DAFE'S CAFÉ

SIENNA:

Mmm. I moaned as the sweet, warm taste of the cinnamon bun filled my mouth, overwhelming my senses. It was so good—a rare moment of Delight. Granny’s Cavities never missed with their pastries. Their name said it all; one bite, and you’d believe it could give you cavities.

It had been years since I let myself enjoy something like this. Sebastian always had something to say about my weight or how unhealthy pastries were, and honestly, over time, they started to taste as bland as my life. But today… Today was different. For once, I allowed myself this small treat.

Speaking of Sebastain— “Sienna!!!” His sharp yell startled me, cutting me off from relishing the sweet taste in my mouth. He had been on my neck for a few days now, always calling on me. Luckily for me, I was able to convince him that I had been at the hospital the other night or else, he would’ve made a ruckus over it.

Last night, he came home bruised and bleeding, an ugly gash running down his leg. When I tried to ask what happened, he snapped at me, as usual, but once he’d been treated, he finally spat out an explanation:

*** “My car broke down in the middle of a Godforsaken lonely road,” he growled, slamming his hand on the bed. “And out of nowhere, these bastards started fighting near us. I tried to make a secret escape, but somehow I got caught and dragged in.”

He pointed at his leg which was bandaged neatly. “One of them came at me with a broken bottle— stabbed me right here. And my driver? The coward hid like a damn rat.”

A deep scowl was etched on his face as he said, “Weird thing is, they didn’t even rob me, just fought and scurried away soon after.”

I stared at him, trying  to piece everything together. It was all too weirdly coincidental, the timing, type of injury, it seemed all too similar to mine. My chest tightened as my stomach swirled with dread.

And then it hit me.

“Fucking hell, he didn’t…” I muttered under my breath. Gray deep eyes flashed in my mind. Who else but Zane could do this. Memories of he had always taken revenge for me whenever I was hurt, but now I didn’t want to reminiscence about old memories cause I was fucking pissed!!

I wasn’t pissed that Sebastain was hurt, he could be hit by a truck for all I care. I was mad because Zane was the one that hurt him, and he did it to get revenge for me. Did he expect me to jump up in happiness and hug him for taking revenge for me, I didn’t need him fighting my fucking battles. 

I quietly strode out of the room typing a message furiously on my phone.

Tomorrow,

Dafe’s Cafe,

2pm.

I hit send.

“You wanted my attention, now you have it” I gritted my teeth….****

The memory faded, leaving behind a bitter feeling, much like the one Sebastian's Voice always brought.

“Goddamnit, Sienna!” His sharp yell cut through the remnants of my thoughts, snapping me back to the present. 

I groaned, tossing the half-eaten cinnamon bun aside, as I dragged myself off the bed. The sting in my leg had dulled, a small relief, but Sebastian’s yelling never failed to make me regret my existence.

I walked into sebastain’s room, where he was laying shirtless with his legs plopped on the bed. Sebastain wasn’t ugly, but his looks were nothing special. Tall and muscular, with brown hair and eyes, he was the kind of man girls swooned over. I used to be one of them, but now all I saw was the monster behind the facade.

“Don’t just stand there looking at me, come here.” He said with a scowl, his tone laced with anger.

I walked into the room with an expressionless face, “You called for me” I said curtly.

“Yes, and you sure took your sweet time” He scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I remained silent, my expression flat as I looked at him. He should just get to the point already.

“Get me my medicine and some water” He ordered, watching my movements slowly as I walked around getting it done. His gaze became heated, I felt like he was burning a hole in my back as he stared at me, and it made my stomach churn with a feeling of dread. Something was wrong.

I turned to him, to see his gaze on my outfit and then it hit me like a rock, I had been so out of it that I had come here wearing a loose shirt with few of the buttons open, and shorts and I had no underwear on.

“Dammit” I muttered, alarm bells going off in my head.

I gave him his medicine and attempted to walk out, but he dragged me onto his bed beside him.

“Why the rush?” You look  beautiful today” He said, his hands creeping over me.

“Please” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks as I flinched away.

Maybe it was some good I did in my past life, or just help from the heavens, but his phone suddenly rang, he snapped his head towards the phone, and thank goodness it must’ve been an important call, because he picked it up immediately.

I took that cue and swiftly escaped from the room.

As soon as I got to the safety of my own room, I drew in a deep breath and sank to the floor. Tears streamed down my face.

“No Sienna, don’t let the dark memories consume you” I chanted to myself as dark gruesome images began popping up in my mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 A wave of warmth greeted me as soon as I stepped into the cafe, not just from that faint heat of the space but from the ambiance. The soft hum of conversations filled the air, blending with the sound of the espresso machine behind the counter.

The room smells of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods, the kind of aroma that wraps itself around you like a soft, warm sweater. Golden light streams from vintage-style hanging lamps casting a cozy glow over the wooden tables scattered around, where friends and acquaintances laugh, and some others quietly sip their drinks.

Waiters and waitresses moved skillfully between tables, trays in hand, their smiles making the atmosphere even more welcoming.

Finally my eyes landed at the far corner of the cafe where a figure clad in a black tailored suit was seated, sipping his coffee, exuding an icy coldness. He was a sharp contrast to the warmth surrounding him and acted oblivious to all the curious glances shot at him.

I drew out a long breath and muttered to myself, “Let’s get this over and done with”

I walked in confident strides to where he was seated and took a seat opposite him.

“Always on time as usual Si” He said, his lips tipping up into his signature smirk. Ughh!! I hated how good he looked.

“Let’s get straight to the point” I said, with an emotionless tone ignoring his initial words.

“Arghh! That hurt Si. No greetings or pleasantries?” He said, holding his chest in an overly dramatic manner.

“Don’t call me that! Also, there is no need for any of that, well you don’t deserve it” I said not sparing any words. I knew my words were harsh and filled with venom, but I couldn’t care less.

His eyes flashed with hurt, and for some reason I felt a tinge of something in my heart. Fuck! I’m not supposed to feel sorry or anything at all except anger towards him, he was the one that fucking abandoned me!

“I agree, I don’t deserve it, and there's no excuse that would justify me leaving you alone without a word, I was wrong, young, and had a whole lot of shit going on. Just know I did it for you. Do you think I don't regret leaving you alone to face all that?” He paused suddenly before sighing and continuing “I can't tell you all the details now, but I promise you, soon I'll be able to tell you” He added, holding my hands on the table, but I quickly retracted my hands. I could hear the honesty in his words but I couldn't just deal with it.

“You can't tell me about it? For my own good? Why does everyone always think they're doing things for my good? I can fucking decide what's good for me!” I said in one breath. Damn, I was so overstimulated. “Look, this was not what I came to talk about “ I sighed.

“Okay, then what did you come to talk about?” He asked, cocking his brow up. Was he really trying to feign ignorance?

“About Sebas…” He cut me off before I could even finish my sentence.

“Let's have some coffee and pastries first” He said, acting as if he didn't just interrupt me. The audacity of this human!

“I'm not having anything!” I snorted, my eyes narrowed into slits as I glared at him.

“Then we can't discuss Rossa, we'll just sit in silence. I don't mind staring at you all day” He said in a serious tone, his lips curved up in a small smile.

This asshole! We won't talk? Then fuck I'll go.

“Alright since we can't discuss it until we have a cup of coffee with pastries, then I'm leaving!” I spat angrily and stood up to take my leave, but to my surprise I was yanked back into my seat.

“What the fuck Zane!” My brows furrowed as I shot him an angry look.

“You're not leaving until you have a cup of coffee and some hot cinnamon buns with me” He said calmly, staring into my eyes.

I tried to protest, but as if he read my mind he spoke up. “And if you insist on going, I don't mind carrying you back to your seat each time you try to leave. If you don't want to cause a ruckus just sit down and have a cup of coffee with me, then you can tell me your reason for calling for this meeting” He said with a deadpan expression.

I hated the fact he won this round, but I knew he was serious and he'd actually go through with his threats. What a lunatic!

I completely ignored him and called the waiter over. “Get me a cup of an iced latte, with some cinnamon buns and chocolate cake” I listed my order ignoring the burning gaze on me. I could almost see the victorious smirk on his face even though I wasn't looking at him and I hated it.

The waiter took his order as well before leaving. Soon, he came back with our orders.

I took a sip of the iced latte and couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips. My gaze quickly shot to Zane who was looking at me with a heated gaze. His eyes had also darkened. I swallowed hard and quickly looked away, enjoying my latte and pastries, ignoring the presence of the man in front of me.

Soon we were done and I decided to speak my mind and get the meeting over and done with.

“Why did you send men to attack Sebastian? I can fight my own fucking battles! So please mind your business and stay out of my matters!” I ranted, without pausing at all.

“Your business will always be my business no matter how mad you are at me, I'll do anything and everything for you to forgive me. I was once your best friend. Si wasn't I? That hasn't changed, even if you hate me now ” He said, calmly with his deep baritone voice, and for some messed up reason, my words got stuck in my mouth.

“Also any man that hurts even a hair on your head will face 10 times the pain you felt” My eyes widened in shock as he spoke coldly, but he wasn't done. “Si, I can kill anyone who dares to harm you” 

“You hurt me!” I finally spoke up, my voice barely audible.

“Yes, I did and you can do anything you want to me, but please don't push me out of your life, you can hit me, burn me anything, but I can't bare you hating me, I'm just trying to fix what I broke” He said, his voice hoarse and I could see it, the pain in his eyes.

“Why did you come back?” I found myself asking.

“I had to come back, I couldn't stay away anymore.” He said without missing a beat, the pain in his eyes replaced by a deep unfathomable darkness.

Zane had always been mysterious, but something’s changed, something I couldn't quite place yet. I couldn't understand anything he was doing, or why he was doing them.

Suddenly a mix of anger and something I couldn't fathom clawed at me. Why was he messing with my head?!