In the bustling streets of New Haven, Sofia Marino, daughter of a mafia boss, finds solace in her daily Starbucks visits to see Ethan Parker, a charming barista and son of a dedicated police officer. As summer ends, Sofia's father enrolls her at Yal...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The sun had just begun its ascent over the city skyline, as I stepped out of the elevator, casting a warn golden hue across the streets of New Haven. The early morning air was crisp, filled with the faint aroma of freshly baked bread and the distant hum of traffic.
Just another ordinary morning- beginning with my favorite way to start the day. A quick visit to my favorite Starbucks across the road.
I love this city. I've lived in a lot of different places around the world and out of all 53 places I've stayed, this is my personal favorite. I've been here since around June and now its September.
It's quite funny how fast time flies.
Despite the wealth and power that comes with my family's name, I've always wanted something different, something normal.
The small Starbucks on Chapel Street, a few blocks away from my penthouse apartment is my sanctuary. Every morning, like clockwork at 7:30, I would walk through its doors, not only for the iced coffee and blueberry muffin, but for the chance to see him.
Ethan Parker. The charming barista and dedicated law student with his warm brown eyes, easy smile, dimples and the raven black hair casually falling on his forehead, has unknowingly broken through my heart and found a place there.
He is basically the polar opposite of me. First of all- his father is a police officer and from the few months I've known him for, I can tell he has a strong sense of justice and a desire to make a difference.
The familiar bell chimed as I entered the café, signaling my arrival. I brushed a strand of my disgustingly unkempt straight, brown hair behind her ear and scanned the room. There he was, behind the counter, waving to her while making a latte with the kind of precision that spoke of months of practice.
"Right on time," Ethan greeted me with that smile I had come to adore. "The usual?"
I nodded, "You know it."
Our interactions are strange things, we meet daily and sometimes hang around on the pavement just outside the cafe, talking about random things, but I doubt he even knows my name.
I watch him prepare my coffee, the way his hands worked the espresso machine, the concentration etched on his face. It was in these small details that I found herself falling even harder.
As he handed me my iced coffee and muffin, he mumbled, "It's quite sad the summer is ending, I really enjoy our little chats."
I'm rendered absolutely speechless for a second, processing the sentence that just entered my semicircular ear canals.
"Enjoy your food," he said, breaking the spell.
"Uh- yeah, thanks" I replied, stammering and making an absolute illiterate fool out of myself.
What's wrong with me?
Actually a better question would be- what's NOT wrong with me??
So embarrassing-
I take my usual seat by the window, where I can watch the world go by while stealing glances at Ethan. I know our time is running out.
Wish this summer lasted forever.
Unfortunately it's ending, soon Ethan would return to Yale and I don't particularly like the thought of not seeing him every morning.
As I take a bite of my muffin- the familiar taste coats my tongue. If I confessed what would happen? Does he even know my name? I don't specifically remember telling him my name-
wait.
Does he just see me as another coffee addict?
I sit there in self-loathing and doubt for what seems like the next 20 minutes.
"Ethan!"
I abruptly turn around to see the restaurant manager call out for Ethan, once he appears, the managers hands him over, what seems like a check. Why would he be getting his salary today? Its not the end of the month-
unless it's his last day working here-
HOW COULD HE NOT TELL ME?
He turns around grinning like an idiot; must've been a high salary.
I NEED TO TALK TO HIM
"Yo Ethan, do you have a minute?" I say, instantly regretting starting that sentence like that. Everything I do just further proves my existence as an illiterate fool.
He looks up, slightly amused and curious, "Of course. What's up?"
And my mind goes blank.
"So- what brand is your microwave?"
I can tell by the confused expression on his face that he clearly thinks I'm an f*cking uneducated peanut as well and before he has a chance to reply, I hear a familiar voice call out my name.
"Ahh- There you are."
Not Marco. I turned to see my father's right-hand man, Marco, standing in the doorway. I can physically feel my heart sink. Marco is basically the embodiment of my family's world, a constant reminder of the reality I can never escape.
"UHEM- got to go" I say hurriedly, really hoping he doesn't think I'm some deranged lunatic.
"Wait, uh—I DIDN'T EVEN GET YOUR NAME!" he started, but I was already walking away, following Marco out of the café.
As I step into the black SUV waiting outside, I cast one last glance at Ethan. He stands there, looking puzzled, amused, disappointed and slightly concerned, as he watches me leave.
-Hope you enjoyed this chapter- I shall see you next time
