Back at the café...
The waitress opened the glass doors leading outside. Even though I'd already seen it when we arrived, standing here felt completely different.
It was a huge open terrace that seemed to stretch toward the sea itself. Rounded, bed-like sofas were scattered across the space, each one carefully positioned to face the endless blue ocean and the wide open sky, like every seat had the best view in the world.
The afternoon sun rested warmly on my skin. Not the kind that made you want to hide in the shade, but the kind that filled you with energy and made you want to stay outside forever.
We started walking toward the sofa reserved for us. The smooth wooden deck only went so far before ending at a series of shallow crystal-clear pools that reflected the sky like mirrors. Each sofa sat in the middle of its own little oasis, connected by neat stepping stones that floated just above the water.
"Whoa..."
I slowed down without meaning to.
It felt less like walking into a café...
And more like stepping into one of those luxury resorts people only posted about online.
I carefully hopped from one stone to the next, trying not to lose my balance while tiny ripples spread across the water with every step. The breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, gently tossing my hair behind me.
"This place is amazing."
"Please have a seat. We'll bring your tea shortly."
"Thank you!"
I slipped off my shoes and happily hopped across the stepping stones.
Hop.
Hop.
Hop.
Made it!
I flopped onto the oversized sofa.
It was huge!
I leaned back with both feet tucked comfortably beside me.
Perfect view.
Perfect weather.
Perfect—
Rustle.
Ice was already sitting beside me.
Right beside me.
His left arm lightly brushed mine.
I hoped he didn't notice me flinch.
"Isn't it pretty?"
I laughed awkwardly and stretched both arms toward the sky.
The wind played with my hair, and I tucked a few loose strands behind my ear before glancing at him.
"It is pretty."
He answered so naturally...
Smiling.
Leaning comfortably against the sofa.
Looking...
At me.
Eh?
My brain stopped working.
No, no!
He obviously meant the ocean behind me! Don't imagine things, Fire!
It is pretty. His voice replayed inside my head without permission.
Emergency.
Look anywhere except him.
Then—
Click.
Click.
Click.
Keyboard sounds? I turned.
"What are you doing?" I scooted closer."We're supposed to enjoy the view."
He glanced at me.
"We are." Death Glare +14. "Making the project." Ice stressed that part really hard that it engraved to my ears.
My heart is officially filing a complaint. Is he playing with my heart?
A few minutes later. . .
The tea finally arrived.
A small wooden table sat between us on the oversized sofa, holding a three-tier stand filled with miniature pastries, colorful macarons, tiny cakes, and delicate finger sandwiches. Beside it rested two transparent glass teapots, each steeping a different blend. Thin wisps of steam curled into the sea breeze, carrying a warm floral scent that made my stomach instantly growl.
My eyes sparkled.
Treasure.
I leaned forward so quickly that the little table wobbled.
"Careful," Ice said.
I froze.
Only then did I realize the table was resting directly on the sofa with us, so every movement made it sway.
"Oops! Sorry!"
I straightened immediately, moving as carefully as possible this time. There was no way I was letting this beautiful tower of desserts become today's tragedy.
"Let me serve the tea." I smiled proudly.
Time to show off my afternoon tea etiquette.
I carefully picked up the glass teapot containing Ice's green tea and slowly poured it into his cup, making sure not to spill a single drop. Then I poured my own tea into the second cup.
Perfect.
I slid his cup toward him with a satisfied nod.
Holding my own cup, I looked at him with the universal "drink together" signal.
Thankfully, he got the message.
Ice sighed almost imperceptibly before lifting his cup and sip almost at the same time.
"Wow!" I gasped. "That's really good!"
The tea was light, fragrant, and just a little sweet. Somehow, with the ocean breeze brushing against my face, it tasted even better.
I looked at Ice, waiting for his opinion.
Nothing.
I stared at him, intensely until he realized that I was waiting for his comment.
"It's good."
That was it? I stared at him in disbelief. I gave a full emotional review.
He gave me two words.
"I want to try yours." I proclaimed.
Ice leaned back slightly, like he'd already predicted what I was about to do.
"I just want one sip," I insisted. "Your reaction is making me curious." He looks like an iceberg, not gonna get swayed anytime soon.
"I'll pour some from the teapot." I suggested.
"You'll mix the flavors." He calmly moved the teapot farther away.
Gatekeeper.
Pouting, I slowly pushed my own cup toward him.
"Then... exchangie?"
The moment the word left my mouth, I regretted it.
Wait.
Why did I say that?
I quickly reached to pull my cup back. Too late.
Ice had already picked it up. He took a sip as naturally as if nothing was strange about it.
Then he set my cup down, picked up his own, and placed it in front of me.
Then commented. "It's good, black tea with peach flavor."
His expression? blank and normal, voided. The opposite, meeeee!
My brain stopped.
The tea...
Wasn't peach flavored.
My lip gloss was.
Heat rushed straight to my face.
The afternoon sun suddenly felt twice as hot, or maybe it wasn't the sun at all. The sound of the waves blurred into the pounding inside my chest, each heartbeat louder than the last.
Ice's green tea was now sitting quietly in front of me.
He had already drunk from mine.
Now...
Was I supposed to drink from his?
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
Next:
I only wanted to finish one episode... but somehow my phone got confiscated by a certain heartless Iceberg. This trip is becoming dangerous... for my heart.