FATIMA WAS LEAVING for work when she saw William walking to her house. She stopped walking and waited for him to get to her. She smiled and waved her hand and so did he. “What happened at the bar?” she asked and William shrugged before looking at her with a smile.

“Nothing much, he wanted to fire me but he knows I’m the most valuable employee he has,” he bragged while smirking.

“Fatima, there’s a parent’s teacher conference tomorrow, can you come?” They turned around to her brother who seemed shy with his request. “Of course, I’ll go with you.” Philippe smiled and hugged her before running to the side of the street to ride his bike to school.

“That boy really needs some new bike,” William commented before turning to her.

“Let’s walk to your work?” They both went out to the busy streets and walked on the sidewalks. The moving cars, tall buildings, and pedestrians walking are what make a city. It’s just like any other day.

While they walked to her workplace, William placed his arm around her as they walked. “You’re going to make my shoulder hurt,” she commented and he laughed. She looked up at William’s face and admired his beauty. She almost liked him when they first met, but he’s more of an older brother than anything.

“What happened to your ankle?” he asked as he noticed her ankle was wrapped in a bandage. He worriedly looked at her and asked, “Do I need to carry you to work?” She laughed and shook her head.

“It’s just some minor bruises, work accident.” Ten minutes later, they were close to the coffee shop and saw none other than Fatima’s ex-boyfriend, Christopher. William still had his arms around her while they talked.

Christopher cleared his throat and said, “Good morning.” They stopped walking and looked at him.

“Good morning,” William answered and Chris, who seemed unamused, glared at him.

“I’m talking to her.” William looked at her before looking at Christopher and chuckling. “Good morning as well,” she uttered before smiling.

“Oh and uh- this is William, he’s my co-worker at the bar I worked at,” she introduced him and he extended his hand. He smiled at him and waited for him to shake his hand.

“Hi, nice to meet you,” he uttered and Christopher eyed his hand before shaking it.

“Hello, I’m Christopher.” William smiled at him but he didn’t. Instead, he walked inside the coffee shop after that interaction. William looked at Fatima who shrugged. “He looks familiar, I forgot where I saw him..” he murmured.

“CEO of a company of some sort? They develop games.” He nodded while still thinking where he saw him. “Ah! I saw a picture of him and you on your old phone!” He exclaimed loudly and she covered his mouth before looking inside the coffee shop and back to him.

“Shhss... he doesn’t know it’s me, be quiet!” She dragged him a couple of steps back.

“Ah, so it is him. No wonder he was giving me such a glare.” He laughed loudly and smirked. Fatima rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“I bet he got jealous.” William started walking to the coffee shop and she tried stopping him but couldn’t. He walked inside and the smell of coffee welcomed them. She was holding his arm as they walked in. Nikki was about to greet them but stopped midway because of what she saw.

“Do you serve breakfast here too?” He asked Nikki and she nodded while still watching Fatima’s hand on his. “Aish, what are you doing?” Fatima whispered to him and he looked at her before holding his stomach.

“I haven’t had breakfast, I’ll eat here.” They both heard a scoff from Chris who was sitting behind them. William sat next to the table of Chris while she frustratedly walked to the back of the coffee shop to wear the apron and cap.

William looked at Christopher and smiled at him. “What?” he asked William and he shrugged before looking at the menu.

A couple of seconds later, Fatima walked out and William clapped his hand. “Woah, you look cute,” he complimented and she blushed. Christopher rolled his eyes before drinking coffee. More customers walked into the coffee shop so both the girls got busy.

“I might come here more often,” he commented.

(Never come back,) Chris thought.

After William ate his breakfast, he stood up to leave. But before leaving the door, he smirked at Fatima before saying, “See you later, cutie.” He left the door and Chris stared at him in disgust and scoffed. Nikki on the other hand, held onto Fatima’s shoulder.

“Who is that!” she excitedly chirped.

“Uhm, he’s my friend.” Christopher listened in on their conversation. She looked at him but quickly looked away again. (Aish, he probably thinks William’s my boyfriend,) she thought to herself.

“He looks hot, oh my god.” Nikki started to fangirl over him. Christopher put down his coffee and stood up. “What? Stop fantasizing about men, you’re only 16!” The other customers looked at him and he realized what he said so he cleared his throat.

“Why are you even listening to our conversation?” She scoffed before going to the cashier area.

“And you! Don’t be friends with guys like him, he can be dangerous.” He also scolded Fatima so she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

“You’re not my dad.” She turned around in a sassy way and he scoffed once more.

Fatima turned towards her co-worker’s ear so that Christopher wouldn't hear her. “Don’t get your hopes up, William is into men.” Colors left Nikki’s face and she frowned. She looked at Fatima with a questioning look before mouthing, ‘men?’ Fatima nodded her head before patting her shoulders.

Christopher hasn't left the coffee shop all day and all he ordered was a cup of coffee in the morning and he’s just sitting there ominously. “If you’re not going to buy anything else, you can leave, you know,” Fatima said and he looked up at her in shock.

“What?” he asked, trying to comprehend if he heard what she said right.

“There’s a lot of customers coming in,” she answered while pouting. Christopher scoffed before smiling. “I’m a regular customer here, okay? Give me another coffee then.” She stared at him before going at the back and making him another drink. She brought it to him and he stared at it.

“The design isn’t perfect,” he commented and she almost scoffed.

“Do you want another one?” she politely asked.

“No.” (You made it so it’s fine,) he thought to himself.

While working, she looked at Christopher who’s typing on his laptop. His hair was blond more than six years ago but now he dyed it black. His eyes are still beautiful with the color of the sea. His eyebrows, nose, jawline, all perfectly match each other. And his lips.. the most kissable lips.

She got back to her senses once he moved his gaze towards her. She cleared her throat and held her heart before she continued working. He stood up from his seat and walked to the counter, Fatima almost panicked but kept her cool. “How’s your ankle?” he wondered.

(Is he concerned about me?) she thought.

“F-fine..” she answered nervously and she breathed deeply. (Gosh! Why are you acting like this!) she scolded herself.

“Okay, that’s good.” He looked at her and noticed how nervous she looked. “Are you okay?” She nodded before forcing a smile. He suddenly received a phone call from Grian so he walked outside to take it.

“Your mother is here,” he whispered through the phone and Chris raised an eyebrow. “Tell her I’m busy today,” he commanded.

“I did but she kept insisting.”

“Doesn’t she have anything else to do?” He frustratedly went back inside the coffee shop and closed his laptop and put it in his bag. “Who is she with?”

“Hannah.”

Someone suddenly took the phone from Grian. “Come here right now,” his mother spoke. He sighed and closed his eyes. “I’m two hours away, I can’t,” he explained calmly. She wasn’t having it and shouted at him.

“Hannah told me what happened the other day.” He rolled his eyes. All that woman does is tell his mother everything he does that annoys her. She’s like his mother’s puppet. Can be easily manipulated.

“I’m two hours away, mom. I can’t today.” He looked at Fatima who’s brewing coffee before looking outside the coffee shop. The shop has windows for walls so everything outside can be seen, and everything inside can be as well.

“Are you in that stupid coffee shop again?!” His mother shouted like a madwoman.

“This is grandma’s coffee shop, do not call it stupid.” His mother is pushing all the wrong buttons and it’s pissing him off. “Go back home!” He ended the call and sat down. He sighed loudly before massaging his head. His mother is such a menace.

“Are you okay?” Nikki asked her brother and he nodded.

“Be sure to go to your apartment before it gets too dark, okay?” She nodded before he stood up and grabbed his bag to leave. “I’m going to the company.” Fatima looked at them in curiosity. He glanced at her before heading out.

An hour after Christopher left, the telephone of the shop started ringing. She looked around before walking to the telephone. She carefully answered it and put it on her ear. “Hello?” she murmured.

“Ah, Fatima! I just wanted to check up on the shop since I’m the owner and all..” he said and chuckled.

“Oh uhm.. we’re fine?” she hesitantly answered and scratched her head.

“Ah, that’s good. Have both of you eaten?” She nodded to herself even if he couldn't see her. “We’re just about to eat lunch. Oh, and is that deducted from my salary? When I eat here..?”

“No, it’s not. Meals are free for employees, no worries.” She smiled at his response before nodding happily.

“Thank you..”

AT THE COMPANY, Christopher is with his mother and the woman he’s supposed to marry. He sat there at his office, dozing off to what his mother was telling him. His mother looked scary but not in a way that she looks like a monster or anything like that. The way she talks, thinks, and acts are what makes her scary.

“What if I found her?” His mom looked at him with confusion.

“That’s impossible, she’s been gone for years! She can be dead for all we know!” He glared at his mother.

“I found her,” he declared and his mother’s eyes widened while Hannah didn't know what they’re talking about.

“I told you I wouldn’t get in the way if you found her but it’s been years, there’s no way you still have feelings for her. You’re marrying Hannah, and that’s final.” He looked at Hannah sitting across from him.

He got up from his seat and walked to the door of the room. “Hey I’m still talking-“ She got cut off by Christopher slamming the door behind him.

[Flashback Starts]

“Make sure this relationship doesn't go any further.” He looked at her mother in curiosity.

“You’re to marry our business partner’s daughter. Don’t let petty love get in the way, understand?” She looked at him while raising an eyebrow and he clenched his jaw.

“I’m old enough to make my own decisions.” He looked up at her and she laughed.

“Are you challenging me?”

“I don’t want to marry someone like Hannah. Let me be with my girlfriend,” he firmly said and his mother scoffed. She looked at her son like he’s crazy.

“Be with that woman and I swear I’ll make her life a living hell.” She breathed heavily before leaving the house. He stared at the front door before throwing the flower vase next to him at the window. The vase shattered but the window stayed intact. He breathed heavily as he lowered his head to relax.

[Flashback Ends]