Winnie - D.M

Chapter 6 - I Know

Serena's POV

I stood behind the counter, my eyes flickering between the fans and the band as they interacted. I couldn't help but notice the way they all lit up around the crowd, their energy contagious. It was a reminder of how much Draco had changed—or maybe it was just that the world he was in now was so far removed from what we had once shared.

I forced my focus back to the work at hand, walking to the back of the café where I quickly caught up with my employees, making sure everything was running smoothly. The day had been busy, and I had to make sure it stayed that way. We had a reputation to uphold, and I wasn't about to let anything derail that.

"How's everything going back here?" I asked, my tone light but professional as I reviewed inventory and kept tabs on everything.

"Everything's perfect," Maya replied, giving me a quick thumbs-up.

I let out a small sigh of relief when she added, "You're doing great, Serena."

I tried to push away the ache in my chest, the one that lingered from seeing Draco again, but it crept up on me anyway. His presence was a reminder of the past I tried so hard to move on from, and the whole situation—being this close to him again—was unsettling.

Maya's voice broke through my thoughts. "Are you okay, Serena?"

I blinked, coming back to the present. I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about how to manage the flow when it gets busier later."

Maya didn't seem convinced, but she didn't press me further. Instead, she gave me a reassuring smile, which I returned before walking back to the front.

The café felt like it had come alive again. The line was still stretching outside, people happily chatting with the band, snapping photos with their phones, and enjoying the atmosphere. I pushed all thoughts of Draco aside and focused on the customers waiting at the counter.

"Hello, what can I get you?" I asked with a warm smile, slipping into my role like I had so many times before.

The customers asked for the donuts with the band's logo—popular, of course. The special design had already gained attention on social media, and I was glad the fans were enjoying them as much as I hoped. I packed them up, passing them along with my usual bright demeanor. The familiar routine helped ground me. I kept my eyes focused on the pastries, making sure I didn't let my mind wander.

I was turning to grab more donuts when I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Before I knew it, Draco stood in front of me again. My heart skipped in spite of myself, but I kept my expression neutral. He looked different. More relaxed with his fans, but when he faced me—his eyes were almost... guarded. Like he was weighing his words.

"Sorry to bother you, but could I have four Americanos?" His voice was softer than I remembered, almost hesitant.

"Yes, of course, I'll have those right out for you, Mr. Malfoy." I kept my voice steady, though I couldn't deny the knot in my stomach. This was business, nothing more. I had to remind myself of that.

He hesitated for a moment, as though he wanted to say something else but thought better of it. His gaze lingered for a second too long, and I could feel a hint of something in his eyes—a mix of frustration and maybe even regret. I didn't know, and I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

He broke the moment with a tight smile and a slight nod before turning to rejoin the rest of the band at the meet and greet table, once again the charming star who had fans surrounding him.

I quickly moved to the espresso machine, preparing the four Americanos. My hands worked automatically, pouring the shots, steaming the milk, keeping my focus on the task. Don't think about him. Focus on the job.