HE SHOULD BE MINE

Chapter three

Inside the car, the dashboard clock blinked mockingly at Mike. Time had slipped through their fingers like sand, and now they were racing against it. Amelia gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white, urging the car forward. The streets blurred past, a chaotic dance of headlights and shadows.

Finally, they arrived at the front of the coffee shop but they were already late, Mike sighed helplessly and gave Amelia an aggrieved look

"I'll pay you an additional 10% of your payment," Amelia whispered to Mike, her voice light as if the extra money could mend the rift in time. She knew he needed it—he needed the money to help his single mother and his sister since the tuition was almost due.

Mike's eyes sparkled with gratitude and relief mingling. He pulled her into a tight hug, his lips brushing her cheek. "You're my lucky charm," he said, his words a promise. "I know you won't let me down."

Amelia sighed helplessly. She watched Mike bound out of the shop, waving like a child who'd just discovered the magic of ice cream. She paid less attention to his jubilant departure and more to the task at hand—extricating her car from the narrow parking spot.

As Mike disappeared into the shop, he expected the usual scene: Sophie, the enigmatic girl with her apron on, serving the customer or standing angrily and glaring at him as he entered. But what greeted him was a revelation— Sophie was standing sneaking a look at the nearest table and upon seeing him,

Her eyes sparkled like forgotten constellations. "You won't believe what happened today," Sophie burst out, her voice uncharacteristically animated.

Mike raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Sophie, the quiet observer, was now a storyteller. He nodded, urging her to continue.

"So later, after you left," Sophie began, her words tumbling over each other, "this guy walked in. Tall, dark, and handsome—like a character from a romance novel. And guess what? He was looking for you."

Mike's surprise was palpable. Sophie, the keeper of secrets, had spilled one of her own. "For me?" he echoed, trying to mask his astonishment.

Sophie nodded, her eyes alight. "His name is Nathan. And he wasn't alone. Eleanor, a girl with eyes like storm clouds, accompanied him. They sat at the corner table, whispering secrets."

Mike's heart sank. Eleanor—the one whom Nathan was pursuing. He'd hoped to avoid her, but fate had other plans. He squared his shoulders, determined not to let disappointment show. He approached the table where Nathan and Eleanor sat, their laughter weaving a fragile bridge between past and present.

Nathan's smile was disarming as he extended a hand toward Mike. "welcome," he said, his voice warm and genuine. Eleanor echoed the sentiment, her eyes assessing Mike with curiosity.

Mike's smile was a practiced mask. Eleanor—the elusive Eleanor—had been a topic of conversation for weeks. He'd heard stories of her wit, her enigmatic charm, and the way she could unravel mysteries with a single glance. Now, face-to-face with her, he understood why Nathan had fallen under her spell.

Nathan's next words hit Mike like a sucker punch. "I took Miss Eleanor on a date," he announced, his eyes locked on hers. "But I thought you should hear the good news and celebrate it with us."

Eleanor's smile was gentle, her gaze lingering on Nathan. Mike's stomach churned with a mix of envy and longing. He'd never admit it, but he'd hoped for a different outcome— hoping Eleanor would ruthlessly reject him and he would have a chance to comfort him and tell him how women aren't reliable.

"Are you done with work?" Nathan's question snapped Mike back to reality. He nodded, even though it wasn't entirely true. Work could wait; Eleanor couldn't. He glared at her, silently accusing her of stealing precious moments from him.

As Mike sought Mrs. Clara's permission to leave, Eleanor leaned toward Nathan. "Why's your brother looking at me like I want to steal you from him?"

Nathan chuckled. "Probably because you do want to steal me." Their laughter rang in the air, a secret shared between them.

When Mike returned, the three of them piled into the car. Nathan played the role of a gentleman, opening the door for Eleanor. She stepped out, radiating grace, and Mike's heart clenched. He watched them, their closeness, their easy camaraderie. What he didn't realize was that Eleanor's gaze held a challenge—one he was too preoccupied to notice.

Inside the restaurant, the ambiance shifted. The waitress led them to their table, and Nathan took charge of ordering. Eleanor leaned in, her words a soft murmur. Mike sat back, an observer in their orbit. Nathan and Eleanor wove a tapestry of conversation, leaving Mike on the fringe, unraveling.

As the evening unfolded, Mike wondered if he'd missed his chance. to get Nathan's adoration—