Caffeine and Alcohol

4 - Dexter

Dexter

“Don’t you have anything better to do than to pester me into waiting for him?” I said, looking at Lian with fake seriousness.

We’re still at Café Louvre, even though for all we know Riley’s shift is at midnight again. I looked around and unlike at midnight, the café is filled with people.

“What about you? Don’t you have anything better to do than to wait for him?” I rolled my eyes at what she said. I took a sip of my coffee and looked at the guy at the counter.

He was no help at all.

I heaved a sigh and relaxed my shoulder that I didn’t know was tensed. I looked at Lian and she raised a brow at me.

“Why are you so tense, huh?” she asked.

“I’m not,” I answered. I fished out my phone from my pocket and decided to search for him on f*******:. We must have a common friend. I typed his name, Riley, but as expected, there were a lot of Riley that popped up on the screen. I cursed at myself on why I didn’t ask for his socials.

“Who are you texting?” Lian asked, I looked at her and gave her an irritated look. I don’t know why she’s still bothering me. I already came with her so that she’ll meet Riley, but lucky her, he’s not here.

“None of your business,” I snapped. I sighed and put my phone back in my pocket.

“Why are you so moody today? I’m just looking out for you, you need someone beside you right now for all we know,” she said, concern flashing in her eyes. I felt guilty because I’m her favorite person yet here I am being a b***h without any valid reason.

“Sorry, sorry. Can we go? I think Riley’s shift is at midnight, anyway,” I said, inviting her to leave this café. I looked at the familiar man at the counter. That’s when it hit me, he looks like the person we’re waiting for. He looks like Riley!

“Let’s go?” Lian got my attention. I nodded and stood up. I grabbed my stuff and went towards the exit. Maybe that’s why he didn’t give information about Riley because maybe he’s his brother.

~*~

“So, what do you want to do?” Lian asked as we entered my apartment. I placed my bag on the table and went to get some water.

“Water?” I offered, she nodded. I then gave her a glass of water. I felt so drained that I think I need to sleep for the day.

“What’s the matter, hon?” Lian asked, placing the glass of water on the center table. I looked at her that’s when I notice the first fall of tears in my eyes. I stopped it immediately.

I don’t know why my tears started to fall. Maybe I’m just exhausted. Tired from the news from yesterday’s talk with Wallace, my ex.

“Why did that happen,” I joked around, returning the pitcher of water I was holding. I looked at Lian and she was looking at me with so much concern.

“Want to talk about it?” she asked, but I don’t know what there is to talk about.

“I don’t know, what is there to talk about. I’m just tired, I guess,” I said, giving her a sincere smile.

Sure, the two of us may banter at times, but we’re like siblings. There may be times that we fight and talk too much, but at the end of the day, all we have is each other.

“Come here,” she said, patting the space beside her. We used to do this when we were younger, whoever gets upset should be comforted by the order by brushing their hair.

I lied down beside her, my head resting on her lap. I felt hot tears falling down my eyes. I let it fall and made no sound.

“What’s the problem, Dex?” Lian asked again. I looked at her and wiped my eyes.

“The talk Wallace and I had last night just hit me right now, I feel so useless and unlovable that somehow my lover cheated on me,” I said, still wiping the tears.

“Dex, like I told you, it’s not your fault he cheated, it’s his choice,” she reassured me, but somehow, the self-pity is overwhelming.

“But there’s always a reason why he did that, maybe I’m that reason,” I said, sitting down. I sighed and calmed down.

“People would cheat when they want to, it’s never your fault if he did so,” she said, patting my back and giving me a sympathy smile.

“Maybe you’re right, but what he did was traumatizing, to be honest. I might get trust issues on my future partners,” I said, looking down.

“Then that’s something they would have to deal with to be with you,” she said, standing up and grabbing her bag.

“You’re leaving, you just got here?” I asked, wiping my stained eyes. I stood up so we were on eye level.

“You need to rest,” she simply said, hugged me, and went towards the door.

“Text me when you get home, okay?” I told her, she nodded and left. I closed the door and went straight to my room. I jumped on the bed and let sleep take over me.

~*~

Why am I in front of Café Louvre again? I’m going to be filled with caffeine one of these days. I looked at the glass door in front of me and heaved a sigh.

No time like tonight.

It’s 2 AM, and according to a show I watched, nothing good happens after 2 AM. So why am I persistent in coming here? Maybe I just need someone to talk to.

I entered the café and looked at the counter. There stands a girl instead of the boy I’m looking for. I sighed and was about to leave but decided to have a coffee instead.

I ordered my coffee and refrained from asking for Riley. I sat down at the booth near the window and enjoyed my coffee.

I looked around and found the café peaceful at such time. I took a deep breath and smiled. Maybe I don’t need someone to feel grounded at such tiring times at all.

I’m the only customer at the café just like last time. I looked at the door and there entered the man I was looking for. He was looking at the counter, at the girl there and then he saw me.

He was shocked but then gave me a smile. He waved and so I waved back. I felt my cheeks heat up, why does he have this effect on me?

He went straight to the girl at the counter before walking towards me. I swear at that moment, the world slowed down. And they said nothing good happens after 2 AM, but here he is, proving that statement wrong.