LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

Chapter 10: Middle Night Coffee

As the clock strikes midnight, Alex feels the weight of his trading work pressing down on him. His eyes strain from staring at numbers and charts, and he craves the jolt of caffeine to push through the final stretch. Just need one cup, he thinks, grabbing his coat and heading for the nearby café.

When he steps inside, he's met with the unexpected sight of Wiyan at the register, wearing a faded apron and focused on cleaning up. The guy's cheerful energy practically radiates across the café, something that only grates on Alex's already frayed nerves. Of all nights, it has to be him, Alex thinks, feeling a surge of irritation mix with the exhaustion dragging him down. He barely has the energy for basic politeness, let alone Wiyan's relentless friendliness. He came here for coffee—not small talk, not forced smiles, just caffeine, fast and simple. Get in, get out, he reminds himself, hoping the encounter will be short.

Alex walks up to the counter, steeling himself. No time for pleasantries, he thinks, his face carefully composed. His tone comes out colder than intended, but he doesn't care enough to soften it. "I'd like a coffee, please."

Wiyan looks up, his face lighting up in that way that Alex finds almost... annoying. Or baffling. Maybe both. "Hey, Alex!" Wiyan's smile is wide, his eyes bright, full of unearned warmth. "What brings you here so late?" He pauses, giving Alex a concerned look. "You don't look so good. Everything alright?"

Alex feels his patience thin even further. Why does he care? The last thing he wants is a conversation about his state of mind, especially with Wiyan. He clenches his jaw, feeling a mix of irritation and discomfort. "I'm fine," he mutters, voice clipped. "How much for the coffee?"

There's a heartbeat of silence, and Alex expects a flicker of offense or disappointment in Wiyan's face. But Wiyan's expression doesn't falter; he just keeps smiling, unaffected. "It's on me tonight," Wiyan says, his voice soft and steady. "Consider it a treat."

Alex stares, thrown off by Wiyan's offer. A treat? What, is he trying to pity me? But looking at Wiyan, there's no pity, no hesitation—just simple kindness, almost like he actually wants to make Alex's night a little easier. For a second, Alex feels a pang of something in his chest, some confusion that quickly twists back into resistance. I don't need his generosity, he tells himself, though a small part of him wonders why Wiyan bothers at all. He quickly collects himself, offering a curt nod. "Thanks."

As he takes the coffee, he keeps his voice cool. "See you tomorrow," he says, already turning for the door, wanting to escape this moment of strange warmth before it unsettles him further.

Alex stares at Wiyan, caught off guard, his mind buzzing with questions. Why would he do that? he thinks, trying to keep his face blank, unreadable. It's just coffee, no big deal. But he didn't have to... He fights against the unfamiliar warmth creeping into his chest, something that feels uncomfortably close to gratitude.

With a stiff nod, he mutters a quick "Thanks," taking the cup and turning to leave. He throws in a "See you tomorrow," his voice purposely devoid of emotion, wanting to keep some distance between him and Wiyan's relentless kindness.

As he steps out into the night, the cool air hits him, clearing his mind a little—but that strange, unsettling warmth stays. He looks down at the coffee cup, his fingers tracing the warmth seeping through. Why is he always so... nice? He scoffs at himself, trying to shake the lingering thoughts of Wiyan's wide, genuine smile. It's just coffee, he tells himself, but somehow that smile keeps creeping back, as if etched into his mind.

Inside the café, Wiyan watches Alex's figure disappear into the shadows, his heart pounding. A soft sigh escapes his lips. Why is he so distant? he wonders, feeling both confused and drawn to that mystery. It's not the first time he's noticed Alex's walls—always guarded, always a little cold. But tonight, there was something in his eyes, a glint of hesitation before he took the coffee. Wiyan can't help but cling to that small moment.

He resumes wiping down the counters, lost in thought, his mind replaying every second of their brief interaction. He came here tonight, of all places, he thinks, his heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Maybe he just needed the caffeine... but maybe it was more. He bites his lip, hoping he's not reading too much into it, but part of him dares to imagine Alex felt even a spark of connection.

"Maybe he's just stressed," Wiyan mutters to himself, almost as if convincing his heart to settle. But as he shuts off the lights and locks up, he can't shake the feeling of warmth that lingers, a quiet hope that perhaps, with time, Alex might let his guard down... even if it's just a little.