The Steps To Your Heart

Step 8: Take Heed

--- Alexander ---

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Failing to plan is planning to fail

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Thanks to Chris' help, I was able to take a part time job in the café that Nique frequents.

"Now you owe me for two occasions." I remember him saying, which if I have to admit was a surprise even to myself – since I don't like owing anybody anything (one of the rules I go by).

The two occasions Chris mentioned was about Nique and the "blind dates" (I figured he knew Nique). So I asked him if he could set me up for a date. He was reluctant at first saying I was practically a stranger (and Nique doesn't like strangers – which explain a lot when I first talked to her). But after blurting out that I would owe him one unintentionally, he finally agreed to help me.

And the other is this one. It was only later did I find out that it was actually thanks to my father the manager agreed to employ me (also only after the fact that I was the son of the owner of this mall). And Chris knew that (which made me think he only agreed because of it).

It's already been five days since I started working here. Though that may be the case, I don't think she knows I work here or if she even recognizes I'm around. It may be due to three things I've noticed about her.

First, it made me wonder whether she's cared-for or just somebody who is an important figure of the society. I chose the former. She doesn't look the type of a sophisticated well-off woman bred by rich parents with a golden spoon on her mouth.

I learned that the manager made Chris – who has been in the café for a year now, her sole waiter. Every time she's in, she becomes Chris' priority who answers to every beck and call. And every other employee seems to know that (which made my attempt to approach her impossible).

I tried asking Chris about it but he just told me to ask the manager. The problem was he seems to hate me.

Second, she's like clockwork. At exactly seven in the morning, she'd come in either to eat breakfast or to read – sometimes both. And she would always sit at the farthest right side corner of the café near the windows – which is the best seat of the café where the tables with couches are located. And she would always be seated at exactly the same side which had her back facing the counters – making it impossible to try and catch her attention from there.

So I deliberately tried waiting at tables near the ones she was seated in but she never once peeled her attention from the book she was reading – and she will always be reading. It made me realize she was either a snub or just oblivious to her surroundings. I chose the latter.

By eleven o'clock, she would leave for class – I found out from Chris that they attend the same university ten minute away from the café. Then at exactly eight in the evening, she'd be back again – with a book in front of her as she eats her dinner. She would then stay in the café until closing hours, on other occasion she'd leave a little earlier – that is when someone else comes to pick her up; one of the two is familiar to me. When I asked Chris about it, he said they were technically called her "brothers".

Thus, any thought of "accidentally" bumping into her after my shift (ever since I knew dad was the one who talked to the manager, I also asked for his help to arrange a schedule I preferred, which matches the time Nique would be in the café). Chris also had the same schedule as mine – he was always around.

Lastly, she met with a bunch of different men every day (which is also at exactly nine in the morning). At first I thought they were those "blind dates" Chris had mentioned before her "brother" sets up for her. But that may also not be the case.

Each time, they would be doing two things – be silent for the whole hour or talk nonstop until it's time for Nique to leave. Nique would be handed a pile of paper to read while the other waited before they would start their talk.

It definitely looked like work. I did try asking Chris about it (since he practically was the only guy in the café I could ask). The only thing I got from him was she is an intern at some publishing company.

"Mr. Stalker, someone's calling for you by the counter," Chris called, distracting my attention away from Nique. Due to my behavior the past couple of days, he started calling me that name along the way (I also stopped complaining about it after realizing he won't listen).

"Hey there tiger," I saw Elaine waving towards me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked surprised. My sister wasn't the type to be up and about so early in the morning.

"Well, a little bird told me you suddenly started working. I wouldn't want to miss seeing that for myself now, would I?" she stated, with amusement in her voice. I chuckled nodding in realization – my dad.

Looks like words got out. I just hope the guys won't find out about this. I'd definitely get laughed at by the guys.

"So, what would you like?" I asked and she considered the menu for a second.

As I waited for her, I heard the bell ringing indicating for a new customer. Ben went ahead to greet him but after he said something, Ben motioned for Chris. That's when I knew he's meeting with Nique.

"... the best pastry you can offer and – " I could hear Elaine say at the back of my head. I nodded halfheartedly as my eyes followed the man. And true enough, he's a different guy who came yesterday.

"Well, she certainly looks like a keeper," again I could hear Elaine's sarcastic voice faintly.

"Is she the reason why you're working here?"

Her words caught my attention making my head snap towards her. But she wasn't looking at me. She was turned towards Nique.

"She must be stunning if that was the case," Elaine added (since Nique did have her back towards us thus she could only see the top of her head from the two-seated sofa)

"N-no," I stuttered.

"Well ... Not ... Not exactly," I lied but Elaine just smirked at me.

"I'll take the croissant," she started.

"And coffee please." She finished as she headed straight towards the table behind Nique.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I mouthed once she sat down. She just smiled devilishly and gestured me to get on my order. I sighed in frustration as I shook my head.

Why do I even bother to put up with her?

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A/N:

Hello guys !!! >_<
It's been so long since I last updated my story...
And I'm sorry for that ... !_! *I really do*

I just never thought some people would actually like to read this at first ...
But then I told myself, if ever I did get over a hundred reads ...
then maybe it is still worth a shot continuing this story ...

Please don't forget to like or to comment...
It would be much appreciated if you'd comment on any parts of the story and what you think so far ...

Anyway, thank you for reading !!!
And hope to update more often from now on ...

:-P