Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 12, 2016 23:32:01 GMT
//
Ayla had managed to keep her move to New York mostly a secret up to now, and she was very proud of that fact. She hadn’t even told her own father that she was on the East Coast yet, which made for some pretty terrible late-night phone calls from him checking up on her and her having to pretend she was at dinner with a friend. The time difference was still an adjustment, and it was hard keeping track of what lies she had told who. It would be easier to remember if her sleep wasn’t so often interrupted.
It was a busy day, and she was exhausted from all of the meetings. Surprisingly it took a lot out of a girl to sit at the head of a very long table and have to listen to a bunch of people fuss over you, your appearance, and where your career was headed. One could only handle so much talk about themselves; it always amazed her how much it affected her self-esteem. It was enough to make the most confident of women question themselves.
So tonight was going to be about her; it was decided. She was going to grab a caffeinated beverage in order to stay up past 11 o’clock, and she was going to drink wine and watch trashy television in her pyjamas with her hair in a bun. Amazingly, this excited her more than any red carpet event ever could.
Her meeting with her agent and the higher-ups of USBC had been a success, and it was the last one of the day. She had a slight skip to her step as she hopped out of the elevator, but slowed as the smell of coffee hit her. Charging ahead, she followed her nose around a corner, and charged through the cafe door without even glancing up at the name of it. All she knew was that it was busy so it must be good, and she needed the caffeine like, now.
Standing in line, she pulled out her cell phone and checked all the popular social media sites, just as most people waiting in the line around her were doing as well. She mechanically stepped forward with the line, too, totally unaware of her surroundings until something made her glance up.
Eric was standing there, behind the cash, preparing someone’s drink. Eric. The Eric. Her Eric. She glanced around wildly, looking for the name of the coffee shop in confusion, and when she saw it she groaned inwardly. How could she forget that he ran this place? How stupid was she? It wasn’t like she was trying to hide the fact that she was living there now from him… it was just that she didn’t tell him. There was a clear difference. Wasn’t there?
As she stood awkwardly, battling internally about what it was she wanted to do - to run away or to talk to him - she let a few people pass her in the line-up. They smiled at her gratefully, and she nodded in acknowledgment. It was only a few minutes before she came to a decision, and she felt pretty confident in it.
She turned quickly on her heel to leave, but then at the very last second turned back around. It appeared she wasn’t so confident in her decision after all.
Somehow, she found herself at the ordering station, just feet away from the guy who she considered a brother and yet had definitely not treated like one the past year.
“I’ll have a double-rum and coke, please,” she said, hoping her awkward attempt at a joke would break the ice.
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2016 1:15:32 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
It was yet another busy night at the café and Eric was beginning to feel a little tired. It wasn’t because the job was particularly stressful since he’d been doing the same job for years. Running his own business was exciting yet challenging, just what he had wanted when he decided to move to New York . Clocking in a boring nine to five job just wasn’t his thing. He had been there and done that and quite frankly being his own boss was quite nice. He could choose his own hours and definitely did, slacking off once in awhile. Everyone needed a breather. He was busy at the coffee machine, preparing a decaf latte when he heard the jingle of the door opening. He glanced at the clock, noting that closing was only half an hour away. Eric handed the latte to the customer, flashing his signature smile. He was getting tired of smiling for eight hours straight, probably the only part of the job he really didn’t like. Cleaning off the counter before him he would greet the next customer without so much as lifting his head. “I’ll have a double-rum and coke, please,” he was about to snap at the obvious joke when he recognized the voice. But it couldn’t be, he thought to himself. Eric was thinking of Ayla, a young girl a few years his junior whom he had met while traveling some years back. But she shouldn’t be in New York of all places. He lifted his head and was met face to face with the girl, realizing that his initial assumption was indeed correct. He smiled at her, more genuine than he had ever smiled since starting the job and turned back to the coffee machine. As the machine hummed its usual tune, he took out a slice of apple pie from the glass shelf on the left, putting it into the oven toaster. He had many questions he wanted to ask her, but more importantly wanted to catch up. It had been a while since he saw her and every time he saw her he couldn’t help but feel happy. Ayla had that affect on people. He could never possibly feel down when talking to her and she was probably the few people he actually talked to. The chime of the toaster sounded, signalling that the apple pie was warmed. Perfect timing. Putting the pie on a plate, he finished preparing a cup of hot chocolate. Sweet on sweet, just the right snack for a young girl like her. “No alcohol for you.” He gave her a little wink “This one’s on me. The shop closes in 20 minutes. Can you hang around til then?”
▲ WORDS ● TAGGED: AYLA RIVERA ● NOTES: Thanks for making the thread
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 15, 2016 1:51:44 GMT
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 2:13:11 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
Eric let out a small chuckle as he heard Ayla’s reply. The girl hadn’t changed one bit and that was exactly what he liked about her. He loved how she was always like the sun, shining rays of happiness and smiles which was very much different from him. Their polar opposites made them closer ironically. Even though they hadn’t seen each other in years, the young shop owner had never stopped thinking about her. He had wondered how life was treating her, whether she was happy living with her parents. So this little reunion actually made him really happy. He gave her a smile as she winked at him, bowing his head as she raised her glass as if to toast him. Eric looked at the clock and let out a little sigh. Almost time to close…and about time. He didn’t mind that the shop was busy. He also didn’t mind that he had to clock in almost sixteen hours a day here. But he wanted to take a break so badly, to forget the fact that she wanted to please his customers and just be selfish for once in his life. Yet he knew he had no such luxury from the moment he decided to take up the shop. In realizing his dream of owning his own coffee shop he knew he had to sacrifice everything else in his life. The sacrifices were quite huge though since he barely had time to do anything nowadays. He longed to go traveling even if it was only for a short amount of time. He simply wanted a change of scenery. The customers began to slowly trickle out of the shop, leaving their finished cups and plates on the table for him to clean up. To cut costs he had stopped hiring part time workers and quite frankly didn’t trust them to be of any help since most of the ones who came to work for him were high school or college students. They had no work ethic and would often break things or arrive to work late. Things that he, as a perfectionist, just couldn’t tolerate. In a matter of minutes the last of the customers got up from their seats to go home, some of the girls stopping to give him a little wave or smile before going. He returned with a small bow, thanking them silently. He would proceed to close the shop, locking the entrance doors and clearing the tables. He had lots of work to do still. Cleaning the machines, preparing the ingredients and coffee beans for the next day, washing the dishes, wiping the tables and mopping the floor. This usual routine took around two hours. He began to wipe down the tables, glancing at Ayla from time to time as she ate her food. Eric couldn’t help but smile as he watched, trying really hard to hide his affections for her. “So fill me in, girl.” He would say to her as he went around with his usual cleaning. For some reason today he felt less tired. Usually he would dread doing the cleaning up after a long day of work. But Ayla was here…and everything just seemed to be a little better. ▲ 538 WORDS ● TAGGED: AYLA RIVERA ● NOTES: Really like your writing style!
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 16, 2016 1:06:53 GMT
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 4:12:38 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
Eric stole a few glances at the girl from time to time as he continued to clean up after yet another busy day of work. Normally he hated the loneliness that was especially prominent when he was the only one left in the shop. There were times when he really longed for silence and other times when he wished someone would be there. It wasn’t that he longed for someone to talk to, but just another person’s presence other than his own. A lifelong problem for a lonely bachelor. He hated admitting it but sometimes he really wanted to find himself a girlfriend, someone to share joys and pains with. That wasn’t going to happen any time soon though, especially for a shy guy like him. He would attempt to stop Ayla from helping him clean up even though he knew that she would do it nonetheless. She helped him clear the left over plates and mugs on the tables as he prepared to wash them. For some reason the time seemed to pass rather enjoyably whenever he was with Ayla. The girl simply had that effect on people. Eric turned the tap on from the sink, his position overlooking the main café space which Ayla was sitting. He liked being able to watch where all the motion was, rather than being holed away in the kitchen all the time. He decided at that moment to not wash the dishes by hand today, to leave it up to the dishwasher located beside the sink. He didn’t want to waste his time with the plates and cup, at least not today. Rinsing only the surface, he began to put the plates, cups, forks and other utensils into the dishwasher. It had been months since he last used it, preferring to do everything by hand. He liked to feel the surface of the dishes he washed to see if they were thoroughly clean. A perfectionist, in every respect. He would multitask, listening to the young girl talk and clean up at the same time. Eric was pretty good at multitasking, one of the many traits he had learned and perfected here in New York. He listened and smiled, happy to know that Ayla had left that bastard of a boyfriend behind. He honestly didn’t like the guy, from the moment he laid eyes on him. But at the time she had been dating the guy. There were numerous occasions when he wanted to say something to her, to tell her to think twice but felt that he was in no position to. It made him happy that she had finally come to her senses. But then again, she had been young at the time…although she was still young in his eyes. He finished putting the plates in the dishwasher, setting a cleaning gel into it and pushed the start button. For the next hour or so the machine would run its own course, letting out a low humming sound. Eric wiped his hands on the kitchen towel, relieved that the clean up was finished. He took out two mugs and poured them both cups of water and emerged from behind the counter. By now he noticed how much Ayla had grown, into such a beautiful young woman. She was pretty back then when they first met, but the beauty hinted a little bit of innocence and purity that came with being a child. But the girl had grown into being a fine woman and he found himself once more attracted to that girl whom he had bid farewell some years back. He couldn’t help the feeling even though he knew it shouldn’t be pursued. And even if it could be he was too shy to pursue it. His heart skipped a beat as she mentioned a hug, knowing that if it was Ayla she would make sure that she got that hug from him. To be honest, she was the first girl he ever hugged, a fact that he kept well-hidden from everyone around him. It was not exactly a proud thing to parade around about and especially at his age. The coffee prince blushed a little, looking to the ground as he responded to her. ”Haha, it isn’t as successful as you think. I left my parents a couple of years ago to pursue my dream. As you know, it’s to own a coffee shop.” he still averted her gaze, sitting down at a table, twirling the cup in his hands nervously as he spoke. God he was hopeless… ▲
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 17, 2016 1:28:14 GMT
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 2:26:51 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
Eric was still playing with the cup in his hands, trying desperately to avoid her gaze. He was afraid, to be honest, that if he looked at her long enough he'd break that image of a nice, gentle, caring older brother he had so well crafted for her when they first met. Indeed back then he had thought of nothing more than that, with her being a mere teenager and him just starting out his life as an adult. More so he had been unsure of himself back then, having lived most of his life sheltered in the hands of at least one person. Eric only had the mind for wanting happiness and freedom that he didn't care much for relationships. And Ayla was just a child to him at the time. But the girl before him now had grown to be such a woman, her femininity more prominent than before. It could also be that girls often changed when apart from family, and most girls were trying things out like makeup and stuff at a young age. The concept of being pretty or wanting to be more pretty escalated with the passing of time. But Ayla's beauty was something else. Underneath the emmaculate makeup, her personality itself was beautiful. She was neither too grown up or too childish, one of the few reasons why he liked her. Most girls nowadays were either getting to ahead of themselves or trying to be cute. But Ayla was neither and he was thankful. His dark brown eyes shifted finally from the table to her face, still avoiding eye contact as he listened to her. He smiled at her compliment, again trying to be humble yet failing. Her compliments were worth so much more than any other. "I try really hard. Sometimes it's hard running this place by myself." he admitted to her truthfully. It was true; being an ordinary office worker and a cafe owner were miles apart. But he had managed to establish a name for himself here in New York, something that many young entrepreneurs longed and dreamed to do. In some ways he was living his dream. "Maybe you can come and help me" he said half jokingly. It would mean being able to spend more time with her, and he certainly would trust her more than the other people just off the streets. And boy did he need some help around here. By now Ayla had moved to sit opposite from him. His heart beat against his chest and his face flushed a little more colour. Just having her sit so close to him made him lose his mind. It was rather funny how just a couple of years and he would become so infatuated with her. “I’ve missed you, you know,” he would hear her say, his eyes briefly moving to her face as she continued. He watched as she spoke. She had had it rough it seemed. It broke his heart of the inside as he knew her life must have been difficult. "You're here now and that's all that matters." he said softly. Eric only needed to know she was doing well. Or did he? ▲
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 18, 2016 20:15:09 GMT
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 22:37:48 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
Eric's eyes lit up as well at her almost immediate agreement to helping him out. He really needed the help, he had to admit. His pride often got in the way of things and there were times when he would kick himself for his constant refusal of help from the people around him. Truth is, he didn't want people to see him weak and asking for help to him was a sign of being weak. But somehow with Ayla he could speak him mind though masked in a half joke. He wondered if he could finalize a contract for her then and there. It would make life easier for him and he could give her a little extra for living expenses...and they could see each other more. Hitting three birds with one stone. "You're too kind to me, Eric. I don't deserve it." he would hold a hand up in protest shaking his head. He often felt that a lot of people took advantage of the kindness he showed but Ayla was different. For one, he was genuinely kind to her and really wanted to be. It was neither forced nor an act, genuinely wanting to show his kindness to her whenever he was around her. "I promised to always take care of you. I don't give empty promises." He smiled at her but kicked himself right after he said this, knowing that half of it was because he liked her as more than a little sister. But he wouldn't and couldn't bring himself to tell her that. It was then that he felt a soft kick in his leg underneath the table. His smile widened to a grin as he knew that was her way of playing a game with him. He would try his best to avoid, while staying put in his chair. If people didn't know they'd think he had a bad case of the squirm. He was almost too preoccupied to notice her next question but had managed to catch the last part of it. He liked this game even though it was quite childish. Eric had to admit that there was still some childish innocence left in both of them, which was a good thing. "What love life? You know me..." he said a little too nonchalantly. His eyes held a certain sadness as he stopped squirming, picking up his cup once more. He noticed that both their cups were empty and got up to refill them, taking his gaze off hers so that she wouldn't have to see the sad expression that followed. He secretly wondered if love will ever come to him. And not just a fling. But true love. Or was he a lost cause? ▲
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 20, 2016 2:21:26 GMT
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2016 7:38:10 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
Eric took a step back as she moved between him and the tap. Her movements were always swift and yet graceful in their own right. He knew what she said was true, in fact he never considered himself not handsome in the slightest. He believed that if he wasn't as shy as he was, he'd probably be one of those cocky arrogant guys, all full of his looks. He wasn't conceited but he wouldn't put himself down over any other guy...in the looks department. " You’re the best guy I know. One of my favourites, in fact.” he smiled, a sad smile at her words. It hurt him a little, knowing that he was only one of her favourites. He wanted to be her one and only. A selfish wish he could only keep inside. Eric couldn't bear to cross the line, especially with Ayla. She was just too pure and too much of a jewel for him. He couldn't risk losing a friend and a sister like her. He was a bit surprised as she put her hands on his shoulders, her gaze suddenly becoming very serious. He liked that about her; how she could be all smiles but yet very serious at the same time. People her age nowadays just didn't have that kind of maturity. He looked away from her, his heart pounding. Eric was always like this whenever they had any form of physical contact, like his heart was going to explode. "I'm just...not interested in them..." he stammered softly. Indeed there were many girls who would die to date a guy like him. He was handsome, polite abd overall just a gentleman. There was simply no reason to not like him. And he knew Ayla was right. If he could and would just give other people a chance he knew he'd find someone. But it wasn't that. It definitely wasn't. He couldn't possibly tell her that it was because of her that he was this way. He would think for a moment and continue "my heart is set on someone. Someone I can't have." that was as far as he would let himself say. Eric took a hold on her right arm with his left hand, gently pulling her grasp away from his shoulder so that he could get to the glasses which were now on the table. He decided against water and simply wanted to change the subject now. The coffee shop had become a little hot, though he wasn't sure if that wasn't just him feeling considerably heated whenever he was around her. He would start to walk in the direction of the coffee machines. "Want a coffee?" he tried to keep his voice nonchalant. ▲
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 21, 2016 1:28:56 GMT
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2016 4:22:03 GMT
| WELCOME TO A JOURNEY IN COFFEE HEAVEN | |
“Who can't you have?" came the question he had dreaded she would ask. He knew very well that she was fast enough to catch him if he wanted to run away. He also knew that she wasn’t going to let it rest until he had given her a satisfactory answer. The truth was, he simply didn’t know what to say. If he said too much he would give it away and ruin everything but if he didn’t say anything at all, she wouldn’t let the matter rest. Eric bit his bottom lip and stopped mid-stride, his back still to her as he said slowly. “Someone I met many years ago. Back then we were both young…” he hoped and prayed that it was enough for her. "Where did you meet her?" It wasn’t enough. Eric now turned to face her, his eyes resting on her lips as he couldn’t look at her in the eye. He heaved a small sigh and smiled sadly. Should he give it away? Should he not? He battled with him on the inside, choosing his words carefully as he offered her his own question. “Do you really want to know?” His words came out softly, ever so softly and his eyes were serious as he asked her. It was then that he finally met her gaze, showing her that he was serious in his question. What if she says yes? He thought to himself. And then what? He kicked himself for being rash, for not thinking it over more before asking. If she said yes, then he’d have to give it away even if he didn’t mean to. Eric would then turn around once more to head to the espresso machine. He really needed the coffee. The young man took two cups from the cupboard and started making a black coffee for himself and a latte for Ayla. He hoped that this little diversion would give her the chance to think over his question. His hands shook a little, which had never happened to him before in the years he had made coffee. His nervousness got the better of him and a cup slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor before him. He was really not himself today. Eric briskly picked up the shards of glass with his hands, all the while hoping that the conversation would end at that. But he knew her better than that. Once something interested her, she wouldn’t let it drop until she knew every little detail. A shard of glass cut his hand at that point, creating a cut on his hand. Although painful, he ignored it, picking up the rest of the shards and putting them in the trash before Ayla could get hurt from them. Blood trickled from his hand to the floor, creating a small blood trail. But his mind was too preoccupied to notice. ▲ [/quote]
|
|
Talent
|
Post by AYLA RIVERA on Dec 22, 2016 15:04:54 GMT
"Do you really want to know?"
|
|