Chapter 3

Brandon sat in his car, waiting and thinking. Beth was the woman who'd entered into his office, but barged into his head. 

His current interest. 

Brian's fiancee's best friend. 

Steven's crazy obsession. 

Brian's definition of the word, "Innocent."

His bet. 

He had one question though. She was a very intelligent and brave woman. Why was she working in a coffee shop?

As a car zoomed by, waking his drifting mind, he looked at his watch. The time showed 9:45 a. m.

It was a good thing he'd dressed in his stoota black tracksuit set. He pulled his hood up, got out of his sleek black porsche 911 and took brisk steps to the coffee shop. As he entered, a bell rang above his head. He took in the busy place filled with business men and women, and slid into a secluded booth by the wall. The shop looked very stylish, yet, had certain touches of a throwback diner. Very smart design. Beautiful place. Just as he was about to pull off his hood, a woman came out the back, balancing two plates in her hands, with a smile pressed to her face. She caught his attention. Those dimples. Those dark brown eyes. The sway of her hair. Elizabeth West.

Her beauty hit him harder than it did at 6am. His eyes trailed down her form. She was in a pair of dark blue jeans and a cute black and white work polo. The shirt accentuated her delicate shoulders, while clinging to her bust. She wasn't so busty, but it was enough to catch his eyes. His and the eyes of the man she'd just served. His eyes dropped down to her waist, tracing the flare of her hips. It started off as a delicate curve, growing into the shape that reminded him of an hourglass before narrowing down to form legs that he was sure, looked as good as her jeans teased. She turned around to leave and her behind.....

Fuck.

Did she have a boyfriend?

Beth walked back to the counter to pick up another order, when her small note pad dropped out of her pocket. She bent to pick it up and glanced a pair of white Nike shoes way back that caught her attention. Those were some hot pair of shoes. As her eyes lazily went up and down, her entire being froze. 

"What're you doing down there, Liz?"

She looked up to the face of her work colleague and friend/hater, Betty. 

Beth picked up her notepad and stood. 

"Dropped this," she said, showing it to Betty. Betty nodded,

"I have four tables to tend to. There's a man in black at our private spot. Wanna get that?"

Betty said but walked away right after.

Beth had no choice. What was he doing here?! Why was he even here? For coffee? 

Picking up another order, she took it to the awaiting table, internally dreading going to him. Stalling till she couldn't any longer, she walked to his table. He slowly pulled down his hood and looked up at her. Dark browns clashed with ocean blues. Brandon Wade was an undeniably handsome man. His hair was in a jagged cut to achieve a low- fuss look which looked absolutely stunning on him. From his full brows to his blue eyes that looked curious, down to his fitting nose and light trimmed beard smattered over his sharp and angular jawline, framing his slim upper lip and fuller lower lip that slid into quiet lines at the end, Beth inhaled deeply.

He was hot.

He wasn't her favourite person, but he definitely was a sight to behold.

"Good morning and welcome to Jackie's coffee shop," she greeted, plastering on a smile. She refused to feel fear. He'd insulted her once in his domain. She was in hers now. No rudeness needed to come into play but knowing him.....

"What can I get you?"

His lips slowly tilted up, revealing a small smile. He looked.... Amused.

"What do you serve, Liz?" He teased, placing emphasis on the name he'd heard her colleague call her.

"Let me get you a menu, Brandon." She said right back.

He rose a brow as he watched her walk away, not able to keep the smile off his face. Beth trudged back to the counter, hoping the bad first impression they'd given each other wouldn't spur on a second. For one, this was a more public place than his office and secondly, she wasn't quite..... As conserved with her words and expressions when she lost her temper, which was why she was ashamed. She almost never lost her temper. With him... She didn't know what had happened. She'd been fed up of her situation and he'd been downright rude too, the lima, but... Ugh.

He watched her approach with a menu in hand.

"You don't keep your menus on the table?"

She shook her head. "No, not anymore. A lot of our customers are not new and already know the menu by heart. Plus, there's a board up there," she turned back, pointing at the display board above the counter.

He watched her explain. She explained without an undertone. No contempt, no hate, no anger.... Just... Nothing.

Hmm...

"Would you like to order now?"

He made of show of scanning through the menu, before saying, "What I want isn't here."

She frowned in curiosity, leaning over slightly to look into his menu. "Oh? What is it?" 

Looking up to meet her eyes, he said, "You."

She straightened up with her eyelids falling to halfly cover her eyes, as she shot him a bored look that asked 'Really bro?'

So she was used to such comments.... From whom? A boyfriend? 

She finally rolled her eyes and said, "I'll get you a cup of coffee."

He watched her walk to the counter before looking round. Some people were staring at him. Some were whispering. He discreetly rolled his eyes, but perked up when she returned with a cup of coffee and a plate of toast.

"Stop watching me like that." 

"Like what?" He frowned.

She shot him a knowing look, "It makes me uncomfortable."

"You get uncomfortable when your other customers look at you?"

She sent him an irate scowl, "Just stop looking at me." She said and went to another customer who'd just walked in. On getting back to the counter, Betty cornered her.

"Wanna switch tables?" She asked, sounding too eager.

Beth rose a brow, "Why?"

"That Brandon fucking Wade, bitch!" Betty whisper yelled. "You handle the others, I'll take him."

Betty said, rose her hands to pump up her breasts, and walked away. Beth watched her go with a grimace on her face. Evan leaned over the counter. 

"Betty's at it again?"

"Sadly."

"Who's the guy this time?"

"Brandon Wade."

"Brandon Wade!?" Evan whisper yelled with so much force, Beth jolted and spun around to look at him. His eyes were as wide as his open mouth.

"He's here!? In this coffee shop!?" 

Beth nodded in incredulity. 

"And you're leaving him to Betty!?" He asked, looking at her like she had no senses, whatsoever.

She grimaced, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you should be serving him like you're supposed to, woman! Not leaving him up to slutty Betty. You are not going to remain single forever you know."

Beth just rolled her eyes and went on with other customers. The morning rush hour was over by 12. Going to the back to sit, she finally took notice of Betty.

Bent over Brandon with an elbow atop the table, speaking to him.

Now, Beth was no mind reader but from the look on his face, she'd been at it for a while and he was losing patience. Should she go over? Should she not go over?.... Naah. He was a normal customer with an absolutely normal server at his beck and call. She smiled to herself. He needed to enjoy everything that Jackie's coffee shop had to offer, no matter how cringy it was.

Beth was in the back cleaning the dishes an hour later, when her phone rang. She quickly wiped her hands and pulled it out. It was Jackie.

"Hey Jackie, good morning." She greeted, answering the call.

"My favourite girl. How are you?"

"I'm great." Jackie and Beth had a wonderful relationship. She found it easy to tell Beth anything and Jackie was one of the very few people who Beth could tell some certain things. She was her boss, and, like a second mom to her.

"How are you?" Beth asked back.

"I'm wondering why my favourite girl is leaving a customer waiting."

Beth frowned, "Who?"

"Brandon."

Beth's frown intensified, "You say his name so casually. How do you know he's here? You're not even here."

"So you are keeping him waiting!"

"I'm not. Betty is attending to him."

"He said he specially requested for you."

Beth's mouth fell open, "That sneaky- no. He didn't! How did he even get your number!?"

"Questions, questions. Beth, please, go to him. Betty isn't offering food and you know it."

"But he-"

"Beth, please. Please? Okay? I gotta run. Talk to you later!" Jackie ended the call. Beth stared at the device in her hand, feeling annoyed and betrayed. Jackie hadn't had to go anywhere! She'd used her 'i'm lying' voice. Beth made her way to the front.

Brandon saw Beth literally stomping to him and just knew that he was in for it. A surge of excitement and a little something else zinged through him.

She got to him and angrily whispered,

"Uomo bugiardo!" You lying man.

His brow rose as a smile curved his lips. There's the fire.

He looked to Betty and said, "You can go now," and turned his attention back to Beth.

"Why did you lie?" Beth threw.

Betty looked between them and decided to walking away, eyeing Beth.

"Lie about what?"

"You telling me to serve you! You never requested me to return!"

He frowned, "That's how it works?"

She furiously scowled at him, mumbling, "Stupido compagno." Stupid fellow, and made to leave.

"Wait!" He called.

She turned, "What?"

"Don't go. I'm requesting your presence."

She gave him a distrustful once over, pursed her lips and crossed her arms.

"I'm here. What do you need?"

"You."

She turned around to walk away.

"To talk to!" He quickly added. She stopped.

"Just talking."

She looked at him over her shoulder, "You are done eating. Why not go home or go back to work?"

"Because I'd rather stay here and talk to you."

She frowned, "You don't know me."

"I want to."

"Why?"

He shrugged, "Is it so bad to want to get to know you?"

"I guess not. What can I tell you about me? Let's see...." She rose a hand to tap her finger against her chin.

"Oh, okay, I have something. I'm the girl whom you would declare bankruptcy, just to get rid of."

She said and walked away. Brandon watched her go, feeling like a douchebag. That... He shouldn't have said that.

Two hours passed before Beth went back out. The place was empty, save for a four people. Her eyes scanned the place.

Hm.... Maybe he'd left. Finally. She'd turned around when she heard, 

"Elizabeth?"

That voice.

She sighed, turned and frowned. He'd moved seats to be closer to the counter, but that wasn't what confused her. What confused her was the look on his face. He looked like he was just waking up. She walked up to him and sat.

"Did you fall asleep?"

He took his time before saying, "Yes."

"Why are you still here, Brandon?"

He rose a brow, "No more Mr. Wade?"

She scoffed, "Maybe in your office."

"Will you come back?"

"Nope." She popped the p.

She watched his eyes fall as he sighed, "I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you."

She said nothing. Just sat reclined, watching his face.

"I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. I mean it."

She watched him for a while longer, before nodding. 

"It's fine. I wasn't dressed too finely. Also, I was mean. I'm sorry for that."

He watched her cheeks colour as she apologized. How cute.

"It's okay. Turned out you were right."

That caught her attention.

"About what?" She asked, tilting her head to the side.

"My uh... My tyrannical ways."

She smiled. "Really?"

She was very beautiful. The air of blamelessness around her was soothing. Very soothing. He nodded.

"Yes. I took your advice and months later, we made the break."

Her eyes widened as she leaned forward. "No way! Really!?" 

Her mannerisms made him smile.

"Really. All thanks to you."

Wow... He'd listened? Why? Hmm... Well, whatever the reason was, he'd listened and he was admitting that she was right which based off his reputation and ego, she just knew wasn't quite easy for him. Brandon was proving to have more to him than what the media spoke about and what she'd seen that first time.

She smiled cheekily, not being able to help it. At the sight of her dimpled smile, Brandon felt his heart unfurl in his chest.

"Thank God," she responded, happy to have been of help.

All he could do was nod once. He was tongue tied.

"So," she began, "Why did you switch seats?"

"I saw a media van passing by. I didn't want them to get a glimpse of me," he said.

She winced. "They're that bothersome?"

"You don't know the half of it."

"Wow.... Why are you still here though?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've had breakfast. Why are you still here? No work?"

Honestly, he didn't know why he was still here. The time on the wall read 2:16 p.m., but he was still here. Why? He had no idea. All he knew was that the thought of leaving, made him feel..... Odd. The feeling was too abrupt for him to want to find out why.

"I love Betty's company."

His sarcasm was so thick, it could be cut through with a knife. She laughed. A sound that had his lips curling upwards. They heard her name being called from the back. She stood and smiled at him. 

"Go home."

He rolled his eyes. "Gee, way to make a man feel wanted."

She laughed and left. Brandon's head was placed on the table when he felt something shaking his hand. He opened his eyes and came face to face with her. She was bent over, right in his face. With how close they were, Brandon could see every inch of her face and a certain image crossed his mind. An image so out of the blue, he sat up abruptly.

An image that sang the word relationship.

"I brought you muffins and some orange juice."

He blinked, surprised at her thoughtfulness.

"Oh.... Thank you."

She nodded as she set it down. "Well, you're our longest staying customer."

She turned back to leave but he caught her hand.

"How about we split the muffin?"

She looked down at him. He looked up at her. She looked around, took a breath and sat down opposite him.

"Why did you come here today?" She asked as he took a bite of his muffin. His mind suddenly reeled. He'd forgotten his reason for being there. It was like everytime he was around her, everything else remained abate. Now, a certain tickle hit his upper stomach. One that he'd gotten used to as guilt.

"I don't know," he lied

She rose a brow. "Well, then why are you still here?"

"I don't know," he said quietly. That was the truth. 

She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to the side. 

"You're strange, you know that?"

He let out a small smile and instead said, "When do you close for the day?"

"Six. Why?"

"I'll wait."

The look on her face was priceless. Even he had shocked himself. Why had he just said that? If he had known that her blunt mouth would have held his attention long enough to allow even the idea of her get under his skin like this, he wouldn't have allowed himself think about her. At all.

"You can't!" She objected.

"Watch me," he said, looking her in the eyes. The way her eyes flared when she felt confused.....

"Brandon, I don't get it. What's wrong with you? What do you want?"

He enjoyed the way his name came out of her mouth, carried by her voice.

Her eyes pinned him with so many things. Out of it all, he saw Curiosity, distrust, confusion and a slight trace of annoyance.

All he did was shrug.

She stared at him a while longer, before getting up and storming off.