Chapter 1: Coffee Shop

Perlm Marie Olavin

"Fourteen percent off?"

I looked closely at the tarpaulin of a coffee shop. They also seem to have a discount. No wonder, it's February fourteen. That's why some shops here at the university have great discounts and sales.

Well, I love coffee. Why not give it a go?

Before I entered, I went through the first building to buy coffee. I expected not too many people because this coffee shop has been open for a long time and there are many modern coffee shops there. The originals remain the best.

As soon as I entered, I went to the counter to place my order. I have to hurry because I might be late for my next class.

"One iced coffee with ten shots of espresso, please!"

"One iced coffee with one shot of espresso."

I looked at the man with whom I was speaking. We looked at each other. My eyebrows rose slightly when I saw his blank expression. It's like I'm just an air; he can't see me.

Damn. Who hurt this man?

"Ma'am, Sir, just one by one. You can sit there, Ma'am, because Sir came here first," said the barista.

I nodded, but I looked again at the man with a blank expression.

"One shot of espresso? Weak," I said while laughing.

I continued laughing while sitting at the table but got no response from that man. He's wearing a gray suit, and he's tall and white. The first thing I noticed about him earlier was his deep eyes. His eyes were sad. I also admit that his voice is beautiful.

It's like the tone of a professor who is teaching and you just want to shed your pants because of how cold, full, and nice his tone is.

"Ma'am, here we go!" called the barista, so I approached, but I also looked at the male customer while laughing.

I don't know what I'm doing. I just want to tease him.

"One iced coffee with ten shots of espresso, miss."

His eyes widened and his face wrinkled at what he heard.

"Are you sure, Ma'am?" The barista asked me hesitantly, "Ten shots?"

I chuckled and looked at him, at that man.

"Yes, I'm not weak. Ten shots of espresso? Basic!"

He didn’t look at me or just pay me attention. He took something out of his pocket and put it on.

Ohh...

He wears eyeglasses.

Is he a professor or what? Hmm, not bad, I still prefer his look without eyeglasses.

"What's your name?"

When the barista asked me, he turned to the counter with a raised eyebrow. I still can't take my eyes off him.

He's curious.

I sneezed before saying, "It's Meghan... Meghan!" I repeat so he can hear it properly.

The barista nodded. I returned to the table near Mr. Blank Expression. Not so lucky. Why would I give them my real name, huh?

"What's your name again?"

My eyebrows rose when he finally spoke, but he wasn’t looking at me.

"What?"

"Your name?"

"Tch! I said it was Meghan. Haven't you heard? " I said bluntly and crossed my arms.

"It doesn't suit you," he said, grinning miserably. "That name is too beautiful for a naughty girl like you."

My jaw dropped.

"One iced coffee for Sir Andy!"

I stared at him as he walked to the counter.

"No..." It can't be.

Instead of being annoyed by the insults he hurled at me a while ago, my blood boiled, even more, when I heard his name.

Fuck it.

I hate that name. I hate Andy!

He immediately took the coffee from the counter and paid. But before he could get out, I blocked his way.

"Your name is Andy?"

He raised an eyebrow, did not respond to what I asked him, and drank from the cup. I could see that his red lips were slightly wet from the coffee.

I was even more annoyed.

"W-well..." Your name suits you! Andy, cheater, user, traitor, ungrateful, arrogant, and ugly! "

I poured all my resentment on this man who was just frowning.

Fuck. I was even more boiling with rage because it seemed like nothing to him. It seems like he doesn't care if he's a user. They're heartless! Men are heartless!

"Get it?" I added while gritting my teeth.

"Yeah, I get it. Thanks for the compliment, "he replied and passed me.

He finally left as if I hadn't said any hurtful words.

"One iced coffee for Miss Meghan!"

I stared at that man until I could no longer see him. Fuck that name. I was even more annoyed with that man.

Now that I know his name, he kind of reminds me of my ex-boyfriend! A man's handsomeness is useless if his name is meaningless.

"Miss Meghan?"

But the annoying thing is, instead of him getting annoyed with me, I ended up getting annoyed.

What a cruel world.

"Miss Meghan!"

"Oh, yes?"

"Here's your order!"

***

After drinking my coffee, I entered my class. I found my friends having fun. Mildred, Amy, and Rosie.

I greeted them.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Perlm, where have you been?"

"Valentine's discount!" I laughed.

We casually had fun while waiting for the professor to enter. We're in our fourth year of college, and yes, their dreams are close to coming true.

Me? I don't know. I lost my dream. It disappeared like a bubble when the man I loved left me.

My heart was broken because of that man, and if I could just have amnesia to forget him, I would.

"What did you say?"

"Thank you for being part of my life, Marie." For the past 3 years, you have been good to me. You loved me more than yourself... but I think it's time. It's time for us to let go of each other. "

I shook my head at him. How can he say that?

"As soon as I recover, I will let you go. I don't want you to suffer anymore, Perlm. Goodbye. "

My fucking three years were wasted because of him. Stupid, being pious, I suffered when he got sick. But when he recovered, he let me go. He forsook all my sacrifices. He doesn't need me anymore.

"Perlm! Andy is here! " Amy touched me and pointed to the man who had just entered the classroom.

With another lady...

It was his best friend, but it turns out it was his new girlfriend, Rachell.

"So? I don't care. Let them enjoy, I'm happy for them," I replied to my friends so fast because they were waiting for my reaction.

Andy looked at me and waved. I faked a smile and just focused on the upcoming professor. I hate him. I wish he had just died... I wish he hadn't recovered. I wish I hadn't been fooled by that player.

All my dreams were ruined because of him. If I could just forget him... I would. That’s what I always say, but I don’t know how to begin.

They knew me as a playgirl. I’m tough. I don’t follow all the rules. They know I play and fuck with boys, but damn! He was my first boyfriend, but I did not give him my virginity... so how can they say I'm a playgirl?

For him, my love isn’t enough. I have shortcomings, especially in bed, but I didn’t let him down when he was diagnosed with cancer. I was there for him. Whether by storm or sunshine.

But still... He left me.

Argh! He was the one who lost a gem, after all.

***

It's Wednesday. We're at the cafeteria. I eat quietly while my friends laugh and talk about their boys. I'm bored. I suddenly thought of the man in the coffee shop the other day.

Who could that be? I just saw him here at the university. It's impossible that he's a professor because I don't see or know him. He's really hot, girls would chase her every day if he is a professor here... next to Sir Andrei

"I'd like some coffee," I said, leaning against the table.

"I thought you had coffee earlier?" said Mildred.

"That's ten shots of espresso," they clarified.

"Yeah, it's not enough." I drink strong coffee every day. Nothing has happened to me yet. I'm still alive!

Their mouths opened when I said that. Some of them looked at my condition, placing their palms on my forehead.

"Oh my god, Pelrm. Are you still alive? Ten shots? You're going crazy! " Amy patted my cheek.

"What are you? It's just basic to me, but it's still not enough. " I just ignored them and watched the couples hanging out here in the cafeteria.

God... Valentine's Day is over; why is there more like this?!

"Bitter?"

I stood up and slung the bag over my arm. "Excuse me? Who's bitter? "

They shook their head, being defensive.

"I'm going. I badly want some coffee. " I took a walk until I saw students huddled together, holding banners and balloons.

Oh, a surprise? How I wish I had experienced that. Knowing Andy, he never surprised me. That’s not in Andy’s vocabulary.

Three years passed with no effort from him. The other half was his recovery. Why did that player recover? I still think it's impossible to survive cancer so why did he survive?!

I whispered to the barista. "One cappuccino, please."

This is a different shop because I was too lazy to go to the first building.

"Here, ma'am."

"Thank you!"

While walking back to the cafeteria, I received a text from Rosie.

Rosie:

Girl. Don't come back here. Just stay there, wherever you are.

My forehead furrowed. What's with her?

I didn't reply.

Instead of listening to her, I went straight to the cafeteria, where they were making a fuss and shouting.

This is interesting. This is gossip again. I'm needed here. I hurriedly ran into the cafeteria.

"Excuse me!" I shouted at the students who were blocking until I got to the front.

I witnessed Andy and Rachell talking sweetly in the middle of the cafeteria. How Andy surprised his new girlfriend...