Early Morning — Emar's Room and Opening the Café
Emar woke before dawn. The city outside was already alive — holo-ads flickering like constellations against the morning sky, transport pods buzzing past in precise streams, digital banners fluttering in the air like neon birds.
He locked his door, took a slow breath, and stepped into the fresh dawn.
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Café — Opening and Morning Rush
Inside the café, Emar powered on the machines with practiced efficiency, setting vents and calibrations as soft mechanical whirs filled the air.
Customers began to arrive, their chatter mixing with the hum of technology. Emar moved through the day seamlessly — taking orders, managing supplies, coordinating deliveries.
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Gloria Arrives — The Usual Exchange
After a long stretch, Gloria slipped in, slightly breathless.
"Sorry I'm late!" she smiled, eyes bright.
Emar glanced at her, expression calm but intense. "Early, as always."
She grinned wider, cheerful and full of life.
"One should be early and hardworking," Emar said quietly, voice low but steady, "to earn more in a world that never waits."
Gloria nodded, energized.
"Because of poor management," Emar continued, "we can't afford advanced machinery yet. But if we push, if we endure, we'll have digital workers like those holo-promotions in the sky — endless helpers, endless reach."
Gloria laughed softly, teasing, "Whatever you say, boss. But slacking isn't in my vocabulary — even if goofing off with people is more fun than working."
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Days and Months — Growth and Grind
Time passed. The café thrived under Emar's quiet command and Gloria's vibrant spark.
While Gloria bantered and brightened the room, Emar hummed softly, focused and unyielding, balancing every credit, every task.
Their combined efforts grew the business steadily. The digital signs above the city sparkled brighter — their humble café a small but growing beacon amid the vast urban expanse.
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Emar's words were few but heavy — the weight of responsibility, the fire of ambition — and beneath it all, a silent promise that no matter how small the beginnings, greatness could be forged with relentless effort.
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Early Morning — The Café
Emar arrived early as usual, his routine precise and focused. But day after day, Gloria came late — each time testing his patience a little more.
One morning, as the café buzzed softly with the first customers, Emar's calm cracked.
He pulled her aside one morning, voice low but tense.
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Rush Hour — Machinery Breakdown
The café was buzzing, orders flowing fast, when the kitchen machinery suddenly ground to a halt with a harsh clang.
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Customers grew restless.
Emar turned sharply to Gloria.
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The chefs shouted again.
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Without waiting, Emar rolled up his sleeves and headed into the kitchen.
Gloria returned to the front, joking and chatting with customers, clearly ignoring the mess behind her.
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After the Rush — Emar's Confrontation
Once the machines hummed again, Emar's frustration boiled over.
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He turned sharply and headed toward the machinery room to check the system.
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The Silent Intruder — The Confrontation
Unnoticed by Gloria, a figure quietly slipped into the café.
He followed Emar into the machinery room and the door hissed shut behind them.
Without warning, the figure grabbed Emar by the collar.
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Emar met his gaze, steady but wary.
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The grip tightened briefly.
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He released Emar, stepping back.
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He left the room, the door sealing softly behind him.
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Back in the Café — Tense Silence
Emar rubbed his collar, breathing deep.
Gloria, unaware of the confrontation, smiled as usual.
But the atmosphere between them was heavier now — unspoken tension hanging thick in the air.
After the Confrontation — Emar's Change
Emar stood for a moment, rubbing his shoulder where the grip had been. A slow, almost amused smile crossed his face.
A low laugh escaped him — a soft, chilling "Haaa, blood."
His eyes sharpened, intense and fierce.
Removing his apron with deliberate calm, he folded it neatly and stepped back into the café.
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Back in the Café — Emar's New Command
His voice, now sharp and commanding, cut through the room.
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The café fell silent, customers and workers alike stunned by this new Emar.
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Gloria's eyes widened, shocked.
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Gloria's defiance sparked.
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She thought he was bluffing.
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Emar's Final Move and Departure
Emar swiped his holo-pad, recording everything.
With a few swift gestures, he transferred his shares and profits to his own account.
He looked around, his gaze sharp and commanding.
With a nod, he turned and left the café — leaving a stunned crowd behind.
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After Emar Leaves — Gloria's Shock and Closing the Café
Gloria stood frozen a moment, watching Emar's back fade through the door. The sharpness in his voice and the fire in his eyes left her stunned.
Slowly, she began closing the café — wiping counters, switching off machines, putting chairs up. The exhaustion hit her hard once everything was done. With a deep sigh, she left the quiet café behind.
At Home — Parents' Concern and Family Argument
When Gloria arrived home exhausted, her parents immediately noticed her weary, worried expression.
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Gloria hesitated but then shared everything — Emar's sudden hard attitude, his sharp warning, and the threat to dissolve the café.
Her mother's eyes widened in concern.
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Gloria's father sat silently at first, but then his face darkened.
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The room grew tense.
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The family fell into heavy silence, absorbing the truth.
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The Truth Revealed — Emar's Sacrifice
Later, Gloria's mother revealed the hardest truth.
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Shock rippled through the room.
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The weight of guilt settled over them all.
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The Father's Change of Heart
The next morning, Gloria's father quietly spoke to his daughter.I felt a shiver run through me. Like a shadow of death.>>While talking to him
He looked at Gloria with sincere regret.
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Gloria nodded.
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Her mother smiled softly.
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The Plan — Making Amends
Gloria's father smiled with determination.
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Gloria laughed lightly.
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They all agreed — tomorrow would mark a new start.
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Early Morning at the Café — Gloria Opens Alone
Gloria arrived early the next day, pushing open the door and stepping inside. She moved quickly, cleaning tables, arranging chairs, and switching on the machines. The café was quiet — but soon, customers began trickling in.
Their eyes widened in shock as they saw Gloria opening up by herself.
One regular whispered to another, disbelief in their voice.
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Gloria caught the murmurs and grinned, playfully raising her voice:
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Laughter rippled through the room.
A curious customer called out:
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Gloria blinked, then said with a chuckle:
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The whole café burst into laughter.
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The Morning Rush — Gloria's Realization
As the café filled, Gloria busied herself with taking orders and managing the bustle. But with every task, her mind drifted.
She realized now, truly, how much Emar had done alone over the years — the endless labor, the sacrifices.
Shame crept over her face.
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Waiting for Emar — Father's Vigil
Gloria's father came in, quietly taking a seat near the register. He glanced at the door, hope flickering in his eyes.
Minutes passed.
More people trickled in, quietly watching the door, expecting Emar's return or at least hearing word of him.
But time slipped by.
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The Shattering Truth — Emar Is Gone
Gloria approached her father.
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She pulled out her holo-pad and tried calling Emar. Each time, the AI assistant answered.
His room was locked.
Nearby info stations confirmed: Emar had sold his place, closed his accounts, and officially shut down his register.
Her heart sank.
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Breaking Down — Alone at the Café
Slowly, she walked back toward the café floor.
Tears welled in her eyes as she told the customers what she had learned.
As the day waned and the café closed, Gloria sat down in Emar's usual seat.
She wept quietly.
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She covered her face.
Her father gently took her hand.
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At Home — Quiet Sadness
Back home, Gloria and her mother sat quietly.
Though sadness lingered, they tried to remain calm, holding each other in the stillness of the evening.
At Home — Gloria's Promise and Parents' Support
Gloria sat with her parents that evening, her eyes still a little red but filled with quiet determination.
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Her mother smiled softly, squeezing Gloria's hand.
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Her father nodded, a rare warmth in his eyes.
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Gloria laughed lightly, feeling a little of the weight lift from her chest.
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Together, they shared a quiet moment of hope — a small spark of light in the uncertain days ahead.
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