Risk It All or Let it pass

Chapter 2

"Regular here I presume?" Him being curious.

"I found this place really comforting and then I get along with the manager who happens to be the owner and also the workers. But that one in the cashier is new" I told him, i feel like I'm over sharing.

Then the upgraded iced americano came just a minute. Tanya giving me a mischievous look after she serve the drink and walked away to get back to her work. I kinda know what she's thinking. Goodness that woman.

"Wow!" he said with an awe "I've never had something like this before, it's really good"

"That's why it's called Ary's way to heaven" I said proudly. "But it's not really the real name of the beverage though; it just mean that it's in my personal menu here, my version."

"And you're Ary, I heard the woman called you. So you're some kind of a barista?"

"Something like that, I guess. I did like doing experiments, mixing up stuff they let me in the kitchen... So yeah maybe." I nodded my head slowly

"That's talent. So what am I gonna tell the counter if I ordered again?" I looked at him weirdly.

"You cannot order those, your just lucky you had me at the right moment" I said seriously that made him look a little terrorized. Tiny chuckle went out from me. "I'm kidding, but they're not really for sale...at the moment."

"And why is that? Gordon Ramsay would kneel down for that kind of drink you know." A little flatter by his statement.

"Well, the owner has been negotiating with me about that. She promised to keep the Ary's way to heaven as menu name and a commission." I paused to sip from my bev "Of course I agree, but I wanted to add some more and I just have this feeling that it's not right to have it out this year."

"Isn't that a waste of time and opportunity?" he thought.

"Not at all. You see -" I stopped as I was to mention his name but I didn't know yet.

"Averick, by the way" he seemed to get me.

"Okay. You see, Averick. I'm a big fan of the quote patient is a virtue and great things are awarded to those who wait, plus my intuition never fail me. There's always a right time for everything, pressure will screw you"

"I might have gained an advice there" Averick being amazed by my beliefs.

"You're welcome" as we both snickered.

"So what brought here, ave?" asking him and giving him a little nickname.

"To have a coffee" I rolled my eyes sillily at him in his reply.

"Really, I'm in a vacation with my brother and his wife." he admitted.

"At the moment there I almost believe you travel your way to come just for a coffee. Well, welcome to the Philippines!" I blurt. "Lemme guess, hmm UK?"

"Not really obvious, is it? I'll be here for a month or two." he must be referring for his accent about that obvious.

Given by the fact that British and Australian accent were almost the same. As for myself, i did learn the accent too. It's been my dream to be in England to be specific and maybe that's why I kinda fell comfortable talking with this stranger.

"So why aren't you with your brother and sister in law?" my inner marites invading.

"They decided to watch a movie in a theater after the shopping, not really in the mood. Didn't wanna be a third wheel either" he tittered.

As he gulped in his drink using his left hand and I noticed the shiny sliver in his ring finger. There must've been something. Eyes don't lie and can't even hide it's sadness.

"No one wants that." Agreeing with his last sentence when my phone rang. "I'll take this."

He just smiled and minded his own business.

"- are you for real?" i cried quietly "softie or stiff?" ... "Great! I was worried my throat would get sore or something, I lacked practice you know that. I'll see you later."

The call ended, and I freed a giggle. My band mate just had a good news. We were to perform in an open party tomorrow in a 5 star hotel and soft music as it is a formal 70s to 90s themed party.

"Pardon, did you just talk dirty or you have a different meaning for that?" Ave's question that made me puzzled.

"Oh my go- have it your perspective, sir." I played with him after I realized and I didn't wanna mention that I sing. It's a private joke for me and he's the first to notice.

Whenever I get a call and It's about gig, I would ask if it was softie or stiff (soft or rock) so if it's a softie it's nice to go asap but if rock, I have to at least relax my voice for weeks.

"Implausible" he'd shake his head and grin. I see him darted in my hand "well that explains." He added and I knew he mistook the binding ring I always wore.

I felt awkward cause I noticed earlier that he's wearing one too and it's obvious by the fact that he looked older than me, probably he's committed and also he looked like in pain about that third wheeling. I could conclude that something's off.

"It won't last long though, I can never know the future. There's always end and it's inevitable" not sure of my chosen phrase, I feel like he needed motivation so I added "Some things are meant to happen; if that thing didn't go the way you pictured ahead of time that is because it's not really for you and you have to accept it. Can be tough, yes. But you will see the beauty in it eventually." Giving him a warm smile.

"And in my belief-

"There's always a right time for everything, pressure will screw you?" he asked, cutting me. Remembering what I said earlier.

In my amazement, I just looked at him with an unbelievable expression in my face.

"You'd definitely pick that one up, how nice of you!" clapping my hands soundless. "I feel proud for my Ary's way to heaven" that made me pout a little.

"Keeping that in mind now, and that reminds me; can't I really get some of this over the counter?" referring to his twisted americano. "I was planning to have two more."

"How much caffeine to you take in a day" me weirding out.

"Not for me, gonna have to make them try this beut" eyeing his special drink.

"Right." why didn't I think of that. "When do you want it? I'll make them by myself."

"My brother told me they're already in the Airbnb we had and asked if I could bring them something to munch." he explained.

"Got you." And I take one last sip to my bev and headed to the kitchen.

As soon as I finished, I packed them and included some pastry. A Filipino meryenda such as maligaya and ensaymada.

I was on my way to the table we shared, he stood up and was about to took his wallet out when I came near.

"Don't bother, it's on me." Offering the bag of goods.

"No! I'll pay." he insist that makes me roll my eye at him playfully.

"Have I told you that this isn't for sale yet?" my ego not wanting to give up. "This is called free taste, pretty sure you know what that means ave."

"Sure do." He gave up in defeat. "Thank you, this is too much if you didn't know but my gut also says you will not give up easily here."

"It's a Capricorn thing" I chuckled.

"Thanks again" as he makes his way to the exit.

"Sure"

I sat back to the table and started keeping my stuff, planning to head back at the condo.

"I see chemistry." Tanya popping up from nowhere, almost made me jump.

"He's got ring" I defend.

"Aww dear" she sounded like she pity me "You're supposed to say you're not interested"

"I'm not interested!" Bawling at her in a low voice.

"You really aren't" why does she act foolish "I hope the girls are here at this very moment" and there she left me hanging.

Argh.