Blue Flame

Chapter 2: Latte

"For the 3rd time, this is not the report I was referring to, yesterday. Were you really listening to me?" The blonde haired woman looked away as guilt was written all over her face.

"God, do you really want this job? How many times have you been f*****g things up, Cath? This is not like you!" For some reason, my voice went up angrily as I sighed in frustration.

"I-I'm sorry, Sir. I'll revise it right away-" She stuttered.

"You know what? Just fix this and get out of my sight." I said as I massaged my temples, holding my s**t together.

When she was finally out, my body weakened onto the chair's back as I stared at the ceiling. I feel like as if Bryan's new relationship really affected me so bad. I couldn't get it out of my head since I knew that he wanted us to meet his new girl tonight.

I stood up, brought my coat with me and stormed off my office as people greeted me on my way out. It may be rude of me right now, but I'm not really in the mood to face anyone as of the moment.

Treading onto the next building was my favorite café. I always come here whenever I need to calm myself down and I think I deserve to think things through first. Sitting on my favorite spot, a familiar waitress addressed me with a smile.

"The usual, please." Just as how she knew what I want to order, she stormed off and went back with a hot vanilla rooibos latte with coconut milk and kombucha on tap, and a seasonal marron parfait as desert.

The taste just puts me at ease as I sipped from the cup. I could stay in here for awhile and just escape from reality. As much as I hate to admit that Bryle is happy and I should let him be, I can't help myself but be curious of who the woman she is pertaining to. I was planning not to attend the dinner later to meet his new interest as the thought of seeing them together will surely pain me. But what if this woman is just using him because of his wealth? Right? That must be it.

I convinced myself that coming would just be a part of me being concerned of Bryle since he is my friend after all. Or is that it?

While I was peacefully pondering, a petite woman suddenly stumbled at my table resulting for my shirt to be drenched with the latte I was enjoying. I immediately stood up as it was hot enough to sting underneath my long sleeves.

"What the f—" I was cut off when she hurriedly got a napkin from the table and wiped the part she soaked me onto.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!" She repeated as she looked at me with remorse.

"It's fine." She stopped when I rolled my sleeves up and got a new handful of napkin to wipe my bare skin. It stung a little which made me groan uncomfortably.

"I'm so sorry," She once again said as I continued. I can feel my brows furrow when the woman gently held my arm and looked at it while it was turning red from the hot latte.

"How careless of me," She looked sorry and blew air of it. I was taken aback when she did it but I unconsciously let her be, it abruptly reminded me of my mother who used to do the same whenever I feel pain from my body. After for a few moments, I yanked my arm away when I snapped out from reality. Though, as much as I can tell from her actions, she has this kind look which you can tell she was genuine.

The same waitress came to my table and fixed the mess the woman made, I demanded for the bill as the woman just stood up there silently. When the waitress handed me the tab, she got it from her and paid it.

"I'm really sorry, sir. Please come with me so that I can replace your sleeves and that I can make it up to you!" The petite repeated for the nth time and it became annoying for me to hear.

"It's okay, I got this. You didn't have to pay the bill for me," I stated with a rather soft voice.

"No, it was my fault I wasted your beverage. And please let me buy you a new long sleeves." She begged and even when I turned her down for a lot of times, she firmly insisted which made me leave no choice as people were starting to get an attention from us.

We went to the nearest department store and as if she knew my size, she hand picked a long sleeve for me and let me change in a dressing room. And heck, it fit perfectly on me which was odd and amusing at the same time.

When I got out, she said she already bought it.

"I'm sor—" Before she could finish her sentence I interrupted.

"I said it's fine, just stop apologizing." She heavily sighed and started to talk once more. She's too talkative, that's for sure.

"I was trying to walk around with these heels but I think I still need to practice more." It made me wonder.

"If you were having a hard time on those sandals why not just wear something that's comfortable on you?" I asked.

"I'm trying on wearing it since it was a gift, I didn't want to put it to waste. And I have to wear it later so I have to get used to it." She awkwardly tugged her lips up.

"Alright, see you then." As I was about to walk away, she held my hand. When I faced her with confusion, she jerked her own hand. What now?

"I'm sorry, I just want to get your sleeves so that I can clean it." God, those 'sorries' are becoming irritating to hear.

"You don't have to," I frowned when I heard the apology once more.

"Please, let me do this. I can't just let you go when I feel bad about it, my conscience just won't." She implored. Looking at her, she looked like the type of person who doesn't take no for an answer and I have to go back to the office as soon as possible to continue my work. I wasted half an hour just for this commotion to happen when it should be my time in winding things up. It'll be more time consuming for me to make another argument with her so I gave the soaked sleeves.

"Thank you! I'll give it back whenever I can," Her facade changed from being so guilty into a gleeful smile, now that I got a clearer glimpse of her face, she looked pretty smiling.

That was weird, I thought as my mind just blurted it out.

"I'm Mary, by the way. You don't have to tell me your name but may I know your number? So that I'll know where to-" I didn't hesitate on giving her my calling card before she could continue.

"My secretary will receive it for me, I have to go." I stated as she got the card. And before I tread off, some part of me suddenly took the urge to thank her.

"Thank you." I said as my thoughts flooded with Bryle and how miserable I felt on the way to my office. And it made me wonder, if only I were a woman, it would've been different... I guess.

---

Not putting much thought into it, I gulped the last ounce of wine from the glass.

"Woah, Trav, there you go again with your habit," Spencer, as nosy as he is, knows me well and I kind of hate that he can notice faster than the three of them ever could.

"Dude, tell us what's wrong, you've somehow changed ever since Bryle hasn't spent that much time in our circle. You know, that's understandable because I am, too, a victim of his lies. Just when he says he would come with us to drink some booze he wouldn't, right, Matty?" He looked at Matthew as if he made some points for him to agree.

"Stop calling me Matty, Spens, it's f*****g disgusting." Matthew scoffed as a grumpy man like him would react.

"Aw, come on, you even call me Spens!" He laughed.

"Shut the f**k up, man," Spencer then continued on teasing him which made me feel at ease for a moment as his attention was on the other.

Sorry, Matthew I can't deal with him right now. I thought.

As they were both clamoring, two people came in. Bryle and a familiar woman who was clinging her arms onto him.

"You're going to be fine, Mary," I heard Bryle as they walked in the VIP room in the restaurant we're all staying.

Wait, he said Mary?

As soon as I got a look in her face, it occured to me she was the woman I met earlier from the café. Our eyes met when they both entered.

"Mary?" I said in disbelief.

"OMG, it's you!" Her eyes widen.

"You know each other?" Bryle looked at us with a pry manner.