Forbidden Love// l.t. au

Chapter 2

A N A S T A S I A

Delightful Days is a very popular coffee shop. Not once has there been a day that there was hardly any customers. Today it's no difference. It's a cold Monday morning in Cambridge. It was 32 degrees outside, not exactly the coldest day we've had, but cold enough for people to come get a delicious cup of coffee. 

I was hurrying around the shop as it filled with more customers. My morning work hours should be finished in an hour since I have class at 8. I maneuvered  between people walking with a tray of hot coffee on one hand. After 2 years of working here, i've became skilled at not dropping coffee on people. Especially when its hot. At the beginning of working here, I nearly spilled a tray full of coffee on a five year old. I nearly got fired, but my charms worked. 

The people at the table were chatting and laughing. It was two boys and two girls. I recognized them from uni, but don't know their names. I put the tray on my hip as I began setting the coffees down on the table. They gave me a small thank you and continued talking. I rolled my eyes as I walked away. Some people are rude now a days. 

I go behind the cash register. My legs are tired from walking too much, and i'm extremely tired. I was up till 3 in the morning studying for a test i'm having today. Right now the floor looks comfortable. I lean against the counter tiredly. All the talking that was going around made my head start to throb. I kind of wish it would stop. 

As if my wish came true, silence fell over the shop. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. I look at the door and see a very handsome man standing there. He was wearing ray bans, and had light brown hair under a beanie. I squint my eyes a little and I can't help but think I've seen this man before. The quietness subsided, being replaced with hushed whispers. I listen to the whispers attentively.

"Is that Prince Louis Tomlinson of Cambridge?"

"It looks like him." 

"I can't believe I'm seeing a prince in real life. Other than the newspapers and television."

That's who it is! Prince Louis of Cambridge. I knew I've seen him somewhere before. It was his perfect posture and positive aura that made him recognizable. Everyone in the coffee shop are more up than before as they are filled with excitement. 

Prince Louis walks over to a clean table away from the window. He looks around the shop filled with wonder. Someone nudges me on my shoulder hard. I move my eyes away from Louis, and turn to the person. 

The manager, a middle aged man who is always grumpy, is looking at me with his usual hard face. I blink up at him and straighten up. Somehow he manages to intimidate you without saying anything. Its kind of creepy in my opinion.

"Go serve Prince Louis. Don't mess this up or you're fired." 

I gulp loudly and nod my head. I need this job, so I need to be on my best behavior. Especially when i'm serving royalty. 

I walk from behind the counter and head towards the "royalty table", as I call it. I can feel everyone's eyes burn in my back as I go. A cold sweat runs down my neck at the tense air. I feel like i'm being judge. Maybe because i'm about to talk to the prince of Cambridge. 

I finally meet my destination. Okay, here it goes. Just think about it Anastasia, your job depends on this. Screw up, and you're fired. I smile at the Prince as I take my notepad out of my back pocket. 

"Hello, welcome to Delightful Days. My name's Anastasia, how may I help you?"

I try my best to not tense up, but I can't help but get nervous. I don't know if it's the people around me or that there's two bulky men staring at me like i'm their prey. Prince Louis looks up at me, and gives me the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. I can't help but get flustered a little.