The ‘Boss Lady grinned mischievously, as if her secret had been uncovered—then proceeded to completely ignore my question.
Just like that, ten minutes passed.
I, of course, felt too awkward to press further.
But somehow, I had a feeling that one day, this mystery would be solved.
And when it was, I'd finally see the crity hidden behind the boss dy's zy demeanor—reflected in her bright, unwavering eyes.
"Sister Albus, I—I need five cups—"
A high school student, clearly the loser of a rock-paper-scissors game, stood at the counter, stammering shyly.
It was the same guy who had ordered that Heartbroken Special Blend Coffee st time. He really needed to work on his rock-paper-scissors skills.
"Five cups of what?"
Albus′s face remained completely expressionless.
"I want five cups of… um… the ‘Dragon Subduing Palm: Star Absorption Hot Coffee’…"
The student struggled to get the ridiculous name out, and I couldn't help but ugh.
"Are you eighteen yet?"
Albus asked coldly.
"Huh? No, not yet." The student looked shocked.
"The ‘Dragon Subduing Palm: Star Absorption Hot Coffee’ is only for customers eighteen and up. Even a three-year-old knows that. Go tell your little gang to pick something more… age-appropriate."
Albus ftly rejected him.
The high schooler fled in embarrassment, his face burning red as he rejoined his rowdy group—who promptly erupted into ughter.
"Ah, youth is a beautiful thing," the boss dy said, gncing back at the noisy bunch.
"No matter how stupid the stunt, they'll always be seen as heroes."
She chuckled, her eyes filled with amusement.
I took a deep breath.
"Boss, do you remember there's still a question you haven't answered?"
I looked at the ‘Boss Lady, who seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood.
I thought—maybe now was the perfect time to finally get an answer.
She smiled at me, immediately understanding what I was asking. She truly was an intelligent woman.
Her charm didn't just come from a quiet sense of maturity but also from the effortless ease in her every gesture.
Only truly brilliant people could embody such a rexed and unhurried grace.
"I haven't always been alone."
The boss dy paused her paper-cutting and turned to Albus. "Get me a decaf Mocha Java. I think… It's time for another story." She raised an eyebrow pyfully.
Albus smiled knowingly, as if this was a routine she was all too familiar with.
In just three minutes, she pced a steaming cup of coffee in front of the boss dy—like magic.
And in front of me, a cup of hot chocote.
With a subtle gnce, Albus signaled to me that she had heard this story before, suggesting that I put my work aside for now.
I agreed. I loved listening to stories, and when I listened, I liked to give them my full attention.
For the first time, I watched the boss dy drink something other than her special blend.
Compared to my hot chocote, the aroma of decaf coffee was noticeably lighter, but it was crisp and unburdened—much like how I imagined her life to be.
Maybe I should add this observation as a small note in my "Coffee & Personality" journal.
"A long, long time ago, I was just like Albus— not a coffee drinker."
The boss dy inhaled the fragrance of the coffee, the soft steam brushing against her slightly gaunt cheeks.
"But I had a childhood friend who loved coffee—loved it so much that, without even realizing it, I picked up a cup myself and stepped into his world."
As she spoke, she gazed down at the ring finger on her left hand.
I was still young, but I understood—that was the most cherished pce on a woman's body.
"You loved him, didn't you?" I guessed.
"Not at first. In the beginning, we were just childhood friends—inseparable, partners in crime. I always thought that at some point in life, we'd naturally take different paths. Like after elementary school or middle school. That one day, we'd wear different uniforms, walk into different futures, and—just like most people—seal our memories away in yearbooks, reduced to a few short farewell messages."
Her eyes sparkled with a triumphant glint.
"But we didn't."
