It All Started With A Cappuccino

Part 26

"ummmm.... yeah its me" I said nervously looking between my boss and Dan, who looked confused.

"where the hell have you been?" He said raising his voice slightly, causing people passing by to stare drawing attention to us which I hated.

"I was..."

"You haven't turned up to work in weeks! Haven't answered your phone, haven't been at home, we thought something had happened to you but it turns out you were just with some guy" He yelled.

Dan stiffened beside me, holding my hand tighter as I stood there not knowing what to say with a melting bubblegum ice-cream in one hand and Dan's hand in my other. He was right but at the same time so incredibly wrong. I couldn't tell him the truth, I didn't want Dan in trouble and honestly I really liked, no, loved Dan. He was the best thing that's happened to me but what was I supposed to say? I was about to come up with an explanation when Dan beat me to it instead.

"It's all my fault sir" He began "you see I've been through a really rough patch recently and Mia's been helping me through it and I guess I took up so much of her time that she forgot to tell you. I'm very sorry"

My boss looked between me and Dan as I shifted from side to side as my ice-cream slowly travelled down my hand.

"Is this true Mia?" My boss asked sternly.

"Yea. Yea I mean I've wanted to help people for a while so when I saw Dan and how much he needed help, I couldn't turn my back on him" I quickly said.

"So you turned your back on your work instead?" he interrogated.

"I'm sorry.... I'm" I trailed off letting out a small whimper.

"Sir I think you need to take a nicer tone" Dan spoke calmly although his voice was laced with frustration.

"A nicer tone? I've been missing a barista for ages and I see her here with you?" He snapped.

I cowered behind Dan as he took a step forward dropping his hand from mine.

"Missing a barista? And you couldn't be bothered to... I don't know maybe report her missing" Dan sassily retorted towering over my boss.

"Well I guess now I don't because I know where she is" he replied as he began to walk away "oh and Mia you're fired"

I grabbed Dan's hand and he slowly turned to face me.

"well he was a dick wasn't he?" Dan scoffed.

I smiled weakly and pulled him along the path.

Wow this was good. Just great. Every time something goes well, someone just has to ruin it. Finally me and Dan were going to have a nice day together and now its ruined. I don't have a job anymore which means I don't have any money and I'm staying with Dan but he can't pay for everything it's not fair and-

"Mia" Dan's concerned voice bought me out of my panicked thoughts "hey Mia look at me" he placed his hands on my shoulders and squeezed them gently.

"what am I going to do Dan? I have no money" I whimpered as a tear escaped my eye and slowly made its way down my cheek.

"Hey it's going to be okay, trust me Mia you're gonna be fine besides I have a new job idea for you" he said reassuringly, smiling towards the end.

"okay" I sniffled calming down slightly.

Dan pulled away and I suddenly realised his ice-cream wasn't in his hand anymore but was on the floor, a melting blue puddle with the cone sticking up like some sort of deformed unicorn horn.