10 Coffee and Suits

To cool down my head, walking with no destination in mind, I ended up in Summer street, a popular area with new establishments built in the city. It’s just a ten minute walk from 14th Street. This is the first time I’ve been here for a walk and I am not familiar with this area. Maybe coming here to have a breather is a good change of pace.

Since it's a new spot in the city, a lot of people are walking side by side. Office workers, students, families with their children and even old people hang around. As I felt a bit tired from walking, I looked for a place to settle in and have a break, maybe to eat as well as I felt the crumbling of my stomach. 

What caught my attention was a cafe with “Pisces and Gem” signage , since I'm a Pisces I immediately entered the cafe. It gives an interesting vibe. Upon entering a cozy feeling turned to my view, the ambience gives you a relaxing feeling, wooden fixtures are shiny and there's even an artificial bermuda grass on the floor. I expected it to be blue since the cafe’s name represents fish, however it is a lot differ from what I am in.

The staff on the counter area speak of a warm welcome. Then another dining staff assisted me to the corner near the glass window that lets you view the mini garden of the cafe and there’s a pond at the center where fishes swam! I thanked the staff when he gave me the menu and told me to proceed at the counter once I decided on my order.

Sitting alone, I don’t usually drink coffee so I don’t know what to order. As I opened the menu card, I saw that the product descriptions are written well and describe each drink. It’s a great help, I can order what suits my taste then. So I decided to order a French Macchiato frappe and a slice of Belgian chocolate cake. 

I walk on to the counter to order and look around, it is a lot more spacious than I thought. Outside it may look like a small cafe, to think that there’s even a second level above. However it is still not open for customers to sit in, the view there must be even better. I prefer looking at high places and watching a picturesque landscape so I wanted to go upstairs.

I didn’t notice that I had already walked nearby the stairs and was holding on to the wooden railings.

“Would you like to go upstairs?” a deep sultry voice of a man startled me, the presence sent shivers to my body. I immediately spun to look at the person but my clumsiness caused me to trip as I turned around.

“Ugh!” I could feel my body totally flip and expected to hit the railings behind me, however a strong arm wrapped around my waist helped me.

“Careful.” it was a gentle and caring voice, as if enticing me, I was now faced with the man whom I felt his presence quite intimidating.

A pair of deep emerald eyes, sparkling like jewels you can only find in treasures, the loosened bangs of his chestnut colored hair reaching his thick brows and long ashes. The upturned and sharp nose and a sensual thin lips almost red as cherry. This face is so regal and handsome! His defining features are out of this world and as I ponder on this he is the exact description of those handsome dukes and princes in the webnovels I read online!

My eyes were wide and fixated on his features without realizing the awkward position we are in.

“Are you alright?” he tilted his head and looked at my footing.

Embarrassed, I immediately tried to free myself from his arms wrapped around my waist, “I am fin---!” I winced as I felt the stinging pain at my ankle. 

Noticing this, the man supported me , “Did you just twist your foot?” as if a voice so gentle and alluring, this man attracts me, as if I was enchanted with just his presence and I stutter, my mind blank as I answer.

“I-I think yes.” I was ashamed to look up at him, I could feel his hot breath on my forehead, he is really tall. Towering me almost like a six footer, and within the suit and long coat he is wearing, I bet I cannot be seen as I can be hidden from how big his stature is.

“Let me help you then. Excuse me, lady.” In a swift move he scooped me up on my heels and carried in a bridal style, screamed in surprise. I’ve never been carried in this way.

“W-wait!” With no avail, I just ended up clinging on his wide shoulder and wrapping my arms around his neck, afraid of falling down. I stay still and golf tight. I thought he'd brought me to the nearby tables, instead he went upstairs to the second floor.

Isn’t it still closed? 

“W-why the second floor?” wondering, I looked at him, our faces were too close and I gasped at how mesmerizing his  face is.

I have been blessed to see the beautiful faces of the Yngvidrs since early in the morning and now this man who’s carrying me. How could these men be so gifted?

Reaching the top, the second floor is way different from the ones on the ground. Maybe because it is still not open, there are only a few low round tables and no chairs. Still in his arms, he settled me then near the window on one of the tables. 

Isn’t this a table? Am I allowed to sit on it?

As if it's so natural, he knelt and reached out on my ankle, I stiffened at his touch. It’s a good thing that I am not wearing a skirt or shorts but jeans.

“S-sir! You don’t have to!” I panicked, he doesn’t need to go that far! He removed the lace of my rubber shoes and inspected my right ankle. He then pressed with pressure and I flinched when I felt a sting with the act.

“It’s not good, your foot really is swollen.” Still holding on to my foot he looked up at me with a gentle look.

“Lady, let me take responsibility to apologize for what has happened, if it were not for my sudden appearance you wouldn't be injured like this.” The way he talks is so polite, how could a grown up adult like him who looks handsome be this kind?

“I am fine sir, it was an accident...I’m just clumsy.” I am ashamed of and felt shy to be taken care of by a stranger, no matter how good he looks, I cannot cause any trouble.

“ Ma’am I’ve been calling here’s your order- - - oh! What happened?” The cashier went upstairs looking for me, she was surprised to see both of us.

“She’s injured, can you get us the first aid kit?” he asked the cashier and without asking any question she placed my order at the table and went downstairs.

“I am sorry to trouble you sir, you must be busy.” I can’t keep my head up so I just stare at both of my feet. Feeling sorry, I just took a deep sigh and how tiring the events that have just happened since last night until to this day.

“That’s not good, don’t sigh.” Looking up at this stranger, there was something with his gentle voice that always seemed to trigger within me. I like it.

“Lady, again it is not in your wish to be injured, and isn’t it natural to help someone in need?”

His smile is gentle and kind. I felt like if all men are like him maybe the world would be better!