Hold Me Tight

Chapter 4

"Have you eaten?" Jhope said turning to me with a smile as I grabbed my things. It caught me off guard.

"Oh, er... no, not yet." I pulled my purse over my shoulder, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"There's a coffee shop I really love on the other side of the city. Want to accompany me?" He asked shyly, his smile not leaving his face. What've you got to lose? He's just a coworker. We were bound to get to know each other anyways. He could tell I was contemplating it.

"We may be leaving again for awhile, and I'd like to get to know you. It's my treat."

"Sure." I smiled & nodded.

We walked to the main floor of the building, and I saw a vintage looking Porsche pull up through the front glass doors.

"That's us." He said as he walked ahead of me. A man walked out, handed him the keys, and Jhope opened the door for me.

...

The car ride was filled with silence, but it was still comfortable. He hand one hand on the steering wheel, and his other arm resting on the middle console between us. He'd look over at me with a smile small, a word still not leaving his lips. My heart began to flutter.

"I don't mean to ask, but.... aren't we not aloud to spend time together?" I mumbled.

"They won't do anything about it." He chuckled. "I don't mean to sound cocky, but they'd be too afraid to lose us."

I chuckled at him and nodded, and looked back out the window, watching the buildings and cars pass us.

...

He drove the car into a back alley, and turned off the ignition. "Wait here." He directed as he got out of the car. I quickly pulled down the mirror above me, and applied my tinted red chapstick. Like a gentleman, he opened my door & helped me out. He put on his air mask, and we walked down and out of the alley.

As we turned the corner, I realized where we were at. I looked across the street, and saw my family's café across the street.

"Ah, Jhope!" I said with a whisper as I took his arm. He turned to look at me, a little confused. I looked back at my families café, his eyes trailing with me.

"Is everything okay?" He asked with a curious tone.

"Mhm," I nodded. "We should go to that one.."

He smiled at me, and nodded. "Whatever you like." He took my hand, and led me across the street, opened the door to the café and removing his hat.

I chose a table in the corner, by the windows. We sat for a second, and he looked around the café. "It's so charming." He said whilst admiring the layout. They had beautiful greens in hand painted pots in every corner, some hanging on the bookcase that divided the entrance in its own spot.

I noticed my mother walk out of the back room. She looked at me, and gasped.