The Fifth Date

Chapter 2

You walked straight to the counter and ordered your usual drink— caramel macchiato.

After paying the bill, you walked straight to your usual table—right across mine.

I leaned my head against the wall and pretended to read my 10-page report when you walked past me.

I swooned secretly at your smell.

It awakened my senses—way better than my Americano.

You removed your blue scarf and black coat and laid it on the table.

I watched you discreetly as you loosened the first two buttons of your white polo shirt. I bit on my lower lip as I felt my cheeks burn.

I shifted in my seat. You were raking you blonde hair with your fingers when you shot me a glance. I quickly turned away.

My eyes landed on the old man by the comfort room. He was slicing his sandwich into two before dipping it into his coffee. I found it amusing but my heart was still beating fast.

You almost caught me.

I tried to calm myself down as I leaned my head on my hand—pretending to read the now-useless papers on my table again. My supervisor has just rejected my 10-page report, throwing it at my feet five hours ago. I bawled my eyes out after being embarrassed in front of my co-workers. I hated my supervisor. He was never contented with my work. He always saw me as ‘the flawed one’. I thought of resigning but where do I go from there?

My thoughts ran from my supervisor back to you. I smiled as I drew a picture of you on my head. You were still seated across me but I couldn’t look up at you—not just yet.

I have to let my nervousness simmer down before I steal another furtive glance at you.