Meeting Zen

“I-IS THERE SOMETHING that you need?” I asked him after regaining myself. Was I too obvious that we’re eyeing on him?

He smiled at me that made me even feel nervous. “Are you the owner of this shop?”

Goodness!

His modulated voice was calming and pleasant to my ears. I’m kinda creeped out that my brain wasn’t sending me signals that this guy is a possible jerk… Or maybe he’s just really not.

Stop judging people, Dawn!

“Uhm, yeah. Do you need anything?” I asked again. I was quite concerned that he might have something to complain about the service.

He nodded and smiled widely, showing his good white set of teeth. Like I said, my brain should have been sending a red alert code but it surprisingly didn’t.

“You.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Dusk chortled and tapped my back. “He said he needs you.”

“M-me? What for?” I looked at him puzzled. My heart was beating like crazy. Never in my life I felt like this in front of a man.

Fine! Except for my ex-boyfriend. I was young back then.

“Care to join me for a cup of coffee?”

I looked at Dusk who was nodding excitedly.

“Sure. Anything you like? I’ll be asking my staff for it.”

“A cappuccino will do.”

“I’ll take care of it!” Dusk pushed us towards the stairs. “I’ll be there.”

I snorted as soon as I realized what she was planning.

“You awfully look familiar. I think I’ve seen you before.” He stared at my face while we were walking upstairs.

I squinted my eyes as I glanced at him. “Are you about to say a pick-up line?”

“No.” He laughed. “I’m not. I think I saw you in a movie. Are you an actress?”

“Ah.” I nodded. “No. It’s my sister.”

“Your sister is Dusk Zabelle?” He looked astonished. “Wait… I’m confused.”

I took a deep breath. “She’s my twin.”

“Oh… that explains it. I thought you were just pulling my leg. Like how can you be the sister when you look exactly like her. But it isn’t really known to the public that she has a twin.”

I guided him towards my favorite spot. In fairness to him, he was a gentleman. He pulled me a chair before sitting in front of me.

“I asked Dusk not to freely open up about me. I don’t want to get tangled in showbiz. And by the way, you already met my sister downstairs.”

His brows furrowed. “You mean the one with an odd-looking cap and sun glasses?”

“Bingo!” I smiled in victory since it was me who gave her that disguise.

He chuckled. “My eyes were too focused on you to notice her.”

Thump. Thump. Thump!

This man definitely knows how to swoon a lady. My heart can’t even resist his magical charms that I can instantly block before. What’s happening with me today?

“Hey! I hope I’m not interrupting something.” Dusk smiled at me.

“No. You’re right on time. Oh!” He stood up and offered a handshake which my sister accepted. “Nice meeting you Ms. Dusk.”

“I guess my disguise is busted.” She sat down beside me and removed her cap and glasses.

The man held his breath as he stared at us in awe. “Fascinating.”

“Okay. So, what’s your business with us?”

“Of course.” He nodded slowly. Shaking off his fascination towards them. “I actually own a café just a few blocks away from here. The Sweet Tooth Lounge.”

“Oh yeah. I’ve seen that.”

I’m getting interested about this.

“By the way. My name is Zen, a professional pastry chef and I would like to offer a partnership. I’ll be supplying cakes to you and in return, you will share your coffee secret with us.”

My head slowly turned to Dusk. She was also looking at me, waiting for my decision.

“I didn’t know that this neighborhood is filled with well-known people.” I commented as I looked at them. “I am fully aware of your success, Mr. Zen. I just didn’t realize I’ll see you here.”

“Great! So, what do you say about my offer?”

I took a deep breath. “I need more time. But just so you know. I’m considering your offer. Especially Christmas is coming. We normally experience issue with the cake distribution at this time.”

Zen gave me a smug smile. “If you make me as your distributor, you will never experience that again.”

“OH MY GOODNESS! That man is so handsome, twinning!” Dusk shook my body in excitement. “Who would have thought that there’s a gorgeous man in the area?”

Zen just left the café and my twin can’t help but express her enthusiasm about him. We mostly talked about business but Dusk strategically asked him personal stuff which he happily answered.

“Stop girl. Calm down.” I removed her hands from my shoulders. “If you want him so much then why don’t you make a move?”

She rolled her eyes. “As if I can do that. Besides, I don’t want him for myself.” Her brows went up and down, obviously teasing me. I went inside the staff room where she followed me. “What? You felt nothing? Not even a tiny bit of attraction?”

I sighed in exhaustion. “Dusk, we should be thinking about the offer first.”

“Hmm… I think Zen’s effect on you is different. You didn’t act hostile towards him.”

My brows furrowed as I stared at her. “Why do you always make me look like a monster in your mind? Am I that bad?”

She laughed. “You just immediately sneer at guys as soon as you see them. But earlier, you stuttered when he approached you.”

I faced my twin and crossed my arms. “Fine. I know you will keep teasing me until you get my answer. Yes, there is something different with Zen.”

Her eyes gleamed in delight so I stopped her before she could even think of something weird.

“Not the love stuff. My jerk alarm didn’t buzz while we were talking to him. It was great. It’s been a while since I talked to a guy who didn’t make me roll my eyeballs in annoyance.”

“Then that’s a great start… of something new.” She teasingly laughed at me. “Looking forward to see you in love again.”

I threw the rag I was holding at her. “You keep on prying about my love life, why not focus on yours!”

“Because I can’t.” She let out a exasperated sigh. “So, fulfill my dream of finding love. If I see you happy with someone then it will look as if I’m happily in love too.”

“If I’m gonna meet men like Flynn again, then I’ll just submit myself to God.”

“As a nun?” Her eyes widened.

“What’s wrong with that? And twinning, can you no longer tell if I’m joking or not?” I huffed as I rolled my eyes.

“Nothing’s wrong of becoming a nun. The issue is, they won’t accept you there. You’re too bad to be holy.”

“Really?” My brow arched as my lips formed into a mischievous smile.

Dusk’s giggle turned into a loud laugh when I charged at her and tickled her waist. Our life would’ve been much fun if we were always together.