1: Borrowed

Chapter 1

Borrowed

***

POV: Lia Salvador

Five years later…

“One caramel macchiato for Nerissa!” I loudly announced as I gave the teenager a soft smile.

She says her thanks before she walks away. I continue my job as I arrange the coffee beans. I had never experienced such contentment and happiness in this kind of work.

“We’re almost done for today!” Cali smilingly commented.

I smiled at her widely while I adjusted my thick and dark rimmed eyeglasses.

Calixta Mendrez is my friend and my workmate. It’s already been a year since I started working at the Heaven’s Cup Café. It is where I end up after running away from home.

Yes.

I ran away from home after that night.

I must say that it was the best decision that I had to take… It takes me a lot of courage to finally choose myself and my freedom.

However, I need to hide my real identity. I am known as Lia Salvador now, a simple girl who is now living a simple life.

I need to change my hair color to light blonde for my disguise. And I need to pretend to be an old-fashioned lady who is wearing loose shirts and long skirts.

It is just a small sacrifice to be my real self, though. At least I am living now with no restrictions, no fake emotions, no calculated movements… just me.

It’s just that there’s one lie that I had to tell, and that is my name and my dress code.

Other than that, this is my truest self of all.

I slightly shook my head as my thoughts start to drift back from the past that I was trying to bury deep within me.

“Yeah. Are you done with the cups?” I asked her.

She just simply nods her head. I continue arranging the cupcakes when the bell hanging on the door of the café rings.

Our eyes move toward the men laughing at each other. I look at my wristwatch. It’s already almost seven in the evening.

They are late.

Cali let out an inaudible grunt. She can’t stop them because it is not yet seven. Besides, these construction workers are our regular customers. We can’t just shoo them away.

I smile at her reaction.

My eyes instantly look for a familiar man, but he isn’t with the group. I feel a bit disappointed at that.

They are the group of construction workers from across the street. Our café is the nearest place where they can distress. Most of them are already of age, and they prefer tea or coffee – rather than hard liquors.

Besides, the bar is an hour-drive from where they are. It is too time consuming for them to go.

Well, that is based on what they said one time.

I just continue arranging the cupcakes while Cali was already working on their orders. I went towards her when I was done with my work to help her prepare.

I heard the bell ring for the second time, but because I am listening to Cali’s instructions, I don’t have time to see who enters the place.

I start making three white choco mocha frappesso while Cali is doing five mint teas and two more green teas.

However, I almost caught my breath when my light brown eyes met those familiar cold deep blue eyes.

“Can I add my order?” He coldly inquired.

My heart begins to pound hard inside my chest. My stomach tickles like a lot of butterflies are hovering inside it.

I slowly put down the cups and calmed myself.

Although I already know that it will be too hard because I am already tense and excited at the same time.

“Uhm, sure. W-What is i-it?” My voice slightly trembles, and I reach for my small and handy notebook instead.

I surely can’t look into his intense and cold eyes.

It is like hypnotizing me and something more…

Besides, it is the very first time that he is up close to me.

I want to let out a soft curse for feeling this way in front of him. It is like I am a giddy teenager who finally sees her crush up this close.

“One cappuccino…” He flatly said.

I look at him curiously.

“Is that for you? You always order a mocha frappesso.” I said it without thinking.

He suddenly smirks at me as my eyes widen when I realize what I just said.

‘What the heck, Lia!’ I scream inside my mind for being too nosy.

“I don’t know that you already know what I always want.” His voice is slightly playful.

I swallow the lump in my throat as my cheeks burn in embarrassment.

“Uh, well…”

And my mind suddenly went blank, for I don’t know what to say to him anymore. I am feeling too nervous and giddy just being in front of him.

He suddenly giggles – causing me to stare at him with curious and astonished eyes. It is the very first time that I’ve seen him smile.

Renz, as his friends call him, is always snobby, silent, and cold.

He rarely smiles – or he never has, not until now – and he seldom talks.

“I just want to try something different today.” Renz simply replied.

I just nodded my head at him.

“O-Okay. I will just prepare it now. Uhm, that’s three dollars…” I shyly said before I got his payment.

I almost flinched when I slightly touched his hand. It is like an electrifying sensation is creeping into my entire system, I bit my lower lip.

“Uhm, here’s your change…” I swallow hard and instantly give him the money.

I try so hard not to touch him – for the intensifying feeling he’s giving me is too much to bear. It’s like I am about to faint.

‘Goodness, Lia!’

“Thanks…” He simply said before walking away.

I feel relieved but I also want to knock my head up because of embarrassment.

Everyone cheers at him as he joins their conversation.

It is the first time talking to Renz since last month – when he arrives at the construction site. I didn’t know when the first time was that I started feeling this way, but it had already rooted deeply inside my heart.

He is somewhat familiar at first glance, but I realize that it will be impossible for her to know him. He’s a construction worker – although he’s a hunk and a handsome man in his plain shirt and ripped jeans. He also has this long pitch-black hair that reaches his nape – and his stubbles is making him a bit hotter.

‘My goodness’ gracious, Lia! Look at what your mind is drifting into…’ I castigated myself before continuing my job.

This, whatever I had right now, is just a mere attraction… or it is just truly what I want to think of.

I just shake my head and continue what I am doing.

I had no time for such feelings… because this is just my borrowed life.

And this is not my real identity.

With that thought in mind, I feel like my heart is slowly tearing apart.