A U T U M N   J O B
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  The fatigued blonde exhales slowly, taking a brief glance around at the abundance of shimmering, crimson and forest green decorations for the holiday festivities--and she was probably the only one who wasn't going to enjoy it. Her mother and father were always busy somewhere; whether it be a business trip in Europe, or an important meeting in Hawaii. She wouldn't mind that fact only if she was able to join them sometimes.

  Burying her cellphone back in the pocket of her dull navy coat, she proceeds to stroll back to her apartment complex. She tugs at the ebony and ivory scarf around her neck, loosening it a bit. Walking for a little while longer, she finds herself at the front of her favourite coffee and confections shoppe; Fairy Tail. Her shoulders rise and fall as she presses her soft palms to the metal panel on the glass door frame, waltzing inside of the quaint facility.

  Once her soles land against the pearl floor-tiles, she continues to be bombarded with a barrage of welcolmes and other friendly greetings. She waves back with a revitalizing grin, before plopping herself down in the usual spot that she sat in. Quietly, she flips over the laminated menu and skims through it. Sure, the coffee was absolutely spectacular, that was a given. But, the main reason she always returns is because of the handsome man with strawberry hair, whom she always sneaks secret glances at as he seats himself in the far corner of the establishment.

  In which was well-known to everyone except for her.

  She sucks in a breath as her best friend, Cana Alberona, strolls over, pen and notepad in hand. "Lu! Long time no see," Cana smiles lazily, giving her a brief and tight squeeze. Lucy nods in agreement as the color returns to her pallid features.

  "It seems like it's been forever, doesn't it?" She responds heavily, folding her hands atop of one another.

  "We should get together more often~," The somber brunette whines, before straightening her posture once more.

  "How about next Saturday? I have nothing planned if you don't," Lucy shrugs her shoulders in compliance, scrolling through the entirety of her mobile calendar. The goldette deadpans as she proceeded to scroll, a faulty smile spreading across her lips. Fortunately, she had nothing planned, until the next year and a half.

  "Sure. Let's go to my place, we can watch some scary movies," Cana suggests with a content grin, twirling a lock of her hair around her index finger.

  "Alright!...But try not to pick out the gory ones this time, okay?" Lucy pleads, clasping her hands together dramatically.

  "Sure, crybaby," Cana rolls her chocolate brown orbs at the goldette. "Now what are you going to order?--before I get fired," She scoffs, which was directed to her strict boss.

  "Okay~. Can I have the French vanilla and carmel cappuccino?" Lucy asks within a giggle, her tone laced with mischief.

"Alright, Blondielocks. Remember to keep Saturday open!" Cana repeats, now on the other side of the café, handing the order-card to one of the baristas. Lucy couldn't help the conspicuous blush that spread across her cheeks as her gaze averted to the charming rosette, whom of which Cana was now speaking to.

  Her honey brown eyes fill with intent as she watches their conversation, letting out an exhale. The goldette shakes her head vigorously and focuses her attention on the ebony-locked male that was concocting her drink. A part of his dark hair swept over one of his soft eyes, which deemed as if they held immense pain. The blonde tilted her head as she stared for a few seconds longer, before gasping in realization.

  The scorching drink had spilled all over him. Lucy listened as the rosette chortled to himself, his shoulders raising as he shook his head in disapproval. The blonde propped herself up from the cushion and walked over to the panting worker. "Are you okay, sir?" She inquires, grasping onto a collection of wet napkins and gently dabbing at the dampened spot of his shirt.

  "Y-Yes. B-but you d-don't have to--" He sputters out, waving his hands out dismissively.

  "No, it's my fault all of this happened." She persists, her eyebrows furrowing as the stain didn't dissolve.

  "Here. I'll buy you a new shirt tomorrow." She bows apologetically and his cheeks flush a deep carmine.

  "Umm.." She searches his shirt for a tag of identification.

  "R-Rogue.." The male diverts his gaze towards a the opposite side of the room.

  "Hmm?" She asks, leaning in closer to hear him clearly.

  "R-R..Rogue...Cheney. My name is..Rogue Cheney." He nods his head and proceeds to prepare her beverage again.

  "Here's my number, Rogue. I'll be calling you to ask for your shirt size, and any fabric allergies, or possibly preferred materials." She nods and reaches to hand him a slip of paper, only to stuff it in his apron. She walked back over to the seating area with a grin, and noticed the rosette sitting across from her cushion. She quirked her eyebrow and tilted her head as she sat.

  "Sir, are yo-" She began.

  "Nice thing you did back there. If I were you, I would've had him fired." He ignores her, his arms folded across his chest.

  "That's quite rude. It was an accident after all." Lucy states, genuinely surprising him.

  "Do you know who I am?" He inquires in a sharp tone, his piercing onyx green orbs narrowed in irritation.

"No, sir, I don't. But I find it very impolite and quite biased that you're willing to fire an innocent person over a complete accident! It was my fault, therefore, if anyone is to get reprimanded, it should be me!" She unconsciously raises her voice to a level where the few other customers begin to stare at her. He gasps in shock, before remembering how she was clueless of his feudal system status. He inhales and clears his throat, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

  "Since you are unaware of my position in the economy, I will allow the fact that you just blatantly disrespected me and my standards." The rosette narrows his onyx green orbs in vexation, harshly slamming his palms on the edge of the wooden table. The blonde jerks up in fright, her eyes widening. She begins smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt, her cheeks tinted carnation. He starts to mutter incoherent and inaudible words to himself, before letting out an exhale of exasperation.

  "Before I say this, I want you to know that this is simply an offer, and in no way, shape, or form--am I begging you to take up such a position." He clarifies, reaching into his chest pocket and retrieving a laminated slip of paper. He lays it faced down atop of the table and passes it to her with his forefinger. She cautiously flips it over and skims through the small-printed text. A business card.

  "Um...?" She furrows his eyebrows in his direction, her head tilted in bewilderment.

  "This is a business proposal; as I was watching you earlier, you proceeded exemplary execution of how to handle clients. Also, you dutifully took responsibility for your own actions, which I find an important asset of the business profession. If you do happen to accept this role, I expect you at the designated location at seven-thirteen sharp, next Monday." He explains, standing up from his seat and leaning over the table.

  "This--" He pointed to a collection of cardinal numbers. "--is my cellular-phone number. You are only allowed to call this number in the state of an emergency situation that the faculty members can not, or, are not available to handle such trials." He proceeds, trailing his finger down to the next number.

  "This is the general number for the company that I am currently hosted at..for better clearance, where you'll be working if you accept. They will be the ones answering your calls with questions or concerns." He once again, clarifies for her, and begins to gather his things to exit out of the establishment. Casually, he ambles toward the glass doors, his Stacy Adams' quietly colliding with the tile, every step he took.

  "U-Uh..! W-Wait!!" She calls out, vehemently waving her hand around in the air.

  "Yes?" He inquires as he turns around to face her.

  "I..I accept your offer!" She stammers out, bowing in respect.

  "Great. I expect you to present your developed skills the same way you did today." He nods as he opens the fragile glass panels, leaving the facility. The blonde stares down at the slip of paper, running her fingers across the text. Soon, the ebony-haired male cautiously walks over with her mug of coffee.

  "I'm truly sorry, ma'am. I'm new on the job, so I don't have much experience..but here's your French vanilla and carmel cappuccino." He hands her the mug, along with a clean, ceramic saucer.

  "That's alright, I appreciate your effort." She smiles softly and hands him a twenty-dollar bill.

  "T-The coffee is only twelve dollars, ma'am." He whispers, pushing back the bill.

  "It's my tip, keep it." She smiles as she gets out of her seat.

  "..Thank you ma'am." He bows and returns to the cash register, a small grin plastering his lips.

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