YOU KNEW ME?

Chapter 2

7 years later...

The beginning of December.
Chilly air creeping against your skin and reminding people to wear warm clothes.
Some of those who are too excited for Christmas began shopping for ornaments and presents.
But for some people, it was an ordinary working day. No gifts and no family to be cheerful around.

Reo had become a self-established adult now. His work provided him enough to support his rent and have 2 meals a day.
But, he was exhausted with this lifestyle. The  warmth of a house was lacking.
Blaming himself for this miserable lifestyle was not helping.

"A sandwich and an iced americano". After placing his order , he sat down at a café. He deserved a break after all the mess at work. Presumably the cheapest and better-than-being-hungry food.

A olive-skinned lady, 23 year old employee at same company Reo was working at, entered the café. She looked too worn out for the world. Stephanie was an orphan, working hard to make her own life comfortable. No family and no one to share her world with seemed depressing enough. Only the thought of a young teen remained her support for several years .

Now, easy to assume but she wasn't in love with this fellow. Instead she'd been burning with fury. The pain of losing your family home due to some unfiltered rage of an abused teen wasn't expected. She had lost their only memories and means of living, running away with her phone and a little cash on her.

Also the sight of him running away made her insecure. In a way they had been looking out for each other and meant family. 

"Mam, place your order..." the woman at cash counter urged. Awakened from her thoughts Steph placed her order and rushed away embarrassed. She didn't want to drift into the past but it seemed to be a like a haunting memory that couldn't be erased. Poor Steph.

As she was getting back to her seat, she stumbled onto a young man and spilled his coffee.

"Oh no, not again" she scolded herself in her mind. She went ahead and apologised. 

"It's fine" Reo sighed. "No it isn't , please let me pay for your coffee" 

" I'm good " ..... " .... Okay, let's meet at the central library if you are interested" he suggested.

Dating was a luxury he'd wanted to try out sometime. His flirty side rarely came out.

A free date, huh.  

" Fair enough". Stephanie said doubtedly. Her love for books easily yielded her vulnerable side.

A book date. She had been fantasizing it all along , maybe now was the chance.