Chapter 3: Risk or Cop-out?

“Here's your keycard ms. If there'll be anything more you need, just ask me. I'll be going now. Have a nice stay.” He turned around politely and left the room.

“We'll be leaving now, too. I still have to open the bakeshop. We'll visit here next time. Babush, have fun!” Mich then left my bag on the floor and so as Krys.

I went inside and was just stunned at how simple it looks but still beautiful. The condominium may look luxurious but, the owner of this unit has a good taste in simplicity. The kitchen was next to the hallway passed the door. Looking at the kitchen, this may be embarrassing but I think I'll love cooking here hahaha. I saw a note on the island counter. 

"You'll see the floorplan of the room right next to the entrance door. Our rooms are 2 meters apart facing each other. Bedroom 2 is yours. I'll leave the door open." I looked at the floor plan and analyzed it right away.

In front of the island counter is a rectangular glass table for six. In front of the kitchen is 2 step stairs. Then the living room. It has a black, fur couch. So beautiful. With its grey fur couch pillows. It looks so cosy.

It's an "L" shaped sofa. It looks like it could fit 6-8 people I guess. The top part of the cocktail table is made out of glass, while the body is coloured white. The tv was like a 64-inch flat-screen.

On the right side of the sofa, you can see a glass window and a glass door. And outside is a balcony. Beside the sofa, is a hallway where the rooms are. There are only two doors. The first door on the left which is probably the room, and this is on the right which is probably mine.

I got my things and put them inside my room. When I entered, the left side of the room has a wardrobe with glass doors. It also has a shoe rack. On the right corner is the vanity area and on left is where the mirror sits. 

Now, when you're in, you'll see the bookshelf and a study table. Then, on the left side of the room is a queen-sized bed, a small bedside table, and in front of the bed is a flat-screen.

Next to the bed is the terrace which has a glass door and glass wall too. The looks so cosy even tho it's quite empty other than furnitures. Maybe mama's friend does live alone since this whole place is a little bit simple and empty. I say I like her style as a woman.

I went inside and closed and locked the door then sat on the bed for a while. I first unpacked my luggage. I hanged my clothes up and placed them inside a modernized wardrobe. I then fixed my shoes, slippers, and sandals on the shoe rack.

Next, I placed my cosmetics and others in the vanity area. And of course, I prepared my towel, and other personal hygiene kits such as shampoos, toothbrushes, conditioner, etc.

I decided to take a shower and so I went out and walked towards the bathroom. The bathroom looks cosy, I swear. It's simple but is so nice. I took a shower for a while and went back to my room to change clothes of course since I am alone.

I wore a simple red pencil skirt, blacktop and sandals. I put on my lip oil and concealer, and I am ready to go. I picked up my sling bag and made sure everything is complete, especially my wallet, phone, and keycard.

I just went off and commute since I don't really have my car and my bike here with me. Do I still have a choice wherein the two is also busy with their works? I left at 9 and it is only a 30minutes away ride.

I see... my staffs are already busy, then. I went inside and left my things inside my office, then helped my staff . I actually didn't expect this because I totally forgot it's Sunday today.

“Ms Mae, Mari is talking to a client on the phone right now, and she says she really needs you,” Yuno said as I was heading back from the customer's table.

“Pick up their orders, for me. I'll be back in a minute,” I said and smiled at him. I walked towards the counter, to which Mari is.

“Good day, sir! This is Maesea Hearts, and regarding your reservation, how many people would you be inviting?” I greeted as I was getting the notepad and a pen ready.

“Hey, uhm, at most 10 people will be there, by around 7 pm,” the client, Mr Clint Sevani said. 

“For a formal company meeting, it is? Your reservation is fixed sir. I will be escorting you myself when you arrive,” I confirmed as I was writing up the notes. 

Then, ”Thank you so much! Good day to you too,” he said, and so I answered, “You are very much welcome, sir. Have a nice day ahead.” And the call was ended.

You all must be very confused as to why the client was so thankful? Apparently, this place is a lot famous than we thought when I decided to build this.

Here we are struggling with the lack of space since I am still waiting for mama's "wait for me" before I expand this place. I actually am happy and quite disappointed for the customers myself since some wanted to stay and end up getting takeouts instead.

Hours have passed and it's already, the café is now a little bit at peace since there aren't that many customers. I told half of my to take their lunches, and after they ate, they took over so the other half could take theirs.

Mich sent me a message, saying I should go to her bakeshop since tita made lunch for us. I took my bag, I took my phone, my keys, and went outside. 

“Chlode, please do tell the others that I'll be going to chi's and I'll be back in a while. If there'll be problems just call me,” I said and smiled at him.

I took my ninja bike and wore my helmet, then I drove off 10mins away. I went inside, then to her office, and saw them preparing the table. 

“Ey, we're ready to eat! Can we all sit down now and dig in? I'm hungry...” Mich said while even pouting.

“I swear, stop it. It doesn't look good on you,” I replied and smirked.

“No wonder your two boy best friends always tell people how they are not the bully between you two. Poor Ethan and JP...”

I sat on the chair and greet tita then, “How are they even on our topic?” I shifted my gaze to Krys who's actually now ready to eat, with her plate filled with food.

“You say this because you know you're the only one who can do aegyo and pout without even looking cringy. I hate you, muff.” Yes, people. She calls me "muff" and her reason is my cheeks... I don't even wanna tell the other nicknames sigh...

“Maybe both can now calm down. I am hungry, I want to eat,” Krystal said and made us laugh.

After we ate, I decided to go back to the café already and helped my staff since we are filled again with customers. After 4 pm, I decided to read in my office and actually forgot how time flies fast when you are having fun.

“Ate, those who had a reservation called and will be here in a few minutes. Will you be the one to escort them or I can just do it?” Lizy asked.

I stood up and fixed myself, wore my heels, “No it's ok. I told Sevani I'll be the one to escort them.” I smiled and went outside.

Few more minutes and people with formal attires went inside the café. “Reservation for Mr Sevani,” the man in a black suit said.

I smiled, “I'm Maesea Hearts. Pleased to meet you and kindly follow me,” and I showed them the way.

I lead the way upstairs and showed them their table for 10. I then took their orders and went downstairs. few more minutes and I served them their drinks and food.

Time flew fast and it's past 9 pm already. Those who had the reservation started going home. Thankfully and gratefully, they gave their great feedbacks.

I was about to go inside my office when someone, “Hey, Ms Hearts, thank you again for the reservation. My client and co-workers talked about how good your place is.” It's Mr Sevani.

I smiled at him, “I just figured it'd be the perfect spot for your work since it's peaceful there.” He smiled back.

“Floating table with chairs like swings? Filled with plants, a tree, and a glass roof? I actually like this place. it looks cosy. Thank you again.” He then left.

“Oooh, what's his name?” Hell no. There they are again. “Isn't that guy from before?” Krys said while eating chips.

Of course. It's either one of them or the two of them will always have food in their hands.

“Huh? What do you mean? He reserved a table for their meeting,” I said and left the two to pick up my things.

“Mari, I'll go home early tonight since I still have more to do. I'll leave the café to you since we all have spare keys,” I instructed and took my helmet.

“Mae, see you tomorrow. Thanks for the milk tea hihi,” Krys said while walking towards the door.

“You bought her a drink? How come I don't get one? Muff! Where's the equality? Did you ever love me?” A real facepalm.

“You never said you wanted some. Plus, Mae told us already if we wanted one we could just go to the counter and tell the cashier ourselves. Did you forget again? Haist, Michane...”

Ok, I'm done here. I can no longer listen to them... I need rest. But please don't misunderstand. I love talking to them it's just that, it's been a busy long day.

“I'll go ahead. Good nighty people! Sweet dreams y'all!” I said and ran outside while wearing my helmet. I left the two and drove off the road and went home. And what I mean about home is, the one mudra told me where I'll be staying.

I parked my bike and went inside the building. Took the "extravagant" elevator and went to our floor. It's past 10 already and I am really hoping I could finally meet Ms Sevani. I bet she's nice.

When I went inside she's still not there and so, I decided to fix my bedroom first. I put on my blue bedsheet, pillowcases and comforter.

I also hanged my curtains and fixed up the bookshelves. After fixing my room, I decided to take a bath.

As I was wearing my clothes, I heard the door of the other room closed. “She's here? Nice!” I exclaimed and took my things making sure I left nothing.

I went back to my room and put my clothes in the laundry basket and wrapped up my hair with my towel. I went out and walked towards the living room, yet no one was there.

“Excuse me?” I heard a voice and so I turned around. How do you scream at your mom with respect?

“Mr Sevani?!”

“Ms Hearts?!”

Both exclaimed with confusion simultaneously. “What are you doing here?” Again, both said synchronically.

“This is my house. What do you mean what am I doing here?” he said while questioningly looking at me.

“I was instructed by my mother to stay here for a while since here friend, Ms Sevani—” Ok, now I'm realizing things... How the hell, did I not see that coming?

He chuckled and said, “My mother, Ms Sevani, told me that someone will be staying here for a while with me. Tho I never expected someone to be a woman, specifically you.”

I sat on the couch and called my great mudra. “Excuse me for a moment,” I said, then smiled at him. 

I called my mother through a video call. “Hmm?” That's it. I replied with, “What do you mean "hmm?", ma?”

Someone suddenly popped beside her and said, “Hi, you must be Maesea? Have you met Clint yet?” Clint? Why does this look normal to be in a guy's house?

“Yes. Ma, what is this again?” Yes, Clint also popped out of the blue.

“We thought you two might help each other out. That's all.” Wow, as if that is a very informational thing.

“We won't tell you further details. Good luck!” tita, I mean Ms Sevani, the am I talking about?!

Both Clint and I spoke in synch, “What do you mean we can help each—” and was apparently cut off because they ended the call. 

We sat there. Dumfounded. Thinking thoroughly of how we ended up being in this situation.

Thinking about how our crazy mothers met and just decided that they should put us together in the same house, thinking we might help each other.

Thinking about what came to their minds for them to decide that we should live together. I mean, I badly want to scream

“Ma! I barely know this guy.”

 I can't even think of any reason of how in the bloody hell could I help him, same as him to me.

Oh yeah, there's this one thing. Only one thing! That my crazy mudra and I'd been arguing about. I can't risk myself again.

Reminiscing how I ended up building myself over and over again. What if this person gets so close to me somehow? I should say "no".

The hell is this happening?! Can't a girl live her life peacefully without her mother pushing her to— Oh hell I don't even wanna say it.

But why does the other half of me pursue risking because maybe he can help me? But in what way? There are so many problems within myself. Can two strangers help each other?

I stood up and decided to make some coffee for us. I gave him his americano as I was sipping from mine, then sat beside him and faced him. My mind is made up.

“When do we start?” both said simultaneously.