The Grounds of Desire

Chapter 2

With a sense of urgency, Mia dressed herself in a neat uniform, complete with a logo that proudly displayed the Reynolds family crest. As she slipped on her shoes, she glanced at the photo on her bedside table. It captured a younger Mia, beaming with innocence, alongside her parents. Her mother had passed away when Mia was just a child, leaving her father to raise her alone. She couldn't remember much about her mother but she knew deep down how much she wanted her. They had always been a close family, supporting each other through life's challenges and now, Mia and her father were inseparable.

Mia couldn't be more grateful to her father for taking care of her the way he did. She knew it couldn't have been easy taking care of a child all by himself for so long. She’d vowed she would do all he could to make him proud. She just needed to get her life in order first.

Hurrying downstairs, Mia caught a glimpse of her father in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, intermingling with the aroma of warm tortillas, her favorite.

"Papá, you didn't have to make breakfast," Mia said, a mix of gratitude and guilt in her voice. "I'm already running late. Besides I'm the one on breakfast duty today. "

Her father smiled, his eyes sparkling with love. "I always want the best for you, mi amor." He placed a plate of scrambled eggs and tortillas in front of her. "Now, eat up. You'll need the energy for the day ahead."

Knowing her father, a man of very few words, she knew there was no use arguing. Mia devoured her breakfast, relishing the familiar flavors that reminded her of home. As she finished, she grabbed her bag, pausing for a moment to give her father a tight hug.

"Gracias, Papá, I love you." she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll see you later."

Her father gave her a light peck on the cheek before she could run out.

“For good luck”, he said.

Mia couldn't help but wonder what the day had in store for her.

Leaving her beautiful home behind, Mia made her way through the wide grounds of the Reynolds estate. As a child, she often got lost in the gardens, usually while chasing a butterfly or whatever new insect had caught her attention. She’d sit down crying until her father found her and then he'd make her some of her favorite foods.

The morning sun bathed the gardens in a golden glow, casting a calm atmosphere over the place she would soon call her second workplace. She took a bus from the quiet countryside into the busy city of New York and made her way to “Coffee Corner “ cafe, where she worked.

As she entered the bustling cafe nestled within the heart of NYC, Mia was greeted by the warm smile of her best friend, Penelope. She was Mia’s home away from home. Penelope, with her fiery red curls and infectious laughter, always managed to bring a ray of sunshine to Mia's day.

"Mia, you made it!" Penelope exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "I was starting to think you'd overslept again."

Mia chuckled, grateful for Penelope's constant support and lightheartedness. "Almost, but my papá saved the day. Let's go Super Dad!”

The two friends shared a knowing glance, their bond strengthened by years of shared secrets and dreams. They had grown up together, been friends since kindergarten and have been navigating the ups and downs of life side by side. Penelope had always been Mia's anchor, providing a sense of stability and encouragement, and Mia, in turn, had been there through every phase of Penelope’s life.

“How’s my beautiful Lily?” Mia asked. Lily was Penelope’s 4-year-old daughter whom she had to raise alone because the dad had run away even before she gave birth. Mia had a soft spot for the child, not just because she was her friend’s daughter, but how could one not love a toddler so cute and smart??

“Oh my!! she will make me bawl my eyes out one of these days”, said Penelope.

“Can she spend the weekend at yours? Please?”, she begged.

With a teasing smile, Mia said “ I’ll think about it.”, I'm open to bribes though, you know? To help me make my mind up faster.”

As Mia settled into her routine behind the counter, taking orders and preparing the morning brew, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Rumors had been circulating that Alexander Reynolds had returned home, and she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to finally meet him face-to-face. Those rumors also said he was privileged and spoilt, but she shouldn't be concerning herself with stuff like that.

Just as Mia was lost in her thoughts, the tinkling of the café's entrance bell filled the air. She looked up and saw a tall, striking figure stepping through the doorway. Hold the coffee and muffins!! “Who is that?”. Mia wasn't usually the type of girl who got flustered by men but she couldn't hide the reddening in her cheek.

Mia's heart skipped a beat as her eyes locked with his piercing gaze. He oozed an air of confidence and mystery, his presence commanding attention. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his tailored suit accentuated his strong, chiseled features.

Time seemed to slow down as his eyes met Mia's, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Mia's cheeks flushed, a mix of excitement and nervousness flooding her veins. The feelings seemed to disappear when she found that the smile wasn't directed at her but at the cafe. What was going on? He had the look of a father who hadn't seen their child in so long but finds his child doing well at school.

Before she could make anything of it, Penelope nudged her shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wow Mia, you can’t even hide how flustered you feel. Go on then, make your move. I've got you girl."

Taking a deep breath, Mia straightened her posture, determined to face the challenge ahead. Her eyes were still trained on him as he found a table. With a newfound sense of confidence, she walked towards the handsome stranger, unknowingly ready to embark on a journey that would test the boundaries of love and defy societal expectations.

As she approached him, Mia mustered a warm smile, her voice steady yet tinged with a touch of vulnerability as she mentally rehearsed her "Welcome Sir, how may I help you?” speech.

Woahhh! This man made her nervous! Mia's heart raced as she approached Alexander, hoping to make a good impression despite her nervousness. However, any romantic notions she held about their meeting quickly faded as she glimpsed Alexander's cold and distant demeanor.

"Good morning," Mia greeted him, trying to put in some additional warmth into her voice. "How can I help you today?" As watched him and waited for his reply, she couldn't help but notice how much more handsome he was up close. She physically shook her head so she could concentrate.

Alexander glanced at her briefly, barely acknowledging her presence. "A black coffee and a blueberry muffin," he replied tersely, his attention seemingly elsewhere.

Hmm, she could have sworn he’d go for something a little less boring. She thought it’d be better if she gave him a chocolate flavored muffin instead.

With a smile across her face and the most friendly yet professional tone she could muster, she asked, “By any chance, would you be interested in our chocolate-flavored muffin? I’m sure you’d love it.”

Alex looked up from his phone. Why couldn't she just get him what he ordered? It was bad enough that he didn't want to be in New York, he was still restless from the flight and last night’s dream, raw with emotions, and now he had to deal with some overly perky waitress who didn't know when her opinion wasn't needed.

“ No, kindly do your job and get me what I ordered.”

As Mia took note of the order, she felt a sense of frustration at his dismissive attitude. Who knew gorgeous looking men could have ugly attitudes? Yet, it didn't stop the butterflies from dancing in her tummy. She maintained her professionalism, preparing the coffee and selecting a muffin from the display case. Her hands trembled slightly with anxiety as she placed the items on the counter, but she tried to focus on her task.

However, a sudden surge of nerves caused Mia's fingers to slip, and the coffee cup shook dangerously, spilling a few drops onto the otherwise pristine countertop.

"Oh no," Mia muttered under her breath, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She reached for a cloth to clean up the spill, hoping to rectify her mistake swiftly. Her manager would have her head.