Chapter 5

EVEN the guy at the counter, the smile he showed me was fake and the way he looked at me was sarcastic.

Who cares?

I'm a customer. Their offer is for everyone. I was there to eat cakes and drink coffee. I have money to pay for my order so I have nothing to be ashamed of.

I swallowed. I bit my lower lip when I saw the cakes displayed on the shelf. I forgot that Kier was with me. That’s the effect of cakes on me, losing my mind.

I have a hard time choosing the flavor of the cake. I want to eat everything displayed on the shelf. I pointed to the chocolate cake with a white chocolate drip. That’s what I want to taste first.

"What's your best seller of coffee?"

"Hazelnut vanilla coffee, ma'am."

"Okay. Give me a large size, please."

"I already got your orders, maam. Please just wait about five to ten minutes while we prepare your orders."

I nodded.

I was nervous when I couldn't find my wallet in the pocket of my jeans.

Oh, I'm dead! I touched my forehead. My wallet is inside my bag. And because Kier was in a hurry to take me to the coffee shop, I left it inside the car.

"Problem?" Kier asked me, smiling. His hands were inside the pocket of his jeans. "I'll pay. Find a table, I'll take our orders."

I looked at the counter. I saw the woman blink her eyes so that Kier would notice her.

"Okay," I replied.

I noticed customers whispering as they looked in our direction. I don't want to bother thinking about what's on their minds. It's not surprising if I'm with a dreamy young man, I'm beautiful and healthy. Healthy is the right word and not obese.

They will cry out in envy! And I secretly laugh.

I saw an empty table. I was nervous when I saw the two chairs, they were made of wood and a bit small.

I'm heavy. I hope I don't break it.

I sat down carefully. Moments later I saw Kier walking toward where I was. He was carrying a tray. He set down a saucer in front of me and the cup with hot coffee.

The white chocolate dripping makes me hungry. I ate the chocolate cake right away before Kier could sit down.

"Just slow down and you might choke,” he said. He sat down in front of me.

"It's delicious," I replied. "Honestly, a slice of cake isn't enough for me."

He grinned. He sipped his coffee before speaking. "Is cake your favorite food?"

"I can't say," I replied. "I also love chocolates. When I eat chocolates, my stress is relieved."

He smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing," he said. "You look like a kid when you eat cake, messy."

I lifted my face. I noticed Kier staring at me.

"Are you planning something bad?" My snout snorted. I pointed the fork at him.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked.

I coughed as if something had stuck in my throat. I averted my eyes. I took my cup and sipped coffee. "Be careful what you want to ask me if you don’t want me to be angry with you. You're so good at making my blood boil."

"How are you, Fatima?"

"What?" I almost choked on the coffee I was drinking.

I wondered. I couldn't help but stare into his eyes. That was probably the first time he had asked me that. As I remember, we don't have a good conversation every time we meet.

How am I?

I'm fine. I graduated from college. So far, I don’t have a job. My father said, there is a position waiting for me in the company owned by the Madrid family.

My origin.

The ‘Madrid Advertising Company’. But my father had a condition, he said I had to lose weight first.

I winced. I would certainly have a hard time doing what my father asked. When I think I can no longer eat my favorites, I get depressed.

"I was surprised when Kier tapped me on my shoulder. "W-why?"

"You didn't answer."

"Pardon, what again?"

"I'm asking you how are you?"

"I'm fine. When I'm annoyed with you, I'm not okay," I admit.

Kier was drinking his coffee and then he looked at me seriously. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Ouch!" I bit my tongue. I quickly covered my mouth.

Kier quickly stood up and approached me. "Are you alright?"

I nodded in response.

"Take it easy, I won't take the cake you're eating," he said and sat down again.

He thought I was choking. I did not answer his question. It's so obvious that I don't have a boyfriend. Tsk, maybe he's starting to annoy me again.

I looked at my wristwatch. "It's almost eight o'clock, finish your coffee and we're leaving."

He's weird. I’m not used to talking to him seriously.

Kier stood up first and walked over to the counter. I also finished my coffee and stood up.

"I thought you didn't want a cake?" I asked him. I offered him the cake I was eating but he refused.

"Take-out for you," he replied after paying at the cashier. "And now I will take you to your house."

"And why?" I asked, frowning.

Kier let out a sigh and there was sadness in his eyes when he looked at me. "I'll take you because I'm gentleman enough to do it."

I raised my eyebrow. "As far as I remember, we are not close enough to take me to our house. You shouldn't have bothered to buy a cake, we have a lot of that at home. Anyway, thank you for the free coffee and cakes."

"I'll take you to your house because I invited you to have coffee."

"Maybe you forgot I brought my car," I said and hurried out of the coffee shop.

What happened to him?

Seems like I noticed something strange in him?

He did not know what (GMRC) meant. And now–argh! What's happening in the world? Did the Lord sprinkle with good manners and shower it on Kier?

"Goodness!" I hold my chest in shock when someone grabs my arm. "Kier!"

"I'll just hand it to you," he said and handed me a paper bag. I know what it is. "Be careful driving home."

He turned his back on me. My mouth dropped open looking at him. I scratched my forehead. I shook my head as I walked back to the church.

I think I would go crazy thinking about what happened to him. He's acting weird!