Hello everyone! I'm thinking about discontinuing this story because it appears no one likes it, so please review if you want me to continue. Thank you very much!
As luck would have it, my day off wasn't much of a day off. Instead of wandering aimlessly around town, I was stuck writing an essay and creating an advertisement poster. My sister was scolding me for waiting until the last minute, but I'd been so busy with work lately that it had completely slipped my mind. Let's not even mention that my internet went down.
So there I sat, in a quaint coffee shop drinking a cappuccino with my fingers working the keys of my laptop furiously. The advertisement poster wasn't that much of a hassle, but it still took longer than I'd intended. What I really needed to worry about was my essay, which seemed to already take up three pages. How many was I supposed to write? Four? Five? Well, as long as I don't go over the limit I guess I'm okay.
"May I sit here?" Without taking my eyes from the screen to see who it was, I jerked my head up then down. The chair scraped out from under the table and I still did not look up. As long as this person didn't try anything funny (or interrupt my work), then they could sit there to their heart's content.
Reaching for my cappuccino, I grasped the handle and brought the cup to my mouth. The lukewarm liquid felt like heaven to my taste buds, even if it wasn't my usual drink. A bit sugary, but nonetheless delicious. As I drank, my eyes scanned over the document for any words spell check had missed. Finding that I hadn't typed 'their' instead of 'there', I set the cup down and went back to typing away.
"School work?" I barely registered my guest's voice, but when I did I gave him a quick nod. "I'm assuming it's last minute if the way you're typing is anything to go by."
"It is." I responded quickly. With this person talking, my mind began to drift away from my work. He sounded oddly familiar… No time to wonder. I needed to get this done before the shop closed in two hours.
"College can be hard at times." Just as he'd finished his sentence, my cell phone began to ring. Fishing it out of my bag with one hand as I tried my best to type with the other, I reluctantly drew my attention to the small black device.
"Can't talk. Busy." I said into the receiver.
"Emma! I've called you, like, five times now! Where are you?" My sister shouted into the phone.
"I'm at a coffee shop writing an essay. The internet at home is offline. Anyway, talk to you later. Love you, bye." Before she could respond, I snapped the phone shut and dumped it back into my bag. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn't have time to waste, so I set back to work immediately.
I relaxed as I typed the last word, slouching in my seat while I let out a sigh of relief. I rubbed my eyes tiredly before saving the document to the hard drive and to a flash drive. I'd learned the hard way that it was better if you backed up your data. Finally finished, I looked up to properly greet my guest.
"M-Mr. Edelstein!" I exclaimed, cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. "Sorry for being so rude earlier! I was busy a-and didn't know it was you!"
"Please, don't worry about it." He assured me. His elbows rested on the table, his mug hiding the lower portion of his face. He looked…inviting. My cheeks turned even redder as I realized my own thoughts. He was my boss! "It showed me how hard you work."
"Y-Yes. R-Right." I stuttered in agreement. Why was it he made me so nervous?
"May I see what you were working on?"
"It's just a boring essay for my English class." I told him even as I turned the screen towards him. "It's not that good, either." I kept my eyes averted to keep any indecent thoughts from my mind. Instead, I focused on what was left of the frothed milk. Not much considering the drink had cooled by now.
"I think it's very good." He declared. "Your professor should be proud to have a student like you."
"Th-Thanks Mr. Edelstein." I chanced a glance in his direction, finding his violet eyes focused on me. Had he even looked at the essay? No time to think about it; my phone was ringing again. "Sorry, but I have to answer this." I told him moments before pressing the talk button.
"Emma Pasello! You did not just hang up on me!" I'm sure Mr. Edelstein could hear my sister's screams. "You better get home right now or I'm throwing out your supper!"
"Amber, don't do that!" I begged. "I'll come home as soon as I can, okay? I'm sorry for hanging up on you; I was busy and wanted to finish my essay before the shop closed." I heard her sigh on the other end.
"Alright, alright. I won't throw away your food." I smiled slightly at her exasperated voice. "Leave a note next time, alright? I was worried you'd been kidnapped."
"No one's going to kidnap me." I scoffed as I rolled my eyes. "I can take care of myself, you know."
"Says the one living with her sister." She grumbled.
"Hey! That's only because it's closer to my college. Besides, mom and dad gave the house to both of us." I could almost see her rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah; just excuses. Come home soon, you got that? Otherwise I'll go looking for you."
"I will. I promise." Really, she worries far too much. "I love you, sis. See you when I get home."
"Love you, too, Emma." I shook my head as I hung up the phone, stuffing it back into my bag.
"I'm sorry Mr. Edelstein, but I have to get home now." I told the brunette as I packed away my laptop. "It was really nice talking to you." Considering we never talk. "I'll see you tomorrow when I come in to work."
"It's no problem." He said as he set down his cup. "I should be leaving, too." There was an awkward pause (for me, anyway) before he said, "I'll see you tomorrow." Then he walked off. I slung my bag over my shoulder and set off for home, pondering over the event that had just transpired. I wasn't sure what to make of it. Why had Mr. Edelstein been in that coffee shop to begin with? Why had he wanted to sit with me? He could have picked anyplace, yet he chose to share a table with me. Did it mean something or was I reading too much into the situation? Most likely the latter.
For now, however, my concentration was focused on getting home before my sister came to look for me. I knew she'd be even angrier if she had to do that, not to mention my supper would be cold by then. I would just push all thoughts aside for another day.