2.

"Hey. We are not paying you to be on your phone during busy hours." The harsh voice of her boss brought Elena out of her fantasy world. Looking up from her little corner away from the coffee machine she caught the cold eyes of the woman she called boss, sometimes mother.

"I'm on my break."

"Not when we are this busy. Go take over the register from Rachel." she barked. The customers who were patiently waiting for their coffee drinks watched her with disgusted looks and shook their heads. Remembering the last word she read in her e-book she exited the app then chucked her phone under the counter in annoyance. Strolling to the register, Rachel smirked at her and sashayed her narrow behind to the back room. Rolling her eyes Elena quickly pasted her smile on her face for the customer in front of her. "Hi! Welcome to Cookie Corner how can I help you?"

"Hi! ummmm can I have one of each cookie and five orders of your Americano?" The girl before Elena gave her a shy smile before sliding an American Express black card over to her. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets seeing the card, everyone knows the time of people who carry around such cards. Looking up at the girl she looks no younger than eighteen and she was utterly beautiful. "Sure no problem. New here?" Elena asked putting through the order then gathering the cookies in the shop's signature box.

"Yes. I am currently attending the college." The girl spoke pretty formally, her poise upright and elegant. Whereas the other patrons were in very casual jeans and t-shirt she was dressed in a pink sleeveless dress stopping at her knee and an ankle boots. Her blonde hair was currently in a ponytail showing off her green eyes. She stuck out like a sore thumb but it gave her a lot of attention from the males in the cafe. Giving her the receipt after cashing her order she showed her where to wait for her coffees. The girl didn't take the box of cookies, she simply stepped aside and out of thin air a guy taller than she came to her side. No words were said he simply took the box and stood behind her without a word. The man looked at Elena and gave her a polite nod, a blush stained her cheeks from being acknowledged by a handsome man such as him. Back at the register she tended to her customers but felt a gaze on her throughout the three customers after the girl.

At her fourth customer, the girl came up to the register. "Would you like to be my friend?" she asked with a bright smile. Elena was taken aback by the abrupt question. The last time someone was so innocently forward with her was in kindergarten. "Uhhhh. Sure. Yeah. Cool." Not knowing which one to choose to answer Elena said all.

"Wonderful. My name is Jessaline." The girl beamed just as a man came to her side and took her hand in his. The man was built like a gym rat but not obnoxiously so, his blue eyes were soft and welcoming as he looked down at her new friend.

"I made a friend, baby," she said excitedly practically bouncing on her toes. The man turned to Elena and gave her a smile. "Honoured to meet you, Elena," he said in a rich voice that sent her mind wheeling. Wait, how did he know my name? she thought to herself.

"Your given name is on your t-shirt. I am Jakobe." he offered.

"Oh right. Pshhh. Nice to meet you." Elena retorted with a silly grin on her face. Jakobe chuckled then turned to Jessaline, "Brother waits for us, we must leave. You shall see her soon." he said to her before kissing her head.

"Can I keep her as a friend?" Jessaline asked. Elena was trying her hardest to put 100% of attention to her customers but the couple in front of her had her curious. They spoke way too formally, extremely polite, dresses impeccably and asks crazy questions like 'can I keep her as a friend'. Definitely out of towners, Elena concluded.

"Yes, my love. Now we must go." Jakobe told her with a loving smile.

"Bye Elena. I shall visit you tomorrow." Jessaline said with a beaming smile before leaving the cafe with two of the finest specimens she ever saw in her life.

The TV was definitely not included.

At twenty-three, Elena considered herself as a young woman who definitely made something of herself. No, she wasn't a filthy rich woman with countless homes and cars but she had something better. A loving father and two close friends who were more family to her than her own step sister and step mother. The family dynamic has been strained since she was eleven but for her father, she always aimed to be the daughter he can be proud of. Though he always tells her she felt like it wasn't enough.

"There's my Ellie."

A beaming smile was on her face as she entered his office. Sat behind his large oak desk Elias Monroe had a fatherly smile on his face as his little girl practically bounced into the room. Her wild dark curls bounced playfully brushing against her tanned skin, her jade green eyes sparkled with life as her tall slender frame moved across the floor gracefully. A tinge of grief touched his heart because she looked so much like her mother in every possible way. Her dark hair was thanks to him and he was damn proud that he helped created such a vision. Elena came round the desk allowing her father to bring her into a tight warm hug. "Now what do I owe this pleasure. You should be soaking up the sun with your friends or simply reading a book while soaking up the sun," He teased. Elias knew how low maintenance and somewhat introverted his little girl was, but he wanted her to see the world before she started life. Their college beach town always saw new people and grow new businesses but was that enough for a young woman.

"Maybe tomorrow on your day off?" She suggested with a grin.

"It's a date. Sure you won't be embarrassed with ya old man tagging along with you?"

"Eh! I will just tell the girls who ogle you that you're my sugar daddy," Elena teased, mischief glinting in her eyes. Elias laughed aloud, shaking his head while going back to the documents before him. Elena took that time to browse the office. Her father owned a property management business, a highly successful one at that. He owned the majority of the real estate in their town and others in towns nearby. The clientele he catered to most are working-class families and college kids. The reason for his venture all those years ago was searching for an apartment as a college freshman that offered stability and security. Most apartments college kids find are ones far away from college and less than hospitable sleeping arrangements.

"How are things on the home front?"

"My new tenants are great, still have to check those in the other two buildings. They are all settled in and have no complaints. Thanks for helping with the family homes sweetie, they loved the colors and design."

She sent him a grin over her shoulder before going over to the large sofa. "I still think it's weird that five families and so many people came to you for properties and paid in full for a year. Are you sure it isn't Witness Protection?" She stated dangling her feet over the sofa arm. Elias chuckled at his daughter's imagination.

"No, Ellie. As I told you it's one of those large families who lives together. They migrated from Europe and looking to settle here in the US."

"Did the guy have an accent? Maybe they're in the mob. Chief Walson will certainly be happy for some action. Poor guy is tired of arresting drunk college kids."

Clearing his throat to erase the laughter bubbly up his throat he mimicked the most serious expression on his face. "Keep that up and you won't get a peek at them on Thursday."

"Damn it old man you always know how to shut me up."

Elias couldn't hold it back anymore, his laugh was infectious causing Elena to join in on their little amuse-filled moment.

"Are you coming around for dinner tonight?"

Shrugging her shoulders she opened her e-book app to continue her book. Elias knew that his daughter and his new wife's relationship was one for the books. All he wanted was for her to have a woman to look up to after the loss of his first love and wife. "Are you still helping out at the shop?"

"Yup."

"Why? She has Rachel and the three college kids who applied before summer."

"Two ditched her after two weeks and one called in sick today."

Elias kept quiet not wanting to state his honest opinion so he kept quiet. "We may not see eye to eye but she's family so I have to help." Elena has what people called a bleeding heart. Always cave to help those in need even if that person has nothing nice to say. Her father fears that one day someone will take advantage of it and hurt her immensely.

"I just...."

"It's okay, daddy. We were both blindsided by her and Rachel."

Elias stared at his baby girl, he was now seeing her as a young woman ready for the world. He was the one not ready."You're right about that one," he commented before glancing at the clock. "If you don't get a move on you won't get a comfortable two hours at the library."

"Shoot. Curse your comfortable sofa," Elena huffed gathering her things. Elias watched in amusement as she adjusted her clothing and glasses. Rushing to his side she placed a wet kiss on his cheek before rushing out the door.

"She's growing up love. You would have been so proud." He whispered his thoughts to the last picture he took of Elena's mother. Her bright smile shining up at him with so much love in her eyes.

"All that's left is to find her mate."