Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Can you get table 4 for me?", Laura said walking past me as her hands were full with the dirty dishes.

"Yeah sure", I said nonchalantly.

I didn't talk much with Laura since that night. I found out that she didn't go fetch his brother but she went to the bar to get wasted. I knew it was a childish thing to do by ignoring her but I was too upset and I almost died too if it wasn't for Sean.

I ignored her for almost a week now but she looked like there was nothing happen. She talked about everything like usual but I only nodded or just agreed to whatever she said.

I worked until 6 today which was a relief. I had exams for next week and I knew I had to prepare now since I was a little behind and with work, I couldn't do it.

The cafe wasn't that crowded and my shift would end for another 15 minutes. I noticed that other workers handled the customers pretty well and it seemed that I wasn't needed so I decided to grab one of my books to get a head start to study. I was still reading it for a few minutes until I felt someone tapped my shoulder.

"Valerie, get table 7, will you? It's still working time. You can read once you finish your shift", Mrs. Hardy scolded me making me nodded quickly. She was such a bitch today.

I grabbed my notes and walked to table 7 with heavy steps. Life was hard and I needed to endure it. I had to hold on for another year and hoped that all of this would be over.

"Hi, what can I get you?", I mumbled boringly.

"I just got what I want", I heard him speak making my eyes widened, and lifted my head to meet with the familiar brown eyes.

"W-what're you doing here?", I stuttered.

"Is that a way to treat a customer?", he grinned.

"Sorry. What do you want to order?", I asked more professionally.

"Just coffee", he answered and I wrote it down.

"I'll be back with your order", I said leaving him with a red cheek.

Now he knew where I work at. I didn't know why I felt embarrassed about it. I wanted him to be interested in me and I just hoped that he would still want to see me.

I was brewing the coffee when I heard some of the workers talking. "I wonder what he's doing here", I heard one of them said.

"Yeah, he doesn't usually come to a place like this", another one added.

"Do you think they will rob this place?", the other said with shivered voice.

"Nonsense. They might be bad but I never heard they robbed"

"Uhm, what are you guys talking about?", interrupted and all their heads turned to me.

"Well, the guy... ",

"Nothing to worry about. It's just a stupid rumor", she laughed and waved her hand like it was nothing.

"Okay. I'll get back to work then", I said taking the coffee to Sean. He was texting someone on his phone and he looked up when I placed the coffee in front of him.

"Enjoy", I said.

"Thanks. It smells nice", he smiled showing his pearly whites. Wow. I didn't know what to say instead I stood there like an idiot.

"O-okay", I stuttered and hurried to the back to hide my embarrassment. Luckily my shift was over and I could get away from here.

After I got changed, I went out of the room and headed to the front door. When I glanced at where Sean sat, I couldn't find him anywhere. He's already gone. Inside I felt sad because I thought I could see him before I went home.

I walked past the front door with my face looking at the ground. "What's up with your face?", the sound of the person making my head lifted.

"S-Sean?", I was startled. He was still here?

"Hi again" he smiled showing his pearly whites.

"What are you doing here?", I asked.

"Well actually I only come here to see you", he said scratching his neck. Was he nervous?

"See me?", my heartbeat fast when he said that.

"Yeah. Are you free now?", he asked putting his hands under his pants pocket.

"Now?", I said in shock.

"Yeah, or maybe you have a plan with someone?" His jaw suddenly clenched.

"No, actually", I said.

"Great. Shall we?", he said offering me his hand and I took it. His hand was so big that my hand almost disappear from his grasp.

"So where are we going?", I asked curiously.

"Are you hungry?", he asked.

"Hell Yeah", I responded without hesitation. I didn't have lunch again today.

"Good. We're going to eat then", he grinned.

He took me to one of a diner not far from the cafe where I work at. I heard from my friends that the food was good and affordable as well. I didn't have a chance to go there since I was always busy.

We entered the small diner and some people turned to the door and looked frightened? I didn't know why. Was it because of Sean? I had to admit with his big tall figure some people would feel intimidated. Sean acted like there was nothing happen and dragged me to a table far from the people.

A lady came and handed us the menu. I scanned the menu and they all looked great. The price was good too making me happy.

"I'll have spaghetti, omelet, and strawberry milkshake", I said to the lady and she just smiled writing them down.

"I'll get a lasagna with ice tea", Sean ordered.

The lady wrote it down and repeated our orders before she left us alone.

"Don't you think it's too much for dinner?", Sean asked amused.

"It's never too much when it comes to food. Besides I'm so hungry", I said dramatically and he laughed.

Our food came and we both dug it. I ate like I was starved for a month. I felt like Sean looked like he tried not to laugh at my aggressive eating.

"Slow down there or you'll get choke", he teased.

"Sorry I didn't have lunch this whole week and today is the only day I'd get proper food", I said after swallowing my food down.

"What do you mean proper food?", he frowned.

"Well, I always busy at the cafe that I don't have my lunch break and when I came home from work, my roommate is rarely at home and I always have homework to do so sometimes I don't have dinner as well", I explained.

He just frowned and I continued eating my food. These were heaven. Why on earth I hadn't been here?

"How about we have dinner every day from now on?", he suddenly suggested. I almost choked when he said that.

"What?", dinner with him every single day?  I didn't think I could afford it plus I had homework.

"I don't know", I trailed.

"Why not?", he asked.

"I have to do my homework", I said without looking at him.

"You can take your homework with you", he insisted.

"I can't", I shook my head.

We ate in silence after that and it was super uncomfortable. I glanced at him between my lashes and he looked upset. Now I felt like a shithead. After eating, Sean paid for the bill. I insisted that I'd pay mine but he refused and I gave up.

He walked me home that night but he didn't hold my hand as earlier and I hated it. He seemed to get his distance at me. He was mad and it was my fault.

He was still silent until we got to the apartment. I decided to ask him myself.

"Are you mad?", I asked carefully. He didn't say anything at first but then sighed.

"I'm not mad. It's just that I want to spend time with you. I know I was never who always say this but I like you, Valerie", he said sincerely.

Now I felt bad for refusing him. He liked me and I liked him too. Maybe I should give him a chance. I mean, he never did something that hurt me.

"OK", I mumbled.

"What?", he asked surprised.

"OK. I'll have dinner with you", I smiled.

"You don't have to say yes if you don't want to", he said cooly but there was hurt in his voice.

"No, I want to. Besides, I like you too", I confessed with a bright cheek. His expression suddenly changed and smiled brightly showing his pearly whites.

"You have no idea what you just make me feel", he exclaimed. He moved closer to me then kissed my temple taking me by surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to... "

"It's fine. I like it", I laughed at his nervousness and he looked relieved.

"Goodnight, Sean", I said.

"Good night, Valerie", he said before I went inside the lobby. I looked at my back and he was still waiting there until I couldn't see him anymore.

Did I make the right decision by hanging out with him from now on?