Axel

8

I S A B E L L A

I stood in-front of the mirror, my chin tilted up as my fingertips brush over the purple bruise on the skin of my neck. The small light hanging above my head flickers, and i tighten my apron around my waist.

The events of the night prior had come as laughable now. I didn't dwell on our proximity any more than i should have, i was merely intrigued by his existence - or to put it more finely - the secrets that lay beneath his dark persona.

Although i couldn't deny the attraction, i could acknowledge that last night was merely a reaction built up by a range of emotions due to the fight.

Yet his assumptions that i'd want to peruse a one night stand irked me. I was an inexperienced woman, who looked for a connection before the need of a climax. He took what he needed to fill his sexual desires, and he didn't give anything back. It was easy for him to fool around with women and move on. It annoyed me that he assumed i would be the same.

On the other hand i couldn't blame him. We don't know each other.

Lucy stands behind the counter, her body slumped in a bored manner. We hadn't discussed last night, but when she sent me a warm smile, relief washed over me.

"Excuse me. " A soft voice comes from in-front of me. I blink at the customer, who judging by her facial expression, tried to keep her patience.

"Yes, I'm so sorry, what would you like to order today?" I straighten, my hand gliding over the ipad that contained the menu infront of me.

"Just a regular coffee, please."

Her acrylics slap onto the wood when she places the cash down, before moving to the end of the counter.

The sound of the bell rings, indicating a customer. I don't have to look up from the device infront of me to realise it's him.

Suddenly i felt bothered about last nights events. I hated feeling embarrassed, it was difficult to push away the feeling when the cause of it is making its way towards you.

"Medium hot chocolate." I slid my eyes up to him, and watched as he slapped a few dollars onto the counter.

He didn't acknowledge me, his eyes set on his phone and only diverting away from it when having to slide his change off the counter.

I huff when he merely ambles to the end of the counter and stands behind the impatient woman.

I was just as happy to pretend like we didn't know each other. Not like i'm left with the marks as a constant reminder. Marks that i'm sure he probably doesn't even remember leaving there.

My colleague, Sophie, sways past me and reaches over the counter to personally hand the drink to Axel. His hand reaches for the cup, but she doesn't pull hers back.  Batting her eyelashes, she mutters words of what seem like lust. The look he sends her reminds me of the same exact look i received less than 24 hours ago. The same hungry eyes, and the small smirk that stretches his features.

He's pulling away from her in seconds, making his way to the bathroom in the most calm manner.

Sophie jogs over to me and throws her apron in my face. "I'm going on my break now"

She's gone before she even finishes the sentence. I scrunch my eyebrows and throw her apron onto the rack.

"Rachel and April just finished their break, let's swap them?" Lucy appears behind me. I nod in agreement, meeting her in the cloakroom.