NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 4 part 1
Chapter 4: Hot Americano
08:27 AM
“Is it too early?” I yawned and grumbled while swaying back and forth like I might collapse any moment. It wasn’t really early, but it was far too early for someone like me who didn’t get much sleep, and the reason for that lack of sleep was Phii Johan himself. I ended up accidentally falling asleep on the table. And, man, sleeping like that for a long time really makes you sore.
“This job is killing me.” Ter complained as he was mopping the floor. We were now at the coffee shop where we were about to start work. The shop opens at nine, but we had to come early to set up.
“Just a moment, still feeling groggy.”
“Why are you so sleepy anyway?” Tharn, the shop owner who was wiping glasses, turned to ask.
“Oh, he was on a call with someone, who knows who, tsk, annoying.” Ter said with an openly annoyed expression, which made Tharn look at him in surprise.
“Oh? Got a new someone to talk to already? Last time, you were still pining over your ex.”
“No, it’s not like that…” I denied before letting out a small sigh, “It’s nothing, really.”
“Why the long face then? You can tell me if there’s something, I can give you some advice.” Phiii Tharn put down the glass and turned his attention to me, his concerned voice making me want to open up. Really, it wasn’t something that needed to be hidden. Phii Tharn is in his third year at the same university as me. He’s here to help run the shop in place of his sister, who’s busy. We’ve known each other since we started working here, and I consider him one of the trustworthy seniors.
I gave Phii Tharn a brief rundown, skipping the small details. The core of the matter wasn’t much.
“Oh…Johan, huh? I kind of know him.” Tharn said, pondering.
“We’re at the same university. It would be weird if you didn’t know him, he’s that famous.”
“It’s tough, getting into debt like that out of the blue.” “Yeah, it’s going to be even tougher because the creditor…he’s so damn bossy.” I grumbled, thinking back to last night. What an autocratic bastard. Not allowing sleep, not wanting to talk, couldn’t make noise, and got scolded for anything I said. Honestly, I got scolded so much last night, I was worn out.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.” Tharn offered.
“Then how about a raise? I’m really in need of money.” I said, making a pleading face.
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Oh, didn’t you say I was to tell you if I needed help?” I sulked while making a disappointed face, and Phii Tharn smiled slightly at my demeanor.
“You’ve always said you’re frugal, how come you treated your friends to drinks?” Phii Tharn asked.
“I won the lottery. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have treated them. But now I’m starting to think, maybe I shouldn’t have bought the ticket in the first place.” I sighed. If I hadn’t bought the ticket, I wouldn’t have won, wouldn’t have drunk, and wouldn’t be in debt, “And you don’t have any savings? You’ve been telling me you’ve been working part-time for a while.”
“I do have some.” I nodded, “But I’d rather keep that for emergencies, for anything unexpected at home.” I explained, the main reason I work is to lighten the burden at home, especially since my father passed away. Now it’s just my mom and my aunt. Even if we’re not in dire need, helping out would be good.
“Then I might be able to recommend something. A relative of mine has a shop; they’re looking for more staff.” The other person’s words made my eyes widen, “But it’s more of a bar scene, you might have to work late.”
“I can manage, definitely.” I answered without thinking, only to be stopped by Ter first.
“Can you really? You’re already working at two places.” “I can handle it, Phii Ya’s place isn’t every day anyway.” I said without much thought, “And which days would I work? If I can alternate with my current place, that’s okay with me.”
“It won’t be every day either, I’ll ask for you.”
“Yay, thank you, Phii Tharn you are the best.” I said happily.
“Of course.” Phii Tharn said, looking at me with affection, then reached out to gently ruffle my hair, “You’re so small but so capable.”
“Oh, Phii Tharn, what do you mean by ‘small’? That’s rude.” I said, looking slightly annoyed.
Ah…and should I message Phii Johan? I haven’t checked the messages since last night.
I forgot, I have to check messages constantly, or I’ll get in trouble for slow replies, not just annoyed but fined too!
02:40 AM
‘End of call: 3 hours, 20 minutes’
Johan: I told you not to sleep.
Johan: Go lie down properly on your bed.
03:15 AM
Johan: message cancelled
There were two messages that Phii Joe left last night, and one other message that was canceled. Canceled what, and why cancel it? I’m so curious, but if I ask, I’d probably just get scolded again.
“Oh, a new phone?” Phii Tharn remarked when he saw me take out my new phone.
“Uh…yes, sir.”
“Wow, the latest model, I was saving up to buy that. You really didn’t have money, huh?” “Show off a bit, North, since someone bought it for you.” Ter teased while still holding the mop. I gave him an annoyed look. What’s the point of teasing?
“Really, I bet someone paid for it?”
“Yes, Phii Tharn, and he’s pretty generous too, bought it without thinking twice. I’m still wondering why he bought it for me.”
“You sure make a strong brew.” I said, giving him a side-eye. Ter has been teasing me about my connection with Phii Joe since last night. I don’t know what he’s up to, teasing like that. He was told to keep quiet but wouldn’t listen.
“Good crew members are like that. As the captain, don’t abandon ship often.” Ter said. I only understood these terms when Ter explained them to me. The term ‘captain of the ship’ was something he heard from other girls.
“I’m doing my best to stay aboard Johan’s ship, you know.” He said and then chuckled softly, seeing my annoyed expression.
“Oh, so Johan bought it for you?”
“Uh…yes, sir. He broke my old phone, so he bought me a new one.”
“Wow, he must be rich. If I were him, I’d just pay for the repair.”
“Exactly, right? Normally, people would just cover the repair costs. Who would buy a new one? And an expensive new model at that.” Ter teased again. I was getting quite annoyed; it’s like he’s getting back at me for all the times I’ve teased him. Teasing others is fun, but when you’re the one being teased, it’s not, T^T.
“Ter really loves to tease.” Phii Tharn said with a slight smile, “But you know, it’s good to be cautious. I’m not saying Johan is a bad person or anything. He’s friends with Ter’s boyfriend, but he’s known for being a bit of a playboy, right?”
“Yes, sir.” I nodded, “Hey, you think me and him are like what Ter is joking about? That’s funny, sir. No way.” I shook my head vigorously, understanding what he was implying. “That’s good then. Look at this.” Phii Tharn said before taking out his phone, swiping through it, and then handing it over to me.
It was an Instagram story from someone named Jao.pangg. The screenshot showed an outgoing call, but it was busy on another line, with a message next to it that read:
“Maybe he is stuck on a call with someone, but one thing’s for sure, I really want to talk to him.” : (
Upon closer inspection…
The person Pang is calling…isn’t it Phii Johan?
Oh no, that’s a disaster…
Suddenly, I feel a bit unsafe, why on earth…
“Jaopang?” I double-checked the name I saw.
“Her real name is just Pang, she’s a third-year in the management faculty. She’s been talking with Johan, don’t know if they’re dating or what, but I’ve seen Johan in Pang’s Instagram stories.”
“And this one too.”
Tharn scrolled through his phone again to show me.
This time, it was an Instagram post of food with the caption, “Someone kind treated me to this, thank you, let’s do it again next time 😉 #myJ”
“Jay?”
“That’s Johan, he’s another one Johan has been talking (flirting) to, but…it seems like Johan might have dumped her.”
“Wow, so many.” I exclaimed, and each one was so stunning, wow, what a cheater, does he think being handsome and rich means he can talk to anyone? “And like this, doesn’t it cause any trouble? They all seem to be posting and flaunting it.” I said, normally when you talk to multiple people, you try not to get caught.
“He’s an openly flirtatious playboy, even you know about it.” Said Ter. “Whatever, whether he’s a playboy or not isn’t my business, but using me as his dog guard isn’t okay. I didn’t think someone would actually call Phii Joe. If Flour finds out, won’t she come after me?” I complained.
“North, just don’t call him then.” Phii Tharn said with a disapproving look, “If you refuse and actually listen, it would be better.” I sighed. Soon, it was time to open the shop, and since it was a holiday, it was particularly crowded. We brought our work to the coffee shop early in the morning. Phii Tharn was in charge of making drinks since neither Ter nor I knew how yet, but once we learned, it would be our job.
We work here only on weekends. Someone else works on weekdays, and they study on weekends, so it’s like a switch-off. I didn’t even know there were special programs where you only study on weekends. Tharn comes to check on the place on some days, or so I’ve heard.
“North”
“What?” I responded to Ter’s call while I was busy washing cups.
“I’m really interested in this, you know?”
“Huh?”
“We’re in the same boat now. I’ll row the boat myself, trust me, Captain.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, Phii Joe is friends with Phii Hill.”
“So you’re shipping me with your boyfriend’s friend?”
“Yeah, partly, but I like talking to him, he’s kind of cute, I ship it.”
“That’s messed up, he’s crazy when we talk, just scolds me.”
“Normally, Phii Johan isn’t that harsh.”
“Try getting scolded by him, then you’ll see how Phii Hill scolds you.” I said, sighing at Ter again. What’s wrong with him? I’m not usually this headacheinducing, “Wait…how did you hear that? I remember I had my headphones on last night.”
“Oops!”
“Your shocked face is so fake.” I said, annoyed, having to see Ter’s fake shocked expression. He’s such a good liar. “Eavesdropping?” Ter is good at eavesdropping, and he’s probably quite proud of this skill. But is this kind of skill really necessary?
“Crazy, he heard it himself.”
“Come on, tell the truth.”
“Alright. I didn’t hear the conversation, but I heard you muttering to yourself all the time, complaining about how you’re going to curse out Phii Johan, why he hates you so much, why a doctor has such a foul mouth, and how Ter should remove the dog from his mouth or whatever.”
“I was ranting that much? I didn’t even realize.”
“Yeah, and he wouldn’t have heard it?”
“No, I had the sound off.”
“Oh, I thought you were sure, secretly badmouthing him.”
“Who would dare scold him to his face?”
The notification sound from my phone made me check it immediately, and there it was, the name of the very person we were just gossiping about.
Why is it so hard to refuse!
Johan: Where are you?
North♣: At the shop.
Johan: ?
North♣: The coffee shop I told you I work at.
Johan: One Americano.
Johan: sends location
Wait a second… What the heck is this!!
North♣: The shop doesn’t deliver…
Johan: But you do.
North♣: I don’t.
Johan: In 30 minutes.
Hey! What’s this!! Listen to reason, please!
“Dammit.” I cursed, causing Ter, who was wiping glasses, to jump slightly.
“Hey, why are you cursing at me?”
“Not you, I want to curse someone else…but that hundred thousand debt is hanging over my head.”
“Huh? Phii Joe? Alright, go, go.”
“He’s crazy, and where did Phii Tharn go? He’s been gone since a while ago.” I asked, wanting to ask Phii Tharn to make the Americano.
“He went to the bathroom, why?”
“It’s your dear Phii Joe, he wants an Americano, wants me to deliver it…this is a coffee shop, not a pizza place, since when does a coffee shop deliver?”
“Well, some do.” Said Ter before he started thinking, “Wouldn’t be that strange.”
“Fucking beast!”
“Are you scolding Phii Joe?”
“I’m scolding you, why are you siding with the other side?” I said, irritated. Damn it. From the location Phii Tharn shared, it wasn’t that far, but I didn’t want to go, too lazy.
“Come on, people get angry and then it passes.” Phii Tharn came back after a while. I told him about Phii Johan ordering coffee.
“Our shop doesn’t do deliveries.” Phii Tharn said, frowning in surprise.
“What can we do…I’ll deliver it myself.” I sighed, “It’s hot outside, sitting in the cool air conditioning is nice anyway.” “Should I deliver it for you then?” “No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.” I insisted, and Phii Tharn sighed slightly before letting me go alone to deliver the coffee. The place really wasn’t far from the shop. I got a bit lost before arriving.
North♣: I’m here.
I messaged the other party while standing bewildered in front of the condo, still wearing my shop’s apron. What a luxurious condo, how many floors does it have anyway?
Johan: 12th floor.
North♣: Which room?
Johan: Come up.
Not telling me the room number, how am I supposed to know? Whatever…I’ll ask when I get there, better than standing here in the heat. I walked into the condo, feeling a bit tense, and pressed for the 12th floor.
Wait, this is…
Why is it so open?
And here…why is there only one door?
Don’t tell me…
He owns the entire floor? Oh my, I give up. Accepting his wealth, forget about my debt of a hundred thousand or so.
I stood there dumbfounded in front of the door again; should I knock or is there an intercom…Ah, where’s the intercom?
While I was still puzzled,
Click, the door opened, and the room’s owner appeared in a just-awakened state…
But still looking better than me, who’s been up for a while.
T^T “Uh…I’ve brought your Americano.” I suddenly felt out of place standing in front of him, even though we were just talking last night. Phii Johan is about as tall as Phii Hill, around 180 centimeters. He had just tousled his hair without styling it, yet he looked good in an indescribable way. His thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed, indicating he wasn’t in the best mood.
“Just woken up?” I asked, but Phii Johan didn’t reply before turning around and walking back into the room, “Oh, the coffee?”
“Leave it there.” Hearing that, I took the liberty to step inside…can you even call this a room? It’s so spacious because it’s a whole floor of a condo, complete with a kitchen area, a living room with all amenities. If there could be a shrine room, there probably would be one. Wait…is there one?
I placed the Americano on the table in front of the sofa, feeling oddly out of place having come here just to deliver one cup of instant coffee.
“Did you make it yourself?” He asked as he slumped down on the sofa, taking a sip of the Americano.
“No, the shop owner made it.”
“You said you’d make it for me to try.”
“I haven’t started training yet.” I replied, inadvertently looking away from his gaze. Why am I starting to feel scared? T^T, Is he mad at me because of the instant coffee? That’s not my fault, blame the weather for spoiling it.
“Then I’ll head back now.” I began to excuse myself, feeling so uncomfortable. Why isn’t he saying anything? It’s like he’s angry he should at least say something like yesterday, that would’ve been better.
“You’re not allowed to leave.” I halted immediately upon hearing that, then saw Phii Johan get up and move to his work desk instead.
“Sit down.” “But I have to hurry back.” “Why?” “I have work.”
“Quit.”
That’s easy for you to say!
T^T
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