Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Oh My.

Roasted coffee beans permeate the air of the coffee shop. There’s also the smell of baked goods, a hint of citrus from the creamer, and an underlying earthy scent from the wood furniture.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fill the room with its comforting scent, while Daisy’s hint of perfume is a light breeze amongst it all. The caramel-like scent of their conversations and the sugary notes of pastries wafts together perfectly.

The clatter of espresso machines, the hiss of steam, and quiet conversations are the main reasons Daisy likes coming to this coffee shop. The backdrop of it all soothes her ears like music, and it's much more better than sitting in that clamped up noisy office, with David breathing down her neck and Mr. Randy calling her every ten minutes for one thing or the other.

Michael's footsteps echo outside the cafe. The rhythm of his stride blends in with the clatter of dishes and conversations. Daisy's soft laughter is a gentle ripple in a sea of noise, much more comforting than the hiss of espresso machines and the clink of spoons against coffee cups.

Michael stands tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a sleek leather jacket and faded jeans. His hair is dark and curly, his eyes a deep blue. Daisy is petite with tumbling blonde curls and golden-brown eyes. She's wearing a floral sundress over a tank top. Her bright red lipstick glimmers in the sunlight.

His blue eyes meet Daisy's brown ones through the glass window, and she looks away blushing. Her omelette-colored curls bounce around her face as she turns her head the other way, pretending not to have seen him.

Michael’s kind demeanor shines through his deep blue eyes and his protective stature is easily seen from across the room. Daisy glows in the light from the street-side window, her easy smile a beacon for any passersby.

And one such passerby is Michael who stops and enters just to talk to this pretty and glowing girl he just conveniently sees while on his way to the gadgets store.

×××

"You drink chamomile tea?" Michael's white teeth sparks as he smiles at her.

Daisy laughs softly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, I do. Is that a problem?" She teases, taking a sip of her coffee.

Michael shakes his head, still smiling. "No, not at all. I was just surprised is all. Most people here usually go for the coffee."

Daisy grins back at him. "Well, I'm not like most people then."

"I can see that," Michael replies, his eyes curiosly searching hers.

Daisy's eyes dances with amusement. "So, what's your go-to coffee?"

"I'm more of a cappuccino person," Michael says.

Daisy can't get over how soft and soothing his voice is. She raises an eyebrow. "A cappuccino man in a sea of espressos and lattes, huh?"

"That's me, standing out in the crowd," Michael replies with a chuckle.

"I like that. So, what brings you to this cozy little coffee shop?"

"Just needed a break from work, you know?" He obviously lies. She's the reason he's here.

"I totally get it. Work can be a real buzzkill."

"Tell me about it. So, what do you do for a living?"

"I work as a Project Director for a mall company. A jumble of creativity and management, you could say."

"Sounds fascinating."

"It can be. And sometimes, it's just handling logistics and wondering if I've lost all sense of organization."

"I'm sure that's not true."

Daisy laughs. "You're too kind. What about you?"

"I'm a graphic designer."

Daisy chuckles, "Deadass?"

"Yeah, why?" He smiles.

"My close friend just got into graphic design like two months ago. How long have you been doing it?"

"'Bout a couple of years."

"That's neat." She drops the mug, "Hey, you could teach my friend some stuffs, don't you think?"

He chuckles, "I don't think I'm the most qualified person to do that but hey, why not?"

"That'll be cool. Thanks very much...I know I blabber a lot, so excuse me…"

"Not at all. I enjoy your company."

"The feeling's mutual."

As they sit here talking, he can't help but feel his heart beating faster and faster. The way she looks at him with those beautiful, dark eyes makes him feel like he's the only one in the room. It's as if time has stood still, and he doesn't want the moment to end. They are both lost in conversation, opening up to each other in ways they never have with anyone else before.

Their beaming smile at eachother lingers before he speaks again.

"Do you come here often?"

"This place is my secret haven, so you could say I'm a regular."

"Lucky for me."

"Lucky indeed." Daisy winks.

"What's your favorite kind of music?"

"Oh, I'm all over the place. From classical to rock, it depends on my mood. How 'bout you?"

"I'm more of a jazz and blues guy."

"Really?" She gawks.

"What?" He smiles and this time she notices a dimple in his left cheek.

"You don't look the type."

"Hey…I knew you were gonna say that."

"I'm sorry but I'm not judging a book by it's cover but…"

"Nah, I think that's what you're doing…" He talks over her and they both laugh. "So what do I look like I listen to?"

"Perhaps…EDM or something…look I don't even know. I'm just saying." She flings her right arm up playfully and he smiles, watching her.

She's cute. She makes cute gestures.

"EDM? I'd rather be caught dead than listening to that noisy shit."

"Hey. My close friend loves EDM…"

"God bless her ears."

Her lips form an "O" shape and as he takes a sip, she chuckles and rolls her eyes.

"I'd still love some recommendations." She says.

"I'll make you a playlist."

"Now, that's a promise. So, tell me, do you have any hobbies besides coffee and being a smooth talker?"

"I enjoy reading and taking long walks."

"Books and strolls. Simple and beautiful."

"What about you? Any hobbies?"

"I love painting and playing the guitar. And I'm quite the chef, if I may say so."

"You're a woman of many talents."

Daisy feels her face heat up when he calls her 'woman'. He looks younger than her to be referring to her in that…tone, in that…. way.

She winks. "You're just scratching the surface, trust me."

"I sure want to see what's beneath."

Daisy smiles, gazing into his eyes as if trying to figure him out. He's truly a smooth talker and most definitely the less weird one out of the guys she's been running into lately.

Well, the last two were straight-up arrogant perverted rich dogheads.

"Michael, right?"

"Oh come on. Don't tell me you forgot already."

She chuckles, "I was just making sure…"

And this becomes the beginning of their friendship. They continue to talk for hours, about everything from art to politics to music. The espresso machines hums in the background, creating an ambiance that feels like home.

Their conversation turns into laughter and inside jokes; they're no longer strangers but two people who've found each other in an unexpected place.

The more they talk, the more he realises that she's not only kind but also incredibly intelligent and witty. He finds himself hanging onto every word she says, laughing at her quirky humour and marveling at her insights. It's as if she knows everything there is to know about the world and can explain it all in a way that makes perfect sense to him.

It's like they have known each other for years, and yet they only just met. They both feel a spark, a connection that's hard to ignore. He finds himself drawn to her wit and intelligence, and she's captivated by his smooth charm and humor.

Michael's heart flutters as he gazes into her twinkling eyes. He knows right then and there that Daisy is different from anyone he has ever met before. He wants to keep talking to her, to get to know her better, to never let this moment end.

But as the afternoon turns into evening, they both know it's nearly time to say goodbye for now. The bar has emptied out, but they remain, engrossed in their conversation. As they talk, he knows that he has found something special in her, something that he wants to hold onto forever.

Finally, she looks up at him, her eyes shining with something he can't quite put his finger on. "You know," she begins, "I've had such a great time talking to you tonight. These past two weeks have been quite hectic so it was nice having a breath of fresh air meeting someone as like-minded and chill like you."

How can he respond? He's mesmerized by her but he knows he has to play it cool so all the effort he has built up to that moment won't go down the drain and would all be for nothing.

"Same." He smacks his forehead mentally.

Really? Same?

She giggles at his response and he feels his heart weighs lighter because of her cute response.

They exchange numbers and say their goodbyes.

As Michael watches Daisy exit the coffee shop, he feels his heart swell with happiness. For the first time in a long time, he feels hopeful for the future. His decision to move to this city could actually favour him.

With a smile on his face, he finishes his coffee and leaves the shop, his mind racing with thoughts of Daisy and their next potential meeting.

But, one thought stands out.

"It could actually be her…"

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter