THE HEART I DIDN'T SEE

THE SCENE AT THE CAFE

Scene: The cafe buzzes with the afternoon energy, the aroma of coffee mingling with the chatter of customers. Cristin, her heart pounding with anticipation, pushes open the door, her eyes scanning the room.

Cristin: (a soft sigh escaping her lips, a sense of excitement and nervousness swirling within her)

Cristin: (her gaze drifting to the familiar counter, her thoughts racing with memories of her last visit, of Derek, of Raven)

Cristin: (her steps quickening as she makes her way through the crowd, her eyes searching for a familiar face)

Mico: (his head down, focused on carrying a tray of coffee, his eyes not meeting hers)

Cristin: (her shoulder colliding with his, the tray clattering to the floor, coffee splattering everywhere)

Mico: (his head snapping up, his eyes widening in alarm) Sorry, miss! Are you okay?

Cristin: (her face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, her voice sharp) Are you blind? Ugh, this is my unlucky day! See where you're going!

Mico: (his voice apologetic, his eyes filled with concern) I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention. Let me clean this up.

Cristin: (her gaze sweeping across the mess, her irritation growing)

Mico: (hurriedly wiping up the spilled coffee, his movements clumsy)

Cristin: (her eyes fixed on Mico, her frustration simmering)

Mico: (his head bowed, his voice a low murmur) I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.

Cristin: (her gaze softening slightly, a flicker of sympathy crossing her eyes)

Scene: The cafe is buzzing with afternoon customers. Cristin approaches the counter, her eyes searching for a familiar face.

Cristin: (her voice soft, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness) Excuse me, is the owner around?

Cafe Owner: (a friendly smile spreading across his face) That's me! How can I help you?

Cristin: (her gaze dropping to the floor, a hint of hesitation in her voice) I'm looking to book the cafe for a whole day. And... I'd like to talk to Derek and Raven. I'm a friend of theirs.

Cafe Owner: (his brow furrowing slightly, his eyes searching her face) You're a friend? I haven't seen you around here before.

Cristin: (her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation) I've been away for a while. I just came back to town. I would really love to see them.

Cafe Owner: (nodding in understanding) Well, they're both working here this afternoon. I can let them know you're here. But… are you sure you want to see them? Things haven't been easy between them lately.

Cristin: (her voice a soft whisper) I know. But I need to see them. It’s been five years. I need to talk to them.

Cafe Owner: (his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and sympathy) Alright, I'll let them know. They're both in the back, helping with orders. They’ll be out soon.

Cristin: (smiling) Thank you so much.

**Cristin heads to a table and sits down, her gaze fixed on the back door, her heart pounding with anticipation. A few minutes later, Derek and Raven emerge, their faces filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity. They approach Cristin's table, their eyes meeting hers. **

Cristin: (rising from her chair, her eyes sparkling with excitement) I miss you guys! Hey, Derek! You became thin! They didn't take good care of you.

Cristin: (touching Derek's face gently)

**Lina, who has been preparing milk tea, overhears the conversation, her eyes widening in curiosity. She approaches Cristin's table, her face a mask of confusion. **

Lina: (placing a tray with milk tea on the table) Here you go, folks. Enjoy your drinks.

Cristin: (ignoring Lina, her gaze fixed on Derek) Don't you miss me, Derek?

Derek: (a slight smile touching his lips) How can I not miss you? Of course, I missed you.

Cristin: (turning her attention to Raven) Raven, have you eaten well? You look thin too. Aren't you going to hug me?

**The tension in the air is palpable, as Cristin's arrival disrupts the delicate balance of the cafe. Lina watches them, her eyes narrowing, her expression turning from curiosity to suspicion.**

Scene: The cafe is abuzz with the evening crowd, a symphony of chatter and clinking cups. Cristin sits at a table, her gaze fixed on Derek and Raven, her heart filled with a mixture of joy and apprehension. Lina, her face flushed with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, is clearing a table nearby.

Lina: (her voice soft, her eyes darting between Cristin and Derek) Excuse me, I'll just clear this table.

Cristin: (her gaze fixed on Derek, a hint of possessiveness in her eyes)

Lina: (her movements distracted, her mind racing with thoughts of the mysterious woman and her connection to Derek and Raven)

Lina: (her foot catching on the edge of the rug, her body losing its balance)

Lina: (her eyes widening in alarm, a gasp escaping her lips)

Derek: (his eyes widening in concern, his chair scraping against the floor as he springs to his feet)

Cristin: (her eyes narrowing, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face)

Mico: (his head snapping up, his eyes fixed on Lina, a wave of concern washing over him)

Mico: (rushing to Lina's side, his arms reaching out to catch her)

Lina: (landing softly in Mico's arms, her heart pounding with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude)

Mico: (his voice filled with concern) Are you okay?

Lina: (her voice a soft whisper) I'm fine. Thank you.

**Derek, his gaze fixed on Lina, his face etched with concern, his hand instinctively reaching out to touch her arm. Cristin, her eyes burning with jealousy, watches them both, her heart sinking with a mixture of anger and insecurity. **