Web Novel: Dream Love (Chapter 1 pt. 10)

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12 January 2022

Coffee Star Co.

Working felt like something new, he missed the smell of coffee. Nathan is now the manager of this location and he is doing a great job doing it. He started his shift helping out his staff cleaning the shop before opening, they also organized all the mugs and tumblers on display and refilled the coffee beans. The smell of fresh coffee beans calms his nerves and he loves doing it every morning, even at home with Ashley.

12:13:10 PM

I wonder if Ash had lunch already.

He texted her just to check if she ate. This is usually the time when she and her friends eat for their lunch break. He always makes sure that she is eating well because he doesn't want her to starve or get sick. There will be times when he will prepare her lunch and meticulously arrange it bento style.

***

12:15:54PM

Corporate Tower 3

"Let's eat out girls, I am craving for burgers," Cy said.
"I brought lunch with me, my mom cooked gyudon and I want to eat it so bad already," Tess replied.
"I also have packed lunch, Nathan cooked pasta last night and we had a lot of leftovers so I took some here. I have a lot, I can share it with you if you don't have food with you," Ash offered.

*beep beep*

Who could this be?

Checking her phone and seeing who it is, her face glowed and blushed. It was Nathan, checking if she had lunch and if her friends liked the pasta that he cooked. It was a good thing that he cooked a lot because Ash will be able to share it with Cy & Tess. She was also sure that Tess will feel so much better because of the delicious food.

"Hey, Nathan just asked it you guys liked his pasta," she smiled.
"Well, that's why your smile is from ear to ear. It was amazing!" Cy exclaimed.
"Two thumbs up. This is such a recovery food Ash, thank you." Tess added.

***

12:25:35 PM

They liked the pasta a lot babe, thank you. Tess is feeling so much better now, we were able to talk to her earlier. She is smiling now which is such a relief. Thanks for the food babe, I love you so much. You should eat too, don't starve yourself ok? See you later hotshot.

"Hotshot? That's new," he giggled.

"Why are you smiling boss?" Jake asked.

"I was just called a hotshot and I don't know how to feel,"

"Well well well, look who just got promoted to a hottie," Mike added.

"Hahaha, so my girlfriend promoted me? Well, congratulations to me then," he laughed.

Everyone from his team clapped and made fun of him the whole day. He was happy about the team that he has. Everybody helps everybody and when they needed an ice breaker, such as this, all are ready to pitch in. Each day spent with them was a joyous chaos. Work-life balance at its finest.

***

02:30:54PM

Corporate Tower 3

Ashley's team is having a huddle about an upcoming event. This is for a pageant that the project initiated. They need someone to represent the team. Their team lead asked everyone to nominate someone from the team and the qualifications were: someone who has a talent, confident enough to strut in the catwalk and can answer Q&As with ease.

With all of the criteria in mind, Tess & Cy wrote Ash name down on the piece of paper that was provided for them. She ticks off all the qualities and will win for sure if given a chance. Some of their friends wrote her name as well. Once all the nominations were in, three names stood out from the list with most votes: Ashley, Charity & Bethany. Each girls have their own strengths and unique personalities.

"You nominated me?" Ashley said, totally surprised.

"I mean, we both agreed that you are perfect for this," Tess insisted.

"Even Jenny and Kris voted for you," Cy added.

She was so embarrassed about what happened because she didn't have any experience taking part in any pageants compared to the two girls who got nominated. They were both pageant joiners and were exceptionally beautiful. One can be a brat and the other can be a bitch at times but when it comes to competitions like this, they can be as serious as they could be. She doesn't know what to do and was wishing that she won't get picked to represent the team.

"I will show this list to Boss Drake and will go back to you once he has decided ok?" TL Tatyana said.

Oh god no. She didn't just say that name.

Boss Drake was Ash's first team lead when she joined the program. She has been a part of his team for the most part of her stay in the company. He would always encourage her to open up and embrace her talents. He knows her strengths and her weaknesses. He witnessed her growth throughout the year and was very supportive of her. She treats him like an older brother and looks up to him. She wants to be just like him in the future. Her friends and her team doesn't have any idea about it, she has been keeping it ever since she got transferred to this team.

Seeing their friend go from flushed to pale, Tess & Cy assisted Ash to her seat.

"Hey girl, you okay?" Cy asked.

"You look pale as fuck. What happened?" Tess added while brushing her friend's hair.

"I have a bad feeling about this nomination thing," she answered.

Puzzled and after being told to let it slide,  the two went to work worried about their friend. Ash continued to look like a deer in the headlights for the remainder of their shift. She didn't talk much and was always listless.

04:30:04PM

"A quick huddle guys," TL Tatyana called everyone's attention.

This was about who will represent the team for the pageant next month. They announce each event early so that each team can have enough time to prepare. Boss Drake was able to make a decision about the nomination. It took a while for him to decide since she is busy these days, he just got promoted to site lead and he has meetings almost every hour.

"Boss Drake just gave me the red light to let you all know about our contestant for the event. He told me that he didn't even think twice about this choice."

Shit's about to happen.

Tess looked at Ashley when she heard her mumble something. She was covering her face with her hand and was looking nervous.

"You sure you're ok Ash?"

"Of course I am, how could I not be ok. It's almost the end of our shift, I just want to go home,"

"Something is quite off about you girl," Cy added quizzically.

Pulling out the paper of the list and looking at the encircled name, TL Tatyana gave everyone a huge smile. She wasn't surprised about the choice as well, she is confident that this person will do well in the upcoming competition.

"Without further ado, the person chosen by our boss to represent our team is no other than Ashley Shepard."

Trying to hide herself by crouching down, Ashley slowly walked back towards her station when she bumped into someone. She was stopped in her tracks.

"You can't just walk away from this Ash,"it was Boss Drake.

"You really had to be the one to choose eh?" she asked, embarrassed.

"I trust you and you will do just fine," he patted her shoulder and walked with her to the middle of the group.

"Congratulations Ashley," said TL Tatyana shaking her hand.

She just smiled and went back to her seat after. This was unusual and she didn't know what to do about it.

***

04:56:00PM
Coffee Star Co.

It's almost the end of his shift at the cafe, everything is organized and ready for the next manager to take charge of the grave yard shift.

"John, here is the list of the accomplished task from my team. Let me know if there is anything else that needs to be done," Nathan handed over the clipboard to the next manager in charge.

"Everything seems to be in order here. We will just work on the list for tonight then, thanks bro," John replied.

Getting ready to go home, he made sure to text Ash to let her know that he will be waiting outside their building. This was the usual thing that he does. He often brings pastry with him so that she has something to nibble on during their trip home. Today, he decided to buy lamingtons because this was one of Ashley's favorite from their cafe.

***

07:06:12PM

Corporate Tower 3

Now that they have an idea why Ashley was acting weird during the nomination. Cy & Tess understood the confusion and anxiety in their friend's eyes. They know her struggle with anxiety and they want to make sure that she will be just fine during the preparation and duration of the competition. They, including Kris and Jenny, will be helping her out along the way.

"No need to worry about it girl, we got you," Cy embraced her friend.

Holding her other hand, "We are just here ok, we will help you and will be next to you no matter what," added Tess.

"Thank you so much," Ash felt her eyes watering.

Reaching the main door of the building, the trio was welcomed by Nathan. Seeing her boyfriend, Ash walked past her friends and embraced him. She almost forgot that she was with friends when she saw him.

"I am so sorry girls, I got too carried away," she smiled.

"Finally, a smile," Cy applauded.

"Nathan, take care of her for us ok? She will tell you everything that happened in the office earlier." Tess added.

"Ok? You guys take care too," he waved at them.

Confused, Nathan took Ashley's hand and walked with her towards the parking area. Feeling the tension in his girlfriend's every movement, he decided to drive this time. She was quiet throughout their journey home. He thought to himself to give her time and wait for her to open up about what happened. Reaching their place and taking the lamington with him, he walked Ashley inside the house.

06:50:02PM

The couple's den

Still waiting for a response from Ashley about what happened at work earlier, Nathan started preparing dinner. Tonight's menu is Ashley's favorite, bibimbap and fried chicken, and he is looking forward to preparing it for her. He made sure to make this as close to perfection as he can to make Ash feel better.

***

06:50:02PM

In her room, started crying, why? She hated how she looks and taking part in a pageant only made her feel worse about herself. Her confidence isn't the highest and her self love isn't even up to par. She needs all the encouragement and support she could get. Hearing someone approach the door, she quickly wiped her face dry and fixed her hair.

"Babe? Dinner's ready, I made your favorite," Nathan entered the room and saw distress in his girlfriend's eyes and she obviously was crying.

"I will just get ready and will just follow you there,"

"You are not okay Ash, can you tell me what happened at work today? Am worried,"

Fighting her tears, Ash told Nathan everything. It was something that is petty for most but it wasn't for her. It was a huge deal and she wants to make her team proud, her boss proud and make herself proud too. This will be a test to her self esteem and she wants to do whatever it takes to win but she doesn't know how.

"You have the best support group babe. You have me, your friends and family. You don't have to be afraid, we're all here for you," he brushed her hair and kissed her on the cheek.

"You know that I am not used to these things. I don't know if I can do it,"

"You will do great, I have faith in you. We all have faith in you,"

Smiling and feeling like a huge burden was lifted off of her, she fixed herself and went to the kitchen to eat with Nathan. It was a great meal, nothing a huge bowl of bibimbap can't fix and of course, crunchy fried chicken adds to it. She was so lucky to have people like Nathan in her life, she doesn't know what might happen next but being sure that they would always have her back is more than enough validation that she will do great in the up coming competition.