Fated to Espresso

Chapter 4

"So, you want to insult your own café?" she said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes while preparing her drink and then went back to the counter to start cleaning.

"No, no, that’s not my point… Ah, forget it," I muttered, realizing I was rambling. Lily smirked, so I just continued cleaning the counter.

"Okay, I’ve got to go. I have somewhere to be… Bye."

"Bye... Take care," I said.

But despite this, Ethan returned, smiling, though his presence carried a heavy aura. Despite his simple outfit, I could feel my heart racing. I accidentally dropped the tray with the hot cup I was holding, and it shattered on the floor, breaking the silence between us.

Due to my panic while trying to gather the broken pieces, I got wounded. I saw blood on my index finger, and he suddenly grabbed my hand that was wounded and raised it, which made me stand up as well. I saw his face, now level with mine, looking concerned.

" What are you doing? Why did you touch your wounds? Are you okay? Do you need help? I can call my private doctor if you want" he asked, full of questions, his voice filled with concern. I almost laughed at his overly formal reaction, but I saw the worry in his eyes and the way he was desperately looking for where I had gotten hurt. I smiled back and stood up so we were eye to eye.

"I’m fine, really. It’s far from my vital organs. Don’t worry, it’s just a small cut. Oh, look at me! My index finger is okay now, so don’t stress yourself" I said awkwardly but trying to reassure him, even though it felt awkward.

"Are you sure?" he asked again, still not fully convinced, while my wrist was still in his hand.

"I’m fine," I repeated, nodding as I gave him a small awkward smile.

"You don’t look convinced. Where’s your first aid kit?" he said, his eyes scanning the café as he walked toward the corner where I kept the supplies. I was left stunned as he gently took my hand, helping me out of the counter area and guiding me to the same spot where he had sat the previous day. He sat me down and fetched the first aid kit, carefully cleaning the cut with cotton balls and applying iodine.

“Hold this first” He said and smiled at me with that eyes again leaving me falling for him. I watch him calling the attention of everyone here in the café.

"Attention, everyone!" I saw him clap to get the attention of everybody in the café. There were 10 customers left and when he got the attention of everybody he decided to warn everyone.

"Please be careful when stepping near the broken glass. Again, I want your ears and cooperation not to step in that area for your safety and for everybody’s safety," he clarified while gesturing with his hand. I just watched him, feeling a strange flutter in my chest. Thankfully, there were no other customers, so I had time to observe him. A small smile tugged at my lips as I marveled at how he handled me with such care. I had to admit, he wasn’t just a mysterious stranger anymore. He was someone I found myself thinking about more than I should.

As he placed a band-aid on the cut, he looked up at me and smiled, and I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks flush.

"Cute," he said, and I froze. My face turned bright red, and I tried to cover my embarrassment by quickly getting up and putting the first aid kit back. But I heard his teasing voice again.

"Cute," he repeated, making me blush even harder.

"Ah, yes, another cappuccino, please. Just like the one you made for me yesterday," he added, already sitting down again.

Wow, he was fast. I barely had time to process everything. I quickly made my way back to the counter, trying to focus on preparing the cappuccino.

"Here’s your cappuccino, sir," I said, carefully placing the steaming cup on the table, making sure our hands didn’t touch. I didn’t want to risk it.

I walked back to the counter, trying to focus on the growing number of customers. Throughout the morning, I couldn’t help but notice how Ethan would always sit in the same spot, right by the window, watching me with that same smile. It became almost like a routine, and it was impossible not to notice how it made my heart flutter every time.

I tried to laugh off the teasing comments and quick banter in my head, but deep down, I knew I was already falling for him. But there was a part of me that resisted. I couldn’t let myself get caught up in the idea that this mysterious man, this customer, was someone I could get attached to.

"Here's my payment, miss," Ethan said, catching me off guard. I stood up to catch his eye, and my heart skipped a beat as I caught him smiling once more. It becomes him. It's preferable that he smiles all the time, especially her dimple that appears, but why does this feeling always appear when I am around him? Please heart. I need your cooperation. Do not let it show.

But despite how hard I tried to forget it, something in Ethan got my heart pounding. And I knew it wasn't a fleeting infatuation. There was more to him. Something that I couldn't get out of my mind.

"Bye and be good to yourself," he added, winking at me as he headed out. The door's little bell rang as he departed, and I was standing there, trying to make sense of it all. It was as if we had known each other for years, yet we had only exchanged a few sentences.

"Uh, hello, miss?"

I came back to reality, remembering that there was another person waiting for me.

"Sorry! Sorry, what is your order, ma'am?"

"Two matchas and two mamon cakes," the lady replied with a smile.

"Coming right up, ma'am," I answered, hastening to complete the order.

As the evening drew near, I sat in the same place in the café, facing the enigmatic stranger who was now a frequent visitor. Our hands touched once more, as they had the day before when I served him his cappuccino.

I finally realized that I was not just interested—I was falling in love with him. But what was this? It felt too good to be true.

And then it happened.

Ethan came, sweating, and as he sat opposite me, I could see the nervousness in his eyes. He had something serious to tell me, and I could sense the tension in the room.

"Ava, I have something to tell you," he replied, his tone uncertain but firm. His face turned serious now. I slowly set the coffee aside and breathed hard deeply.

"What is it?" I inquired, attempting to remain calm, though my heart was already pounding.