𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢 - 𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐚𝐮

𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐪

ricky's heart was pounding out of his chest as the beautiful girl slowly approached him. and no, it was not because of his heart murmur. or at least he hoped it wasn't....anyway, ricky could already feel a friendly grin grow on his face as the girl got closer. little awkward, because he was really just watching her, but he couldn't help himself. it all almost felt surreal until she was right in front of him.

the girl smiled, "hi."

please don't voice crack, please don't voice crack, please don't voice crack. repeated over and over in ricky's head as he shot her his charming grin. "hey." he responded, his voice coming out in a low, smooth tone.

lovely.

nini felt warm under his gaze, but she tried her best to ignore it. even though, that didn't stop a smile from growing on her face. "do you need help with anything?" she asked kindly, remembering  why she went over to him in the first place. "you looked a little lost or something."

did he? ricky didn't mean to look a little lost. but, then again, he had no idea who 'nina' was or where to find her. "yes actually, i'm looking for the founder of this place?" he inquired.

he's looking for me? nini wondered. "i'm she." she responded with a small grin. "what can i assist you with?"

ricky's eyes widened in surprise. wait, THIS is nina? he thought, his face flushing as the girl raised an eyebrow at his distraught expression. but all that ricky could think over and over again in his head was. 

ohhhh this is going to be weird. 

"oh! y-you're nina?" ricky stuttered out, his eyes still large with confusion. he was trying to seem casual, but he wasn't doing very well at it. 

the girl nodded. she was a little concerned of why this man was looking for her and why he turned as pale as a ghost when she said she was nina, but she tried not to think to much of it. "i am!" she said cheerfully. "how can i help you?" 

internally, ricky face palmed. of course the first thing you do is forget to introduce yourself. nice going rick. "oh yeah, of course." he mumbled while still a little embarrassed. "um, my name is richard bowen and i'm writing a story on your cafe." 

this time,  it was nini's turn for her eyes to widened. she looked at the man in front of her in disbelief. when red told her to call richard up and ask for a story to be done, she didn't expect richard to be a man of this age, nor this attractive. she expected someone older than fifty with that name.

"oh my goodness, i apologize for not recognizing you!" nini exclaimed, quickly reaching out her hand for ricky to shake, but not before wiping it (rather aggressively, might i add) on her skirt apron. "it's so nice to meet you, mr. bowen. please, call me nini." 

ricky couldn't help but laugh a little as he shook nini's small hand. it always was entertaining for him to watch people straighten up their acts around him. but then again, nini was already doing fine. "no need for mr. bowen, nini. call me ricky please." 

nini nodded with a light grin. we on nickname levels. lets go nini. 

"so, i see you found the cafe without any directions." she said with a smirk, siting down on the chair next to ricky and turning herself towards him. 

"well, i may have gotten a lot a little help..." ricky admitted bashfully. "his name was seb; very kind man." 

nini's eyes lit up at her familiar friend's name. she was glad ricky had him for help. "oh my gosh, seb is an absolute angel. i'm so glad you met him." nini gushed as ricky watched her with a small smile.