OUT OF THE PICTURE

Chapter Nineteen || Marlin

Her sight was removed from the screen all of the sudden. She looked up to where that sound came from and found other faces puzzled as hers.

"What was that?" She heard one of her coworkers, that was when all the fuss around her started.

Whatever happened to Ryan in there was the last thing she needed to worry about, she cared more about the task she needed to finish today so she could go home already.

-

It was past 3 in the afternoon when she decided to take a break, her eyes were a little watery because of the long exposure to the computer screen.

Marlin casually left the building and headed towards their usual coffee shop just few blocks away, she was tired of the coffee in their pantry.

She got herself pumpkin spice latte and was going to surprise Sarah with her favorite peppermint.

There she was at the window seat enjoying every sip of her drink when her phone vibrated. It was an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Look outside." The stranger answered.

She did what she told and saw the owner of that gentle voice. It was Ivan. He and his friend stepped inside the coffee shop. The guy with him went straight to the counter while he invited himself to sit at her table.

"I don't remember giving you my number?"

He chuckled. "Now don't give me that look. Ask your friend."

"Of course." She smiled cleverly.

"Let me guess, another pumpkin spice?"

"Yep." She replied proudly. "The best of the best."

Ivan took it on her side and drank.

Her jaw dropped. "What do you think you're doing?"

He wiped his mouth with his hand and grinned amusingly.

"Is your friend over there not gonna buy you one?"

"What friend?" Ivan look confused.

"That guy at the counter? The one you came here with?"

"Marlin, I came here alone. And there's no one at the counter."

She froze. Her whole body shivered and her eyes widened out subconsciously.

She peeked at the counter and swore she was seeing a person.

He burst out laughing. "Nah, I was just messing with you!"

Her heart almost dropped. She breathe out heavily, whether it was out of relief or anger, she didnt know.

"You--" She grabbed the jacket on the table and threw it to him.

Ivan laughed uncontrollably as it landed on his face.

Trying to ignore him, she looked up to push back the little tears she had. Good thing Ivan said it was only a joke before she could even cry.

"You should've seen the look on your face!"

This idiot just wouldn't stop laughing. "Shut up."

"C'mon it was pretty funny."

She gave her a straight face. "Does this face looks like I'm having fun?"

"Fine I'll stop." He pressed his lips to hold back his laugh and gulped another of her pumpkin spice latte.

"You seriously need to stop doing that."