The guy I met at the coffee shop.

I opened the cafe door as freshly brewed coffee wake my senses. This place has been my go-to place when studying. This particular cafe has free to read books that's why I have a "perfect corner" where the temperature is just right, the air conditioner is placed in a perfect distance, and the sun hits at the perfect area when I get here. The "perfect corner" doesn't have that many people sitting around it except when the cafe gets busy, like today. I sighed and searched for a free seat when I couldn't find any. I found a table where one person was sitting at.

"Is this seat available?" I asked. He just looked up, smiled, and nodded. I particularly chose this seat because of the charging port and the bookshelf across from it, It was also beside the window which gave enough sunlight. I set up my laptop and began with my papers. Time went by as I finished halfway and by back started to hurt. I stretched and cracked my neck as I sip the last bit of my black coffee, looks like I need to order more. I stood up and went to the counter to order another and added a blueberry cheesecake to recharge my energy. I walked up to the bookshelf instead of going straight to my seat. I wanted to rest for a couple of minutes from my work. I found a book of interest and decided to read while standing. I was halfway through my chapter when my name was called and I went back to my seat.

"What the hell Rachel? How can you not realize that?" I whispered to myself. I was sure that I was the only one who heard what I said when the guy sitting in front of me laughed.

"Hahaha. Rachel Chu is pretty frustrating." He said which caught my attention, I met his gaze and I just realized how attractive this man is.

"You've read this?" I asked as I lifted the book in my hand which was titled 'Crazy Rich Asian'.

"Yes, and I find it amusing how she hasn't heard of Nicholas young which was an eligible bachelor."

"I know right? And how can Nick not realize that she'd be criticized by people? I mean come on, he's directly under the spotlight." I agreed with frustration.

"Bwahaha, don't get too frustrated in that, what I'll say is at least they got a happy ending."

"I don't really care about the happy ending," I said as I took a sip from my black coffee.

"Why so? Don't girls like reading books that they can fantasize about?" He asked.

"Yeah...girls, I sometimes wonder if I'm really one," I mumbled. "What?" He asked.

"And who said that I took this book just to read the romance?" I said before he even continued with what he was about to say.

"You didn't?"

"I thought it would show Asian nobility in modern times, which they did, amazingly."

"Yes, yes, It's like a 'pride and prejudice' thing." He said in return. And as if time has brisked past us, It's already night time. I didn't even notice the time and got so into our conversation.

"Oh shoot! It's already 7, I'm so sorry I wasted a lot of your time." I said to the guy which I came to know as Alex. He majors in arts and is taking architecture.

"Oh yes! I'm sorry I didn't notice the time." He said as he looked at his phone.

"I gotta go, I'm really sorry," I said as I rushed for my papers. I still needed to make dinner, I should just buy at the fast-food chain near us.

"Wait!" He grabbed my hand before I opened the glass doors. I turned my head back at him.

"When will I see you again?" He asked which I didn't get to reply to easily. How will I answer that? If he asked for my number or email I would've given it to him easily.

"Uhm...tomorrow?" I just randomly said.

"I'll hold you to that then...4 pm?" He asked. It made giggle on how he's acting right now. e was all confident about our topics and now he's acting shy.

"Sure, 4 pm same seat." I smiled

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.

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I applied lip tint and retouched my blush and went out of my car to go to the cafe. I don't really goi during the weekends but because of the cute guy, I decided to do so.

I opened the same glass door smelling the same refreshing brewed coffee. I was so ready to meet him I even practiced saying hi to the mirror the whole night. I went around the corner when I saw him talking to another girl. Look, I'm not the jealous type of person but the way the waitress tried to flirt. I was keeping it in since he wasn't at fault but the next thing that happened really hurt me. I hadn't felt this feeling before. She kissed him suddenly on the cheek! The last time I felt a sudden weight pulling my chest was 9 years ago when my favorite book got soaked in my father's coffee.

I sighed anyway and as if Alex heard that, he met my gaze and went in shock as I turned around and walked outside back to my car. And here I thought I was going to finally feel what I haven't in the 25 years of existence.

"Cassandra! Wait." He caught up to me and grabbed my arm.

"It's not what you think." He said.

"It's okay Alex, you don't have to lie. Just go back." I said disappointingly.

"What lie? She suddenly asked for my number which I refused to give. I already have you in my eyes." I just stared at him not believing what he was saying.

"You're jealous?" He raised an eyebrow.

"And if I said yes?"

"Then you like me too!"

"Too?" I asked

"Yes! I have been crushing on you since the start of winter last year." Last year? That was when I started going to this cafe. He suddenly opened his backpack and handed me a notebook.

"What am I gonna do with your sketchbook?"

"*Sigh*" He then grabbed it from me again and opened it. And he showed me a sketch of...me?

It was me on the first page drinking my usual coffee as I review my papers. This was the last week of December, the day after my examination. I then flipped another page and saw another sketch of me. I was typing on my laptop a week after my first visit. This was when I had a paper that I needed to pass. I was so focused. I then flipped another page and It was me, my face when I watched a video my sister sent me about a cat. The last page was a sketch of me reading a book while standing...this was yesterday. I looked back at him and laughed. He noticed me before I even did.

"Why didn't you approach me?" I asked.

"Why would I?" He said as if it was the normal thing to do.

"I never plan on approaching you, but you sat in front of me yesterday and I wasn't able to prevent myself from saying anything." He looked down as if he was being reprimanded. So cute!

"Bwahaha!" I laughed.

"Hey! Don't laugh at me, It's not my fault that I went starstruck when I saw you." Well, that's a compliment. I closed the sketchbook and held his face. If I was going to experience romance why not initiate it now? I kissed him and he followed along as he held my waist and deepened the kiss.

It felt forever but we finally broke it and tried to catch our breaths.

"That was my first," I said. Which made him wide-eyed.

"So was mine! That was far better than I expected." He said

"Are you sure it was your first?" He doubted

"Bwahahaha! Of course, it was!" I laughed.

I didn't expect that this guy would make me feel this way. The guy I met at the coffee shop.