The cafe

Claire

My eyes were closed as I took in the delicious smell. The aroma of the food didn't help my now starving stomach. I was waiting for my order as I scrolled through my feed. I wasn't even hungry but as I was walking past this shop, I couldn't stop myself from entering it. I absolutely love the Aura of this place, it's a small, cute cafe type thing. I'd ordered chicken parmesan pasta, a blueberry muffin, along with a hot latte coffee with that wonderful latte art. Just as I was thinking about this, the waiter came to serve me my order and I passed him a smile with a "thank you"

As he left a familiar memory reappeared in my mind.

A few months ago

Tired after the stressful meeting, I saw a cute little cafe around the corner. Why am I just realising that I haven't had anything since lunch? I sighed as I entered the place and went to a free table. I didn't have to wait much before the waiter came to serve me. I smiled as I noticed his features. Dark black curly hair, deep blue eyes and a charming smile. I then thanked him for the delicious looking meal. After I had the meal, I asked for the bill which he got soon after and I left a tip with my number on a tissue and the bill amount as I left.

I always take the bills since it could be needed in the future. I glanced at the bill and saw some numbers written and realised that the waiter wrote his number on the bill which brought a smile to my face.

We both gave each other our number

I barely stopped myself from screaming like an excited high school girl

As soon as the food was on the table, I jumped right into it. The pasta was incredible and the sips of coffee I had in between only added to the taste. As I was done with my food after a long time, since I'm a slow eater, I then ate the blueberry muffin. God, everything about this place is so good. I then gestured my hand to the waiter asking him for the bill and he brought me the bill shortly along with a review card. I obviously gave this place 5 stars in every aspect and wrote a good review, I then paid the amount with a $15 tip. I smiled and left the place, satisfied.

As I left the place thinking about him yet again and the amazing experience at the place, I almost bumped into a guy and was about to say something but he beat me to it "Claire, right?"

Who was this person and how does he know me? I thought about it and then realised who he was after a moment "Oh, Carl right? You used to be Iris' neighbour, if I'm not wrong? "He smiled and nodded "yes, that's me" He then asked me if I lived in New York. I shook my head "Not really, but I'm here for work"

"Yeah, makes sense" He said smiling "So what are you doing here right now, I mean don't you have work?" I asked to which he replied "No, I have an off today, it's Saturday" I then face palmed myself "Oh yeah! Sorry, got out of my mind" I chuckled awkwardly. "No problem" He replied, smiling

"Have you got a gift for the couple?" I asked referring to Iris and Ethan

"No, I haven't, not yet" "I haven't either" I sighed "had a busy week too?" He chuckled while asking "Yeah, had to make up for the leave I'm taking" I replied "yeah same" He said, smiling

"Wait, so let's just go together?" I asked him to which he smiled as he replied

"Oh yes, that isn't a bad idea"

"So should we go now?" He offered

I looked at the watch on my right wrist, it was 5 "yeah sounds good"

At a store

"So she likes snowflakes" He said and my head snapped towards his direction "really?" "Yup, she's mentioned it like 100 times" I chuckled "Alright then what about that necklace" I said pointing towards a simple yet cute blue snowflake necklace "she'd love that, I'm sure" He said which earned him a smile from me

"But what about Ethan?" He asked, turning his face in my direction "Well...he likes guitars" "Oh really? Then come with me" He said taking me to another section, it was a section where there were different kinds of showpieces, he then pointed towards something and said "I remember seeing this earlier, he should like this" he said and I turned my head in the direction he was pointing to see a guitar showpiece "perfect" I said and he smiled at me

"Wait, should we get them a couple gift too?" I asked thinking about it and he nodded "Yeah we should" "Wait, I have the perfect idea" I said taking him to another section in the store and told him "this should be good" I pointed towards matching bracelets, one blue and the other black "blue's her favourite, right?" I asked and he nodded "and black is his?" He asked me back, earning a nod from me

"Great, got them all, now let's bill this" I nodded my head in agreement and we billed it and split the bill.

I then took him to a nearby shop, where I got cookies for the rest of the people and he got a 7 mug set, so each of us would have a matching mug.

He was selecting his choice of the mug set when I felt a weird feeling creeping in. I looked around, feeling the unwanted presence of the one person I wanted to stay away from at all costs. He is the last thing I need right now. Whenever I feel everything is going well, why does this have to happen. It's like the universe doesn't want me happy. I sigh, shaking my head.

Alright Claire, calm down. It's just a feeling. Maybe I'm wrong? I sure do hope I am.

"Claire?" I heard Carl calling out my name and raised my head to look at his worried face.

"Everything alright?"

"Uh- yes" I lied.

"You sure? You seemed disturbed"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Was just thinking about something" I forced a smile which I could tell he probably thought was fake but thankfully he didn't press the issue further.

We then got the stuff billed and sat on a bench as we were tired. "I'm hungry now" He said chuckling "I'm kinda hungry too" I said smiling

"Let's Try that place?" He suggested pointing towards a restaurant and I nodded in agreement "Yes, good idea"

After eating food

"Well that was a good decision, having food here" I said and he chuckled "Yes indeed"

We then split the bill and paid the amount "do you have your car?" I asked him to which he shook his head "Alright then, I'll give you a lift" I chuckled "thank you" He said smiling

We then walked towards my car, we both sat inside The car. I was driving but then I stopped my car and parked it. He raised a brow, confused and I just smiled and pointed towards the ice cream parlour "I'm craving some ice cream, so what do you say?" He chuckled hearing that and said "I never say no to ice cream" which earned him a chuckle from me. I then got out of the car and he did too, we then headed towards the ice cream parlour.

As we were looking at the different flavours of ice cream, he looked towards the mint flavour "do you like this?" He asked. I shook my head "tastes exactly like toothpaste" He chuckled "Well then not that" He muttered. I then glanced at an ice cream and asked the shopkeeper for it "the blueberry one please, one scoop and in a cone" I requested smiling at the shopkeeper "one blueberry ice cream coming right up" the shopkeeper said and gave me the ice cream. Carl then ordered for a cotton candy ice cream but in a cup

"Good choice" I said smiling "this tastes amazing" I added. He smiled right back at me and not long later got his ice cream. We both enjoyed the ice creams and then paid the bill before leaving.

We sat back in the car and I started driving. A good back and forth conversation was going on till we reached his place

"Arrived" I said smiling and pulling over to which he replied "Thanks a lot" with a wide smile "not an issue" I replied and he said "meet you soon, on the trip" I just smiled to that and waved him bye and he returned the gesture, then entered his house.

I then left the place for my house and as soon as I reached I jumped onto the bed and let out a tired sigh "finally"

I then opened my phone and went back to mine and the waiter's previous chats.

Adam: Are you a cup of coffee? 10:30 pm

Me: Who is this? 10:31 pm

Adam: sorry, forgot to introduce myself 10:32 pm

Adam: I'm the waiter who slipped his number on the bill 10:33 pm

Adam: So where was I? 10:34 pm

Me: A cup of coffee? 10:34 pm

Adam:Oh yeah. I asked if you were a cup of coffee. 10:35 pm

Me: Coffee? Why 10:36 pm

Adam: Because you keep me awake all night 10:36 pm

I chuckled. A pick up line?

Me: ok, that's a good one. A little cheesy though. 10:36 pm

Adam: thanks and I don't mind being cheesy 10:38 pm

I smiled, shaking my head. Anyone seeing me right now would see how I'm smiling like an idiot and that too just by reading these chats again.

Me: And does this waiter have a name? 10:38 pm

Adam: Haha of course 10:38 pm

Adam: It's Adam 10:39 pm

Me: An amazing name you got 10:40 pm

Adam: Thanks, what's your name? 10:40 pm

Me: I'm Claire 10:41 pm

Adam: Never thought that a name could be as beautiful as a person 10:42 pm

Me: haha thanks 10:42 pm

Reading the texts brought a smile on my now tired face. I then kept my phone aside, brushed and did my night routine. I went back into my room and laid down on my bed, about to sleep when I heard my phone beep. A smile formed on my face, thinking it was Adam but seeing the message on the screen, my face turned pale.

Unknown: Already found another guy, sweetheart? 12:20 am