Chapter one (The cafe)

CHAPTER ONE

I walked into the café, the cold coming from the air- conditioner; hit my skin making me shiver. The popular café. There is never a time you will not see at least eight people in the café. My eyes searching the place, finally landing on my boyfriend, Mike, he is on his phone typing away, with a cup of coffee on his table.

     

 I walked to him, pull out a chair and sit down. He looks up, his gray eyes land on me, a smile find it way to his lips,

       Hey baby, he smiles, taking my hand into his,

       I blush shyly “hey”

He looks stunned for a while, his eyes never leaving my face. “You look beautiful today.  What is the secret?”  He teases. He brings his face closer, placing a kiss on my lips that is covered in lip gloss.

     

  “No secret I’m just happy seeing you” I say and he smiles.

“Coffee” I nod. He calls the attention of a waitress that passes by. She walks to our table, a tiny book on her hand.

She flash Mike a smile, earning an eye will from me. “What would you love to have? She asked in a seductive voice. She is not facing me, but Mike that has an amused smile on his face; I scrunch my nose up at her.

       

 “I’d love a cup of iced coffee. I shot her a smile of satisfactory. She snorts and walks away.

Mike break into a laugh.  I shrug completely ignoring him. My coffee arrives and I take a big sip from it.

       

   You said you wanted to see me “I say facing him. He had called me when I was helping my mum at the little bakery since I am jobless and have nothing doing. I help her out at the bakery.

             He shrugs “I missed you”

Are you for real? I was busy when you called “

I frowned at him, clearly annoyed

I slap his hands off me when he tries to reach me

“Come on baby doll, did you not miss me”?

I did “he pouts, making me giggle.

I haven’t gotten over the fact that he is my boyfriend. Every day he makes me feel excited causing a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I sign escape my lips. I relaxed on the chair closing my eyes. I feel Mike’s hands on my lap, causing me to have tingling feeling.

“What wrong baby doll” he asked 

I exhale snapping my eyes open “My job search had been a waste of time. I want to support my mum and send my brother to college.

“Is it possible I help?” I shake my head in disagreement. He always wanted to help but always gets the Nod from me.

I want to be the independent lady, not the type that depends on her boyfriend at every little problem that occurs.

        “You cannot always help every time Mike”

“I could” I laugh

Speaking of a caring boyfriend

Then he sits properly on his chair and takes a sip from his black coffee. “I may have talked to my cousin about you”

My ear perks up immediately, mike cousin is of the richest businessmen in New York City and getting a job with him was a win for me. I only heard of him from mike and some little friends, but I haven’t met him before.

       Tear welled up in my eyes immediately; I stood up from my chair and pull Austin into a tight hug. Ignore the stares people throw at us.

     Thank you so much Mike:

He laughs it off, a smug smile on his lips “you still have to be interview

“I’ll work on it “I say excitedly.

I returned back to my seat smiling

“Thank you, this means a lot to me”

         Seeing you happy is all I want. I’m happy.

         I am the reason you are happy                

        “I love you         

        “I love you too baby doll.

                            ***

I shriek the moment I enter the house. I am still overjoyed after mike broke the news to me which I never expected in my all life.

      It is great news for my family except I will have to move to New York City. My mum always loves me around especially at the bakery.

      My brother Ralph is on the floor of our living room, his eyes fixated on the television watching his favorite show. He snaps his head towards me, shooting me a glare. I run t him, a squeal escapes my mouth.

        Whoa, whoa Girl, what the issue? 

He asks in a rather irritating voice. He isn’t used to me being the noise maker. I roll my eyes at him “stop being an ass and let me share the good news boy” I slap his arm and he winces in pain, will you listen to me now?

He scoffs, rubbing his arm “it’s not like I have a choice.

A satisfactory smile appears on my face. I settle down beside him, snatching the remote and pausing the movie “I have really great news” I announced excitedly

        “Get it over with your news already” Ralph says grumpily,

                   “I got a job”

He snaps his half closes eyes open in shock. His eyes landed on me, a smile tugging at his lips

You are joking right? He hit me playfully.

I giggle and shake my head sideways.

“I haven’t gotten it yet, mike talked to his cousin,”

Ralph places his fingers on my mouth, shutting me up. “When you mean his cousin, you mean his billionaire cousin?” I nod

His face turns into a frown immediately. “Isn’t that like in New York? Tell me you ain’t going there.

I sign. This is touchy part I have never been apart from my family, leaving will be hard but I have to leave for us.

I have to, this is our only chance. You have to go to college and mum need’s to expand her bakery. We need to leave this place to a more comfortable place.

I turn to Ralph; a sad look clouded his cute face. I feel bad too but I don’t show it.

       “You have to tell mum about it first, when is the interview?”

“I don’t know, I’ll have to ask mike.” He nods, shifting his attention back to the television.

I walk to my room, plopping myself down on my bed, I let out a sigh I have been holding. My knees are weak from the little walk I had with mike.

My phone rings, distracting my thought. I reach for it, and place it on my left ear.

“Baby doll, are you home yet” He asks. I mutter a yes to him. “Tired from a small walk already?” He chuckled.

No. my brother isn’t happy about me doing the job.” I say, after few seconds of silence.

It’s for your own good baby doll. I’m hurt to. But I can’t let you suffer, especially when you wouldn’t let me help you with money.”

I nod in agreement. My family will have to let me go. We will all benefits from it.

The news is a good and a bad one for mum. She tries to eat her dinner happily, but fails.

“It’s for us, for a better life. I remind her as we eat dinner.

She wiped her mouth with the napkin and faces me. “How about Mike? How will he hold up?”

His he waiting for you or he is going with you?

“He good, I guess.” The sadness is evident in my voice. Truly, I’ll miss Mike and his cute face and lips that keeps telling me how he loves me with that smile on his face.

“He‘ll be fine. “Ralph shot me a grin from where he sits

I nod quietly. I face my food, ignoring the stares mum and Ralph shot me.

At first, I just decided to ignore it but I just can’t.

Mum, I will make you all proud. “I promise.

I’m lying on my bed thinking about my life and all Ralph told me in the living room.

Damn. I blurted out in a sarcastic tone.

“My name is Karen I can do it………”