"Dling!" The cafe door chimed open as Dean and Claire walked in. They were both surprised to see Liam sitting at a table in a sharp black suit, his long hair tied back. He wasn't behind the counter like usual; he looked like he was waiting for someone. As soon as he saw Dean and Claire, Liam stood up and looked at them seriously.
"Dean and Claire, I need to talk to you two," Liam said.
"Oh... what's up, Uncle?" Dean asked.
"Have a seat first," Liam replied, sitting down and pointing to the chairs for them.
Once they were seated, Liam looked at their faces. Dean and Claire felt like students about to get disciplined by a teacher.
"Don't be so tense," Liam said.
"How can we not be tense? You look so serious, Uncle," Dean responded.
"Okay, I'm serious now. Dean, I'm handing this cafe over to you. I already talked to your mom last night, and she agreed, as long as it doesn't mess with your school or college later. And there's a university right across from my cafe, right? I've already signed you up there for the major you wanted," Liam announced.
"Huh... really, Uncle? Why so sudden? What's going on?" Dean asked, confused.
"Hmm, actually, there's no problem. It's just... my wife, Aunt Laura, is pregnant again. So she can't manage our business and come into the office every day. It's time for me to step up and handle everything myself. I feel bad for my wife if I'm still messing around at this cafe," Liam explained, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oh... okay... congratulations, Uncle," Dean said awkwardly.
"Y-yeah, congratulations, Uncle," Claire added.
"You two can live here. Just consider this cafe yours. It's time for me to let go of this cafe, because now my family is more important than this cafe that holds so many past memories. I've already started the process of transferring the title to your name," Liam said, looking around sadly.
"Huh... this... seriously, Uncle? Am I dreaming?" Dean asked, shocked.
"Of course not," Liam said, turning to Claire and smiling. "Claire, please keep Dean company here, okay? My wife used to keep me company here too, ever since I was 20, and we've been together ever since."
"W-wait, Uncle..." Dean started to say.
"Really, Uncle? By chance, I also got a scholarship to the university across from this cafe! That's why I wanted to move here from the first place," Claire said smoothly, cutting off Dean.
"Huh?" Dean looked at Claire, who seemed incredibly happy sitting next to him, like a child who just got their favorite discontinued candy.
"Hahaha... I know. I looked into you last night. That's why I signed Dean up at the same university, and it makes me feel at ease. He's interested in the Business faculty, with an Investment Business major, so I enrolled him there," Liam explained.
"Huh... you looked into her? (Not interested, but that's exactly what I did in my first life, building up in the investment business world from entry-level until I ended up became the main director of an import-export company)," Dean asked, surprised.
"Yeah, she's Claire Anderson, daughter of Jordan Brown and Sarah Anderson, studies at St. Gloria High, 12th grade, 1st class, and excels in track and field, Right?" Liam asked casually.
"Wow... that's right! You're amazing, Uncle Liam!" Claire replied with a wide smile.
"Hmm... this must be my grandpa's subordinates' work, right?" Dean asked.
"Hahaha... exactly! You're really smart. Your dad would be proud of you," Liam replied.
"So, when do I start managing this cafe?" Dean asked.
"Today," Liam said, smiling.
"Huh... today?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, I already asked my guys to handle everything. You just need to show up," Liam said with a smile.
Dean thought for a moment, then looked at Liam seriously and extended his hand.
"Alright, Uncle, I get it. I won't disappoint you. Thank you," Dean said.
"Perfect! I'm counting on you to take care of this cafe, my grandma's legacy," Liam said, shaking Dean's hand and smiling.
"I'll help too, Uncle!" Claire added.
"Yeah, I trust you," Liam replied.
"But why did you ask my grandpa's subordinates to investigate Claire?" Dean asked.
"Because... I don't trust anyone, and besides, I promised your mom and dad I'd look after you. So, before I make a decision, I need to know if it's the right one and that you're safe," Liam replied casually.
"Who was your grandpa, Dean?" Claire asked, curious.
"My grandpa's name was Kyle. He passed away from an illness. He used to be a cop and... a private investigator," Dean replied.
"Oh... I see. Your dad's father?" Claire asked.
"Yeah, my dad was the first child, then Uncle Tyler, then Aunt Amanda, and then Uncle Liam (he turned to Liam). Right, Uncle?" Dean asked Liam.
"Exactly! It's a shame your dad passed away on duty not long after your grandpa adopted me, but I knew your mom very well," Liam said.
"Oh... so your dad was a cop too, Dean?" Claire asked.
"Yep, my dad was a cop," Dean answered.
"Okay, it's time for me to go back to the office now," Liam said, standing up.
"Oh... okay, Uncle. Thanks again!" Dean said, also standing.
"Yeah, Uncle, thank you!" Claire added, standing up as well.
"You're welcome. Take care of this cafe, both of you," Liam said.
"We will, Uncle!" they both replied.
Liam waved and walked to the door. "Ding!" The door chimed open. Liam paused, looked around the cafe one last time, smiled, and then left. After Liam was gone, "Thud!" Dean sank into his chair.
"Ugh... now I own a cafe," Dean mumbled.
["Good, right? This cafe can be our base."]
"Easy for you to say! This isn't going to be a base... but your idea isn't bad. Just don't stop me from making money for my daily needs and my family," Dean retorted in his head.
["Of course, as long as you don't forget your main job and clear your debt."]
"Yeah... yeah... understood," Dean replied in his head.
"Thud!" Suddenly, Claire hugged Dean from behind, making him jump in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Dean asked, trying to pry Claire's arms from around his neck.
"Hehe... so, can I move in here now? No need to wait until I graduate, right?" Claire asked.
"Darn... I forgot she wanted to move here, and now Uncle Liam has given away this cafe to me. I have no more excuses to refuse," Dean thought to himself. "Ahem, okay... but you'll be on the second floor, okay? I'll make a separate room for you. How about that?" Dean suggested.
"Nope, third floor, I want us to be together. I don't want to be alone, and I'm changing schools. I'm going to call Mom right now," Claire replied.
"Fine... but no need to change schools and call your mom, tell her that you want to move here with me (hopefully her mother won't let her move in with me)," Dean said, having run out of arguments, finally managing to free himself from Claire's hug.
"Okay, I'll call her now," Claire replied and pull out her smartphone.
["Don't be like that, look at her face, she looks so happy right?"]
"Shut up," Dean said in his head.