Scarlett s Secrets

"Anyone who claims sunlight makes people happy has never danced in the rain."

The brown-eyed girl giggled as she read this phrase, browsing through her feed while chewing on her cocoa pebbles in the morning. She'd just gotten out of bed and showered, preparing to work. But this statement made her giggle, not because the remark was nice or motivating, but because it was a lie.

"Who could like rain?" She murmured this as she shook her head, her laughter fading. She laid the empty dish of cereal down after finishing the chocolaty milk. She grabbed her luggage and exited the flat, repeating something that ran through her mind all the while.

"Who could fall in love with Scarlett?"

* * *

Today was a leisurely and well-attended day at the coffee shop. Cathy's Cakes & Coffee was in a great New York City site, surrounded by numerous large enterprises and office buildings. On weekdays, the café was so crowded that there was a lengthy queue of hurried workers eager for a cup of the finest coffee in the neighborhood. On weekends, though, the café was as desolate as a desert. This was, in reality, the whole financial district of this metropolis. On weekends, people try to avoid work stress as much as possible. Instead, they spend their time traveling downtown or hanging out in the city.

Scarlett was clearing up the tables in the café and wiping the sticky floor from yesterday's coffee spills. She dipped the mob in soapy water and traced it around the floor, forming patterns while gently singing.

Scarlett had just started working at Cathy's Cakes & Coffee. Though working as a server at a small coffee shop was not her ideal job, her alternatives were limited, and she needed money.

Today was a calm and peaceful day. Mike, the register operator, was counting and sorting the cash register. Mike was a blond with brilliant green eyes who had just graduated from a community college. He had always intended to attend university and pursue a career as a business major, but although dreaming was free, following through on those aspirations was not. Universities are expensive, and Mike lacked the necessary funds. Despite the hurdles, he remained determined to achieve his goals. And to do so, he worked two jobs: the café during the day and as a server at a fine dining restaurant at night.

How many times will you count the money, Mikey?" Scarlett mocked, seeing that this was his third time going through the cash register.

"Is there anything more you want me to do?" Mike replied with a bored grimace on his face.

"Daisy is probably inside baking her famous Spiced Pumpkin Cookies. She could always use an extra pair of hands." Scarlett grinned as Mike's face lit up at the mention of Daisy's name. She is the cafe's baker and is in charge of the kitchen. Daisy is the mother of Cathy, the proprietor of Cathy's Cakes & Coffee.

Cathy opened the coffee business ten years ago when the surrounding neighborhood was nothing more than a building site. However, as time passed, the region became more industrialized, and it was now home to several top corporations worth billions of dollars. Unfortunately, Cathy's health was deteriorating, and she was forced to leave the café. Instead of selling it to the highest bidder, she gave it to Daisy, who was obsessed with baking. Daisy joined the café two months ago when Cathy eventually stepped down, and her baking abilities have helped the business become even more popular.