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Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10
COFFEE SHOP

"Niña, come in, come in," Marcus spotted her as soon as she stepped into the cafe, welcoming her warmly as  always.

Luisa looked up, smiling at the familiar face. Yes, she had decided to go to Nuevalos Cafe fully aware of the risk of running into a particular someone. Although she was anxious about it, she was also not very anxious at the same time—admittedly, it was a confusing union of feelings, one Luisa would rather not think much about at the moment since she was busy looking around the shop for a particular brown-skinned, ridiculously tall man.

"Looking for someone, Luisa?"

"Hmm?" she returned her attention to the coffee shop owner before her behind the bar who was looking at her questioningly, and then shook her head, "No. Where's Sofia?" she asked once she noticed her favourite coffeemaker's absence.

"Made her take an off day today—she's not feeling well,"

"Oh no, I hope it's nothing serious," worry quickly replaced her anxiousness as she took in the news.

"Nah, it's just simple flu," he waved her off, smiling, "She never gets enough rest anyways, and so I made her stay in for one day,"

Luisa nodded understandingly.

"Shall I get you anything else with your coffee?" Marcus asked as he slid a steamy cup before her.

She shook her head, smiling and taking a small sip of her coffee. Marcus made good coffee, but nothing could ever rival the ones that his wife made.

"It's not still as good as hers, is it?" he asked knowingly.

Luisa gave him a sheepish shrug, taking a couple bills out of her purse before handing it to him. He went to refuse her, but she wasn't backing down today and he had to accept it, admitting defeat.

"You'll see–," he exclaimed, pointing one finger challenging at the cup in her in her hand, "–any one of these days, I'm going to make coffee as good as my wife,"

"Not the first time I'm hearing you say this, but still good luck,"

Luisa took another quick look around the shop. It was a 50/50 chance of running into him anyways, Luisa knew that, but still, she couldn't help but feel... disappointed.

Honestly, she didn't know why she was feeling disappointed. Even if she had run into him, then what. She shook her head at herself and took another sip of her coffee, and making her way towards her office.

***

After experiencing a rather long, out-of-order two days, Luisa was starting to feel like she was back to herself again. She arrived at work on time, and didn't waste on one second before diving into work. The day had turned out to be immensely productive as well—she actually managed to get more work done than she had initially planned. There was a satisfied smile on Luisa's face when she powered down the system cracking her knuckles, and then her neck muscles.

She swivelled around in her chair and noticed Blake who had been uncharacteristically quiet today. Well, not completely quiet, but she just wasn't as cheerful today. Usually, she wouldn't remain in her seat for more than ten minutes; it was a wonder how the woman managed to get any work done at all. But that day she hadn't really moved around all that much and just stayed seated for the most part.

"Hey. Blake?" Luisa called out, and the other woman jerked in response as if she had been too engrossed in her own thoughts—she had been staring blankly at the screen of her desktop.