3 | Dandelions

“Yanna?” Caden mumbled but clear enough for her to hear.

Gianna blinked as the customer’s voice registered in her head instantly.

She looked at him. A black hoodie over a white shirt and straight jeans, with stylish holes on the knees, familiarity clicked at once and she knew who he was.

His name almost rolled off her mouth when she realized that Marson was still there, watching the awkward interaction.

“You know him?” Marson asked, gesturing his hand toward Caden.

She casted a look on Caden and what appeared to be his bodyguard. Gianna just nodded and softly nudged Marson toward the door.

“He’s a friend. He’s fine. I’m sorry but can you tell Eunica I couldn’t make it tonight? I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“What do you mean? You’re not going?” Marson looked like he wanted to protest.

“Yes, I’m not,” she replied, still walking him out to the exit door.

Marson looked utterly confused, his eyes kept on shifting to the customer, wondering why he looked mysterious and reserved. “Are you sure you’re okay? You know them? I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Gianna nodded again, waving her hand to him as he exited the café.

She suddenly felt the weight in the air. Why was she acted the way she acted, she had no idea. But the idea of Caden Vitaro standing in her café was bizarre. She had never imagined it happening. Nor was seeing him again.

“It’s really you.” Caden’s deep voice echoed in her ears.

Dammit, she thought.

Gianna turned to him, carefully approaching him. She shook her head in disbelief, mirroring the same emotion reflecting in Caden’s eyes.

As if the years separating them had gone, Caden reached out to her, pulling her closer as he wrapped his arms around her for a hug.

As if on cue, Wency stepped out of the café, giving them space.

When Caden freed her from his embrace, she composed herself.

“Just when I thought I’d ran out of luck, and then I see you again. Wow.”

“You never ran out of luck,” she replied.

Gianna mirrored his smile, but hers were much brighter, more radiant. She then took his hand and led him to the bar, making him sit on the high stool.

He nodded, adjusting his ballcap to better see her face.

“Right. All I need is blow a wish on our dandelion,” he said, pulling up his sleeve to show the same tattoo as hers.

“You remember.” She walked around the bar and placed two glasses between them and poured whiskey.

“Always.” Caden softly tossed his glass to hers before downing it in one go.

She tried to do the same but stopped midway, surprised by the heat warming up her throat. She would never get used to whiskey.

Or maybe, it wasn’t whiskey that made her all warmed up and giddied. Twelve years have passed since they last saw each other, yet it felt like only yesterday for Gianna.

“Now I just remembered,” she stated, peeking a look at his tattoo. “You said you’d never comeback to this place.”

“Did I say that?” He chuckled. “Maybe I just don’t have good reason back then.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “And you did now?”

He looked away and once again adjusted his ballcap. “You’re here.”

Gianna poured a whiskey on his empty glass. “I am never the reason, Caden. But still, I’m glad to see you again. It’s been a while.”

His light brown eyes seemed to darken under the dim light, his gaze suddenly intense.

“You should have called me. I’ve been waiting.”

Gianna held her tongue. Now was not the best time to dig up her buried emotion. She downed her alcohol, welcoming the burn.

“I can’t imagine a superstar waiting for my call.”

He filled her glass with alcohol. He then reached out to her, tucking in a wayward hair to her ear.

“I remember trying hard to impress you, Yanna. I’d always love your attention.”

She had no idea whether that was true but his deep and a bit raspy tone sounded like asmr to her ears.

“Now, you have everyone’s attention. You’re living the dream.”

Caden scoffed. “I’m still waiting for that call.”

Gianna bit back her laughter and stepped out of the bar to get some snacks for them.

“You know what I remember?” She raised an eyebrow as she shoved a plate of chicken lollipops to the microwave. “You promised you’d write a song for me.”

A carefree smile crossed his lips then, his stance more relaxed now. “Helen’s Kiss.”

She rounded to the bar, closing their gap, while waiting for the food.

“Helen’s Kiss?” She raised an eyebrow.

Caden’s fingers moved gracefully on the granite counter bar, as if he was tapping piano keys. “I was thrown into this hole, eighteen feet deep, all from the kiss I stole…” He sang and hummed in a low tone.

Gianna could not help but smile. “That was for me? Seriously?”

“Hey, I penned that song. One from our first album. That’s for you.”

She held up her index finger. “I need to look up the lyrics.” She pulled out her cell phone from her oversized jacket.

Caden laughed. “No, don’t. Not when I’m here.” He shook his head as he tried stopping her.

Gianna fought him off, stepping out of his reach and started fumbling on her cellphone. The next thing she knew, Caden caught her on the corner of the counter, towering over her 5’4 height, and snatched the cellphone from her.

Suddenly, she felt the alcohol kicked in, her head getting a bit fuzzy.

“I just want to know if the song is really for me, Caden.”

“Oh, it is for you.”

She looked up at him, a playful smile on her lips. “What’s it about? What’s the story?”

He thought for a moment. “It’s about a boy crushing hard on a girl he couldn’t have.”

“Huh, interesting.” She pressed her lips.

“I feel like still dreaming tonight, seeing you here.” A little smile curved his lips. “I’m not dreaming, Gianna, am I?”

She could feel his warm breath. “You’re not. But I think you’re drunk now.”

“I’m not.”

Gianna nodded as she swallowed. “Yes. ‘Cause I remember you can hold your alcohol well.”

“You know what else I remember?” Caden said, his look drifting to her lips.

“What?”

He swallowed. But instead of answering, he leaned closer until his lips touched hers.

Gianna felt the static, the same tingling flow ignited in her stomach. His lips were gentle, as if unsure, but she still welcomed his kiss.

And at that moment, as heat warmed her cheeks, she thought, what the hell…

****

Gianna stirred on her sleep. She felt her stomach rumble, as if hunger forced her to wake up.

Opening her eyes, the first thing she noticed was the bed was crowded. She tried to kick out the blanket and instantly felt the cold air on her arms and back as it slid down.

Shit. Her eyes grew wide, heartbeat skyrocketing. She was naked.

Gianna adjusted the blanket up her chin, now feeling warmth at her back. Someone stirred, and suddenly, an arm draped over her, pulling her in.

Damn. Her head hurt. Her body ached. She was hungry and confused and all messed up. It had been a while since she last got drunk. The last thing she remembered was Marson picking her up to go to Eunica’s to hangout.

Did she finally sleep with him?

Gianna closed her eyes hard, as if doing so would make the headache go away. Then another hazy memory popped up in her head.

Caden.

The guy appeared in her café. They drank whiskey and beers. They kissed. And the soft kiss turned into touch and the touch turned into them pulling out their clothes. His lips that had set her on fire. She tried to remember more but her mind could no longer push the fog in her head.

She opened her eyes, seeing a tattooed arm embracing her like a pillow. He was breathing calmly at her back. As the puzzle of the hazy night starting to clear out, a voice hummed near her ears.

“Mornin’,” he said.

Gianna had realized what just happened. She now knew why she was naked.

She cleared out her throat. “Hey, good morning.”

“You hungry?” he asked.

She pulled the blanket tightly to her and shook her head.

Caden snickered. “I heard your stomach growling, Yanna.”

She tried to keep her panic at bay, pulling in some sense in herself. But she knew the moment she asked him to do it, she had no rational thoughts left.

Where was all her courage and desire had gone now?

“So, you’re pretending to be asleep, huh?” Gianna said instead.

“No. I just can’t sleep.” His voice sounded resigned.

She carefully turned around to face him. “Is everything okay?”

He nodded, a soft smile on his lips. “I want waffles.”

Caden looked like a different man from the night before. Familiarity struck her, seeing him up close and with a clear mind. He got soft wavy hair, adding allure to his manly features and cold eyes. He matured in a great way, like a fine wine.

“I don’t have waffles. How about a sandwich?”

“Sandwich is fine. I’d eat anything at this rate, Yanna.”

Her cheeks warmed, goose bumps dotted her exposed arms.

Gianna just swallowed and hauled herself up.

She tried her best not to be conscious while Caden watched her worked in the kitchen.

“Has this always been your setup?” he asked, looking around. “You living above your café?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Yes.”

Peeking toward his direction, she tried to calm her mind.

“Caden, can we forget what happened?” she muttered, trying to be nonchalant about it.

What had just happened wasn’t still fully sinking into her. Caden stared at her, his carefree reaction briefly turned to something she could not read.

“The guy from yesterday,” he started as he approached her on the countertop. “He your boyfriend?”

“Marson? No, he’s not.” She shook her head. “We’re just… friends. Close friends.”

He regarded her and kept his silence.

Gianna handed him a sandwich and a coffee. “So, how long are you going to stay in town?”

“Why? You already miss me?” He teased, nudging her.

“No. Just so I’m prepared when you just suddenly… disappear,” she retorted. “Anyway, it’s almost seven. My brother will be home soon.”

“Oh, okay.” He put down the sandwich he barely ate. “I should go.”

Footsteps came near, and in a second, the front door swung open. Gianna started to panic as her younger brother stepped inside.

“What the- “ he mumbled, obviously surprised to his sister with a half-naked guy on the kitchen bar.

“Marcello,” Caden greeted as he cleared out his throat.

They both looked like a deer caught in a headlight.