CHAPTER 5
783 Words
Chapter 5: A New Routine
The bell above the café door rang nonstop.
“Good morning, everyone!” Lena greeted with her usual bright smile.
Sunflower Café buzzed with laughter, clinking cups, and the comforting aroma of fresh coffee.
For the first time in years…
Daniel found himself looking forward to the morning.
He had already swept the floor, wiped the tables, and stocked the shelves before Lena came downstairs.
She stopped in the middle of the café, blinking in surprise.
“You did all this?”
Daniel shrugged.
“I woke up early.”
A teasing smile spread across her face.
“So my threat about doubling your debt worked.”
“I wasn’t afraid of your debt.”
“Oh?”
“I just didn’t want another lecture.”
Lena laughed.
“You’re learning.”
⸻
The morning crowd soon arrived.
Mrs. Parker walked in with her cane.
“Good morning, dear.”
Daniel stepped forward before Lena could.
“Allow me.”
He gently helped the elderly woman to her favorite table by the window.
Mrs. Parker smiled kindly.
“Such a polite young man.”
Lena watched the scene from behind the counter.
The quiet stranger who barely spoke yesterday…
Was already beginning to fit in.
⸻
Not everyone shared that opinion.
The café door swung open with a loud bang.
A young man in an expensive leather jacket strolled inside, wearing a smug grin.
“Well, well.”
“So this is where you’ve been hiding, Lena.”
Lena’s smile faded.
“Morning, Victor.”
Daniel noticed the subtle change in her expression.
“You still haven’t answered my calls,” Victor said, leaning casually against the counter.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy for dinner?”
“I said no.”
Victor chuckled as if her answer amused him.
“You always say no.”
“One day you’ll change your mind.”
“I doubt it.”
The café fell unusually quiet.
Several regular customers exchanged uneasy glances.
Daniel sensed there was history here.
Victor’s gaze shifted toward him.
“And who’s this?”
“Our new helper,” Lena replied calmly.
“Daniel.”
Victor looked him up and down before smirking.
“He doesn’t look like café material.”
Daniel simply returned his gaze.
“I wasn’t aware cafés had a dress code.”
A few customers struggled to hide their laughter.
Victor’s smile stiffened.
“So he talks.”
Lena quickly stepped between them.
“Victor.”
“If you’re here for coffee, have a seat.”
“If not…”
“I have work to do.”
Victor stared at her for a long moment before forcing another smile.
“Fine.”
“I’ll leave.”
As he reached the door, he looked back.
“I’m not giving up, Lena.”
The bell chimed behind him.
Silence lingered.
Daniel turned to Lena.
“Friend?”
She let out a sigh.
“Unfortunately.”
⸻
The café slowly returned to normal.
Later that afternoon, Lena carried a basket of fresh vegetables into the kitchen.
Daniel followed.
“Need help?”
She nodded toward a sack of potatoes.
“Can you peel those?”
He picked one up awkwardly.
“With what?”
Lena blinked.
“You’ve… never peeled a potato?”
He looked at the vegetable as though it were a puzzle.
“I’ve eaten them.”
“I’ve just never prepared one.”
Lena couldn’t help laughing.
“You really have lived an unusual life.”
She showed him how to hold the peeler.
“Like this.”
As she reached over to guide his hand, their fingers brushed.
For a brief second…
Neither of them moved.
Daniel looked at her.
Lena quickly pulled her hand away, clearing her throat.
“There.”
“See?”
“It’s easy.”
“…Right.”
He wasn’t sure whether she was talking about peeling potatoes anymore.
⸻
That evening, after the café had closed, Daniel stepped outside for some fresh air.
Maple Creek Village was peaceful under the setting sun.
Children played in the distance.
Neighbors chatted from their porches.
It was a world far removed from the ruthless life he had left behind.
His phone vibrated.
One message.
THEY’RE EXPANDING THE SEARCH. LEAVE WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
Daniel stared at the screen before locking the phone and slipping it back into his pocket.
For the first time…
He didn’t want to leave.
Not yet.
Inside the café, Lena watched him through the window.
She knew he was hiding something.
She just didn’t know what.
And somehow…
She was beginning to worry about a man she had only known for two days.
- Writer
