Unpredictable Connection

44. Coffee Before Dusk

3rd person's POV:

After nearly two hours of driving, Engfa pulled the car into the small gravel parking lot of a roadside café, its warm lights glowing gently as dusk crept in. The sky outside was brushed with strokes of lavender and rose, and the air smelled faintly of rain.

Freen and Becky exchanged puzzled glances, brows raised toward Engfa.

Engfa smirked as she shifted the gear into park.
"Let's get some coffee. I'm getting sleepy," she said, stretching her arms with a soft groan.

Becky chuckled, unbuckling her seatbelt, while Char remained curled up on the passenger seat, head resting against the window, fast asleep. The steady rhythm of the car had lulled her into a light nap.

Freen opened her door, stepping out and stretching her arms above her head to shake off the stiffness, while Becky followed her, closing the door with a soft click.

Engfa leaned across, flicking Char's forehead gently. "Wake up, sleepyhead."

Char's eyes fluttered open, a small pout forming as she rubbed them. "Huh? Did we reach already?"

Engfa shook her head with a small laugh. "Not yet. Just a quick coffee break before I fall asleep behind the wheel." She opened the door fully and leaned in, her eyes warm. "Sit tight, let me be a gentlewoman and open the door for you."

Char's sleepy frown shifted into a soft smile. "At your service, Princess," Engfa said, offering her hand with playful exaggeration.

Char slipped her hand into Engfa's, letting her help her out of the car. "Thank you, driver," she teased, her voice light.

"Driver?" Engfa placed a hand dramatically over her chest, pretending to be offended, but her eyes twinkled.

Char giggled, looping her arm around Engfa's as they began walking. Up ahead, Freen and Becky were already standing at the café entrance, waving them over.

"Come on, slowpokes," Freen called, rolling her eyes with an amused huff. "Let's grab coffee quickly and hit the road. It's already evening, and we still have miles to cover."

Engfa nodded, quickening her steps, while Char noticed the way Becky and Freen's fingers were intertwined as they waited by the door, but she said nothing, only smiling to herself.

Inside, the café was warm and cozy, strung with soft fairy lights and rustic décor that made the evening feel more comforting. The faint hum of soft music and the scent of coffee beans welcomed them as they found a table near the window. It was a small square table with four chairs, Freen and Becky sitting together while Engfa and Char took the seats across.

Char took the liberty of ordering drinks for everyone, and when the steaming cups arrived, the table fell into a comforting silence as they all took the first sips.

Freen sighed, her hands wrapped around her cup, letting its warmth seep into her palms. She glanced up, eyes distant, before letting out a soft laugh. "You know what?"

Engfa hummed, sipping her coffee, while Char gently blew on hers to cool it down. Becky was halfway through her milk tea, glancing at Freen curiously.

Freen continued, a rueful smile on her lips. "I must be the biggest fool on earth. For all these years, it never crossed my mind that I might have an elder sister."

Engfa choked on her coffee, coughing as she burst out laughing, drawing glances from nearby tables. Char bit her lip, suppressing her giggle, while Becky chuckled.

"Couldn't agree more," Becky added, teasingly.

Freen raised an eyebrow at Becky, who only grinned wider. "What?" Freen demanded.