Coffee Seduction (A Starbucks Love Story)

Iced White Mocha Americano

3rd Cup

I was so thrilled to meet AB again. Just like a high school student who can't sleep knowing that he will see his crush again. I wore my favorite perfume and rushed to the coffee shop.

Jared was on leave while Calvin was going to be late because he partied all night and overslept. The coffee shop is normally deserted on Wednesdays so Calvin's being late won't be a problem. Besides, I know that he was stealing glances at AB even if he knew that she is in the No Trespassing Zone, so not seeing him around while AB is in the shop will give me peace of mind.

I was busy reviewing the financial report when I saw AB walked in. "Hi! Good morning!" I cheerfully greeted her. She looks young with her gray hooded jacket. The zipper halfway open so I can see she's wearing a white sleeveless shirt. Her camouflage shorts is only covering one-third of her thighs and she paired it with white high cut Chucks. Yet another treat to indulge myself into, and I am the only one who gets to look at it.

I beamed at her but I noticed that she was not wearing her familiar smile. Her eyes were puffy as if she cried all night. I wanted to hug her and ask her what was wrong but I restrained myself.

"White Mocha Americano please" she said in a cold, low voice. She left the signed Customer Voice Receipt on top of the counter and started to walk away.

"Do you want it extra hot, AB?" My voice trailing off.

"No, I want it cold. Over ice." She didn't even look at me. She went straight to her favorite spot and took out her sketchpad, paint brushes and watercolor tubes.

My heart froze with the cold treatment. As cold as the drink she ordered. I knew there was something wrong and I want to help her through it. I prepared her drink and walk towards her to bring it.

She was on the phone again but unlike yesterday, she had a weary expression on her face. "Is she still there? What time is she going to leave?" She paused, listening to the response of the person she was speaking with. "I'll be there at 3 o'clock. Stop worrying okay?" I could see that she was trying to suppress her tears but they were just too persistent she couldn't stop them from streaming down her cheeks. I wanted to wipe them off her face but she was quick to do it herself. "Call me again..." She was not able to finish what she was about to say. She looked at her phone and sighed. The call might have gotten disconnected or the person whom she was talking to hang up.

She put her phone down and stared at me when she noticed that I was standing in front of her.

"I'm sorry, I brought your drink." I said as I place it on top of the table.

"Thank you." She said as she took a sip.

"Can I help you with anything?" I know she's hurting and I want to help ease the pain.

"A glass of water please." She smiled at me but it didn't reach her eyes. It was dry. Not the same warm smile that used to melt my heart.

I ran as fast as I could to get her water, so fast I could win a medal for a sprint race.

I went back to her and handed her a tumbler filled with water and ice. She smiled at me. "Yours?" She asked when she saw my name doodled on the personalized tumbler.

"Yes, mine." And I hope you could be mine too. I am thankful for not saying that out loud.

"Do you usually let your customers use your personal tumbler?" She had a quizzical look on her face.

"You're the first person to use that. Well, aside from me of course. My tumbler will surely find it strange to be touched by someone else's lips for the first time." I answered with a grin. I've never let anyone use it, even the women I've dated.

I saw her blush. "Well, thank you for lending me your tumbler. I think you should go back to the counter." Pointing her chin at a customer who just walked in.

I turned around and was surprised to see a familiar face.

"It's been a while." Trixie was all smiles when I faced her at the counter. My mom set me up on a date with her. She's a Congressman's daughter and my favorite playmate. She's the only woman I've dated more than three times.

"Hi Trix. Your drink?" I asked her in a casual manner.

"C'mon babe. We have not seen each other for days and that's how you're greeting me? I was expecting a hot kiss from the guy who can't get enough of me." She flipped her hair and gave me a seductive look.

"I can't leave the shop Trix. Jared is on leave and Calvin's not here yet." I explained to her.

"Close the coffee shop then." She reached for my apron and tried to pull me close to her but I shoved her hand. If there's one person I'd like to be with now, it's not her.

"I have a customer." I glanced at AB and I was surprised to see that she was also staring at me and Trixie. She looked away, took a paint brush and made a few strokes against the drawing pad.

"Don't worry about the store, Norm. I'll take care of everything." I didn't notice that Calvin stepped in. He winked at me while walking towards Trixie. "Hi Trix. Are you ordering a drink or are you here to take your Casanova home with you?" He held her hand and examined her at arm's length. "You look wonderful." He gave her a wicked smile before going to the other side of the counter.

"I'm here to get my playmate but I don't think he's in the mood to play with me." Trixie was trailing her index finger across her lips. She leaned forward so I get a good view of her cleavage. I'd normally fall for her bait and would leave the shop with her in an instant but not today.

"I'm busy with work, Trix. I don't have time for games. I think you should leave if you're not ordering anything." I scanned the financial reports that I was reviewing earlier before AB came. I don't really have any interest in these reports but looking at them now is better than paying attention to Trixie.

I saw her frown before she slammed both her hands on the counter. "I can't believe you're pushing me away!" She sighed before continuing. "I don't have a car. My driver dropped me off here. I've never left this shop alone and it's not going to happen today." She crossed her arms and gave me a dreadful look.

I know that she can be very stubborn and she will surely not leave alone. "Calvin, please take Trixie home or wherever she wants to go." I looked at her, deadpan. I threw my car keys to Calvin which he caught with one hand. He chuckled before he gestured Trixie to walk before him. Trixie gave me an it's-your-loss look before walking away. She made sure that I saw her cling on Calvin's well-crafted biceps. I am aware that asking Calvin to take her home is synonymous to giving up my favorite toy but that was the least of my concern now.

My eyes found their way back to AB's direction and I felt a pang in my chest when I saw her wiping off her tears. She's crying again. I wanted to run to her and comfort her but she stood up and went to the restroom.

I talked to the guard, asked him to take a break and wait for my call for him to come back, then I changed the store sign to "Closed". I also turned my phone off. I am the only one in the store and I don't want to be distracted by anyone while I console AB.

I stood in front of the restroom door waiting for AB to come out. I can hear her sobbing and it breaks my heart. I couldn't wait any longer so I took the keys from the baristas' nook and opened the door of the restroom. She was sitting on the floor, her head resting on her folded knees. She had her face covered with both hands. She looked up when she heard the door screeched and jerked backwards when she saw my head popped in.

"I'm sorry. I d-didn't mean to scare you. I-I saw you crying and I'm just w-worried that something might have happened to you in here." I was stuttering while I was trying to explain my intrusion.

She stood up and wiped the tears off her face. "Something, like killing myself in here?" She mockingly smiled. "Thanks for your concern but I think you should be with spending your time with your girlfriend rather than invading someone else's privacy." She glanced at me before going for the door.

I stretched my right hand blocking her way and shutting the door. She stopped and faced me with her creased brow and lips forming a thin line.

"She's not my girlfriend." I said putting emphasis on the second word.

"Oh, really now?" She gazed at me impassively. I am not sure if she really doesn't see how attracted I am to her or she is just good at hiding it.

I moved towards her leaning my left hand on the wall so that I have her captive in between my arms. She looked up to meet my eyes that are glaring at her. How can you not see that I am smitten by you and it's driving me nuts? My whole body is in panic when I realized how close I am to her. Her lips parted to give way to her heavy breathing. Well, you don't seem to be impervious to my presence after all.

"Trixie-is-not-my-girlfriend." I said each word with clarity. I wanted to make sure she understood every word I said.

"Well, what I saw earlier shows otherwise. Is she an ex now? Since when? Since you realized you didn't need her anymore?" Her questions were accusatory.

I moved closer to her, my nose softly brushing hers. "Since-you-came." I placed a chaste kiss on her lips. It took her by surprise but she did not push me away. She just stared at me with eyes glistening.

I placed my hand around her nape and carefully tilted her head before claiming her mouth. We kissed passionately as if our lips are no stranger to each other. My hand that was on her nape slowly skims down her back while my other hand unzips her jacket exposing her low neck top. I trailed kisses along her jawline, down her neck and collarbone. I heard her let out a soft moan. My hands continued their skillful quest, one finding its way to her belly while the other was caressing her backside. She on the other hand snaked one arm around my neck while the other was running through my hair. We were losing ourselves in each other's touch when her phone rang.

She staggered to her feet, swaying a little as she finds her equilibrium. She hurriedly fished out her phone from her pocket and answered the call.

"Yes?" She said in between her gasps. She opened the door and with one swift move, she was out of the restroom, leaving me aching.

I pressed my head against the wall. Damn phones! Can't they just leave us alone?!

I went out after my breathing becomes steady. She's still on the phone. I smiled at her playfully.

"I'm on my way. I'll see you in a bit." She quickly took her bag and started to walk away. I grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. She glanced at me before she said the last five words that made me loosen my grip.

"I love you too, Nic." After hearing that, I let go of her arm and in seconds, she was out of my sight.

I thought I just exploded, my chest ripped open and my heart broken to million pieces, scattered on the floor.

3rd Cup