The Late Night Coffee Drinkers

Hey Girl

Millie had woken up far too early at 05.00 from her usual time of rising at 09.00... which is often one of the undesirable effects of caffeine. Instead, she sees it as an opportunity to take advantage of a more flexible time, unlike back home in her old grind.

She headed for the shower, brushed her teeth and dressed for the day. At half past nine, she walked to work bumping in to a man in a pair of brown chinos, a polo and a pair of trainers "after work coffee". Millie smiled "at our usual" carrying a bag with a laptop, some papers, a pen, a wallet, two mobile phones and a tiny pocket book.

John arrived back in to his office taking advantage of the religiousness of locals observing their Sunday obligations, with his usual custom Americano. Naturally, John and Millie have their own chemistry of working in finance, their corporate lives and both speak English and have similar humour.

As usual in the writers room of damning reports, Millie busily drafted her article on emerging markets forex index. While the underwriting goes on in John's office, decreasing the value of premiums on a substandard risk.

"Hi" Millie arrived to see John. "Decaf Sunday" while holding a piping hot decaf black on his left hand. Millie ordered for an iced tea, "caffeine free. I woke up early today, despite sleeping early. I woke up twice at five in the morning and then at eight. I just had gone to work".

Millie's phone vibrated, and had received messages from Olivia mainly talking about her day and photos of Vietnam which she shared with John.

"This woman needs a man to keep her preoccupied" John noticed Olivia's desire for attention. The problem is, if a fellow woman is giving up on her friendship then what more a man.

"Maybe she is just stressed, she was inviting me to become a teacher assuming that I'm not making anything... but she's right though journalists are higher up on prestige factor because teachers master ABC whilst journos you deal with data and indexes" Millie said.

"I heard Germans pay teachers well, is that why she feels she can lord over us" John is becoming unseen of Olivia's holier-than-thou but none the better.

"Let's talk about something else, not waste time on talking about her" Millie said.

John smiled at her, it had been a long time since a woman was able to appreciate him the way he is. Thinking, had they both met in his younger years then no doubt he would be with her. However, his experience had led him to come in terms with his shortcomings and move on venturing in to new territories.

'It is quite lovely to work on a Sunday. No locals in the office, other than cleaners and security' John smiled at her, as he listened 'I somehow miss the Dubai office. It has its own charms, the buildings and the culture, and the people'. John has his own share of misery, 'you make them do things, it is way beneath substandard, I don't even know Arabs put up with their employees from this country'. Millie smiled, good things happened in the Middle East 'now I am starting to believe that Islam is for peace, for them to put up with skirmish'.

"And... you are either in wealthy in information but not financially or financially wealthy but not on information" half way through her iced tea or sweet tea on melting ice.

"I know" he smiled dearly at her "at least we are on the same page. People we come across here is all about money, from the locals and to a number of expats. Speaking of your situation, I encountered some interns from Europe in our Hong Kong office... their news don't come from newspapers but from tweets." John has been an expat for two years in the same country, almost as long as Millie's foreign post. "Either they have issues with it or they humble brag about it".

Millie sighed "tell me about it young people would rather fly low budget. Gone are the days when we work hard for a reputable flag carrier."

John laughed and shook his head about the fast disruption of the time. "Maybe we are feeling missy towards the young people because we are already coming of age". His euphemism of 'coming of age' sparked  laughter. After all, laughter is the wise way of accepting the bitter truth.

John admires Millie's intellects and strength of character, she is that strong to even question his own sexuality... he could really just be bisexual or haven't met the man like 'vanilla sweet cream cold brew' the strong brew with strong presence of testosterone while bringing sweetness in your life. He knows that by considering being with men, it is only circumstantial based on experience... but maybe he became too proud to admit that all he needs is love - to love and to be loved. He hadn't been out with any men, and hadn't been out with a woman in ages... for some reason this Sunday felt like a date for his part.

His smile and face, oh dear, who would dump him for a size... he is obviously perceptive, insightful and intelligent - Millie had also known loneliness for quite some time. Before being lonely was being alone, and coming home early on a weekend. Since entering in to a new territory, it is being with the wrong company and sometimes though she felt this way with Olivia. She has self-confidence, she needed it to interview CEOs, creative directors and other people of position, and be their confidant on handling communication and publicity. John's level of experience with people as insurance isn't solely on maritime but also in dealing with people, understand the high level of being a happy solo flight.

"Are you getting some action lately" John didn't mean it the way many people misinterpret it but he and Millie are in the same milieu.

"By that you mean, if I'm cheating with the boyfriend... hardly" holding back tears of missing the novelty of a new relationship. It is like that moment when a barista calls out your name and you get what you asked for - that childhood novelty of a religion when miracles happen because your parents bought you things some of which you wished for. He was perfect in every way possible or any way impossible. Until you come out to the real world, philosophies questioned... beliefs shaken... the ego and the id examined therefore core beliefs are causes of arguments. The process of making that perfect brew is anything but easy, and just like a relationship it is anything but easy.

"If we are in Hong Kong... would you" his cup has just emptied. "Every time, he talks of marriage... I start thinking what about one last fuck with an uncut man. I know, that won't be just a one last fuck. The idea of having a family though... it is kind of daunting. When I was younger I liked the idea. These days, am I able to go through it all?"

John learning more about Millie was touching. They naturally compliment, and looking at them from the outside looking in... it makes the onlooker question. Do miracles happen or does everything happen for a reason? If Millie could really fall for someone who cannot go deeper, then why couldn't John have someone like her. Had they met before John became gay on the basis of his 'piccolo' and Millie would be younger and immature, then would the outcome still the same as the onlooker sees it.

It is this conversations like this that makes him, her, you and me human. He smiled at her, "let's get our bras and panties on this evening... Stanley cup is on unless you want to watch hot Kiwis killing Aussies rugby replay". Millie willingly accepted John's invitation, "and some rubbish romantic music on the background".

...but some cups of coffee that are tried and tested, are like that of John and Millie... the classic diner drip coffee with creamer and sugar and that perfect cappuccino by a veteran barista with an art made to consume....