Chapter 3

Ava’s POV

I bounced excitedly as I exited my car. I couldn’t wait to share the good news. I smiled happily as I opened the main door to the café.

“Welcome!” 

The automated voice on the main entrance greeted me as I entered and scanned the café for my dear friend at the counter, but she was nowhere to be found.

Oh, did I tell you? Jasmine was actually the owner of the café, that was the main thing she chose to do when we graduated from college. I almost had a fight with her about her choice of work because I didn’t understand how someone who studied the same course as me would settle for opening a café when she could use credentials to get a job in her line of field.

But as much as I argued the point with her, the only thing Jasmine told me was that she loved her job. She went on and on about how it was her dream to open a café where people would be able to relax and chat. But I actually know that the main reason was for her to see different kinds of hot men in suits every day. Typical Jasmine!

At least, if she wanted to see beautiful men on every occasion, the best place to do that is from the counter. That place would give her the best view in the café, so I didn’t understand why she would miss such an important thing as I scanned the café again for where she was until my eyes landed on her.

“Of course! Why didn’t I think of this?”

I facepalmed myself when I finally located her. But she wasn’t alone. She was sitting in the corner of the café with a special someone. I should have been able to guess that only one reason could truly make Jasmine walk away from the counter.

“Michael!”

I shouted excitedly as I ran towards him with a big bear hug. But in reality, he was the one engulfing me in his big arms and he caressed my hair gently.

“Come on, Ava. You look stressed! Is that boss of yours still tormenting you with work?”

Michael inquired genuinely with concern written all over his face as I shook my head to assure him that I was good. Miss Simpson might seem hard to get along with, but she actually loved treating her employees well.

“I’m doing good, Micheal. Thanks for asking. At least, you care, unlike someone I know.”

I said jokingly as I rolled my eyes at Jasmine who was seated on the other side of the table with a burst of laughter. She knew I was definitely referring to her.

“You know I care about you, honey!” Jasmine said jokingly with a wink.

“Yeah, right! By sitting me down every night after a very stressful day to tell me about your newfound crush?” I asked sarcastically.

“Now you are making me look bad before your brother. It is not as worse as that! I just make sure I give you my daily assessment of the men that come to my café.”

Jasmine replied which made both of us burst out into laughter except Michael. He seemed confused and I little bit pained.

“Wait, have you gotten yourself another boyfriend? I thought you were taking a break from relationships after you ended things with Collins!”

Micheal said lowly as he tried to keep a straight face but he failed woefully at that. I could see the hurt written all over his face at the thought of Jasmine being in another relationship.

You can already guess what was going on right? Yes, you are on point! Hayden, my elder brother, had actually been crushing on my best friend ever since he set his eyes on her the first time she visited our home when we were sixteen.

I shouldn’t call something that had been going on for about nine years a “crush”, right? Yes, you are probably right. My brother has been in love with my best friend for a very long time, even when he knew that the feelings were one-sided.

“There is no harm in assessing other potential boyfriends while taking a break!” Jasmine chipped in with a wink as she sipped her coffee.

“Not again!”

I sighed under my breath as I watched the way Jasmine was nonchalant about the whole situation. The atmosphere got a little bit awkward but she didn’t even notice it. She just continued sipping her coffee gently as she skimmed through her phone. This made me wonder how she didn’t know about my brother’s feelings for her. Even a 16-year-old girl would know with the way my brother was being clumsy around her. 

But for some reason, Jasmine didn’t even have a hint that Micheal had something deeper for her. And I wasn’t going to be the one to tell her about it. I wanted her to notice the chemistry by herself, or better still, Micheal would get the confidence to finally open up about his feelings.

Until then, I decided to just keep quiet and watch the amusement of the two talking ignorantly with each other as if there wasn’t something more serious between them. Let the mystery unravel itself!

“Why are you here, by the way? Shouldn’t you be at work?” 

Jasmine asked after the awkward silence, which she didn’t notice, by the way.

“My boss let me leave early today!” I told her happily.

“Really? That condescending beautiful lady?”

Jasmine asked with confusion, making me let out a soft laugh as I watched her struggle with what to call my boss.

“Stick to a side, Jas. You seem confused!” 

“Can you blame me? She is so beautiful and powerful. I love beautiful things. I just can’t forgive her for talking down to you every day about how you dress. Although I’m also not in support of you dressing like a Granny. At least, your dress looks better today!”

She complained as she continued with her iced americano. While Micheal had no choice but to just watch the scene before him. He always found it hard to interfere in our conversations. He wasn’t the outspoken type.

“Hugh, I don’t even know what to say to you. Anyway, I come bearing good news!”

I announced happily and this definitely got the two of them interested.

“What’s up? Did you resign from work today? That’s great news! I need a helping hand in my café.” Jasmine jubilated without even allowing me to say what the news was about.

“You wish!” 

I replied sarcastically with an eye roll, making Micheal laugh softly before he asked.

“What’s up?”

“I got a special offer from my boss today. I think I am going to make it big soon, guys!”

I exclaimed happily after explaining what happened to them as I did a little happy dance around our table. But it seemed like I was the only one feeling the joy with the way Micheal and Jasmine were looking at me like they didn’t understand what I told them.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I expected you guys to be happy for me!”

I said with feigned hurt.

“You know that’s not the case, Ava. I am just worried. Are you sure your boss isn’t looking for a way to lay you off? With everything you’ve told me about her, she doesn’t seem to like you!” Micheal said with concern.

“My sentiments exactly. Are you sure this special offer can be trusted?” Jasmine added.

“I assure you, guys. She can be trusted on this. Perhaps, Miss Simpson isn’t as bad as you guys assume. I must have done a pretty bad job of describing who she is to you. She just loves discipline and prioritizes it, she can be trusted.” I explained.

“Alright, but know that we are happy for you, baby girl.” 

Micheal said with a bright smile as he jokingly patted the back of my head. He looked so cute doing that. This made me wonder why Jasmine hadn’t fallen for him again. She loved handsome guys and I didn’t need anyone to tell me that my brother was definitely hot.

“Whatever!” I replied with a smile but was interrupted when the automated voice of the café’s door echoed a “welcome” behind me.

I paused and looked back at the entrance. The moment o did, I couldn’t stop myself from blurting out the words I never thought I was capable of saying.

“Holy Shit! Who is that hot guy?”