He used to stop by the store every day. Not just because they make the best coffee, not even because they were just across the street from his company, it was because of her. Days after days, he’d walk in, and like every other person who walks into the coffee shop, she’d plant a beautiful soft smile on her face, welcoming him.
Just like every other day, he walked in and as usual, a smile was already planted on her face but this time, she looked stressed, exhausted, and weak but none of this affected the bright smile.
“The usual?” she asked with a broader smile.
“You’re so hard-working!” he commented instead.
“That’s so sweet. Thank you. The usual?” she asked again with an arched brow this time. Just when he was going to say something, someone requested a croissant.
She moved away from the counter and grabbed a tray hurriedly with a croissant. As she was going over with the tray in her hand, he grabbed the tray from her and took it over to the customer.
“You didn't have to,” she said as he walked back to her.
“You can be grateful if you’d accept to step out right now with me,”
She creased her forehead and blew a soft breath before dusting her hand on her apron.
“You were able to tell me I was hardworking because I’m at the shop working, you know?”
“You look tired and you aren’t the only one who could attend to customers here though,”
“But I am the only one who likes my job better,”
“500 dollars!”
“What?” she asked with confusion.
“500 dollars for you to step out with me right now,”
“You can’t buy my time, young man,”
“1000!”
“Excuse me?”
“2000!”
“Oh, listen. I don’t know what you want from me or who you think you are but you would have to stop that right now,”
“You need a proper introduction? I would give it,”
“No, I need you to step aside, get your coffee, and maybe leave,” her smile had disappeared and even though that wasn’t what he wanted, he still couldn’t leave her alone, looking all that stressed.
“First, I’m Xavier and I work at the company right across the street,” Xavier pointed outside the coffee shop and her eyes darted straight to it.
Following his pointed finger, her face gradually dropped from a confused and upset one to a fascinating one.
“You work at the Xav Incorporated company!?”
“I’m not trying to boast but you’d be much more amazed when you find out what role I play there. Hell, that isn’t my point. I’m just trying to let you know you’re in safe hands. I come here every single day and I am just a few miles away from you, you’re safe, Clara!”
“Judy,” she corrected.
“Okay, Judy. What do you say?”
“I still have to do some other things and make sure…”
“How about you leave everything else to me, Judy? You don’t have to worry about a single thing, I’ve got you,” Xavier smiled and Judy seemed to be considering his request already.
There was something just convincing in his voice, not the money, just how he made sure to let her know she was safe. Even though, she couldn’t believe she was already considering following a young fine man dressed in a suit to wherever, she still couldn’t stop herself from taking her apron off.
“Give me a second. I’d just get changed and take permission to step out,”
“Anything, Judy. Anything,” there was a glint of excitement in his tone and Judy could sense that.
A few minutes later, Judy stepped out in a simple floral dress with her hair packed up in a high ponytail.
This was the first time Xavier had seen her in something other than the shop-customized shirt. His tummy was in turbulence out of happiness, a day he had imagined to step out with this soft, hard-working, and feminine young lady.
‘How I love feminine ladies!’ he thought, smiling broadly.
As they walked outside, Xavier’s driver was already waiting for him.
“You could have sent for your secretary to get your coffee,”
“You repeat this same phrase every morning, Judy. I’ve told you, I love getting my coffee myself!”
As they drove, Judy was stunned to find out Xavier was the owner of the company and now, she had no idea how to act with him.
The drive was long and Judy was feeling her body resting and calm. She rested her head against the headrest and felt her body gradually relax and her eyes gradually close up.
“I feel so exhausted. I feel drained,”
Xavier rubbed her hair, nodding gently. “I do know that,”
Judy smiled before finally closing her eyes up and letting the sleep take over.
PS: image edited here