[October 4, 20xx]
It was quite the fair weather that day, the sun is peeking its head behind the cottony clump of clouds while the wind breeze sending chills to the skin. The perfect time to take a walk outside and probably have a picnic in the park.
Business is running well in the street shops, as usual. When the door chimes of the deserted cafe echoed in the whole place. A girl wearing a stale bonnet covering her shoulder length charcoal hair that looks as though it hasn't been brushed for an entire week with black trousers that somehow turns out to be unfit for her and white guacamole designed shirt came carrying a maroon backpack with a pile of paper in her hand. Standing in front of the door for a while, she was thinking carefully and perhaps also bothered of how many options of empty seats there are that it's hard to choose. Until she finally decided to settle on the table near the small display plants that are obviously plastic. Not until she looked closer at it— it's real after all.
The space covered in white walls and pastel furniture seems so placid and comfortable at the same time, the girl thought. Probably because there is only one staff inside, it's almost hard to believe that the café is still operating at all.
That one personnel approached the girl who is still in the middle of fixing her things on top of the table with a wide smile.
"Would you like to order Ma'am?"
Those simple words from the man sent the lass to flinch out of surprise causing the papers to fall down.
"Sorry, my things just fell and—" Her words were cut off by the guy who crouched down to help pick up the now scattered things on the ground.
"No, it's my fault. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you," he apologized before gathering all of the papers in his hand.
At that moment, he lifted his head and a pair of ocean blue eyes greeted him. It felt as though it was pulling him near and drowning his soul. The pair of eyes that are as deep as the trenches in the ocean captivated his entirety and time deliberately stopped for him.
"Excuse me, can you please let go now?" The girl's words brought the guy back in reality who was unconsciously gripping hard on the now poorly crumpled papers.
"Oh, sorry." He immediately lets go of it for the girl to have.
Still on his feet like a fool, the guy stayed in the same position for a couple of seconds. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to happen."
"Third," she uttered without throwing a glance at the guy while organizing the papers yet aware of how confused he is now. "That's the third time you said sorry and the next time won't be accepted nor forgiven anymore."
He opened his mouth and was about to speak when he decided that it's better not to say another word. Instead he chuckled, eyes locked at her. It sounded coarse yet softer compared to his speaking voice which startled the girl in front of him. That was only for a split second, everything is back to how it was again. Surrounding them with an indescribable atmosphere, lying between awkwardness and the feel of need to say something. His serious gaze was on her face alone all this time.
"May I get your order now Miss?"
He sounded hesitant and nervous but managed to deliver his words properly, with a grin at that.
"One cafe latte." There was a pause of reluctance. "With extra shot, thank you."
The girl’s seemed to regret her decision as she sigh, but still went with it anyway.
That was a cold response, the guy thought. Then again at the back of his head, he's caught up with how attractive that turned out even though there’s nothing special with her response, perhaps it’s the person itself that made it exceptional. And before he get noticed with a timid smile, a nod and a smile were his only reaction before briskly making his way behind the counter.
The girl was left sitting tightly in her chair and distracting herself using the papers crumpled in her hands, in the end wasn't able to help but discreetly raise the corners of her lips.
All throughout the afternoon, there was nothing but silence between the two people inside the cafe. And all those time, the girl hasn't stood from her place not even once to go to the bathroom or to simply move her limbs instead the three cups of coffee stood still on top of her table. The short hand of the clock already passed by the number six and none of them seemed to notice it as she remains in her seat and as the staff watches her from a far, as far as from behind the counter.
Until she decided to call it a day and finally headed to the counter to pay.
"How much for the—"
She didn't finish her sentence while rummaging her wallet as the guy cut her off.
"It's on the house, don't worry." He radiated this enthusiastic energy right at her that she didn't seem to mind as she became used to it.
A frown immediately formed in her face. "Well that's generous of you but I also coincidentally have money on me so I don't mind paying for my own expenses."
He was surprised by the assertive response he received but didn't let it budge him as much and laughed it out. "I'm not being generous but if that's what it looks like. You're the only customer this afternoon so it wouldn't really matter—"
"Your cafe will go bankrupt if you keep on doing this. Not to mention what your manager's reaction will be if they find out that their staff is being too good of a person," she rebutted.
The words came running down without a stop.
His lips went agape as though he was about to say something but also shut it close the next moment. Sighing in defeat, he said, "Okay, you win."
With a nod, the girl agreed.
"But I'll still take your offer since you insisted, let me just at least pay one of my drinks." She pulled out a paper bill from her wallet and placed in the counter.
This time, the guy is in pure astonishment. He doesn't know what to say nor how to react. What an oddball, he thought of the girl standing right before him.
After that encounter, the last customer of the day stepped out from the door of the café with her belongings not knowing she unintentionally captivated the guy's interest and brought it with her as well. It was a fair deal in the end, as he did the same too.
