𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩

𝟖 || 𝐑𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧

Estelle

Oh dear god, since when did so many people come to our -the café? I can't say it's too many, because it's really not. I remember back when this was just a small café that rarely saw any people, so I can't complain. But it's hard not to. There's a decent amount of people for us to feed at the moment, but still I can't help to feel the stress building up as people talk out loud and their chatter fills my ears.

Their voices ring in my ears. It hurts.

I want to cut my ears off, anything to avoid hearing people arguing who should order or what they want.

I continue fixing up a latte, it has become quiet popular recently - of course I understand why, they're Adam's specialty. Who could resist his soft chocolate eyes and sweet smile. I look at the woman who ordered it, she smiles softly hearing her name and walks towards me.

I hand her the cup, the woman takes it in her hands before heading towards what I assume must be her friends.

It's not early by any means, It's 12:37pm, most people usually come by around this time to drink some coffee to relieve their stress, some people come here to use the toilet.

I hear the bell chime, I look up, my eyes catching the hard grey eyes looking deeply into mine as they approach me.

And some people come here to bother others, specifically me.

He stands tall, his posture straighter than mine could ever be. Not saying that mine isn't straight, but his is insanely straight. And covered in prominent ridges of muscles. Does this man do some kind of back workouts or something? I slightly squint my eyes at him, proving that I did in fact expect him to come today. He opens his mouth to speak, but I quickly interrupt his words. ''Black coffee, two sugars.'' I repeat his usual order swiftly, Aldric's eyes flicker around my face.

''I was thinking of drinking the latte today.'' Oh.

''Oh, really?'' I straighten my back, trying to keep my composure, feeling the heat of embarrassment all over my face.

Aldric's lips form into a smirk which quickly fades away as he begins speaking. ''No, you're right... add a muffin to the order.''

Before I get to reply, he tosses a 5 dollar bill on the counter and in a split second moves to his usual spot.

A part of me would lie if I said I expected him to come today, since it was crowded, but another part of me knew that he would not stop coming here until I ban him from coming here - if that would even stop him.

I start working on his coffee, my eyes drifting to him from time to time. He's wearing a black hood with some black sweats, the cap on top of his head making it harder to notice him, as well as the hood pulled over it.

After I finish his coffee, I grab a plate and plop one of our delicious muffins on top of the plate. He has started to like muffins as well I guess. I place the small plate beside the paper cup on the counter, but just as I'm about to yell his name out I remember what happened the last time I did so.

You're joking.

I knew it. That bastard was teasing me, knowing that since I can't call his name out loud; I have to walk over to him and hand him his order. I grab the plate and cup tightly, feeling the anger rush through my body. Rude, mean and a cruel man. That's all he is.