Chapter 20 : The Coffee

| The Coffee | How would I know that he will take the courting seriously? He said he will court me in private. That no one will know or notice. I don't know if I will believe him, but how would I know if he's sincere if I won't let him? Another day had passed, and it seems like he's doing nothing. Well, he's absent yesterday and the other day. I know he's busy, and I won't let myself be the one who makes a move even if I want to and misses him—yes, I miss him. Until the time when I accepted my feelings, it seems like my day is not complete if I don't see him. Weird as it sounds but it is how I feel. Monday morning, Reina told me that Linus sees her at the north wing, and he asked for my number. Knowing Reina, of course, she gave it. And now, I'm like a fool waiting for a text or call. I don't usually use my phone not unless it was my parents or Reina—when she can't find me. But now, another change happens. I don't know how long I've been staring at the screen on my phone. I heaved a deep sigh and Nena seems to notice it. "Something's bothering you?" she asked as she closes her book. I shook my head and started to fix my things. "I already miss Tix and Evette. When will they get back here?" I asked to change the topic. She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. They said, they will be hereafter a week or two," she answered. Trix and Evette went abroad to represent the school in the fashion show. As their parents were a part of a clothing line, they were obliged to walk on a ramp and execute the exhibit. They're popular, that's why when they were with us, they don't stay longer. Because they knew that Nena and I don't want too much attention. I don't like when they found out that I'm just a scholar, a commoner. Well, I also deserve respect, and I know rich people—they are good at judging, not all but almost. After our last subject, Nena and I part ways. I'm going to my work, while she just stays in her dorm or tries to pester her uncle—the one who believes that the chamber of the palace in Denmark is real. I was surprised when I saw Linus wiping the table near the karaoke machine. It seems like he sensed that someone is coming as the chime rings. He then lifts his head and stopped wiping. He then smiled at me. I immediately divert my gaze and look around if someone might see that, but I sigh in relief when there's none. I bite my lower lip to hold myself not to smiling. I know he is charming but I'm not ab easy to get—well, I may sound exaggerated, but I'm not. I go beyond him and walk straight to the counter. I put my hair in a bun and wear my hairnet. Kara is not here yet, so I will be working at the counter by myself. Mrs. Dory is still out of the country. I remember, Kara told me the other day that they will be working on some research paper in their Ethic subject. I'm putting brown napkins on the spoons when someone puts a cup of my favorite coffee beside me. I slowly lifted my face. "Hi," he greeted. I don't know, but I think I'm blushing because I feel my cheeks turn warm. And where did he get the coffee? Never mind. I just nod my head and get back to what I'm doing. "A coffee for a gorgeous, lady," he said that almost makes me choke my breath. "Will you please stay away?" I asked, whispering and looking at the customers. "They will see us," I added. He just winked at me and walk away. I shook my head and pinched my cheeks. God, he is unbelievable. After an hour, Kara accompanies me and thank God that Linus seems to follow what I just said earlier. I don't want that Kara will find out about the courtship—Reina was enough. If ever she finds out, then I can't do anything about it. But in the meantime, it's good that she doesn't know anything about it. When my duty was almost done, I gave the key to Kara, because she said that she will be staying for a while, since there were some customers left inside. While Linus… well he went home earlier than my usual end shift. Nena told me that he's in training. He fights on Friday. Knowing Nena, she's a fan of underground fighting. Of course, she will always be updated about it. She is asking me also if I want to come and watch my crush—like how she knew that I had a crush on him? Am I too obvious? I sighed as I started to walk on the street. Another day has come to end. Time flies so fast. Yesterday we're just struggling about how we started a life in college and now we're enjoying it, and lots of things happened. I know he's sincere that he likes me, it was just that I'm afraid. He chooses courtship over dating. He wants to pursue me. And by that, I already accepted his feelings, but I want to experience what true courtship means. How do guys give a flower to a girl? How does it feel like when you both were texting each other or calling each other? Those typical courtship ways. Hmm… why don't I invite him to visit my hometown? If he agrees, he is sincere, and I will not doubt it anymore. But if he said no, then I may stop this courting thing. You will know a guy if he's sincere with you when he wants to meet your parents. But how will he be interested when he can't text me or what. I know I'm exaggerating things but no one can't blame me, this happens to me for the first time. And I'm just relying on my feelings sometimes to google. Yes, I'm searching to google, and it almost gives me anxiety, thus I will never ask to google about my feelings again. He dares to say that he will court me, but he's nowhere to be found? Like what is that type of courting? Does it consider courting? I mumbled as I kicked the small stone using my white sneakers. "You want it private and now you're mumbling that?" I gasped when I hear his voice and immediately shifted my gaze to the right. He was leaning on the wall and he's in the dark. I barely see his face but I'm familiar with his voice. "Like what are you doing there? You almost scared me to death," I said as I tap my chest. He moved and walked out to the darkness; his silhouette twinned on the trees. "I'm waiting for you, and you always pass here, so I waited for you. And this is the only place that was not lit up by those lampposts," he said. "Don't do that again. What if you're some sort of addict, rapist or what?" "Hey, of course, I won't let something happen to you. I'll protect you, promise," he said, and I think I blushed and those butterflies on my stomach started to crumble. I just rolled my eyes even if he doesn't see it and continued to walk again. I was about to cross when he took a grip on my left hand. "Wait." I immediately take back my head. "Geez, what if someone will see that." "Sorry. I just want to say goodnight and see you tomorrow, Becca," he said and jogged away as he planted a soft kiss on my left cheek and leave me astounded.