The Chance

Chapter 3

The following morning I did my normal routine. I took a quick shower and got ready for the day. I am not really a fantastic cook so I usually take my breakfast at Starbucks. Why not? They serve good coffees and they serve good pastries.

As soon as I open the door I closed my eyes and inhaled my favorite scent: Brewed Coffee. This is heaven!.

Since I wasn't looking where I was going, I accidentally smack into someone's back, and oh... he smells really nice too. 'Creep!' Shut up brain not now.

The good smelling person cleared his throat, "You done smelling me yet?" he says.

I started to feel the heat creep from my neck to my cheeks, "huh? Uh yeah.. I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention where I..." words died on my mouth as soon as I recognized the person in front of me.

'Oh my gosh!.. of all the people I just really have to smack into him!. again!'

I am sure that I look very flushed at this moment. like a 'big-ripe-tomato' flush.

I covered my clumsiness with a cough, "uhm...good morning?" I tried and smiled sheepishly.

He has his body is turned slightly at front but his head turned to his left to face and stare at me, I can see in his eyes that he is amused by my reaction. "Good Morning."

He steps aside and signaled me to pass thru, so I went immediately to the queue in hope to escape the embarrassing situation.

I can really be stupid without having caffeine in my system, besides, its not my fault that he's just standing there! And why does he have to smell so good!, like wood and cinnamon..mmm..very manly.. '

Creep! 'Says my brain again. Shut it! I called out.

I really have to stop having these conversations in my head.
I was so consumed with my thoughts that I jumped a little when someone asked me what I would like to drink. Surprisingly it was Ethan, standing beside me looking up at the menu.

He turned his head towards me when I didn't answer and being the dumb person that I am, my only response was, "huh?".

"What would you like to drink?" He repeats. I snapped my head forward to avoid his gaze, though I can still feel his eyes on me.

I willed my self to steady my breath, I cannot panic its just Ethan James..... Ethan-freaking-James!, my boss,no big deal. I have been around him so long, answering this simple question should not be hard.

Ignoring the slight erratic beating of my heart I pretended to look on the menu though I already know what I will get.

"Grande size of brewed coffee with milk and a sausage roll" I know that sausage rolls can be a bit messy to eat, but I really love it, especially when its hot.

He nods and stepped forward when the old lady in front of us was done ordering. "2 Grande cup of brewed coffee one with milk the other is just black . One sausage roll and a dark chocó chip muffin " he stated in a cool voice as he stands casually.

I also notice that the girl taking the order has a small tint of red on her cheeks, batting her eyelashes while asking if that would be all. Ethan just gave him a nod.

"Okay sir, Name please." she said with a pleasant smile, our cups in her hand with a black pen to write our names. "Ethan and Leah" He replied. He started to pull out his card from his wallet and gave it to the cashier lady who obviously took the opportunity to touch his hand.

Really? Cant she be anymore obvious?

'Why do you care?'  Says the voice inside my head. Yeah, why would I care?

Upon noticing what is really happening, I tried to stop them.
I mean I tried to stop him..from paying ofcourse.

"No Wait!" both of them looked at me, obviously startled with my out burst. "separate our bill I'll pay for mine." I pulled out my wallet to get my money.

"Just swipe the card." The lady is obviously torn whom to follow.

"Its Okay I can pay for mine." I said.

"Swipe it already." James told the cashier. She must be intimidated by the authority in his voice that she obeyed him instantly. "No! Wait!" I tried again but I was a second too late because she already swiped the card, so instead I turned to my right and hand the money to him.

He looked at the money in my hand and lifted his gaze to my face. raising slightly his right eye brow he told me, "I have plenty of those." Then he faces again the cashier as he retrieved his card.

Modest isn't he?

"Yes, I know.." I started, "I just think that it is only right to pay for my order." as if he didn't hear a single word I said, he walked towards the claiming area as the barista prepared our coffees. A bit annoyed for being ignored, I followed him.

"You didn't order it technically." He said after a couple of minutes of silence.

"Huh?" was my only reply, a bit confused by his statement.

"You didn't order it, I only asked what you liked, but I gave the order. So technically it wasn't you who ordered." he stated as If it was the obvious.

I was dumb struck, I cant believe this guy. I don't have anything to reply of course, because technically he is correct. I just huff in annoyance. Don't get me wrong ,its not that I don't like free breakfast. I am just not really used to having someone pay for me.

I have been taking care of my self for as long as I can remember. Last night he brought me home and this morning he's treating me breakfast. It felt like he's already doing me enough favor.

Soon our order was ready and was placed before us as they call our names.

He removed his coffee and muffin from the tray and have it place in a paper bag, then handed the tray to me with my food and coffee.

I waited for him not making a move to sit while he took his paper bag. When he started to walked towards the exit door, I called out to him, "wait!" he stopped his track and turned his head to look at me. "where are you going?" I asked.

"To work." was all he said before walking out the door.

"work?" I mumbled its only 7 a.m. as far as I know we still have an hour and half before actual work starts. Does he ever stop working? First-In, Last-Out.

Does he even have a social life? I wondered as I sat at a free table.

I was almost done eating my sausage roll when I remembered something, "Oh! And where are my manners? I didn't even say thank you to him."