CHAPTER ONE
711 Words
Monday Mornings Taste Like Coffee
There were two things Arielle Noelle Vergara never rushed.
Her coffee.
And her mornings.
While the rest of the city slowly came alive with blaring alarms and impatient traffic, the Vergara residence remained wrapped in the familiar comfort of home.
The kitchen smelled of freshly brewed coffee and butter melting over warm toast.
It smelled like every childhood memory Arielle had ever known.
She walked downstairs, still tying the ribbon around her ponytail, only to find exactly what she expected.
Chaos.
"That's my bacon."
"No, it's our bacon."
"Cassian, put it back."
"I'm just making sure it isn't poisoned."
Lucien looked up from the newspaper and sighed.
"You're twenty-seven."
"I'm twenty-seven and hungry."
"You've been hungry since birth."
Arielle couldn't help but laugh.
"Good morning."
Five pairs of eyes immediately turned toward her.
"There she is."
"The princess has arrived."
"Took you long enough."
"Morning, Belle."
She smiled.
"Good morning."
Without saying a word, her mother placed a warm mug of coffee beside her plate.
One spoon of brown sugar.
A splash of fresh milk.
Exactly how Arielle liked it.
"You remembered."
Celestine smiled while fixing the collar of her blouse.
"I always do."
It was such a small gesture.
Yet somehow...
Those were the moments Arielle treasured the most.
Because love didn't always have to be loud.
Sometimes...
It looked like a cup of coffee made exactly the way you liked it.
---
"Big day?"
Leandro folded his newspaper.
"Design presentation."
Arielle nodded.
"If Professor Valencia doesn't reject my model first."
Evren leaned back in his chair.
"Relax."
"If he rejects it, we'll just buy the university."
The table fell silent.
Everyone slowly looked at him.
"What?"
Lucien pinched the bridge of his nose.
"That's not how problems are solved."
"I was joking."
"Were you?"
"I think."
Cassian laughed so hard he almost spilled his orange juice.
"I vote yes."
"No one asked you."
---
Breakfast at the Vergara house was never quiet.
Someone was always laughing.
Someone was always teasing.
Someone was always stealing food that wasn't theirs.
And somehow...
It always ended with Lucien paying for everyone's coffee on the way home.
Again.
---
At exactly 7:15 a.m., Arielle stood by the front door, slipping on her white sneakers.
Her drafting tube rested against her shoulder.
Backpack?
Checked.
Sketchbook?
Checked.
Wallet?
Checked.
Confidence?
...Still loading.
"You'll do great."
Celestine kissed her forehead.
"I hope so."
"You don't have to be perfect."
"I know."
"You only have to do your best."
Arielle smiled.
"I learned that from you."
---
"I'll drive you."
Lucien reached for his car keys.
"You drove me yesterday."
"So?"
"I can commute."
"It's Monday."
"Exactly."
"Which means the buses are full."
She sighed.
"You always have an answer."
"I've had twenty-nine years to practice."
---
The drive to St. Victoria University felt peaceful.
Soft music played through the speakers.
Outside, the city was slowly waking up.
Coffee shops welcomed their first customers.
Students hurried across intersections.
Office workers checked the time every few seconds.
Another ordinary Monday.
"I almost forgot."
Lucien glanced at her.
"Dinner tonight."
"What about it?"
"Everyone has to be home."
"Why?"
"You'll find out later."
"...That's suspicious."
He smiled.
"It is."
---
The university gates came into view.
Students poured into the campus from every direction, filling the morning with conversations, laughter, and hurried footsteps.
Lucien pulled over.
"Text me if you need anything."
"I always do."
"And answer."
"I always answer."
"...Eventually."
She laughed.
"Bye, Kuya."
"Have a good day, Belle."
"You too."
---
Arielle stepped out of the car and took a deep breath.
The crisp morning air carried the scent of freshly cut grass and coffee from a nearby café.
She looked up at the familiar Architecture Building standing proudly beneath the golden morning sun.
Another ordinary day.
Exactly the kind she loved.
Adjusting the strap of her backpack, she started walking across the courtyard.
Completely unaware...
That somewhere on the other side of campus—
Someone else had just arrived.
And before the morning came to an end...
Their paths would cross for the very first time.
Not because of fate.
Not because of destiny.
But because sometimes...
Life changes in the smallest, most unexpected moments.
---
End of Chapter One 🤍
- Writer
