Chapter 1
The time was ticking. It was almost noon and the café it would be closed at 2 pm. The few people, who enjoyed their coffee, gave to the place a delightful note of joy with their voices. Christine and Meg, the two waitresses and best friends, were cleaning the bar and talking to each other.
"It wasn't bad at all today, was it?", Meg asked her friend. "We have a small coffee shop but it attracts people".
"Yes indeed. I couldn't ask for more Meg. What can I say? I love my job", Christine said and the two girls burst into laughs.
As they talked, the little bell above the door, warned them for a client's arrival. Meg lifted her head and looked at the entrance. It was a tall man with dark hair who sat to the table near the door and started to read the newspaper which he had brought with him.
"There he is again", the blonde girl said to her friend.
"Who?", Christine asked looking at her.
"The weird guy", Meg answered.
Christine turned her head to the table and saw him.
"He's been coming here every day for the last week and at the same time, 1:15 pm", Meg continued without taking her gaze away. "I told you that, remember? You had flu and I had stopped by your house".
"I remember Meg but I don't see the reason why you call him weird".
"Are you kidding me? The guy wears a half white mask on his face. Does it seem normal?"
"Maybe he has a problem or something. It doesn't mean that he is not a good person".
"I didn't tell that he is bad Christine. I just said that it seems weird to me".
"Ok I can admit that you are right for the mask but I can say that he seems friendly".
"Yes, that's true. So, who will get the order?"
"I will", Christine said and went towards his table.
Erik didn't realize that someone was approaching and he didn't make any effort to lift his head from the newspaper. Christine cleared her throat and spoke.
"Hello. How can I help you?"
Erik lifted his head and looked the young woman in front of him. He knew her, he was sure of that. Those big brown eyes, the brown hair that was now gathered in a ponytail and this smile…. This smile….
"I… yes…. I'd like a latte with a cupcake, thank you", he ordered.
"Cupcake flavors? Vanilla-banana, chocolate or something else?"
"Chocolate, please".
Christine took his order and returned to Meg.
"A latte and a chocolate cupcake Meg".
"It will be ready in two minutes. Well, did he tell you anything else?"
"No, but he looked at me a little…. weird. Is there something on my face?"
"Hmmm, if we overlook the two eyes, the nose, and your lips….. no, everything is normal", Meg said and started laugh. "Your order is ready".
Christine smiled and took the tray. She approached the table and smiled at Erik.
"Here you are", she said. "Your coffee and your treat. Enjoy".
Christine turned her back ready to go back to the bar when Erik's voice stopped her.
"Excuse me, can I ask you something?"
Christine turned around.
" Yes, of course".
"I am sorry if am becoming indiscreet but are you… a singer? Because I flipped the pages of the newspaper and I saw your photo. Let me show you", he said and found the page with the photograph, he saw it to her. Christine looked at it and laughed.
"No, I am not a singer but I love singing. I use to sing to Barbara's place every Saturday".
"This is wonderful. I was there in your last performance and I can say that I had a great time. Your voice is so beautiful. Congratulations".
Christine smiled. "Thank you. I am glad you liked it. The truth is that I don't remember you".
"I am sure of that. There were so many people that night admiring you".
"It was just some people who liked me, that's all", she said.
"Allow me to disagree", Erik answered and looked deeply in her eyes. But suddenly, he thought that maybe he made her feel uncomfortable and stopped. "I am sorry if I am keeping you from your duties. I just wanted to express my admiration. Sorry again".
"It's fine", Christine said. "Thank you for your good words but I have to return to the bar. I'll see you later". She turned her back and went towards Meg.
"Well, what were you talking about?", the blonde girl asked full of curiosity.
"He just congratulated me for my voice. He saw me sing in Barbara's café".
Meg looked again the weird man and saw him look to them. She didn't say anything but she soon noticed that Erik stole a few glances to Christine. He turned his head to her direction every time that the girl was passing his table.
"I think he likes you", Meg said. "He is looking to you all the time".
Christine turned her head and saw that Meg was right. Erik was just looking her but when their glances crossed, he bent his head to the newspaper embarrassed.
"You think? I am not so sure. After James I …."
"Oh come on, the guy was a jerk. He wanted you to stop singing remember? And never and ever he looked at you like that man over there did", Meg reminded her.
"I know but my point is that I want to be sure. I can say that he is really handsome but I don't want to find myself in the same situation. ".
"I think you will not Christine. Please, give it a try. Hey, you can invite him to our little party, you know for Valentine's Day. But only if you want to".
"And what if he has a girlfriend Meg?"
"They will come together. But you will never know if he is single or not if you don't ask".
Christine considered this idea. He was handsome indeed but she didn't know anything about him. On the other hand, she had nothing to lose.
"Alright Meg, I will invite him at the end of the shift".
"That's my girl", Meg said. "We have to decorate the café after our shift, you know that right?"
Christine pouted but soon the two girls burst into a laugh. At the end of the shift Christine approached Erik.
"Hi again", she said a bit hesitant, thinking that this was not a good idea, but when she saw his eyes, she decided otherwise.
"Hi…. Christine, right? It is written on your tag. I am Erik by the way".
He extended his hand and Christine shook it.
"Yes, it's Christine. Nice to meet you, Erik. I was wondering if you have any plans for Valentine's Day. We will have a little party here and you can come with your… girlfriend if you want to".
Christine's forehead was sweating. She realized that she waited for his response with impatience.
"This is very kind of you. But I don't have a girlfriend so…. I guess I will come alone if that's ok", he said with a huge smile.
"Yes, of course, you are welcome, single or not". She laughed. "Anyway, I will see you in five days".
"I can't wait, Christine. I will see you then".
Erik played the bill and left the café. The brunette gathered the glass and plate and took them in the sink.
"So?", Meg asked curiously. "Will he come?"
"Yes, but alone. He is single".
"BINGO! And that's how your fairytale begins".
"Oh come on Meg stop teasing me", Christine said and started tickling her friend. That was the best part of their job. They hadn't a typical relationship like a boss and an employer. They were equal. Meg's parents owned the café but they were in England so Meg had to run the shop. She had suggested to Christine to come with her to work for that month and the young girl accepted with joy. Meg was a great dancer and Christine a great singer but they had to earn some money until they could find something else.
The next two days, Erik was again at the café at the same time. He couldn't resist the temptation to see Christine as many times as he could. He liked her. A lot. He couldn't hide it from himself. He fell in love with her voice and when he met her personally, he fell in love with her personality. She was a beautiful, kind young woman with an amazing voice and she gave him her best smile. He wanted to ask her out. And that was his intention. When he sat at the same table, Meg went to take his order and Christine brought him his coffee.
"Good morning Erik", she said cheerfully.
"Good morning Christine", he said with a happy tone in his voice as well.
"So, what can I get you today? The usual?"
"Just coffee, please".
Christine nodded and walked away. In five minutes she was back with his order.
"Here you are", she said as she put the glass in front of him. "Enjoy".
"Thank you. Can you sit for a while? I would like to… ask you… something".
The young girl was puzzled. She couldn't understand what the question was about. She pulled away from the chair and sat on it.
"I am listening. What do you want me to ask?"
Erik froze for a moment. He was looking at her without saying a word but he had to say something. To ask the question. He cleared his throat.
"I ….. I was wondering…if…".
He stopped. He could do it so he tried again.
"I was…. wondering…. if you want to go out with me tonight."
He said it almost in a breath. Now was her turn to say something. Christine was looking at him with wide eyes. Did he just ask her out? On a date? The two of them? Oh, she had to go out on a date ages. But was it a wise decision? She knew him only two days.
"I… don't know. I mean…. that would be nice but…. We know each other for only two days".
"I know but…. I thought that it was a good idea".
Erik had to find something to convince her. He would tell her the truth.
"Christine I…. I like you. I like you a lot. I found the courage to ask you out because… I want to know you better. And, yes, it's only two days but …. I think that…. I want to give it a chance. Please, Christine, give us a chance".
He finished his speech and his eyes were looking deeply into hers. Poor man! He wanted so desperately Christine says yes that he wasn't breathing for a few minutes.
The brunette couldn't say no. It was so cute the way he was talking. He was stuttering. His voice was trembling and Christine didn't want him to suffer more.
"Ok Erik, I will go out with you", she said giving him a huge smile. Erik breathed with relief.
"Great. I will wait outside of the café at 8 o' clock. Is this ok with you?"
"Yes of course. I will see you at 8. I have to return to work now".
She stood up and went away. The rest of the day they were thinking about their date and how beautiful that night would be.
