Hello everyone! So, I had time and I remembered that I had to make up for the countless late updates so here it is. A little shorter than the usual but I hope you like it. Enjoy!
Chapter 2
The feeling struck me like a giant tidal wave. I can smell his scent. Like mint and fresh soap. My eyes land to his. There's a little spark in them that's barely visible. Then I gaze down slowly to his mouth, curved a little on one side. My jaw hangs open from shock and I recover quickly before Honoka—the dirty blonde-haired girl—could scold me.
I flash Usui a big fake smile and bow down. I silently wish I could bow all day so he won't see me. I rise up and lead him to a table near the window. He stares at me with the same expression and I begin to wonder if he's mentally rolling on the floor laughing at my ridiculous outfit.
"What would you like to order Master?" I say. It's taking me all my strength not to hide in the storage room from humiliation.
He stays quiet for a second then starts to open his mouth then closes it again. His fingers steal their way to his chin as if his deciding. He opens his mouth again then closes it. I mentally roll my eyes.
Can't this guy decide already?
Finally, he speaks.
"I want an omelette." I blink twice before writing it down on my paper. I smile to him and walk away. I still feel him watching me and I pray I don't trip.
"Erika." I say.
She turns around to face me and raises her eyebrows. "Yes? Is there a problem?"
My throat becomes rusty as I try to make sense of what I'm about to say. "That blonde guy over there by the window, is he a regular?"
Erika looks behind me and adjusts her glasses.
"Oh, he's alone this time. How strange." It was my turn to raise my eyebrows at her. She smiles and continues. "He's not here every day but when he does come, it's usually with a young woman."
Oh, so he's that kind of guy huh. No wonder he acted the way he did in the elevator. He's a flirt. I try to push my luck and ask her again. "Is it a different woman every time?"
"No. It's always the same blonde woman." She turns as manager calls her. "Well, I better get back to work. You should place that order quick." Then she heads outside. I look at him again and he starts waving at me. Quickly, I duck behind the curtains with the gracefulness of a panda. I give the cook Usui's order then lean against the counter. I'm probably going to get scolded for lazing around but I can't help it.
The same woman.
I guess he has a girlfriend. I shouldn't be so surprised. It's not like he knows me. But for two years I've had this weird feeling that I've known him long before I met him. And I always felt like it wasn't a coincidence that I ended up living across his apartment. It's like there's a big gap in my memory. One second he was there and the next, a hole has been punched through my mind.
I always imagined that he and I met somewhere before. Somewhere with a lot of green—like his eyes. A lot of lights. And glass walls. And a single flower. A lotus maybe? Purple? Blue? Then he smiles mysteriously and I smile back. Then he says "It's fine. You're safe with me." Then...
Then that was it. It's not even a memory. You're supposed to remember memories but this one I can honestly say is just a story I've created in my mind. A story I badly want to become a memory so I'll know that it happened.
"Misaki!" I'm pulled back to reality by Honoka's high-pitched voice. "Just because it's your first day doesn't mean you get to sit on your laurels."
"I-I'm sorry. I was just waiting for my order." I say. Hastily, I grab the plate on the counter and walk toward Usui's table. I mutter a quick "enjoy" and rush to another table.
The bells ring and I look at the door to see a beautiful blonde woman in a peach dress with a khaki coat. She takes off her scarf and looks around. Her eyes land on Usui then she smiles. I watch her as she gracefully walks toward him and gives him a kiss on the cheek. I look away and decide to focus on what the customer in table five is ordering. I fake a smile and then walk to the kitchen.
Erika comes in just in time with a tray. "Well, I guess Miss Blondie was just running a little late today." She says. "Why don't you take her order, Misaki? It 's always the usual she wants anyway."
"Umm, I don't really feel very well tonight." I lie.
She sets the tray down and places a hand on my forehead. "Are you sick? Oh dear, was it because of the rain last night?"
I fake a cough and lean on the counter as if my legs are weak. "I guess. I got home late last night." More lies. It's wrong. But I couldn't take another sight of Usui and that woman animatedly talking. I've watched him for two years. Watched how he goes out every eight in the morning and comes home before nine in the evening. Or how he fumbles on his keys to look for the right one for his door. Or how his apartment smells like pancakes every Saturday morning. Or how he brushes his hair back or how he squints his eyes every time he comes out. Or how he glances at the painting near the staircase.
Honoka sees us both and rolls her eyes. "You better stay in the dressing room if you don't want other people catching your flu."
"Honoka!" Erika exclaimed.
"She's right. I should stay there. I'm really sorry for the trouble." Erika slowly nods and helps me to a seat.
After a few hours, it's time to close up. I try to help locking the doors since I didn't do much serving. Manager says she doesn't mind though I feel really bad for lying. They are such good people—well, maybe except for Honoka—and they don't deserve to be lied to. I push the guilt to my toes and smile for the nth time tonight.
I wait for the elevator to open, and when it does, the woman in the cafe is right in front of me. She looks at me then smiles genuinely. I nod in response as she heads out.
Wow. I guess they're going steady. He even brought the girl to his home. I feel disappointed again. I walk in before the elevator doors close. When I arrive to my door, I look for my keys and realize that they're not in my bag.
Did I leave it in the shop? Alarm starts to creep into me as I frantically search my bag for the second time. I drop the contents to the floor and wait for a clinking sound but none came. I sigh and drop to the ground.
"God why is this happening?" I mutter to no one. The halls are empty. It was late. I haven't eaten dinner and it is freezing. I wordlessly pray that the door would magically open so I can turn on my heater and wrap myself in layers of blankets.
Then I remember seeing the young woman and I feel even colder inside. I wish I could get mad. I wish I could blame this feeling on somebody else. But the painful truth is that it's no one's fault but mine. For falling in love with someone who doesn't know me as much as I know him.
The door in front of me suddenly opens and he's standing there still clad in the same clothes. His eyes are wide as he looks at me.
"Ayuzawa? What are you doing outside?" My brain is debating whether I should speak to him or not. The less rational part won.
"I left my keys in the shop." I say.
He gives me a smile. That mysterious smile I always imagine him giving me and I look away.
"Want to come inside? It's freezing out here. You're going to catch a cold." He pushes.
I shrug and shake my head.
"Your stuff's littered on the floor."
I shrug again. He begins to turn around but then stops halfway. All of a sudden, he grabs my things including my bag and brings them inside his apartment.
"Hey! What are you doing with my stuff?!" I yell.
"You want them? You can get them from here." He says as he puts all my things deep into the heart of his home.
I get up and walk towards him only to stop at the door.
"Scared?" he teases.
Yes. Yes, I am scared. I know that if I step inside, this will be the start of constant hi's and hello's. Of exchanged waves and smiles. Of frequent conversations. And it's painful because I know that when he looks at me all he sees is his neighbour. But then I look at him and I see the Usui in my made up story, giving me that mysterious smile.
"It's fine." He says. I stop my thoughts and look at him squarely. "You're safe with me."
Okay? No? Let me know what you think! Still working on the next chapter for I'm in love with my brother. All you readers, have patience please. :3 Midterm exams are coming and I have a lot of reports to turn in. :( saaaaad. Please review my awesome readers! xoxo