Latte Love

VIII

He would see her often. No matter how badly he didn't want to. He would see her in town. He would see her in the cinemas. He even saw her in the grocery store.

The one person he entrusted his heart with.

Olivia had tried coming up to him whenever they met, trying to apologize. But he simply ignored her.

It felt lonely. Now that he had to walk all the way to the cafe on his own.

Since it was something that they had done almost everyday a month back, he felt the need to continue it.

But he didn't mind.

He would sit and think. Think about where it actually went wrong. Where he hadn't been clear enough with his feelings. Why it hadn't worked out. Were they actually meant to be?

And then there was the barista.

Despite the fact that he still carried his broken heart, he couldn't help but think of her. Was he that oblivious to his surroundings that he happened to miss a girl, and a beautiful one at that?

He pushed the cafe door open, and took a seat on a table a few seats away from the one they had usually sat on.

He looked at the counter, and sure enough she was there. She was preparing his drink, and beside her stood Nina, the women who usually took his order.

He was about to call her, when the same girl from yesterday brought his drink. He looked down afraid they had brought the pumpkin spice latte, the drink he usually ordered, but felt relieved when he saw a cup of vanilla latte staring back at him.

But how did they know? He had just ordered vanilla latte for the first time yesterday, and on that very same day he broke their saucer, and spilled the vanilla latte remains on the table.

His cheeks colored a rosy tint as the memory flooded his brain. He cleared his throat when he felt her stare.

"Thank you," he said politely.

But before she could warn him, he had already taken a sip. His eyes widened, and he desperately tried to swallow the burning hot liquid.

Once he had gulped it down, he quickly put his tongue out and started panting like a dog. His hands waving at his mouth.

A chuckle was heard, and if possible his eyes turned even wider. His head turned to look at her and his face flushed a deep red in embarrassment.

"I was just about to warn you."

He was still staring at her. His tongue still hanging out his mouth, and his face now looked like a tomato from his furious blush.

He immediately put his tongue back in, but his blush remained.

He didn't know what to say to end his embarrassment. And so, he simply stared.

Now it was her turn to clear her throat.

"Would you like some water?"

He shook his head.

"Okay then." She awkwardly looked at him. "Be careful."

And as she walked away,

he couldn't help but think.

That he wanted to know her.