Like a dream

CHAPTER-13. NOW

As I enter the cafe, I spot Dian and Will seated at a table near the entrance, each with a drink. I walk past them and seat myself, a couple of tables away. They insisted on joining me when they heard I was going to meet my stalker. Also, I felt quite safeguarded, so I didn't deny them.
        I scan the entire cafe. Not more than thirty people. I don't recognize any of the faces. Almost everyone has a partner or a group to hang out with. There is only one single man, who is wearing bright green earphones plugged to his phone. He seems like he doesn't care about what is happening around him. Is it him? No, maybe not. Oh God! Now, how am I going to recognize this total stranger in a group of people. I glance at Dian and Will, who give me a reassuring smile. That doesn't calm me down, but it is the only thing they can do.
'Excuse me, miss,' a waiter approaches me with a drink. 'The young man over there offered you this drink' he says pointing to a table behind me. I turn back and find the table empty. I glare at the waiter.
'Ah....maybe he just left' he says placing the platter on my table. My eyes immediately dart to the doorway. All I spot is a lovey-dovey couple in matching blue winter coats walking hand in hand, out of the restaurant.
'I just cannot accept this' I tell the waiter.
He then motions me to look at something on the platter, before he leaves. Oh! What now? I find a small piece of paper. A note. And it says, 'Meet me outside in 5.'
'Wh-what?' I gasp and look at Dian and Will. They return a confused look. I pick the paper and get up from my seat. Should I stop by Dian's table and show them this note? Or should I just walk out? What if the stalker spots me talking with Dian? I just decide to walk out without telling my friends anything about the note. I walk past them and out of the restaurant, not looking in their direction.
I look around to see who is waiting for me. But I find no one. I walk a few steps ahead on the pavement and still find no one except a few highschoolers strolling around. Will is now out and walks to me.
'Leila, you fine?' he asks grabbing my arm.
'He is here' I tell him as I wave the note I am holding.
He grabs it from me and reads it.
'Did he send this?' he asks me.
'Yes, he sent it to me through the waiter' I reply, 'but I can't find him here.'
'Maybe he saw us. Dian and me.'
I stare at him blankly before saying, 'I'll just wait a little longer. You go in.'
'Don't you want me to wait outside?'
I shake my head no. 'If I need something, I can call you. You stay inside with Dian.'
Will hands back the note to me before heading in. I stand at the same spot on the sidewalk as I'm freezing. Yeah, I'm bloody freezing and my teeth are chattering. I put my hands into my coat pocket and try to keep myself warm. Even though I've been waiting for a few minutes, it seems like hours. Ten minutes pass by and I still don't find my "secret admirer". I cannot put up with the cold anymore. I hurry back inside the restaurant and join my friends.
'You didn't meet him?'Dian asks me.
'He didn't meet me' I retort.
She lets out a sigh and says, 'Maybe someone is trying to play a prank on you.'
I shake my head. 'You weren't with me that night' I tell her. 'I was scared to death. Imagine yourself riding a car in a sequestered street with a creepy guy chasing you and to top that you get an eerie letter the very next day. This is so nightmarish!'
'Should we call the cops?' Will suggests.
'I don't even know what I should be doing.'
'Let me take you to the cops tomorrow morning' Will offers.
I stare at him blankly. He nods his head assuredly and says, 'Let's do this and it may end well. You cannot go on with this fear anymore. Let's end it!'
Maybe, he's right. Maybe all I need to do is end it. Just end it!