Chapter 1
All I could think about was her since that encounter, after all these years. It was hard not to show my excitement at seeing her again after such a long time.
"—Good morning," her voice—just hearing it made my heart race. "Can I take your order? We have some good options today."
I tried not to smile at such a monotonous dialogue. What surprised me was that she hadn't looked away from the cash register once.
"—An Americano, please," I said.
I noticed how she froze. I couldn't help but feel a thrill as her typing stopped, and she slowly turned her gaze toward me. I smiled, and she quickly looked back at the machine. An unexpected reaction.
"—And a croissant."
She nodded and tapped the screen. I smiled because she didn't ask for my name to register my order.
If I had known she was working here, I would have been the one coming for coffee all along, not my secretary—who, due to a hangover, asked me to handle my own coffee today.
"—Cash or card?" she asked, and I noticed she was trying her best not to look at me. I handed her the cash, and she gave me the receipt to collect my drink. "Over that way," she pointed to her right, where the coffee machines were. "You can pick up your order there. Come back soon."
With that, she dismissed me. She was done with me.
"—Thank you," was all I said as I walked away to wait for my coffee.
Was it really necessary to pretend I wasn't there? I know she recognized me. I know it, and this slip of paper in my hand proves it too.
Alexandra Sawyer.
That’s my name. She did recognize me.
While waiting, I realized there was a wave of people behind me. I watched how politely and patiently she handled every single customer. She’s still just as beautiful. I couldn't help but remember how we were years ago. Friends... until suddenly we weren't, and we became just "acquaintances."
"—Alexandra Sawyer!" a girl called out.
I saw Jessy look up from the counter toward my direction, but it didn't last long because another customer grabbed her attention. I sighed and took what would be my breakfast.
I left the place without looking back, though I desperately wanted to. I just can't go through this again. This encounter has made up for all those years without seeing her.
I hope you have a happy life, Jessy.
