Chapter 6: Something

“Good morning, Ma’am!” My employees greet me when I enter the coffee shop.

My employees are two women, Marie and Kimberly, three men, Brandon, Rey, Luis and a part-timer Dave. They are all in their early 20s except for Dave, who is only 18 years old.

“Ma’am, why weren’t you here yesterday?” Marie asked me.

“I have a sudden visitor.” My answer.

I do not consider my employees as employees, but I consider each of them as friends. And, I also don’t want them to call me boss, I want them to consider me a friend because I want us to be equal here.

“Good morning!” I greeted the customer who just entered here and when I saw him, my heart suddenly beat faster.

“As usual.” Sir Reed said coldly, then paid.

When Reed paid for his order, he sat in his seat here in my coffee shop, In a corner.

“Ma’am. Sir Handsome Busy, Sir Reed returned here for the coffee you made.” Marie whispered to me.

“How did you say so?” I ask.

“Yesterday when he found out you weren’t here, Ma’am. Sir Reed left and did not even plan to order anything else. I think he has a crush on you.”

“Maybe he was just in a hurry. Don’t be malicious, Marie.” I said and mixed coffee.

When I already mixed the coffee, I brought it to Sir Reed.

After I landed at Sir Reed’s table with his coffee, I thought he would not pay me any attention or glance, but it surprised me when he looked up and examined me from head to toe.

“Are you okay?” Sir Reed asked me.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Nothing. Just forget my question.” Sir Reed’s coldly said.

“O-Okay, Sir. Enjoy your coffee.”

Why am I nervous and stuttering?

Returning to the counter, I fanned myself with both hands. It’s not hot here in my coffee shop. The aircon was on, but I felt hot.

“Ma’am, your cheeks are red,” Luis said to me as he passed in front of me.

I picked up my cell phone and mirrored it. I’m not in pain, but why is my cheek red?

I shook and calmed myself. Why did my heart beat faster when I remembered that question of Sir Reed to me and the way he looked at me made me feel joy and happiness?

Why is it like this?

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“I will just buy my lunch. I will buy you all lunch. Okay?” I told them.

“Alright, Ma’am. Thank you!” My employees answer me lively.

I grabbed my bag and walked out of the coffee shop. I don’t want to see Sir Reed because I don’t want to feel weird every time I see him. I can’t explain what it is. All I knew was that I should avoid Sir Reed.

I hailed a taxi when I saw Sir Reed coming out of the coffee shop. I breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t reach me.

I look like a criminal hiding from Sir Reed that he is the police. Ohmygod! What is it I’m thinking? A criminal? Police?

I got out of the taxi when I was in front of a restaurant.

When I entered the restaurant I could not help but be amazed. This place has a nice and elegant look of this restaurant. Unfortunately, this is a bit far from my coffee shop.

“Good day, Ma’am.”

I look at the waitress who greeted me. I was speechless when I recognized the woman who approached me. She had the same reaction when he met me.

“You’re the one who picked up my driver’s license, Dana, right?” The woman asked me.

“Yes. That’s me. Gaira, right?”

“Yes. Right.” Gaira replied.

Gaira led me to an empty table.

“This restaurant is mine. My third branch. To pay to your kindness all your orders is my treat.”

“No! No! No need to do that.” I immediately refused.

“Don’t worry, I insist.” Gaira’s insistence.

“I have a lot to order, I will also order for my employees in my coffee shop.”

“You have a coffee shop?”

“Hmmm ...”  I nodded in response.

“Okay. I have an idea.  You can get anything for free here at my restaurant, then when I pass by your coffee shop, I’ll be the one to treat you.”  Gaira said then handed me the menu. “What’s the name of your coffee shop?”

“Dana’s coffee shop.” My answer.

“Some other time I’ll go to your coffee shop to treat me too.”

“Sure. No problem. I want that.” I smile in response.

I can’t understand, but I’d rather get to know Gaira and be her friend. And one more thing, she was familiar with me while she looked like she didn’t know me.

“I’ll leave you for a moment, Dana, I’ll just take care of the other customers. Just order what you want. Enjoy.”

“Alright. Take care of your other customers as well.” I replied to Gaira.

When Gaira left I looked at the menu. All the food looks delicious, especially their desserts.

After I chose the food I called one of the waiters and told him my order. Leaving the waiter I took my cell phone out of my bag.

“Dana, can my friend just sit here? There are no more seats available.” I heard Gaira say.

“Of course,” I answered without looking at them.

“Don’t bite, Dana. That’s my friend too.” I heard Gaira remind her friend.

I smiled when I saw my cell phone. I immediately texted Blue, to ask if he had eaten his lunch. When I sent the text I drank the water given by the waiter earlier.

I spewed the water that was inside my mouth in shock when I saw Sir Reed in front of me.

“Sorry! Sorry!” I said as I met Sir Reed’s eyebrow wiping himself.

What is he doing in front of me? This again makes me feel strange, every time I look at Sir Reed. My heart beats faster as if there is a racing horse in it.

“Why did you spit with me while you were drinking?” Sir Reed asked me coldly.

I can’t understand how it feels. Some part of my body was happy because of Sir Reed talking to me. It’s a pity I haven’t felt Blue yet.

“Dana, these are your orders… what happened here?”

“Thank you.” I quickly said to Gaira took the food from her.

When I took the food I ordered, I quickly left for restaurants… away from Sir Reed.

Why do I feel this way for Sir Reed? And have I even compared him to Blue?

Why does something disappear from my body every time I see Sir Reed? This is not right.