there is only a year left in Grandma's life. That's why we do everything we can while Lola is still alive. We let her do what she wants and let her enjoy life.

My family and I don’t believe with what the doctor said about my Lola’s one – year life span. We know she’ll be with us for a long time. This shop may be earning a lot of money, but all of that goes for Lola’s treatment.

Lots of customers are coming at 10AM, so I go there during that time.

Write Her, my favorite author, just released a book recently. Most books presented in our café are mostly romance novels because that is what young people mostly read these days. Novels made by Write Her are the only books that I put on top of the cashier because he’s my idol. I own the shop, and you can’t do anything about it. Hihi. No one can actually stop me from being a fan of Write Her because he’s so talented when it comes to novel writing. And besides, I’m not his only fan. There are also lots of different Write Her fans out there.

Half of all the books in this shop are all written by him. There are lots of customers who read his book, and you could even hear the loud laughter of those readers. He’s specialty is comedy, but there are also some genres that he created and are also great.

I’m just hoping to see him in person but unfortunately, he is an unknown writer. His identity is not known. There are even rumors on the internet that says that he has no plans on writing a romance novel.

As I entered the shop, lots of people are waiting in line, waiting for their turn to order. Some are sitting, reading books, and some are even casually talking to each other. There is a man sitting like a boss. I didn’t mind him since he’s paid, and he’s not messing around. My barista called me and said that the man I saw was calling me, so I thought ah, I think this guy’s stupid.

I put on my killer smile while I made my way towards him. I’m not so sure if this smile would work on him since he’s a handsome man. I might even look uglier than the woman he might be seeing.

What? He’s complaining about the suman having an ant in it? This is the first time that someone complained about having a soiled product. Our products are always produced properly and cleanly. I stayed composed since as the manager of this café, I shouldn’t make a scene. Causing such a scene for this small matter will make our regular customers lessen, and I wouldn’t want that since we badly need money for lola’s operation. As much as possible, I tell the staff to still be accommodating even if there are irate and rude customers. I’m actually thankful that my staff are understanding and obeys me.

"Sir, we will give you free coffee every day." we probably won't lose because he looks rich, and he even rejected my offer. He looks suspicious. I feel like he has a hidden agenda hidden up his sleeve. What’s his motive?

"Ok, be careful next time." and just like that he calmed down. Is he really this nice? Or maybe he just fell right into my beauty trap. Ha ha!

I sent him drinks and desserts as a compensation for the incident. Wow, he looks like an i***t, happy with what we gave him. I walked away from his table since the issue is already solved. Minutes after, the man fell asleep on his table. Why am I even looking at him? Mind your own business! I thought to myself and continued with what I’m doing.

Two hours passed and the man woke up. He probably fell asleep with a full stomach since he ate all the food we gave. The caffeine from the coffee didn’t affect him at all since he fell asleep. He stood up, went to the cashier, and handed his card.

"Sir?"

"I'll pay for what I ate. Business is business."

"Sir, you don't need to-" he held the cashier's hand and tapped his card. I saw Pam who was stunned because there was a handsome in front of her. I know my staff. After releasing Pam's hand and taking the card back, the man went straight out the door. I can't tell if he's really arrogant or kind. Why should I even read him? I am not Madam Auring to have that ability to read a person.

"Hey Pam! Be careful of that guy!" said Frank, the barista who called me earlier. "It's not because he's handsome, the intention is good right away. Looks can be deceiving, you know!”

"Frank, don't judge the man. Plus, he’s my type, and he looks so handsome!"

"Hey, hey! You two don't even know the man yet. Don't judge him first. Don't do that again to our customers."

"Noted Boss!" they shouted.

Malabanan's Residence

After a long duty, I’m finally home. The house is just walking distance from the shop. I saw Lola making rice cakes on the terrace. Due to her age and her condition, the doctor does not allow tiring lola. Since she will not be able to live in this world for so long, our family agreed to do and follow what Lola wants. We hope that his life can be extended in this way.

"Hi Lola!" I greet her with a hug.

"My beautiful granddaughter is here for me!"

"Lola, I'm your only grandchild so you have no choice! Have you taken your medicine yet?"

"What? Oh my God I forgot." Lola is always like this; always forgetting her medicine. I have a feeling that Lola wants to rest, but we don't really think about the pain she has been feeling since then. Maybe she is tired of fighting her illness and she also wants to be with Grandpa.

She slowly took her medicine and drank it with a smile in front of me.

"My beautiful granddaughter, did you see that?"

"That's good Grandma, you have to be strong."

"Shaine, I feel like I won't last long. I only have one request before I go.”

“Lola, I'm busy managing our shop, I don't have time for love.” I'm an NBSB, I rejected all men who came to me. Lola's request was wanting to see and meet my future boyfriend before she dies. I tried it once by bringing my gay friend, Gab. But to our surprise, Lola suddenly requested a kiss. She wants Gab to kiss me! Gab couldn't stand a woman's lips, so he screamed in disgust.

"I'm sad. Why would you lie to me about this?" Grandma said and left. How can I give something I'm not ready for?

After Grandma left, my parents came and greeted me.

"Did you eat Shaine?" papa asked.

"Yes, I had dinner with our staff."

"Why is grandma's face frowning again?" mama asked.

"You know, the usual. She's looking for my future boyfriend again, mom."

"You can't blame grandma because you're her only grandchild. I'm sure she wants you to have a family so that someone can inherit the shop, she doesn't want people to forget her."

"Grandma is old, Shaine. Listen to me. Your dad and I will support you. Don't force it if you don't want to." unlike my mama, only papa always wants to follow my happiness. Grandma and Mom always dictate me what to do. How can I have a boyfriend when I just left the teenager stage, I'm still not allowed. If it weren't for Lola, I wouldn't be under pressure today. They should’ve let me have a boyfriend at a younger age, then. They shouldn’t have a problem now with me about it. Psh. Me still being bitter.

"By the way, a male customer complained earlier. He said the suman he ate an ant. This was the first time we had a complaint because ever since we started the café, not a single person or a customer complained about the foods and drinks we serve."

"I'm sure he's just crazy or has a hidden agenda. Who knows?" my mom said.

"Well anyway. I'll leave first." I went straight to my room to read an update on Write Her's next book. I only finished his last novel a few days ago. While scrolling, a big news popped up on the MT Publishing page. It was flooded with so many comments.

Is he going to write again?

Do they have a new writer?

New book by Write Her as usual?

Will he reveal his face?

With so many comments, I can't even predict what this big news really is. It is said that the announcement is to be posted later at 12 midnight and I'm sure I'll be awake, waiting for it. Talking and acting like a true fan.

Time has come and MT Pub will release their announcement. On the live screen, the CEO of MT is clearly visible. If this is how my boyfriend will be, I'll agree because I've been idolizing CEO Johan for a long time. In another life, I will be his girl~. I’m kidding. Love you, Katy Perry!

The CEO began to thank the readers until he went to the announcement. He mentioned Write Her and suddenly the comments increased. The website is now lagging due to the increase and flood of comments of Write Her’s fans. A few moments later, the CEO spoke...

"I want you to all know that we will release a new book this coming June. Finally, Write Her said that he will write a romance novel. Bye guys and God bless us all!" after that, the live screen suddenly went black, and my laptop lagged.