The Sceptic

5.Friendship settlement.

^^Steven^^

||Tevan||

It's been a week since Steven started coming to the café everyday an hour before closing, he just comes in and sits by the counter right in front of me and orders the same thing, cappuccino and donuts. Oh yes, when Takkie came back on Tuesday customers were asking for the donuts I had served on Monday so she asked me to make some for her and after she tasted them she demanded that I let her put it on her menu. I agreed and she even offered to up my salary at the end of this month. anyway back to Steven, he has been coming here everyday and asking me the same thing everyday; to take me out for dinner and I still say no.

Today again he is here, sitting on the same spot he always does eating his food. I can't help but look at his features in admiration, the man is handsome and that can't be denied, he is sweet too in his words. As he is eating I notice how he leans into his plate every time he takes a bite out of the donuts and his dark and curly hair lets out a few strands that ghost over his forehead just above his eyes, that are looking right back at me. Shit, I quickly turn away from his stare with embarrassment from being caught staring.

"so are you ready to go out with me? I can pick you up tomorrow night after work." here we go again. Rolling my eyes at him I shake my head.

"No, I can't"

"Can't or won't" I release a sigh of frustration and go back to wiping the counter without answering him. Why can't he just stop asking, I've been saying no for a whole week yet he doesn't give up, and now he is getting under my skin so badly that I'm scared I might just give in and go out with him. But I can't, what if he does what Dwayne did, what if it's all just a game to him and he just wants to get in my pants and leave afterwards or even worse he could be playing a stupid prank on me. " come on Tevan, just give me a chance" he pleads just as Takkie comes out from the kitchen.

"You know, it's just going out for dinner. Give the man a chance" She says as she packs away the left overs in two containers, a smaller one for me and a bigger one for her and her brothers. She has also been urging me to go out with him, saying that it will cause harm to no one, but she doesn't know the pain I've been through in the past.

"I can't go out with him on a date because I am not gay, I have told the both of you this before" I grit my teeth as the lie seems to burn my tongue. they both give me droll stares.

"Okay then, sorry for pressuring you" Takkie apologizes and she makes her way to the door and peers out as she searches for her brother's car as he is supposed to pick her up for dinner. After confirming that he is outside, she says her goodbyes and leaves me with Steven. I look at the time on my phone and it is 7:45 pm, I need to get home.

Taking my things, I turn to Steven, "Excuse me, I have to close up and get home" I say to him, making my way to the door and he follows me outside and waits for me to lock up just like every time since he started coming to nag at me. After I'm done locking I turn to face him and he is looking at me with a look of deep thoughts. "I'm gonna go now" I start heading in the direction of my apartment.

"Why are you ashamed of your sexuality?" I stop dead in my steps but I don't turn to look back at him. Am I ashamed that I'm gay? Yes, because it is disgusting and unnatural, but I don't tell him that as he makes his way in front of me and looks me dead in the eye. I look away from his intense gaze but he grabs my chin forcing me to lock gazes with him. "I know you like me, the way you literally drool when looking at me is proof enough that your into me, plus you work with the most beautiful woman yet you don't look at her even twice. If your not ready to come out, it's okay I can wait. just go out with me and if we work out, we'll keep it a secret until you feel comfortable enough to let the world know"