Mercedes rolled her eyes as she paid no attention to Kurt and Tina who seemed to do their best in criticising her life's choice. Definitely nothing new about that, she thought as she sipped her matcha latte. Criticising the lack of romance in her life seemed to be her best friends' monthly duty. She put down her latte and looked at Tina and Kurt who started to get into the 'you should have kids so that our kids can play together' zone.
"Okay, I'm gonna stop you there!" Mercedes said. Her two best friends looked at her. "I know that you guys are happy and definitely are in love with your partners. But, I beg you two. Please don't drag me into your happy ever after ship!"
"But, Mercedes!" Kurt started, but couldn't finish his sentence because Mercedes stopped her.
"Guys, how many times do I need to tell you guys that I am happy? Honestly! I don't need men to be happy! I've got everything that I want! Even daddy doesn't bother me about settling down. Just, leave it! Okay? You guys can go on, be in your marital and relationship bliss. Just let me live the way am I!"
Tina let out a heavy sigh. "Fine! We'll stop. Besides, you never go to any of the blind dates that we arranged for you!" she said, defeated. Mercedes smiled at her.
"I don't know why you bother though. I have better things to do than going to your blind dates" she said, which earned some eye rolling from her best friends.
"Mercedes, you're going to be 29 this year, yet you have zero experience in relationship and I know that you're still holding your V-card!" Kurt said.
"So? What's your point, Kurt? In my opinion, there's nothing wrong in being a virgin and I tell you so many times that relationship is a mess that I don't want to be apart of! I don't need to point out how miserable you and Tina were in one of your many relationships! Even now, you guys still deal with the messiness that comes with your relationship. Don't try to deny it because we all know it's the truth!"
Kurt and Tina pouted. Mercedes smirked as she took her phone and keys before she excused herself. They watched her as she walked away from the cafe.
"Do you think we will see her happy and in love?" Tina asked. Kurt sighed and shook his head.
"I don't know, T. We've known her since primary school and the only thing that stay the same is, Mercedes Jones and relationship. I thought it'll change when we went to college, sadly it's not"
"I do hope she'll change her mind though" Tina said.
Tina Chang: We're going tonight!
Blaine Anderson: Woo! Can't wait! I'm so stress and I'm going to get wasted!
Mike Chang: I'm not going to be the designated driver again! Kurt, it's your turn!
Kurt Hummel: Rolling eyes. Mercedes, are you joining us?
Mercedes read the group chat as she closed her door. She quickly typed her reply.
MercedesJ: No. Sorry. Tired.
She put her bag and went to change her clothes. Then, she went to the fridge and took out the ingredient for making her dinner. After finished cooking, she went to shower and did her laundry. Done, she went to the kitchen, prepared her plate and drink. After finished having dinner, she made some popcorn and went to the living room. She took her phone and read the group chat.
Blaine Anderson: Awwww, Mercedes! Come on! I haven't seen you for weeks!
Mike Chang: Boo, Mercedes! It's Friday night!
Kurt Hummel: I don't know why I asked though.
Tina Chang: Next time, we're dragging you out of your cave, Mercedes! No excuse!
Mercedes shook her head as read all the replies from her friends and put her phone down. She put on the DVD and paid her attention to the Avengers movie that she had watched so many times. Her conversation with Tina and Kurt seemed to linger in her mind. They seemed so determined in pushing her to be in a relationship with all the blind dates that they planned for her.
'Am I lonely?' Mercedes wondered. She did admit that there were times she felt jealous whenever she sees people with their kids. But then, she didn't long for relationship. It's more to 'that's nice. What a wonderful family' type of compliment. She likes her life and she also likes the fact that she doesn't have to deal with petty fight or in-laws' messiness. She had heard enough complaints and moans about relationship from her family and friends. She likes her life to be simple and having a relationship will not give her that.
Sam Evans looked at the array of freshly baked pastries and dessert in front of him with a satisfactory smile. He hummed as he went and did his customary round and greet the customers as usual. The cafe had only been opened for two days and the response was amazing. Sam talked to few of his returning customers. He smiled as they praised the food. He accepted all the complimentary graciously as he excused himself. He noticed that few of the ladies had been eyeing him and smirked. Sam wasn't a playboy, but he did bask in all the attention that he got from ladies. He's not dumb. He knew that he is attractive with his boyish charms and occasionally used it for his own benefit. However, he has a strict rule of not mixing business and pleasure. He had worked too hard to jeopardizing his work. SE Patisserie is a branch of his restaurant and a dream comes true for him. The door jingle and he turned to greet the newly come customer with a wide smile. Somehow, Sam felt that the time stood still as he watched the door opened and revealed a beautiful woman walking into the cafe. She is an African-American woman with the most beautiful eyes that he had ever seen. His eyes roamed her from head to toe as he watched her walked to the rack and took a trail and a tong as she chose her breads. He felt an immense attraction to the petite woman. He shook himself out of the reverie and went closer to the woman.
"Hi, can I help you?" he asked with a bright smile.
Mercedes had seen the newly opened patisserie across her office. Her colleague had bought some breads and tarts from it for their meeting and she really loved the taste. She decided to check it out after she had finished her work. When she set her feet into the Patisserie, she immediately fell in love with the interior. It's simple and somehow elegant. Then, the smell of the freshly baked bread had allured her. She immediately pick the trail and tong as she eyed the massive collection of patisseries on the rack. One of the workers approached her and she turned to look at the man.
"Yes, I want two red velvet cupcakes and some cheese tarts to go, please" she said as she took some apple turnovers and pineapple danishes. Sam nodded and did as he was told. He put the cupcakes and the tarts into the box. Then, he did the same to the pastries that Mercedes had brought to the counter.
"12 dollars" he said. Mercedes paid the money.
"Sam Evans" Sam said as he gave her the bag containing her purchase. Mercedes looked at him, frowning. She nodded and took the bag before leaving the premise. Sam watched her retreating figure and prayed that she'll come back again so that he could know her name.