Chapter 6- Coffee? Coffee.

As Liliana sat sunken to her knees, the rain continued to pour down on her. As if covering her already soaked body with her arms would help, she held them up over her head. At the very least it could help her weaken the force at which the rain shot down at her.

But it wasn't enough. The more she hoped it wouldn't hurt, the stronger it became.

The rain, that is.

Suddenly, it felt as if the downpour had slowed itself down. Hopeful, she looked up, her eyes burning a little. But it was much too dark above her. And it was still raining around her. It was just over her head that the rain seemed to have stopped completely.

Looking closer, a black umbrella was being held over her. Liliana focused her moistened eyes to clearly see the person holding it. She tilt her head slightly from below. That's when her eyes caught the familiar jawline, the lips, and the bright emerald eyes.

Theodore!

It was Theodore Vivern.

Liliana's eyes widened at the familiar face. She sat squatted in a daze but was brought out of it by a warm, yet stern voice,

"How long are you planning to stay there?"

Hearing that, Liliana instantly jumped up to her feet.

"I... thank you," Liliana bit her lip. She didn't know what to say after randomly ditching him back there.

"What am I receiving your gratitude for?"

"For... umm... back then, in the restaurant. And, right now," she glanced at the umbrella, "for this."

Theodore rolled his eyes, "Warm up inside the shop first. I'll drop you home later."

"Uhh, you don't really need to do that."

"You don't have money for taxi do you?" He took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

"I- I mean I'll be going straight home so I can pay when I reach," Liliana fiddled with the jacket's sleeve.

"Were you not able to think the same thing when you were squatted out here?"

"I-! I'm sorry." Liliana really couldn't refute that. How come she didn't think of that before? She suddenly felt a little stupid about herself.

"Then, since I'm a little sane now, I'll just take my leave," she removed the jacket from over her shoulders and handed it back to him. Her smile evergreen, as she did so.

"Atleast- nevermind. Then just go," he discreetly moved back Liliana's hand which was handing over his jacket. Before Liliana could say anything else, Theodore hardened himself and stood at the edge of the pavement. He put out his hand towards the road to signal for a taxi. When a driver did stop, Theodore opened the door to the taxi. He looked over to Liliana once and went back into the elegantly standing bar.

"Dude, where do you keep going? Who was that girl???"

"Mind your own business," Theodore sat himself back in the seat, downing a cup filled to the brim with the fragrant wine.

Kevin clicked his tongue followed by a pout, "So mean. That's exactly why I am the only friend you have."

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"Mabel, dear, remember to send me the report once you reach home," a middle-aged man reminded before throwing his bag and coat over his shoulder.

"Don't worry Professor Kim, I'm almost done. I'll send it to you by 7:30." Mabel was currently typing the said report.

Professor Kim quickly waved, "It's alright. You can go home and send it. I'll need to lock the office before leaving."

Mabel looked up from her laptop, "I can lock it though?"

"I know you can. You always do. But Rebecca's scolded me into doing it myself from now on," Professor Kim held his head in embarrassment.

"Then, if you don't mind waiting half an hour..." Mabel trailed off as she noticed her professor's tapping feet almost ready to leave, "Alright, give me a minute."

Professor Kim was awfully impatient the whole day, she didn't want him to wait for her any longer. Hence, she wrapped up her work and went ahead.

However, something in Mabel really wanted to finish the task at hand. She has never liked leaving her 'almost-done' dues for later. She walked straight for a while before stopping in front of a small building. It was a library. And not just any library, but her only favorite library.

As soon as she stepped in, the sky behind her started darkening with clouds. And once she settled in, those heavy clouds had already began dripping down droplets on the windows, the road, bushes and people outside. By a few minutes, the soothing drizzling was replaced by a torrential downpour.

"Good thing I decided to wait awhile," Mabel took in a breath of relief.

She decided to stop admiring the weather for longer than she should and went back to her work. Working here always put her mind at ease.

She felt most comfortable in this library for more than one reason. Number one had to be the cafe service provided within the library. Another one, was that each seat in the library had a partitioning board in between so as to create a boundary for the customers. As well as for them to concentrate on their work alone.

It was especially designed for students in the university nearby. But sometimes working people also made use of the facilities provided here.

For a person like Mabel who loves her peace while working, this library was heaven. If she had time to think of more reasons why she loved this place, she would've.

Except, she was thrown out of her mental reviewing session, by the partitioning board beside her falling. Mabel depended on her reflex to catch the board before it feel right on top of her laptop.

Successful, she closed her eyes to took a deep breath, "Thank God!"

Mabel then turned her head to look at the person who tipped the board. Once her eyes fell to the other side, all she saw was a large build, supposedly of a man's, hidden under a hoodie. His ears were covered by the sweater paws, his body trembling slightly.

Mabel was almost sure of her assumption that the man was scared of the sudden rumbling of the sky outside. She carefully approached the shriveled man, "Um, excuse me, are you oka-"

The man jolted up, swatting away the hand that tapped on his shoulder.

Looking up from his hoodie, he was able to see the person that had touched him. It was a woman. And a woman he was somewhat familiar with.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to know if you were okay." Mabel was still being careful with her actions and words lest she trigger the already very triggered man.

"No. It's fine," he pulled down his hoodie and spoke, "I am fine."

Seeing the man without his hood up, he seemed familiar to Mabel. On keener observation, though this man currently had his hair down, his features and everything about him was one she remembered clearly.

"Jade Vivern!" Mabel almost exclaimed in the relatively quiet space. Realizing her mistake, she quickly covered her mouth and regained composure.

"Ahem, I mean, Mr. Jade, what are you doing here?"

"Coffee."

"Coffee?"

"Mm. Coffee."

Mabel did a quick scan, but there was no coffee on his table.

"Uh, have you had some already?"

"No."

"Then, if you don't mind, I'll help you buy. Some coffee, that is."