Love Thy Neighbor (Even if He's a Jerk)

Chapter 2: Café Confessions and New Beginnings

The café buzzed with the morning rush, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chatter of patrons and the hum of the espresso machine. Rawena sat at a corner table, her light brown hair cascading over her shoulders as she stirred her latte absently, lost in thought about her new apartment. The anticipation of Audrey's arrival added to her excitement.

"Rawy!" Audrey's voice rang out as she burst through the café door, her vibrant purple hair making her impossible to miss. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and energy as she made her way to the table, drawing curious glances from the other patrons.

"Auds! Over here!" Rawena waved, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. Audrey plopped down in the chair across from her, her presence like a whirlwind of color and chaos.

"Sorry I'm late, the gallery was insane this morning," Audrey said, catching her breath. "We had this huge delivery of new pieces, and of course, everything had to be perfect."

"Of course," Rawena replied, amused. "You do have a reputation to uphold."

Audrey grinned, pulling out her phone and showing Rawena a picture of a stunning painting. "Check this out. It's from a new artist we're showcasing. The colors, the textures—it's mesmerizing."

"Wow, that's incredible," Rawena said, genuinely impressed. "I wish I had an eye for art like you."

"Oh please, you have plenty of talents," Audrey waved her off, leaning back in her chair. "Speaking of talents, you won't believe what happened yesterday. This insanely sexy guy walked into the gallery and bought a painting for a thousand dollars. No questions, just pointed and said, 'I'll take it.'"

"Really?" Rawena raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Audrey laughed. "He had this mysterious vibe, like he walked straight out of a novel. And the way he looked at the paintings—like he could see into their souls. It was kinda hot."

"Sounds like you might have a little crush," Rawena teased, winking at her friend.

Audrey laughed, waving her hand dismissively. "Please, Rawy. I'm too busy for crushes. But he did leave an impression. I wonder if I'll see him again."

She leaned forward, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can you believe how busy the gallery has been lately?" Audrey said, taking a sip of her cappuccino. "It's like everyone suddenly discovered their love for art."

"That's amazing," Rawena replied, stirring her latte. "You must be thrilled."

"I am! But it's also exhausting," Audrey admitted. „Few days ago, I had to deal with a guy who tried to argue the price of a painting down by quoting a blog post. Like, come on, dude, this isn't a flea market."

Rawena laughed. "I can't imagine you taking that well."

"Oh, I didn't. I politely told him that the blog post was outdated and that the artist's value had increased significantly since then. He still bought the painting, but not without grumbling."

"You always handle those situations so well," Rawena said, admiration in her voice. "I don't know how you do it."

Audrey shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to it. Besides, it's worth it when you meet people who truly appreciate the art." She waved her hand. ,,Enough about me. Tell me everything about your new apartment!"

Rawena's face lit up as she described her new place, the spacious rooms, the view of Central Park, and the sense of peace it brought her. Audrey listened intently, her enthusiasm infectious.

"You have to come see it," Rawena insisted. "I need your expert eye to help me with the décor."

"Absolutely! Let's go now," Audrey said, practically bouncing in her seat. "I can't wait to see your new sanctuary."