Coffee Seduction (A Starbucks Love Story)

1st Cup  "Thanks for understanding boss Norm. I owe you one, big time!" Jared's probably grinning so wide I can almost hear it over the phone. He asked permission not to report for work because today is when he is going to propose to his girlfriend. "Love really ruins everything!" I let out a deep sigh as I put my phone in my pocket and wear my apron. My parents are rich. They own several hotels, restaurants, convenience stores and a lot more. I guess that makes me rich too, being their only child. I am the heir to their empire. I work at Starbucks. I didn't have to, but I am bored and this store is my newest playground. I like it here because I get to meet a lot of people, women in particular. And when I say "meet women" I mean, meeting them in bed. I was busy fixing the pastry rack when someone walked in. "Hi! Good morning!" I said without looking at the customer who went straight to the far end corner of the shop. I stood up to see her. She placed her black Converse backpack on the couch and pulled her jeans up which put emphasis to her curves. "Nice!" I covered my mouth with my hand as soon as the words came out. I wasn't supposed to say that aloud. She's wearing a black t-shirt with an infinity-shaped sort of like a friendship band printed on it. Her faded blue jeans hanging loosely off her waist covering a portion of her high cut black Chucks. She turned around and started to walk towards me. For a moment, my heart stopped beating. I held my breath in awe when she came face to face with me. The only thing that's stopping me from reaching for her was the cash register. Damn she's hot! I'm happy that this time, I was able to keep my mouth from blurting those words out. She gazed at me, and then looked up to check the list of the beverages. It gave me enough time to appreciate the view in front of me. Her long black wavy hair neatly flowing over her slender shoulders, her perfectly sculpted nose, and her dark brown eyes paired with long curly lashes. She was biting her lower lip while creasing her eyebrows when she ran through the list. I imagined myself biting those luscious lips. I was brought back from my reverie when she cleared her throat and started to speak. "I'll have a tall mocha please." She said in a very soft but steady voice. I tried to swallow the invisible lump that formed in my throat. It tasted like strawberry and mint, same as the smell of her breath. She flashed a bright smile . One that almost blinded me. What the heck?! What is this woman doing to me?! I heard myself screaming in my head. I have never been attracted to anyone. It's always the other way around. My mere presence makes women squirm and I've always enjoyed seeing them stutter when they talk to me, but this woman seems to be oblivious to my charm. "Frappe, iced or hot?" I gave her my own version of a boy-next-door smile that makes the girls swoon over me. "Extra hot." She was staring at me with blank expression on her face. She didn't even blink or show any sign of being drawn to me while I, was almost slobbering when she opened her mouth again. She sounded just like what she said. Hot. No. Scorching hot to be exact! "Extra hot." I absent-mindedly repeated what she said. I felt like I'm going to combust any minute. I tried to get a hold of myself. "Your name for the cup?" I asked in anticipation of her reply. At least I get to know her name without my intentions being known. Her response was quick. "AB". "I'm sorry. Your name again?" I asked shaking my head in embarrassment. I didn't catch her name because I was too busy thinking of what I'll do with her delicious lips. "AB. The name for the cup." She said c*****g her brow and pointing at the cup I was holding. "AB?" I looked at her and it felt like she regards me as stupid for not getting her name right the first time. "AB like ABC or ABNorm." She pointed at my name tag. I was dumbstruck for second until I realized that the last word she said was a joke. ABNorm is 2 letters short for ABNormal. It was corny but I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe because she was able to put our names together. She is one smart lady. She handed me her Starbucks card and when our fingers accidentally touched, I felt a rush of electricity ran through my veins. It was a tingling sensation that overpowered my body. I froze and her card accidentally slipped from my hand and fell on the floor. She bent over to reach for her card. I just stood there and watched as her shirt slid upward showing a little of her fair and smooth skin. And just like that, I felt the ground move and the strength that was keeping me from collapsing earlier just abandoned me. I stepped back trying to find my balance and leaned on the marble sink to keep myself from falling. What the f*ck is happening to me?! "Are you okay? You looked like you've seen a ghost." She said then she handed me her card again. I took it, carefully making sure that my fingers won't be in c0ntact with hers again. "I-I'm fine." What the hell! I'm stammering! I placed the card and the receipt on top of the counter and watched her fetch them. It's safer that way. She thanked me, and then she walked away. Whew! That was close! I was stealing glances at her while I was preparing her drink. From her backpack, she took out a sketchpad, a pencil, and a small white rectangular thing that looked like an eraser. She was busy sketching when I approached her with her drink in my hand. She had her headphones on and I could tell that she's listening to rock music because I can hear the sound from where I was standing. She noticed me standing in front of her so she took her headphones off. "I'm sorry. Were you calling me? I was listening to the music; I didn't hear you call my name." "It's not a big deal. Here's your drink." I placed the cup on top of the table adjacent to her because her sketchpad occupied the entire space of her table. "Thanks!" She smiled at me and my body starts to quiver again. Why does she have that effect on me? My phone suddenly rang and I was so thankful that I had an alibi get away from her before I lose control of my body again, but I was disappointed to see who was calling. "Excuse me." I said before I turned my back at her and walked towards the counter to answer the call. "Yes, Jessica." She is my mom's secretary. "You have an appointment with Miss Mondragon tomorrow at 8pm." Her voice was firm making sure I understand what she is saying. "Oh! The infamous Miss Mondragon. The one who declines all her arranged dates. She wants to have a date with me after shutting me out 2 months ago? What made her change her mind?" I asked in a sardonic tone. "It was your mother who set up your meeting with her. Please make sure you show ---" "Cancel that date, meeting whatever you want to call it. I am not going out with her!" I yelled not letting Jessica what she was about to say. I threw quick glance at AB to see if she heard me but she was wearing her headphones again. I sat on the floor so AB won't see me getting irritated. "Justin! Your mom was the one who set this up! And I already called Mondragon Enterprises to let them know about the meeting." I know that Jessica is getting a little frustrated because she called me by my real name. Norm is just my pseudonym because I don't want people to know me as Justin Sobrepeña, the heir of the Sobrepeña Group of Companies. I've worked hard to stay away from the limelight. Only my family and a few close friends know who I am. I studied abroad and came back as Norman Marasigan after graduating from college. I have fake IDs and documents to support my disguise. I even wore prosthetic make-up when my father f0rced me to attend board meetings for me to learn the ins and outs of our businesses. I've never introduced a woman to my parents and my mom was getting impatient. She was 37 when she gave birth to me and now that she's 64 and gets sick more often, she's afraid that she might not live long enough to see a grandchild. This is why her last resort was to set me up with her friends' and business partners' daughters. At first, it was okay for me to date anyone my mom sets me up with, but not this time. "Just cancel the f*****g meeting Jessica. I'll talk to my mother later!" I hang up. I have someone in mind that I would like to date and introduce to my parents. I stood up and looked at the corner but AB is no longer there. The only thing left is an empty cup of coffee.