Chapter: Sunflowers and DoubtThe bell above the diner door jingled as Mary Jane stepped inside, brushing off the November chill. The warmth and the smell of buttered toast welcomed her. She spotted Betty right away, sitting in their usual booth by the window, bathed in soft afternoon sunlight.Betty waved her over, already halfway through a milkshake. “Took you long enough,” she teased as Mary Jane slid into the seat across from her.“I’m five minutes late,” Mary Jane said, setting her bag down. “Some best friend you are.”“You’re lucky I didn’t start eating,” Betty shot back, pointing at the fries on the table. “I was here at eleven fifty-five, being a responsible adult.”Mary Jane rolled her eyes. “I’m never living this down, am I?”“Never,” Betty winked. “But I’ll forgive you… if you tell me about him.”Mary Jane froze mid-reach for the menu. “Betty.”“Oh, don’t you Betty me,” Betty leaned forward, smirking. “I saw the way your face lit up when you talked about him. Ethan Cogsworth walks into our café, orders
Last Updated: 2024-11-26
Chapter: Espresso and EchoesMary Jane sat at her desk, her fingers trailing lazily over the edge of her sketchpad. The soft glow of the lamp cast long shadows across the page, illuminating the unfinished sketch of Ethan’s face. His eyes stared back at her—dark, intense, and a little too real. She frowned, turning the pencil in her hand. Why had she drawn him? It wasn’t like her to obsess over anyone, let alone a customer. She wasn’t that kind of person, and he certainly wasn’t the kind of person who should be on her mind. She dropped the pencil and leaned back, letting out a frustrated sigh. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the heater in the corner, and the fridge in the kitchen. The sound usually comforted her, but tonight it only made her more restless. Her gaze drifted back to the sketch. It wasn’t just his face she remembered. It was the way he had looked at her, like he was seeing something she didn’t even see in herself. She shook her head, pushing the thought away. “Get a grip,” she m
Last Updated: 2024-11-26
Chapter: Lingering Thoughts The smell of coffee beans and freshly baked pastries filled the air as Mary Jane tied her apron. The café hummed with its usual morning rhythm—soft jazz playing from the speakers, chairs scraping against the floor, and the gentle murmur of conversations blending with the hiss of the espresso machine.She tightened the knot behind her back, glancing at the clock on the far wall. The morning rush was in full swing, but her focus kept slipping back to yesterday.“MJ, I swear, if you space out one more time…”Mary Jane blinked, turning toward Betty, who was balancing a tray of drinks with one hand and throwing her a pointed look. Her dark ponytail swayed as she moved, her cheerful demeanour a sharp contrast to Mary Jane’s distracted one.“Sorry,” Mary Jane said, grabbing the milk frother.“You good?” Betty asked, her voice quieter this time. “You’ve been off all morning.”Mary Jane focused on her task, letting the steam rise like a shield. “Just tired,” she mumbled.“Tired,” Betty repeate
Last Updated: 2024-11-26
Chapter: Unexpected Connections Mary Jane took a deep breath as she walked over to Ethan and Clifford’s table. The cosy café, with its warm lighting and comforting smells, suddenly felt too big and too small all at once. Her heart raced, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her apron. Ethan Cogsworth wasn’t just any customer; he was a billionaire, known for his powerful place in the business world. And she was just a barista, trying to get by.As she reached their table, Ethan looked up from the menu. His deep-set dark eyes met hers, and she felt a sudden flutter in her chest—the kind she thought only happened in movies. He had a presence that was both intense and oddly accommodating. Mary Jane swallowed, hoping her voice would sound steady as she took their order.“Hi there! Welcome to La Petite Bean. I’m Mary Jane. What can I get started for you today?” Her voice sounded steadier than she felt, though she could hear a slight tremor.Clifford smiled, his boyish grin infectious. “Hi, Mary Jane. I’ll take a cappuccino a
Last Updated: 2024-11-07
Chapter: At The Café “Hey, why don’t we grab a coffee this afternoon?” Cliff suggested, glancing at Ethan, who was focused on a stack of papers, studying them for their next meeting.Ethan looked up, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t have time for that, Cliff. There’s way too much work to be done, as you can see.”Cliff laughed, undeterred. “You work too much, man. You're a certified workaholic. Seriously, If there was an award for the hardest worker, it’d go to you, Ethan Cogsworth.”Ethan chuckled, shaking his head, but Cliff wasn’t about to give up.“Come on,” Cliff urged, drawing out the words. “It’s this cosy little café I found—La Petite Bean. And, trust me, the staff there are easy on the eyes, if you catch my drift.” He winked, and Ethan rolled his eyes.“Fine,” Ethan agreed, amused. “We’ll check it out later this afternoon. But I’m going for the coffee, not the ‘eye candy.’ I looked them up just now, and they’ve got good reviews.”Cliff grinned. “Whatever gets you out of this office works for me.”Aro
Last Updated: 2024-11-07
Chapter: SunriseThe first blush of dawn spread across the horizon as New York stirred from its slumber. The towering skyscrapers and bustling streets slowly awoke under the soft touch of morning light. From Ethan’s office, perched high atop a prestigious skyscraper, the sunrise over the city was a mesmerizing spectacle.The eastern sky, once painted in deep shades of indigo and violet, began to brighten as the daybreak drew nearer. Clouds caught the early light, their fringes glowing pink and gold. Below, the city remained in shadow, awaiting the dawn’s magic.As minutes passed, the skyline slowly emerged in silhouette against the shifting colours. The towering buildings, symbols of human ambition, cast long shadows across the parks and avenues. The distant hum of traffic broke the morning stillness, hinting at the day to come.Ethan stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, watching as the city below transformed from darkness to light. The sun reflected off the glass buildings, filling hi
Last Updated: 2024-11-07
LOGIN
