*This one's a little longer than the others so I'll be dividing it into 3 parts. Happy reading!
Chapter 1: Midday delights
Y/n stood behind the counter of the candy store she works in, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the polished surface as she surveyed the quiet interior of the candy shop. It was still early, and the morning rush had yet to begin, leaving her with nothing but the soft hum of the refrigerators for company.
With a sigh, she glanced out the window. Boredom gnawed at her insides, her restless energy yearning for something, anything, to break the monotony of the morning.
Just as she was beginning to resign herself to another hour of solitude, a gentle jingle filled the air, signaling the arrival of customers. Y/n's eyes lit up with anticipation as she straightened her posture, ready to greet the newcomers with a warm smile.
Her gaze fell upon a man and a young girl entering the shop, their faces alight with excitement. The little girl's eyes widened with delight at the sight of the sugary delights surrounding her, her eager fingers reaching out to touch each tempting treat.
"Hello there! Welcome to Sweet Delights," Y/n greeted, her voice infused with genuine warmth. "Looks like we have some serious candy connoisseurs in our midst today."
The man chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes as he exchanged a knowing glance with his daughter. "You could say that. We're on a mission to find the perfect sweets for a special treat tonight."
Y/n's smile widened at the challenge, her playful spirit eager to assist them on their quest. "Well, you've come to the right place. Allow me to be your candy guide. What does the little one fancy?"
Engaging the young girl in a lively conversation about her favorite flavors and colors, Y/n effortlessly charmed her with her infectious enthusiasm.
As they perused the assortment of candies together, she couldn't help but notice the fondness with which the man observed his daughter, his eyes alight with paternal affection.
With a mischievous grin, Y/n selected a few of her personal favorites and presented them to the pair, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "These are some of our best sellers, guaranteed to satisfy even the sweetest tooth. But don't take my word for it, go ahead and give them a try!"
As the man and his daughter continued to sample the various candies, Y/n watched with a soft smile, content to simply be a part of their delightful experience.
After making their final choices, the man approached her, a grateful smile gracing his lips as he handed over the payment. Y/n rang up the purchase and packaged their candies in a neat bundle, each treat carefully arranged with precision and care.
"Thank you for visiting Sweet Delights! I hope you enjoy your treats. Come back soon!" Y/n exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm as she handed out the candies to the kid.
The man's smile widened as he replied, "We definitely will. Thank you for your help."
The little girl waved excitedly as they made their way towards the exit. Y/n waved back, her heart swelling with a sense of satisfaction.
As the door closed behind them, Y/n's shoulders slumped slightly, a hint of disappointment tugging at her. With a resigned sigh, she returned to her post behind the counter, the absence of customers leaving her once again to grapple with the stifling boredom that seemed to linger in the air.
Chapter 2: Candy-licious
A week had dragged by, and Y/n found herself once again behind the counter of Sweet Delights. It was the weekend, so the store was busier than usual, but not overwhelmingly so.
Y/n was still just a part-time worker at the mall, her days filled with the mundane tasks of stocking shelves and serving customers. As she mechanically went about her duties, her mind wandered, longing for something more.
Customers came and went, their faces blending together in a blur of polite smiles and polite requests. Y/n helped them select their treats with a forced cheerfulness, her boredom palpable.
As the day dragged on, Y/n found herself counting down the minutes until closing time, her longing for escape growing with each passing moment. And amidst the weekend rush of the mall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of ennui settle over her, aching for something, anything, to shake her out of her complacency.
It was then that Y/n noticed a familiar face walk in. It was the man from last week. She smiled at him, recognition flickering in her eyes. "Your daughter's not with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
The man shook his head, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh.. no, she's at her grandmother's."
Y/n nodded, her lips curving into a polite smile. "So, what brings you here today?" she inquired, her tone casual as she resumed her task behind the counter.
He hesitated, his gaze drifting over the glass case of candies. "Hmm, let me see," he mused aloud, his brows furrowing slightly in thought.
Y/n couldn't help but study him as he deliberated, noticing how he seemed even more handsome today than he had the last time they met. Was it the way he styled his hair? Or perhaps the choice of clothing? Whatever it was, she found herself momentarily distracted by his allure.
But then, reality hit her like a bucket of cold water. Married. He's probably married. I mean, he has a kid..
With a quick mental shake, Y/n swiftly redirected her thoughts, refusing to entertain any further romantic notions. She had a job to do, after all, and getting caught up in a crush was definitely not on the agenda.
"So, what can I get for you today?" she asked brightly, her professional demeanor masking any hint of her momentary distraction.
"Actually, could you get me what you gave me last time? I remember Brie loving it," he requested, a fond smile tugging at his lips.
"Brie," she thought to herself, a soft smile gracing her lips. "That must be his daughter's name."
As she moved to fulfill his request, her curiosity piqued. "I wonder what's his..." Her train of thought was abruptly interrupted by his interjection.
"If it's available," he added.
Y/n blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Ah, yeah, sure." she replied, hurrying to retrieve the desired candies.
As she handed over the candies, she couldn't help but ask, "And what about you?"
He looked at her with a bemused expression. "Me?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice.
She chuckled softly. "I mean, did you like them too?" she clarified, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Oh, yes. I liked them as well. Though I didn't get much," he admitted, motioning towards his dwindling stash.
Y/n grinned sympathetically. "Well, we can't have that now, can we?" she said playfully, already reaching for another bag of the same candies to replenish his supply.
He took the bag with a grateful nod. "Thanks...," he said, his eyes catching the badge on her apron that read "Y/n."
"Welcome," she replied with a friendly smile. "And you are..."
"Dan," he replied, meeting her gaze with a warm smile.
Y/n nodded. "Dan. So, will you be back again?" she asked, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
"Definitely," he confirmed with a smile.
"Don't forget to bring Brie next time," she added, a playful twinkle in her eye.
"Sure," he agreed, returning her smile before turning to leave.
Y/n watched him go, a contented smile lingering on her lips as she imagined their next encounter.
Chapter 3: Sweet Surprise
Y/n hurriedly found a seat on the bustling public transport bus, relieved to finally sit down after a long day. As the bus rumbled along, she leaned back against the seat, her mind wandering to the upcoming shift at the mall.
Suddenly, the bus jolted to a stop, and a new passenger got in. "Hey... Y/n, if I remember correctly," a familiar voice spoke up.
Y/n turned around in surprise, her eyes widening as she recognized the face beside her. "Dan!" she exclaimed, a delighted grin spreading across her face.
Her mind buzzed with excitement. *What are the odds of running into him here?* she thought, her heart racing with unexpected thrill. *Maybe this day won't be so mundane after all.*
As Dan settled into the seat beside Y/n, she couldn't help but feel some sort of happiness in her.
Dan chuckled softly, a warm smile gracing his lips. "Nice seeing you again" he remarked, his gaze meeting hers with genuine interest.
Y/n shrugged playfully, a grin spreading across her face. "Seems like fate has a funny way of bringing people together," she replied, her tone light and playful.
Dan nodded in agreement, settling into the conversation. "So, how's life been treating you?" he asked, genuinely interested in catching up.
Y/n leaned back in her seat, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Oh, you know, the usual," she replied with a shrug. "Balancing work at the candy store with college classes keeps me pretty busy."
Dan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "College, huh? What are you studying?"
Y/n smiled, a hint of pride in her voice. "I'm majoring in business administration," she replied. "Working at the candy store is just a part-time gig to help pay the bills while I finish my degree."
Dan nodded, impressed. "That's great," he said with a smile. "It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate, but it also sounds like you're handling it like a pro."
Y/n grinned, appreciating the vote of confidence. "Thanks and how's Brie? She back from her grandmother's?"
Dan nodded with a fond smile. "Yeah, she's back," he replied. "She goes there every now and then. She loves it there. Besides, it's no fun leaving her with a nanny."
Y/n's curiosity sparked even more. "Nanny?" she asked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise, her mind already conjuring up images of extravagant daycare scenarios.
Dan chuckled. "Well, actually, I'm a single dad," he confessed.
Y/n's face lit up with realization. "Oh," she exclaimed. "That must keep you on your toes!"
Dan nodded enthusiastically, his smile stretching from ear to ear. "You bet it does!"
"Well, I must say, it appears you're doing a good job," she praised him.
As the bus journey continued, Y/n found herself chuckling at the delightful twist in the conversation. "He's a single dad? Did I hear that right?" she thought to herself, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of getting to know him better.
Before they knew it, the bus arrived at Y/n's stop. She turned to Dan with a smile, "Well, this is my stop. It was great catching up with you, Dan."
Dan nodded, a warm smile lighting up his features. "Likewise," he replied, his eyes meeting hers with genuine warmth. "Maybe we'll run into each other again sometime soon."
With a final wave and a smile, Y/n stepped off the bus, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a while. As she made her way towards her house, she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that lingered from her unexpected encounter. Who knew what other surprises the day had in store for her?