She raised a brow. ‘’Why is he being so shy?’’ she muttered to herself and turned to meet the next table. She noticed that there were two men seated on it. One had hair the color of midnight and the other had blonde hair. They seemed to be discussing business, seeing as they were clothed in designer suits. One wore a black shirt with a gray tie, while the other wore a brown coat over his black turtle-neck inner. She couldn’t help but notice the one with dark hair and how gorgeous he looked. She thought she was used to seeing attractive men come and go every day, but his was different. She was irritated by how different it was. What was the deal with handsome people and their alluring aura?
''Hello,'' she said. ‘’My name is Alexis. Can I get your order?’’
The blonde looked up at her. ‘’Alexis? Beautiful name.’’
Now, he was flirting with her? She noticed the dark haired one gave him a look before returning his attention back to his phone. The blonde studied her face, his blue eyes squinting as he assessed her like a lab project. She suddenly felt uncomfortable. He was good-looking too. He looked like the typical description of a pretty boy next door.
"Thank you," she said, smiling. ‘’Your order please.’’
''I will have a latte,” Pretty boy stated.
She jotted down his order. Slowly, her eyes trailed to the other guy who hadn’t said a word since she arrived.
‘Americano,’ He replied without looking up. Something about the way he said that irked her. Was he a celebrity or what? He looked like he could be one with his model-like features. But then again, he could just be some rich guy who made robots for a living. She placed her bets on that.
‘Would that be all?’
‘’Yeah,’’ the pretty boy smiled politely to her.
‘Alright.’ She tucked her notepad into her apron pocket. ‘’
Your order will be up in five minutes.’ She turned to leave, moving back to the counter when a buzz from her pockets had her stopping. She wasn’t meant to use her phone while at work, but her phone rarely rang unless it was an emergency.
And it really was an emergency.
‘’So, let me get this straight,’’ Alexis said, staring at the two officers in navy blue uniforms. ‘’You think my father was involved in a hit and run.’’
‘’We don’t think so. We know,’’ One of them said.
Alexis chewed on her lips nervously. This was the first time in her life she had ever been called to a station. She had never imagined she would even step foot into a place like this, and now look at her, having a conversation with two officers who accused
her father of a hit and run.
‘’We found the body in his car.’’
‘’He doesn’t even have a car.’’ She glared at them.
‘’Then why was he driving it?’’ The officer glared back.
‘’I don’t know. This is news to me,’’ She sighed, feeling underwhelmed. Her father didn’t own a car, so where had he seen one? ‘’Are you sure about this? I’m sure there’s a mistake somewhere.’’
‘’You teaching us how to do our jobs, huh?’’ The officer scolded.
She turned away from him. She could tell these officers were pissed about something. She looked around the station. A man stepped out of one of the cells, yelling curses at the officer who held his arm and dragged off to who knows where. The man met her eyes. He was a short man with a bald head. His clothes were tattered and he looked like a drug addict. When he turned to her, his mouth opened, exposing dark teeth as he smiled at her. The smile was so creepy, it sent chills down her spine. Were these the kind of people her father was meant to stay with?
‘’Can I see him?’’
The officer blinked. ‘’See who?’’
‘’My dad.’’
‘’No can do. You want to see him, bring a lawyer.’’
She opened her mouth to refute when the two officers turned and walked off, sparing her not a moment to talk. Alexis groaned, flipping her middle finger to the back of the officers. Where the hell was she going to get a lawyer? Especially one who could get her father out without any issues? She didn’t even have the money for her next house rent.
‘’Damn it.’’
Feeling deflated, she turned and walked out of the station.
‘’Sammy, please!’’ Matt pleaded, blocking the girl’s attempt to maneuver him. ‘’He’s willing to pay.’’
‘’I run a cafe, you idiot. Not a whore club.’’ Sam reached out to grab a glass, threatening him with
it if she didn’t step aside. Matt gulped, slightly moving so she would pass. She moved to the window display. He coughed lightly as he scratched his head, watching her. ‘’Fine, do you have someone to recommend then?’’
Sam narrowed her eyes, resting her hands on her hips.
‘’It’s only going to be for a while. No sexual intimacy, just acting.’’ Matt added.
Sam scoffed. ‘’What’s wrong in telling his mother he is not ready for marriage?’’ She rolled her eyes, setting the window down. ‘’Men these days.
"I actually believed that we would eventually have to take sides.” Marcus could vividly recall the memories. He had been friends with Haven since high school, witnessing his journey through a painful breakup with his college girlfriend, who had betrayed him by getting involved with his roommate. Smoothly flowing friendship marked by shared experiences and challenges. The betrayal had caused Haven to build walls so high that they appeared insurmountable. His innate warmth and optimism were buried beneath layers of protective cynicism. When Fiona first re-introduced Alexis to their friend group few months ago, Marcus noticed the same wounded walls in her. Fresh from calling off her engagement to a man who had gradually tried to suppress her sparkle, in an effort to control her better, Alexis was portraying a demeanor characterized by sharp edges and cautious aloofness. Haven and Alexis moved around each other cautiously, like two wary cats, drawn to each other yet filled with insecurit
The park seemed hushed, only the little giggles from the children playing and the jogging steps from around the park seemed to be the only sound apart from the heartbeat of both Haven and Alexis. Haven and Alexis sat across from each other, their gazes locked. Time seemed to stand still as they simply were, their presence filling the space with a quiet intensity. Haven's heart pounded in his chest. He’d never felt this way about anyone before. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time, every detail, every nuance, striking him with a fresh sense of wonder. Her eyes, a deep, captivating brown, held a universe of emotions. He could get lost in them for hours, exploring the depths of her soul. Alexis, too, was lost in the moment. She felt a warmth spreading through her, a comforting familiarity that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Haven’s gaze was steady and kind, a stark contrast to the chaos that often surrounded her. In his eyes, she saw acceptance, understanding, and
Haven's throat was fixed. He knew precisely what she meant—how they had both lost themselves in the splits and cleft of their fizzled marriage, getting to be individuals they didn’t recognize. "Do you ever think," he said, his voice scarcely capable of being heard, "about what us?" Alexis gave him a sidelong look, her expression softening. "All the time." They fell into a pensive quiet, the kind that comes as it were when two individuals share a history as well complicated for words. "I think," Alexis began gradually, "we were trying so hard to be what we thought the other needed that we overlooked to be ourselves." Haven gestured, her words resounding deeply. "No doubt. I thought I had to be this culminating supplier, continuously solid, continuously in control. But I wasn't truly letting you in. I see that now." "And I kept trying to be this perfect spouse," Alexis included with a little, self-deprecating snicker. "I needed to demonstrate that I was enough, that I coul
Alexis let out a little, severe giggle. “I never stopped caring, Haven. That’s the problem.” The genuineness in her voice cut through him like a knife, more sharp than any offended she may have tossed his way. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “If you never stopped caring, why did you leave?” She hesitated, her expression tormented. “Because I was tired of waiting for you to choose me.” Haven felt the air leaving his lungs as if she had punched him. “What are you talking about? I was continuously there.” “You were physically there,” Alexis whispered, “but your heart was someplace else. Continuously working, continuously building. I needed more than that.” He closed his eyes, blaming wrapping around him like chains. He had worked himself to the bone to donate them both a great life, believing it would be enough. But in the process, he had missed the foremost vital thing—her. “I thought I was doing it for us,” he said, his voice overwhelming with lament.
A minute, the walls around her heart trembling but not very falling. Perhaps, just perhaps, she might take another step. “Yeah,” she said unobtrusively. “I think I do.” Haven leaned back in his leather chair, checking the numbers on his laptop screen with a tired but fulfilled smile. Business was good, better than ever, in reality. Growing his firm had been one of the most risky choices of his life, but the payoff had surpassed his expectations. However, even in the midst of his proficient victory, a gloomy hurt remained underneath the surface, one that wasn’t so effortlessly relieved by benefits and development charts. He tapped a number of keys to distract himself and ran a hand down his face. He had a whole lot to do on his plate for the upcoming investors meeting that could serve as a major boost for the future of his company. His company that suffered a downgrade after the divorce with Alexis was slowly getting recognized and becoming a better version of itself.Outside the wide
She moved awkwardly in her seat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s easier that way. In case you don’t expect anything, you can’t get hurt.” Dr. Patel inclined forward marginally, her hands resting on the armrests of her chair. “It sounds like you’ve built walls around yourself to secure against dissatisfaction. But those walls also make it difficult for people to associate with you, don't they?” Alexis collapsed her arms firmly over her chest. “Yeah, well. it’s not like anyone’s trying that hard, anyway.” “Do you think that’s true?” Dr. Patel inquired tenderly. “Or is that something you tell yourself since it feels safer?” Alexis looked absent, jaw fixing. “What difference does it make? They give up inevitably. Friends, boyfriends. everybody. It continuously happens.” Dr. Patel let a minute of hush hang between them before she spoke. “Tell me about your last relationship.” Alexis moaned, rubbing her sanctuaries. “Do we have to?” “I think it could help us learn mor