Francesca

I owned a small coffee shop in Bronx New York. I called it “Fancy Cups” and literally all the cups in my shop were fancy. Some had diamond studs on them, others had puzzles and crazy mosaics but I dare not to put glitter on any of the cups.

It was a small shop that I opened after attending business school and seeking capital. I was lucky when a notorious rich family who owns a few businesses offered me capital to set up my coffee shop, even after multiple times of being rejected. I feel grateful to the family who helped me start my dream shop.

And not too far from here I have my small but cozy apartment and working in my shop were my two best friends, Angela and Stephen.

Angela is my best friend since day care. Although my parents told me that she was bad influence still I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She’s a party girl and loves to be in the spotlight and she’s also obsessed with good looking men and she wasn’t too bad with them either.

Angela and I met Stephen in freshmen high, and god knows we wouldn’t have survived high school without him. Stephen was good looking but sadly to Angela he played on the same team as us. When Angela would spot a handsome guy Stephen would call dibs. It was a never ending madness with those two.

“Tonight, here at nine. What do you say?”

I looked up to Angela from reading my book. “Excuse me?” I asked her. She rolled her eyes and said “I have this friend…” but I didn’t let her finish as I raised my hand to silence her, already knowing what she’s thinking. “I don’t want to hear it Angie. Last time you set me up with your so called “friend” he practically slammed a door in my face.” I told her.

She sighed “Fran! Not every guy can be a Mr. Darcy… You have to really stop looking for a Mr. Darcy in everyone or you’ll end up as a lonely cat lady.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” I pointed out, “I’m practically happy with all my fictional men.”

“But how long will that keep you happy?” Stephen asked as he was washing a few cups. “One day you’re going to have needs.” He added with a smirk which made me blush at him in embarrassment. Who needs physical touch when you got words of seduction? Never underestimate the seductive power of good vocabulary.

I scoffed at Stephen and said “I don’t have needs and will never need them.” At this point Angela is already on the floor laughing how I don’t need them. I only glared at Angela as Stephen smirked at the both of us.

Before our argument can go any further the bell at the entrance rang, signaling that we have customers. What I love about most about my coffee shop is that people would come and enjoy a cup of coffee and smile about it. I turned towards the entrance with a wide smile on my face.

“Welcom—” but I cut myself off as I realized who the customer was. Standing tall and intimidating is no other than Ciel. Every time he entered my shop the saying glaring daggers isn’t enough to express the pure hatred conveying through my eyes.

Sure, Ciel was extremely good looking. Not only is he intimidatingly tall but he’s also built. His muscles definitely showoff how strong he looks. He has dark raven hair tussled to the side of his face covering one of his sharp blue eyes. His pale skin only made the sharp features on his face even more handsome. He had a long face with a strong jaw and a roman nose. His plumped lips always pulled up into a grin when he entered Fancy cups.

Everything about him screamed dangerous. I’m not one to get scared easily but my hormones sure do get carried away sometimes.

Too bad such good looks were put to waste for he was nothing but a nuisance. I can always feel a vein on my forehead throbbing from his mere presence. Ever since we opened Fancy cups he’s been coming here to get coffee and ever since then he’s been teasing me.

“Good evening Habanero,” he greeted as his gaze was on me. I gritted my teeth at the nickname he’s always given me. I was a natural red head and not to mention I lose my temper every time he’s near.

“What do you want Ciel?” I spat out.

“My, my, my. Is that how you greet your regular customers nowadays?” he asked teasingly. I was only 25-years-old and if I start showing wrinkles at a young age then the reason would be the person smirking right at me.

Angela and Stephen only scowled at Ciel’s presence knowing that not only does he irk me but his constant teasing and harassing is simply not good for my health.

Unfortunately, Ciel’s my first kiss. He stole my first kiss, and for that I’ll never forgive him. It was the opening day of Fancy cups and I was greeting everyone who came that day, he just happened to be one. It was going great and everybody was either enjoying their order as they talk happily with their company, but off in the corner sat Ciel.

He was the only customer who was alone. I decided to go over and talk to him and maybe ask what he thought of the shop. Once I asked him “Is there anything else I can help with you?” a grin started growing on his face. He instantly started flirting with me and at first I was flustered because who wouldn’t be madly blushing when a good looking guy starts flirting.

Angela decided that it was a good idea to push me right as Ciel was about to stand. Making my lips collide with his. Ciel and I were frozen in that moment as we stared at each other with wide eyes. Ciel smirked into the kiss as his arms started wrapping around my waist.

I did the only thing that was normal to do, I slapped him.

“Lucky for you, you’re my regular customer or else I’d have you hung from the ceiling fan,” I murmured angrily to myself which only got a chuckle out of him.

“I would have my usual,” his disgusting velvet voice rang through the shop and I hated how it gave me the chills. Instead of striking another argument with Ciel like we usually do, I’ve decided to ignore him completely. I sat in a chair that stood in the corner of the shop.

I continued reading my book ignoring the annoying man in my shop. Somehow I expected him not to ignore me. There’s a reason why I call him annoying and nobody should take that word lightly. He had both of his hands leaning on the wall behind me as he stared intently on me.

I felt his body heat but I refused to look up from my book. I ended up reading the same sentence three times. His closeness makes me want to fidget in my seat but this wasn’t unusual. He always enjoyed seeing me squirm when he gets too close.

“When are you going to stop focusing on that fictional junk and start focusing on something more worthwhile?” he asked and I could smell his coffee scented breath. I slammed my book shut knowing that I won’t get any reading done with him near.

“I can’t imagine anything more worthwhile than Mr. Darcy.” I said as I grinned and looked up to him. I wasn’t afraid to back down from our stare that’s until Angela saved me by saying “Your usual is ready Ciel,” she spat out his name.

Ciel grinned even more like we had our own secret grinning contest. His finger then trailed from the side of my face to my jaw and whispered huskily “Until next time my little Habanero.” I couldn’t help but blush. You can’t really blame me, a handsome guy just flirted with me.

Too bad he’s an irksome jerk.

I opened my book and started reading once again. But as I found myself reading the same sentence again, I sighed and glared at Ciel who was paying Angela for his order. This is all his fault.

He casually walked towards the door with his takeout coffee and said “See you around Habanero.” As he winked at me.

Once the bell rung signaling that he’s finally gone a silence sat between the three of us. I knew they were waiting for it to happen. The image of my wet dream appeared in my mind which only frustrated me.

I felt the vein on my forehead throb painfully that I couldn’t take it. I grabbed a small wooden chair and threw it across the room as I gave out a frustrated shout.

He truly irks me.