Coffee Shop Drama

Cole

Xander stirred his espresso and suddenly nudged my arm. “Do you know her?” he asked.

I didn’t respond right away, my gaze still fixed on the scene unfolding before me.

Xander let out a low chuckle. "Damn, Cole. I’ve never seen you look at a woman like that before. No matter how beautiful she is, you don’t have to keep staring.” His eyes narrowed playfully. “When did you start taking an interest in anything other than business?"

I pulled my gaze away from the scene across the café and smirked. “I didn’t expect to see such a good show right after coming back.”

It had been years since I last set foot in New York, but some things never changed. The people, the conversations, the social hierarchy that governed this city—it was all the same.

Xander followed my line of sight, and the moment he spotted the man standing there, his expression shifted.

"Wait a second. Why is your stepbrother here? Didn’t he just propose to the daughter of the Rothem family? Why is he tangled up with another woman already?”

I said nothing, merely watching as the woman’s fingers tightened around the cup she held. I could see it in her expression—the boiling anger, the disgust.

And then, just as I anticipated, she snapped.

With a sharp flick of her wrist, she tossed the contents of her coffee onto Ethan’s face.

The café went dead silent.

Ethan shot up from his seat, his expensive suit now stained with coffee. Gasps and whispers spread across the café, but the woman didn’t wait for anyone’s reaction. She turned and stormed out, her long hair swaying behind her.

I smirked.

Xander blinked, then let out a low whistle. "Wow." He looked back at me and shook his head. "I have to say, your stepbrother is worse than I thought. I never imagined he’d push someone to that point."

He paused, then glanced toward the exit where the woman had disappeared. "And that girl… she’s got guts. Poor thing, though. Getting involved with someone like Ethan? She really got unlucky."

I suddenly remembered the way she had punched the wall with anger that night with everything she got.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "She’s not as pitiful as you think."

Xander shot me a curious look. "Oh?"

After a brief moment, he leaned back, sighing. "Anyway, Ethan’s officially getting engaged soon, huh? With the backing of the Rothem family, he’ll probably become the official heir to Buckman Corporation. I have to admit, that’s quite an advantage for him."

His tone turned grim. "Cole, you’ve worked your ass off for years. Are you really just going to sit back and watch everything you built get handed to him on a silver platter?"

I didn’t respond.

Xander scoffed. "Come on. Don’t act like it doesn’t bother you."

When I still didn’t say anything, he frowned. "Look, I know you don’t talk about it, but what your father did to you was complete bullshit. Instead of supporting his own son, he backed some stepson with no blood relation. He forced you out, made things difficult, and did everything he could to block your path."

I listened in silence, unaffected by his words.

Xander shook his head. "And yet, here you are, back in New York, acting like none of that matters. Are you seriously not going to do anything?"

I finally set my cup down and met his gaze. "I stopped longing for my father’s approval a long time ago, Xander."

His expression shifted slightly, but he let me continue.

"My mother’s fate was enough to show me how foolish it is to beg for something that will never come," I said calmly. "I have no interest in fighting for his love or recognition."

Xander exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Then what are you planning?"

A slow smile tugged at my lips.

"They tried to bury me," I said. "But in doing so, they forced me to grow into something they can no longer control. My father might think he can hand everything to Ethan, but the other shareholders? They’re not blind. They know the value I bring."

Xander studied me for a moment before a smirk formed on his lips. "So, you’re going to take everything back."

I didn’t answer directly, but the confidence in my eyes said enough.

My years overseas had shaped me into someone stronger, someone untouchable. Unlike Ethan, I didn’t need the Buckman name to define me. But that company? It held my mother’s blood, sweat, and tears. I wouldn’t let it fall into the hands of a man like Ethan.

As I turned my gaze back to him, I noticed the café manager bowing respectfully in front of him, listening as Ethan barked orders. Even after all these years, he still carried himself like some spoiled rich boy, demanding respect instead of earning it.

It was really annoying.

But it wouldn’t last forever.

Xander stretched his arms and sighed. "Alright, enough talk about business. Since you’re finally back, let’s go out tonight. I’ll call a few others—we’ll celebrate properly."

I glanced at my phone and shook my head. "Can’t. I have a family dinner."

Xander groaned. "Seriously? After everything, you’re still showing up to those fake, awkward Buckman family gatherings?"

I smirked, slipping my phone into my pocket. "Of course. Wouldn’t want to miss out on the entertainment."