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Now my life is sweet like cinnamon
I hummed as the music rang in my ears, arranging the cups on the counter.
I love this time of the day at the cafe.
'The love hour' as the manager calls it.
“Alie! He's here.” I hear Maya whisper to me.
Of course he was. He was always here at this time. At love hour.
I lift my gaze from the cups, my eyes waiting to stop at those familiar hazel brown eyes.
Oh yes, they always hit the same. Today, yesterday, a week before and even when we were eight.
I noticed his eyes shrink as he gave me a big bright smile. I felt lost. So beautiful.
His arms came up towards the counter as he rested them there and said in his usual sweet yet witty tone, “Hey, lady love.”
I smiled and pushed his arm away from the counter saying, “Stop it Ember!”
“The usual?” I asked as I picked up a cup to make his order.
“Of course Alysel. I love your coffee. Even though the doctor told me to cut down on my caffeine. How do I cut you ?” He said with the oh so innocent face he has.
I felt the heat rise through my neck and my cheeks tingle. He always does that.
With a wicked grin he said before walking towards his table, “By the way, I love the songs you have on the playlist. It makes me come back here.”
“Oh really?Just the music? Not the coffee? Not the barista?” I said with a light smirk.
“Coffee is second place. You know what's first?”
I coughed on choking on my laugh pretending not to understand and went away to get his order.
“ALYSEL!” I heard a loud voice as I entered the kitchen.
“Come on superman. Say your stupid line.”
I say placing a hand on Maya's shoulder as I saw her crying. I know what it's for though. She still hasn't moved on from her crush having some other girl in his life.
If it were someone else I would actually have given in energy to make them feel better. But Maya, she didn't need that, it was her fourth crush this week. She'll definitely look for a new one tomorrow. But for today, she's gonna cry as if he cheated on her. Not cut down on drama.
“Alie! Why did he do that? Was I not good enough?” she said, wiping her tears with her sweater paws.
“Did you even go tell him you liked him?” I said my hands were moving in a practiced movement to make coffee. For him. Just the way he likes.
I took the cup and came back to the reception when I heard the song change mid beat.
Isn't it lovely all alone
.
I didn't add that to the playlist. At least not the “love hour” playlist.
Oh crap, Maya!
Is she for real? I shook my head in disbelief and walked to Ember's table.
I saw his usual spot (from where he had a clear view of the reception) empty and looked around and saw him busy on a call near the window.
I placed the coffee on the table and went back.
The rush hour started. I did not even get a chance to glance at Ember sip the coffee I made him, or the small wink and wave he does while leaving.
After the rush calmed I went to grab the empty cups from the tables and to get the bare minimum tips everyone leaves us. I never keep it though. Maya gets it all from me. Being a barista is not my full time job after all.
“What's that?” I whispered to myself as I saw something scribbled on a tissue when I picked up Ember's cup.
It read, “
Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry, lady love. Please don't stop the love songs.”
My brows knit in confusion.
Then they widened in realisation.
Isn't it lovely all alone.
Oh boy.
He thought I played it?
Cute.
I smiled to myself having the golden chance to effect a sweet French boy's day.
I snuck in the tissue inside my pants pocket.
After that I went to change as my shift ended.
I opened my bag and pulled out my wallet.
As I walked through the door taking out cash for the ride home.
BUMP
“Oh sorry, my bad.” I said bowing instantly, without even looking at whom I bumped into. Asian instincts.
“It's okay, lady love.” The familiar voice made me look up instantly.
“Ember?” “Why are you still here? Didn't you just leave like an hour ago?” I asked.
“Oh I waited. To apologize. Um.. The song-?” his voice had shifted from his usual playful tone to a monotonous tone.
I laughed.
“Oh dear. I wasn't the one who played it. I only play love songs. For someone special.”
His eyes lit as he held my cold hands in his warm ones. “Really? You're not mad? I didn't do anything? You like m- ahmm, I- I mean-”
“The 'someone special' always gets what I mean, Ember.”
I said and made my way towards the main road.
“Wait. Alysel. Your wallet. Ah? what's that? Miss? Why do you have paper boats leaking out of your wallet?”
Paper Boat.
My steps halted. I was still back facing him. My mind screamed. No. No. No. Not this. Not yet.
I did not have the courage to turn towards him. He might have already read it. He might have realized. Who I was.
“Wait-” after a long pause he continued.
“Alysel? Are you? ALYSEL REYES?”
I turned and saw him holding the paper boat that read-
Alysel x Ember
It wasn't me who wrote it.
It was an eight year old Ember who wrote it.
“Ah- I guess?Are you mad-?”
I was cut off mid sentence when a pair of warm arms engulfed me into a tight embrace.
“Oh my god, Alysel. I'm so happy. AHHH. FINALLY I FOUND YOU. ”
He broke the hug and held my shoulders looking into my eyes. His eyes have an extra shine now. His smile was wider than before.
“You're telling me my crush is my long lost childhood best friend?”
I choked on thin air. What did he just say?
Crush?
ME???
“So my long lost best friend. MY ALIE. And now MY LADY LOVE. Would you mind grabbing a coffee with me tomorrow?
Maybe we can both have our lives sweet like cinnamon?”
