OMG my boys are so gorgeous. I couldn't decide on which picture to select, so I made an edit of these pictures and THEY ARE SO DAMN CUTE.

_

Carina's POV

TWO DAYS LATER. 

"Alright so I've instructed you guys about almost everything. Do y'all have any doubts about anything?", I questioned as I raised my eyebrows.

They both nodded their head 'no'.

I was presently talking to my two new staff members, Blake and Julie.

Blake was an Afro-America high schooler who wanted to work after his school hours and Julie was a college girl who was struggling to fund for her education.

Out of all the interested applicants, they seemed to fit in perfectly.

"Alright, please don't disappoint me", I said to them as I handed them their respective aprons and name tags.

They smiled with what looked like gratitude as they put on their aprons.

The three of us exited the storeroom and were now back in the cafe.

"Well, say hello to our new edition of staff", I said to my existing staff members.

Noah, Katie, Caleb and Aiden stretched out their hands as Blake and Julie returned the gesture with grins on their faces.

"Heavens, I'm officially working", Blake said with a thick accent.

"I'm glad I can somehow manage to stay in college", Julie mumbled slowly.

I smiled at her and she returned it.

Katie ushered Julie to the back of the counter where she explained about the preparation of our menu, while the boys lightly chatted with Blake.

My cafe family has extended by another two members.

I can't help but think of my family.

I reach out for my phone in the back of my pocket and dialed my mom's contact.

She answered on the third ring, "Hey Cari, how you doing? It's been so long. Are you alright? How's your cafe doing?", she bombarded me with questions.

"I'm alright mom. How are you, dad and baby?", I chuckled as I referred to our little brother.

We never called Chris by his name. We always addressed him as 'baby' and he's hated it ever since he turned twelve.

"Baby's alright, he's at college. He's so serious about working hard and setting his career", she said, proud of her little baby.

"Mhmm", I replied.

Well, everyone's great in my family, except for me.

All I have is a cafe.

"Cari, baby you must know that your father and I are proud of you", my mom said as if sensing what I felt.

"Yeah", I mumbled.

"Believe me when I say this. Your older brothers have worked hard too, but have taken help from your father to set their careers, while you've struggled your way through everything and bought yourself a damn cafe", she said with a heavy voice.

I closed my eyes and thought about my life.

I've struggled to get where I am today. I moved into my tiny apartment after high school and began working at different locations to earn enough to get into college and save up to own my cafe. And here I am today.

Indeed, my mom was right.

"Are you thinking about your struggles?", my mom interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes, how'd you even know?", I asked.

I lowkey feel my mom's got telepathy skills.

"Because I'm your mother and no, I don't have telepathy skills", she said and we both laughed.

"Are you happy back there?", she asked me.

I thought about it for a minute.

"Yes, I am", I said with a smile on my face.

"That's good. I read your text about your new staff members. Congratulations, you can be lazy again", she joked and made me laugh, again.

I didn't really have too many friends, but my family were my friends who were there for me at all the stages when I've needed them, especially my mother.

"Yeah, I'm just going to laze around now", I said as a yawn escaped my lips.

"Of course, my lazy baby", she chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled too.

"Also, how are things between you and that boy? I forgot his name though", she asked suddenly.

"He's Niall. Yeah things are going pretty well", I said, although I wasn't too sure as I hadn't heard from Niall for the past two days.

"Oh, what a lovely name. I lost track about what happened after Halloween", she spoke.

"You didn't miss anything. Nothing eventful happened because he was busy with work", I said with boredom.

"Oh well, I hope he gets done with his work so that he can spend sometime with my baby girl", she cooed and I laughed again.

"And what about Mr. Jerk?", she asked as I widened my eyes.

My mom's a savage at times.

"Yeah, I saw him at Sam's Grills last weekend", I said as I told her about Mike.

"Oh, did he do anything stupid?", she asked.

"Surprisingly, no".

"Well, that's good. Punch his other eye too if he messes up with you", she said and we both laughed.

"Alright mom, I guess I gotta go", I said as I realised I was still in my cafe with many people entering in.

"Take care baby. We love you", she said and her words confronted me instantly.

"Bye mom. I love you all", I said before hanging up.

I jogged up to the counter to help Katie and Julie with the orders and got busy with work.

.

.

.

5:07 P.M, the wall clock in my cafe read.

I turned around and got back to my routine of preparing Niall's coffee.

"Um, Ma'am we don't have an order for that", Julie nervously spoke.

"Well, I'm supposed to make this for a friend of mine who collects it everyday after work", I smiled as I poured the milk in the pan.

"Oh alright", she said with a smile.

Once I was done, I placed the coffee on the counter as I randomly reached out for my phone.

I had received a new text message.

Baby Chris: Hi big sis. Heard from mom that you called today. I'm pretty busy with college back here. Can't wait to see you soon x

Aw, my little baby brother is actually taking college seriously.

Carina: All the best baby. I'm already proud of my little boy. Can't wait to see you soon either x

I smiled as I sent a reply to my little brother who's growing into such a responsible man.

I smiled at the thought of meeting my family on Christmas, but sighed when I realised Christmas was almost a month and a half away.

I suddenly feel like I've been missing out on my family. Ever since the inauguration of my cafe, I've been attached to my staff rather than my own family.

I sighed and look up to meet the most gorgeous eyes. They were my favourite pair of eyes. They were Niall's.

"Hey there", he said as he smiled brightly.

"Hey Niall", I said as a smile spread over my face.

"Hi Carina", said another voice from behind Niall.

I was so lost in Niall's eyes that I missed out on the person behind him.

He was a very attractive looking boy who was almost around Niall's height. He had beautiful sea blue eyes, but on looking closer, they seemed greyish. He had light brown hair which was messy.

Niall cleared his throat and I blinked in order to hide the fact that I was staring at another guy in front of him.

"Hi", I said plainly as I looked at the other guy.

"Well, this is Louis, my buddy since childhood and Louis, this is Carina, my first and only friend in Dublin and also my special person", he said with a softness in his eyes.

Could I just hug him already in front of all the people in my cafe?

"Hi Louis", I said with a little more enthusiasm as he was Niall's friend and not just any random person.

"Well, you're definitely Niall's favourite one because he can't stop stalking about you. Can you believe the boy's not shut his mouth ever since he's told me about you?", Louis said as he face palmed and laughed.

I joined in too and so did Julie who was eavesdropping.

Niall's face was a shade of red and he looked so damn cute.

"Well, here's your coffee", I said as I passed it to Niall in order to avoid further embarrassment. 

"Thanks", he said as he paid for it.

Louis just stares at us during our little exchange.

I walk out from behind the counter as I walk with Niall and Louis exiting my cafe.

Once we're in front of my cafe, Niall speaks again, "Thanks Gangster Carina. I'll call you later tonight if Louis even manages to sleep before me. He's got the world's energy and can never be tired", Niall said as he rolled his eyes causing Louis and me to laugh.

"Well, you're just a lazy guy and it happens that I'm not. So, deal with it", Louis retorted as Niall made a sad face.

I laughed at both of them, they're like little kids who love each other but pretend like they don't get along.

"Well, don't just look at her, tell her", Louis spoke, drawing me out of my thoughts.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

"I'm sorry, I almost forgot. Carina, will you join Louis and I for dinner tomorrow?", Niall asked nervously.

My eyes widened.

Was Niall asking me to tag along because he told me he'd make up for our last date by taking me out this weekend?

"That's alright Niall, you should just catch up with Louis", I said with a smile.

"Oh shut up, you should join us. He's going to be blabbering about you either way", Louis interrupted as he waved his hand in front of my face.

Louis is really active.

"Um, alright", I said reluctantly.

Louis and Niall smiled at me and I returned it.

"I'll text you the details later or maybe when I call you", Niall said as he hugged me.

Louis followed too, "See ya tomo, girl", he said as he pulled me in for a hug.

His hug made me comfortable, although it felt nothing like Niall's.

I waved at the boys and they walked across the road and into The Irish Bay.

Well, I need to go and hunt for an appropriate outfit for tomorrow's dinner with the boys.

_

A/N:

And finally here's our Tommo boy!

As I was writing this chapter, my mind was literally screaming NOUIS, but then I had to just ignore the little voice and focus and write this chapter.

I also thought there should be more characters, so here we have 4 new characters.
If y'all are confused with Carina's family and existing staff, read chapter 9.

So here it is, another update. There's gonna be pretty much happening in the next chapters and this book isn't going to be a drag anymore.

Lots of Love:
-Carita D'Costa❤️