SWNOVELXO Chapter 4: Chapter 4 : Grind Me Gently(II)
The alarm buzzed like an angry wasp at 7 a.m., dragging Rhea out of a dreamless sleep. She stared at the ceiling, willing the world to give her five more minutes—ten if possible. But reality, as usual, was ruthless.
With a groan, she sat up, her fingers fumbling for the phone that gleamed on the nightstand like a judgmental eye. The screen lit up:
[Good morning, Rhea. Ready to make another day slightly less miserable?]
She snorted quietly, then swiped the notification away.
The apartment was quiet except for the distant hum of the city waking up: cars honking, birds that sounded more like crows on espresso, and somewhere, a dog barking at a motorcycle. Rhea liked this noise. It was honest. Raw. No fake filters, no Instagram smiles.
She got dressed in the same hoodie and jeans, hoping the smell of yesterday's coffee wouldn't chase her out the door.
Outside, the air was humid but not unbearable. The city was slowly shaking off its own grogginess. People were spilling out of brownstones and fire escapes, clutching reusable cups and their caffeine-fueled hopes.
Rhea walked to Grind Me Gently, her shoes tapping out a beat against the cracked pavement. Her mind wandered to the woman with the phoenix tattoo. She wasn't sure why that image stuck—maybe it was the contrast between the tattoo's fiery symbolism and the woman's calm, almost serene demeanor.
[System Update:]
Observation Log: Tattoo of a phoenix detected. Symbolism suggests resilience and rebirth. Potential bond candidate profile match: Low to moderate.
Recommended action: Casual observation encouraged. Do not stare.
"Noted," Rhea muttered under her breath.
She arrived early, which gave her a moment to breathe before the chaos. Lark was already there, humming softly as she ground fresh beans with practiced ease.
"Morning," Lark said without looking up. "Ready for round two?"
"Does surviving round one mean I get a medal?" Rhea asked.
Lark laughed, a sound like dry leaves rustling. "Survive round thirty, you get a crown. Maybe a tiara."
Rhea smirked. "One day at a time."
The café slowly filled. The early crowd was a mix of sleepy students, local artists, and people who probably had a very complicated relationship with caffeine.
A woman with short, curly hair and glasses settled into the corner with a laptop plastered in stickers—rainbows, cats, and some indie bands Rhea pretended to recognize.
"Same order as yesterday?" Lark called out.
The woman nodded, and Rhea set to work, trying to memorize the coffee machine's temper tantrums while juggling the register and her racing thoughts.
Mid-shift, Rhea caught herself watching the phoenix lady again. Today, she was with a friend—a tall woman with a sharp bob cut and a laugh that sounded like jazz notes.
The two spoke softly but with intensity, their conversation a dance of glances and half-smiles.
Rhea felt a strange pang, a mix of envy and curiosity.
[System Message:]
Emotional response detected: Envy. Reflection recommended.
She tapped the screen and opened her notebook.
"Envy feels like wanting what someone else has — but sometimes, it's a signpost pointing toward what you really want."
The thought was comforting and unsettling all at once.
During her break, Rhea stepped outside, the late morning sun warm on her skin. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through the System's messages—pep talks, reminders, cryptic quotes.
[Daily Reflection:]
What moment today made you feel the most alive?
Rhea stared at the question, biting her lip.
Was it the way the sun caught the steam rising from a latte? The kindness in the barista's smile? The way the woman with the phoenix tattoo tucked a stray curl behind her ear without noticing?
She typed:
"The small things. A smile. A look. A moment that felt like it wasn't just passing by."
She sent it, feeling oddly vulnerable.
Back inside, the café was quieter as the lunch rush died down.
A man came in with a tiny dog in a handbag. Rhea couldn't help but laugh when the dog gave her a judgmental sniff.
"Hey, little guy," she said, "You run this place?"
Lark rolled her eyes. "Probably."
Then the door chimed again, and in walked Madeline Torres, the woman with the business card from yesterday.
She looked around casually before ordering a black coffee. When she reached the counter, Rhea's hands suddenly felt clammy.
"Good morning," Madeline said, her voice calm and warm.
"Morning," Rhea managed.
Madeline's eyes flicked briefly toward Rhea's name tag. "You're new."
"Day two," Rhea said. "Still trying not to spill anyone's drink."
Madeline smiled—a small, genuine curve that made Rhea's chest tighten.
"You're doing fine."
After the café closed, Rhea walked home slowly, the city's evening glow reflecting off wet pavement.
She thought about the phoenix tattoo, Madeline's smile, and the System's constant buzz inside her head.
[System Update:]
Emotional growth detected. Vulnerability increasing. Connection potential rising.
Her phone buzzed again.
[Reminder:]
The road to $100 trillion starts with $25 and a willingness to try.
Rhea laughed aloud.
Once home, she flopped onto her bed and pulled out her notebook.
"Chapter 4 Notes"
Survived day two without disaster
Watched the phoenix lady and felt envy (and maybe something more)
Spoke to Madeline Torres (rich, intimidating, nice)
The System's pep talks are weird but kind of necessary
Small moments might be everything
She closed the notebook and looked at the ceiling.
"Okay," she whispered. "One day at a time."
END OF CHAPTER 4