The Mysterious Cafe

The little bell rang as the door was pushed open. Primrose looked around like a lost child for a moment before entering the premises. It was her first visit as she has just relocated to this little town, Dawn Fall.

Mystic Brew Cafe. That’s the name written on top of the wooden dark teal door with two big windows on both sides and pots of little white daisies underneath the windows.

“Good morning, can I take your order?” said the young man in his early twenties with curly hair and a boyish smile.

“Hi.” Primrose greeted and took a look at the menu before ordering, “Iced latte, please.”

The young man nodded and swiftly proceeded her order.

Primrose chose the table next to the window, looking over the street. It was an early Sunday morning and the street was quiet and still. She looked around her surroundings and noticed that she was the only patron in the cafe. Though a little bit uneasy by that, she remained calm, took a sip of her iced latte before rummaging through her bag for her phone.

Are you guys reaching? Primrose texted.

Yup, in about five minutes. The other person replied.

The little bell rang again, and Primrose looked in the direction just to find an exceptionally attractive man entering through the door. Their eyes met. She hesitantly let out a faint smile as she wasn’t sure how to respond. The man, however, did not reciprocate the smile and only looked at her briefly with his cold, steel-gray eyes before turning his direction to the counter.

Snob, she thought.

“Good morning, Mr. Driscoll,” the young man greeted with the same enthusiasm as when he greeted her.

Must be a regular, Primrose thought since the young man knew his name. But she was wrong the minute the Mr. Driscoll made his way to the back of the counter and asked the young man how was business before disappearing into the kitchen.

The little bell rang again for the third time and Primrose could hear a familiar voice.

“I guessed chivalry is not dead yet,” said the familiar voice.

“That’s what a man supposed to do for the ladies,” said the other person. “What’re you guys drinking? Let me take your order.”

“Thanks! 2 cups of iced Americano, please.”

“Sorry we are late.”

“It’s okay.” Primrose reassured her cousins, giving them both a quick hug.

“So, how have you settled in here?” asked Josette.

“So far so good,” replied Primrose.

“How it is good? It took like forever for us to reach here,” complained Angeline, the younger sister of Josette. “I don’t understand why would you even want to move here—away from everyone, away from us.”

Away from someone. Primrose answered, in her mind. “For a new start, a fresh breath.” The answer she gave out loud.

Josette nudged her sister to stop complaining as seemed like she knew the real reason behind the move.

“Anyway, we are happy for you,” comforted Josette. “And it’s only a 2-hour journey. It’s really not that far.” The last sentence was meant for her sister than for Primrose. Angeline knew it but chose to ignore.

“So, we are having this masquerade ball organized by me for Josette’s charity. You know, the money collected from the ticket sale will be used to help the underprivileged kids,” explained Angeline.

“It’s really great to hear that,” said Primrose.

“So you’re coming?” asked Angeline.

“When it is?”

“Next Saturday at our dad’s hotel.”

“Oh! I’m sorry, I don’t think I can go. Andrew’s wedding on next Saturday.” Primrose apologized to her cousins.

“What?!” Angeline was disappointed.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll make it up to you guys. I promised,” said Primrose with a guilty look.

“Stop pouting, your Prince Charming is coming,” warned Josette when Angeline was still upset and pouted at her cousin.

“What a delicate hand,” said Jacob—Angeline’s Prince Charming when he took Primrose’s hand for a kiss.

“Um...nice to meet you.” Primrose subtly removed her hand from his grip. She was startled and felt uneasy by his move. Somehow, this Prince Charming of Angeline gave out a mysterious yet uncomfortable vibe.

“He’s the owner of this cafe,” explained Angeline.

“Well, one of the owner. My brother and I owned this place.” Jacob corrected the statement provided by Angeline. “Speaking of my brother, he should be here by now.” Jacob looked in the direction of the young boy behind the counter and the young employee, immediately pointed toward the kitchen as seemed like he knew what’s on his employer’s mind. Jacob then excused himself from the ladies before disappearing into the kitchen.

“Well, we really hope that you could come to the ball,” begged Angeline one last time before leaving Dawn Fall. Primrose could only apologize.

“Take care.” Josette gave Primrose a big warm hug followed by Angeline.

The sisters said their goodbyes to Primrose before take off in their pink Cadillac Escalade.

“Hi.”

Primrose was startled at the sound of a gravelly voice behind her. She then turned to her back and found him. The Mr. Driscoll was standing right in front of her. “Hi,” replied Primrose, carefully.

“Sorry, did I startled you?” asked Mr. Driscoll, politely. He even curved out a warm smile with his perfectly proportioned full lips. His demeanor was totally different from earlier when Primrose first saw him at the cafe.

“Um...no. Don’t worry about it,” replied Primrose.

“Samuel Driscoll.” Samuel stuck out his hand for a handshake.

“Primrose.” She reciprocated the handshake.

“Primrose—?”

“Dankworth. Primrose Dankworth,” added Primrose. Samuel nodded in acknowledgement.

“So, you own this place?” Samuel pointed at the little shop behind Primrose.

She instinctively turned to her back—following the direction of his finger—before turning back to face him. “Yes,” replied Primrose before she’s trying to end their conversation, “Well, it’s nice to meet you. Have a great evening.”

“Can I walk you home?” Samuel offered. She paused. Thinking of a polite way to reject his offer as he might be a bad guy though he did not give out a something-was-off vibe—unlike his brother, Jacob.

“Um...”

“I’m not a bad guy. I promised.” Samuel reassured her. It seemed like he knew what was on her mind.

“Alright.” Primrose finally agreed to it.

“Don’t you want to invite me in for a coffee or something?” Samuel smirked.

“Um...It’s kinda late and I—”

“Hey, I’m just kidding.” Samuel calmed her down. She curved out a relieved smile after hearing that.

“Well, good night to you.” Primrose then turned to unlock the door before waiting for his response.

“Primrose.”

“Yes?” Primrose was a little bit taken aback by his sudden seriousness. His mesmerizing steel-gray eyes suddenly held a serious expression.

“I saw you talked to my brother earlier,” Samuel began his sentence. Primrose nodded in silent acknowledgement. “Keep a distance from him.”

“Why?!” questioned Primrose. She was confused by his last sentence.

He gazed into the dark night, lost in thought for a moment before turning his gaze back to her and wished her a good night before walking away.

No answer was given and Primrose was still left feeling confused.