The Monster at My Feet novel Chapter 36

Penelope walked her through the process, which turned out to be a bit more complex than Sylvie had expected.

There were multiple steps and it required a specific technique, befitting a high-end coffee shop.

Just as Penelope finished her demonstration, her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen and paused.

"Sylvie," she said, "something urgent just came up. Can you hold down the fort for a moment?"

One of the other baristas leaned in. "I can handle it, Penelope."

"No need," Penelope replied. "Both of you come with me. I have some instructions for you."

"Huh?"

Sylvie watched in surprise as Penelope hurried off with her two colleagues.

But she still didn't know how to do anything! She silently prayed no one would walk in.

Naturally, her worst fear materialized.

The crisp chime of the doorbell rang out.

A man in a sharp black suit stepped inside. He looked as if he had just walked out of a high-pressure boardroom, his steps slightly uneven, his thin lips pressed into a tight line.

He carried a jagged, frigid aura of decay, naturally repelling anyone who dared to get close.

His striking face was as pale as ever, his narrow eyes half-lowered, refusing to look up.

"Mr. Graves!" Sylvie greeted him with genuine surprise, her eyes curving into happy crescents. "What a coincidence!"

Caspian didn't look up.

He shouldn't have come in. He hadn't planned on it.

But...

"Iced Americano," he said hoarsely.

Sylvie tilted her head, looking genuinely apologetic. "I'm still completely new at this. Could you wait for someone else to make it for you?"

Caspian tightened his jaw, caught in a brutal struggle between not wanting to make things difficult for her and desperately wanting a coffee made by her hands.

He took a deep breath, his fingernails digging fiercely into his palms, reminding himself to maintain control.

He had to maintain control.

"Never mind, then." He turned to leave.

"Wait, Mr. Graves!" Sylvie called out. "I can't let you leave empty-handed. If it tastes awful, just promise you won't get me fired!"

Her voice lifted at the end, soft and teasing, brushing against his heart like a feather.

Caspian felt his chest tremble.

He was making things difficult for her after all.

He didn't want to leave, but he forced himself to turn and walk out the door, step by step, without looking back.

"Goodbye, Mr. Graves!" the girl called out cheerfully.

Only after the car outside finally drove away did Penelope reappear.

She had barely managed to compose her shocked expression, letting out a light cough.

"Sylvie, did a customer come in?"

"Yes! I made an iced Americano, and I think I nailed it. There's a little bit left in the measuring cup. Do you want to try it?"

Penelope smiled and nodded. She picked up the cup and took a sip.

Her impeccable facial control nearly shattered.

The intense bitterness almost blew the top of her skull off!

How many shots of espresso had she put in this?!

Was this even meant for human consumption?!

Sylvie watched her reaction, raising a subtle eyebrow.

It really was that bitter, then.

And yet, Caspian had swallowed it with a straight face and even complimented her.