Last night...
1238 Words
TESSA
I didn't say a word. I just stared at him through the silence growing between us. My hands and feet turned cold thinking… Did I reveal everything about my past?
“Glasses?” He leaned against the door.
“Sorry for whatever nonsense I said last night. Did I say anything else?”
“Are you hiding more secrets?” He raised a brow, a teasing smile lingering on his lips. “Don't tell me… He had more affairs?”
A sense of relief washed over my skin. He didn't know anything.
“Just get out, Kyle.”
“Ungrateful brat.” He said beneath his breath.
“W-What?”
He didn't answer.
He turned around and walked away, leaving the door hanging between us.
Though he was gone, I could still feel his scent in my entire house, in my bed, and even on my lingerie. The dangerous, intoxicating scent strangely felt both easing and suffocating.
The rest of the day, I stayed in my room. Maya called me before heading to the café. She didn't remember anything either.
It was embarrassing that the Iron Reapers dropped us at home.
When I arrived at the café, I jumped straight into work. The place was packed. Every table was occupied, and a long line of customers stretched toward the door.
People were ordering nonstop, praising the coffee, the pastries, and nearly everything on the menu. For the first time in a long while, the café felt alive. And watching customers enjoy what we had worked so hard to create made every exhausting moment feel worth it.
Suddenly, Mrs. Gable showed up with a basket of fruits. “Tessa, I'm so happy for you.” A pure smile stretched on her lips.
“Thank you, Mrs. Gable. But without Maya, I couldn't have handled everything.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Now she's doing something and not fooling around.”
“Mom, stop,” Maya whispered, awkward.
“By the way, a newlywed couple is coming to our town. The man's got a redevelopment project or something in this area. Our town head told me to find a place for them.”
“Will your upstairs be available?” She leaned forward, her voice dropping low.
A breath slipped free of my lips. “I wish I could say yes. But the gang upstairs signed a long-term lease with my grandpa. I'm really sorry, Mrs. Gable.”
Maya rested her arms on the wooden counter. “Mom, the house opposite Tessa’s is empty. The owner went abroad years ago. He rarely comes back. Why don't you talk to him?”
“Oh! Right! I should contact him.”
“Sometimes, you give good ideas.”
Suddenly, her face turned dark. “But… Both of you, stay away from the Iron Reapers. Kyle used to be a good boy. Not anymore.”
“Talking about me, Mrs. Gable?” The deep voice sliced the quiet of the room. I peeked over her shoulder, and his blue eyes met mine.
He slowly came closer, the Reapers following closely, and stopped an inch away from the counter. “What were you saying, Mrs. Gable?”
“Tessa, I need to go.” Having said that, she vanished faster than the wind.
Maya and I passed each other a glance.
Kyle leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm on the counter as he looked up at me with unmistakable amusement in his eyes.
“So this café is just a front for spreading rumors about us?”
“What? No! Mrs. Gable was just…” I nearly dropped the tray in my hands.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“Don’t tell me you enjoy talking about me when I’m not around, glasses. Don't tell me that you were the one who spread rumors about me in school… That I'm a masochist.”
A part of me was guilty. I indeed spread that rumor when he beat me in a quiz competition. He was practically rubbing it on my face.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I thought we were on better terms after last night.”
The moment the words left his mouth, I grasped, regretting them instantly.
Kyle’s brows rose.
“After last night?” He repeated slowly.
The Reapers immediately perked up.
“This sounds interesting.”
“What exactly happened last night, Kyle?”
Their imaginations were already running wild, and he was smiling shamelessly.
“Kyle,” I warned, shooting him a glare. “Stop. The customers can hear you.”
He glanced around the crowded café. Every table was occupied. Several customers had openly paused their conversations to listen.
Then he looked back at me and shrugged.
“So?”
He was being difficult.
“Nothing happened last night!” I announced loudly enough for the entire café to hear.
The room went quiet.
Every customer suddenly seemed fascinated by their coffee. The Reapers exchanged knowing looks before slowly turning their attention back to me.
“Last night...” Kyle started.
My stomach dropped.
“Kyle, don't…”
“Tessa didn't let me sleep a wink.”
My eyes widened.
The café erupted.
A few customers gasped. Someone nearly choked on their drink. The Reapers burst into laughter so loud it rattled the windows.
“I thought you two were enemies,” Zen muttered softly, teasing us.
Rage took over me as I marched out from behind the counter and stopped directly in front of him. “Get out of my café. Right now.”
The smile on his face only grew.
“That seems excessive, glasses.”
I shoved a hand against his chest. “Out.”
Another shove. “You are officially banned from this café.”
Kyle glanced around innocently. “Just me?”
“No. Your whole gang.”
A chorus of protests immediately followed.
“That isn't fair,” Zack complained.
“We didn't even say anything,” Raven added.
“You encourage him,” I shot back.
Kyle rubbed his jaw as if seriously considering my punishment. “Permanent ban?”
“Yes.”
He was still fighting a mischievous smile. I pushed him to the door. Kyle paused at the threshold and looked back over his shoulder.
That infuriating smirk was still there.
“You know,” he said casually, “I still haven't finished telling them about last night.”
The café exploded with interest again.
“OUT!” My voice echoed through the room.
Laughing, the Reapers practically dragged Kyle outside before I found something heavier than a tray to throw at him.
Maya stood next to me. “So what exactly happened last night?” She whispered.
“Maya!”
She strode back to the counter.
Luckily, they didn't come back. It was almost time to pull down the shutter.
*Knock *Knock
I turned around, expecting to see that jerk again, but instead, a group of thugs stood in the doorway.
They were dressed in animal-print shirts, gold chains hanging from their necks, and chunky rings covering their fingers.
“Be careful,” Maya whispered.
“Sorry. We're closed.”
They barged inside as if they owned my place. “We're not here for your coffee, lady.” The one with the clean-shaven head spoke.
“We're here for protection money.”
I just knew I was in serious danger.
- Writer
