Chapter 1
Sergio
It was a particularly hot and humid afternoon in Madrid, Spain. Beads of sweat trickles down Sergio's forehead as he tries to wipe it with the back of his hand. He can feel the dirt and dust stick to his skin as he walks along the quiet streets of Madrid, making his way to his favorite café- Hanoi. As he pushed the door open, the chimes hanging over the doorway echoed throughout the whole room, signaling someone had just entered. Denver, the owner's son who also works there as a bartender and barista looked on his direction and smiled as soon as he realized who just came in. Sergio approached the bar counter and casually sat on one of the stools.
"The usual?" Denver asked. Only, Sergio wasn't in the mood for his usual drink, which is a hot cup of skim latte with sugar-free vanilla. He needed something that would refresh his throat as well as his body.
"I'd like a glass of beer, please. A cold one." Sergio answered.
Denver was surprised by the change of order but refused to comment on it and just went at the back of the bar to serve his friend a glass of cold beer.
Raquel
She has had enough with these egomaniac, narcissistic jackasses in front of her, who just couldn't accept the fact that a woman is much more capable of performing their jobs than them and that she is in charge. It was her daily struggle and it does not get easy for her. Ever since she entered the police academy up until now that she's already an inspectora, she is faced with unworthy and uncalled for criticisms from her male colleagues- that no matter how good she is at her job, all she is to them is a pretty face in a uniform.
She felt exhausted after solving yet another case and would give anything to have a glass of beer as refreshment; if not only for the mountain of paperwork that has to be finished today.
"Hey, Raquel. Why don't you go ahead? I'll finish these paperwork." Angel offered. Angel is her co-inspector and trusted partner in the force. At the same time, he is a very good friend- at least that's what she considers him. Unfortunately for him, their relationship is much more than that.
"Thanks, Angel. I really am exhausted today." She said to him with grateful eyes. He smiled at her and took the leather jacket hanging on her chair. He gestured for her to stand up and turn around so that he can put the jacket on for her. Then he touched her shoulder and turned her around once more so she's facing him.
"Good job today. Now go home and rest." He said as he gave her a little push on her back urging her to start walking. Raquel gathered her things and headed for the elevator. When the elevator dinged open, she looked over her shoulder and mouthed her thanks to Angel.
Denver
The bell on the entrance door rang and interrupted the two gentlemen's discussion about the current state of economy; by discussion meaning Sergio doing most, if not all of the talking and Denver listening while trying hard to process all of the information that comes out of the Professor's mouth. Both heads turned to the direction of the person who just entered the shop.
"Hi! Welcome to Hanoi." Denver greeted. "What can I get for you?" he followed.
"A glass of beer, please. Thank you." The woman ordered and sat one stool away from the professor.
"One glass of beer, coming right up!" he answered perhaps too cheerfully. But before fetching a glass, he noticed that the professor still hasn't broken his gaze to the lovely brunette.
"I haven't seen you here from before. Is this your first time?" Denver asked trying to make a conversation mostly so that the brunette wouldn't notice that there's a bearded guy with eyeglasses creepily staring at her like a mad man.
"Uhm, yes. I don't usually drink but I-" her sentence was cut off when her phone suddenly rang and excused herself.
"Oy professor!" he said in a low whispered voice so as not to catch the attention of the brunette. "You might wanna close your mouth now before you start drooling. It's been hanging since the pretty lady walked in." He said with a smirk on his face. "Who would've thought? The professor is attracted to a girl…" he continued to tease and let out a weird laugh.
"I am not attracted to that girl." The professor said defensively yet a blush started forming on both of his cheeks.
"Oh yeah? Then why are you blushing?" he just wouldn't let it go.
"I am not!" the professor spoke rather too loudly that he started to feeling conscious, fidgeting on his seat and adjusting his glasses. "I am not blushing." He hissed lowly this time.
"Then why are you fiddling? You only do that when you're nervous or embarrassed." Denver laughed once more. But before Sergio could answer, they heard the brunette asked something.
"Excuse me, do you have a charger? For the phone?" She asked Denver, pertaining that her phone died.
"If it's important, you can use mine." The professor offered out of the blue- surprising even him.
The brunette looked at the professor confused by the sudden offer but did not reject him.
"Are you sure? I only need to make one call…to my mother." She explained. The professor took out his phone and handed it over to her who thanked him in return.
"Smooth, professor." Denver gave him an approving look. "Didn't know you have some few tricks hidden beneath your sleeve." He once again teased.
"Shut up. I was only being nice." The professor said, his eyes not leaving the woman who was walking back and forth on the corner of the shop to have a private phone conversation. Denver waved a hand dismissively and turned away to serve other guests.
Sergio
Denver was just teasing. He tried to repeat the sentence on his head over and over again seemingly trying to convince himself that the kid was only making fun of him. But, deep inside he knows that there is something about this woman that mesmerized him at first glance. And true enough; he couldn't stop looking at her. Could it be her eyes? Or the way she pursed her lips into a thin line? What would it feel like to kiss those lips? His thoughts were interrupted by the sweet voice coming from the brunette.
"Thank you for lending me your phone." She said, returning it to him. When he stretched his hand to take it, the tip of his fingers brushed against hers and he felt an inexplicable tingle travel through out his body.
"You're welcome. I didn't catch your name. What is it?"
"Raquel. Raquel Murillo." She gave him a soft smile.
"Sergio. Sergio Marquina." He extended a hand and Raquel took it. He didn't realize that he was holding her hand longer than a normal handshake would be and he felt her slightly tug away her hand from his grasp. He shyly muttered an apology.
"What brings you here?" he asked, adding that it was indeed his first time seeing her here.
"Bad day at work. Are you a regular here?" Sergio felt good seeing that she has taken an interest in this small talk. So far so good.
"You can say that, yes. Somehow this place has become a haven for me. I've been coming here for the past 15 years of my life."
"Wow that's a long time." She said but her face showing that it didn't really amaze her. What does he do now? What should he say next?
Dead silence filled the air and Sergio is starting to feel awkward. He didn't know how to do this kind of thing. He doesn't make small talks with strangers; more so flirt with gorgeous women because obviously, he would never be some pretty girl's type. He likes to have meaningful and informative conversations with people, which is the very reason his friends call him "Professor". Well, besides the fact that he really is one. He turned his head slowly to her side to look at her and he saw her took a deep sigh, her chin resting on her palm and her eyes closed. Maybe she did have a bad day.
When he is having a bad day, he opts to be alone and enjoy the serene silence it could offer. Maybe that's what Raquel needs. Sergio finished down his beer and left a few bills on the counter top signaling to Denver that he's done for the day.
Raquel
Raquel took another deep breath and massaged her temple. Her mother had called and frantically asking her where she was. It had slipped out her mind to inform her that she would be home slightly later than the usual- she never forgets to do that. She understands that due to the hazards that entail her line of work, her mother wouldn't help it but worry that something bad would happen to her especially when she's on field. She did lose her husband while on duty after all. At times like this that she misses her father most- he who encouraged her daughters to live the life that they truly want; he who told them to always hold their heads high whenever someone would try to degrade their worth and then prove them wrong. She wonders if her father would be proud of what she has become.
She heard the sound of the stool moving so she collected her thoughts and opened her eyes. She saw that the kind man, Sergio, is about to leave.
"You're leaving." She said in a serious tone and disappointingly said, "I'm sorry I'm the worst company."
"Oh no, please don't apologize." He said in a comforting tone. "It's just that whenever I'm feeling down, I'd rather enjoy some peace and quiet. I was only thinking that maybe, you'd like some peace and…" His voice trailed off when he realized that she was smiling.
"Why are you smiling?" he asked, confused of what was happening. From the look of his face he must've thought he said something funny or something embarrassing.
"You're sweet. And you don't even know it. But no, I don't want to be alone yet I don't want to talk either. Is that weird?" She asked with a scrunched face. It took a second for him to answer and to be honest, she felt nervous. She can't believe she's nervous of what this man thought of her when all her life, she has never cared of any man's opinion.
"Not at all." He finally answered.
"Very well, would you like to enjoy the silence with me, Mr. Marquina?" she asked and immediately felt silly and embarrassed. A few strands of hair fell in front of her face.
"It'd be a pleasure, Ms. Murillo." She heard him said and looked back up at him. His face gave such a gentle expression.
She finally closed her eyes but this time, her thoughts wandered on the man sitting beside her.