Chapter 7 - The Grande, Quad, Nonfat, One-Pump, No-Whip Mocha (1/2)
As Claire stomps back towards Starbucks, she could not believe anyone would really be so anal as to drink only coffee according to the specifications, ”grande, quad, nonfat, one-pump, no-whip mocha.” How crazy is that? It's just coffee. Personally, she'd like her coffee without all these distractions, these dilutions. But what does she know? Mr. Tan obviously is set in his ways.
”Oh, Miss Just Black!” the barista cheerfully greets her. He's of Claire's age as well, and seems to enjoy his job. ”You're back so soon!”
”I, uhh, yeah,” she mutters, peering at the little note in her hand. ”I, uhh, need coffee with these specifications. Can you make it?”
The barista's brow knits as he reads the note, but his eyes soon widen in recognition. ”Hey, are you working for Gabriel Tan?”
”How did you know?”
”This is his favorite! He won't take any other coffee except this one.”
So that's why he was so furious, Claire thinks. She must have touched a raw nerve by not following his directions. But he never gave any in the first place! ”So can you brew that?”
”Absolutely! Give me just a sec!” The barista smiles. ”So this is for 'Just Claire'?”
Claire laughs. ”Yeah, just Claire.”
Claire waits and quietly watches the barista do his thing. The name plate on his ċhėst says his name is Brad, and he'd be happy to create magic for you. Oh, these service mantras, they're all gimmickry. But maybe it works, because if not, then nobody would be doing it anymore. For some reason, Brad keeps on glancing at her, as though checking if she's still there. She smiles occasionally, which he answers with his own smile. He's kinda cute, Claire thinks, than banishes the thought. What is it with you Claire? Desiring random strangers now?
”We're no strangers anymore, are we?” Brad says as he hands her the coffee, as if he has just read her mind.
”Well, uhh, sure.”
”Say, if you need anything, just call me up. I mean, the store. Call Starbucks. We'd be happy to make you magic.”