I'd heard about a new café that had opened near the building where I bought my unit.
That was good news—Starbucks was too far for a quick study session, and sometimes I just needed a change of scenery. Staying in the condo all day made it too easy to spiral into my thoughts.
The café was quaint and quiet, tucked away on the second floor with a wide veranda overlooking the street.
I carried my heavy Auditing book and my tote bag up the stairs. The air felt lighter up here—less city, more calm. I picked a table tucked into the far corner of the veranda. Not too visible. Fewer distractions. I had a lot to do.
After placing my order, I dropped my bag on the table and opened my laptop. It was the weekend, but our professors wasted no time—we already had assignments due Monday.
I was in charge of making the PowerPoint for our group's reporting task. Yashina and Mia were in my group; Susmita, Jhay, and Jersey made up the other one. I glanced around while waiting for my drink.
The café had this effortlessly cozy vibe—plants spilling from their pots, fairy lights strung above the railing, and a swing set off to one side near the edge of the veranda. The kind of place you could stay in for hours without realizing it.
I was about to refocus on my screen when someone started climbing the stairs. From where I was sitting, I had a clear view.
At first, I couldn't tell who it was—just a silhouette against the sun. But as the figure got closer, my heart dropped. I squinted. Then froze.
You have got to be kidding me. Of all people?
It felt like the universe was running one long, drawn-out joke on me. What was this—fate? Karma? A glitch in the matrix?
He walked straight toward me, steps sure and unbothered, like this was nothing.
My lips parted, stunned. I couldn't look away—until he stopped at my table.
"Your order, Miss," he said casually, placing a tray in front of me like he hadn't just sent my brain into a tailspin.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked to another table. Apparently, that order wasn't even mine.
I blinked, still stunned. My heart was racing—and for what?
I watched as he moved through the café like he had no idea about the chaos he left behind. Or maybe he did, and just didn't care.
The women around him definitely noticed. The way they turned their heads, whispering, practically salivating—it was like they'd snap their necks for a better look.
He stopped by a table and talked to one of them. She twirled her hair and leaned forward just a little too much.
I looked away, suddenly irritated. Of course they're into him. Of course.
I forced my eyes back to my laptop, willing myself to focus on the report. Yashina was going to kill me if I missed our deadline.
Focus, Mace. Focus.
I adjusted the font on the PowerPoint slide for the fifth time, but the words were starting to blur. Then—like the universe refused to give me peace—I sensed someone approaching again. I glanced up, trying to play it cool.
Syron.
I snapped my gaze back to my laptop, pretending to be deeply invested in our SWOT analysis.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something odd—he was holding a folded blanket. My brows furrowed. He paused by my table, looking at the number.
Maybe he got the wrong one again? But... he didn't leave. I peeked up just as he looked directly at me.
Do I have something on my face?
"What's your—?"
He cut me off without a word and handed me the blanket. I stared, confused.
"What's this for?"
No answer. Instead, he gently took the blanket back and draped it over my legs himself.
My entire body stiffened. The heat rushed to my face—instant, hot, unforgiving. I stared up at him, wide-eyed, barely breathing.
He looked at me, calm and unreadable—but with something else. A hint of a smirk, subtle and fleeting, tugged at the corner of his lips. Like he knew exactly what he was doing. Like he enjoyed it.
"Much better," he said.
And just like that, he turned and walked away. Leaving me speechless, flustered, and fighting the stupid smile threatening to creep onto my face.
I grabbed my phone and opened our group chat.
GROUP CHAT: "Accounting Babes 💸🔥"
MACE:
Guys. Important question. What does it mean when a guy brings you a blanket??
MIA:
WAIT WHAT?! WHO?? WHY??? IS THIS A METAPHOR OR A REAL BLANKET?? I NEED CONTEXT!!
JHAY:
If it's metaphorical, it means he's ready to wrap you in emotional trauma. If it's literal, he wants to marry you. Those are the only two options.
YASHINA:
Wait. WAIT. Is this about who I think it's about?? 👀👀👀
JERSEY:
Who tf is bringing you blankets?? I was offered a jacket once and the guy ended up having a girlfriend 💀
MACE:
REAL blanket. Like... he tucked it over my legs. At the café. Didn't say much. Just... draped it. Then walked away like it was nothing.
MIA:
HOLD UP. He WHAT??!?!?!?!?
SUSMITA:
Mace. Sweetie. That's not "nothing." That's "I've thought about your comfort and I'm being lowkey protective while acting cool as hell."
JHAY:
That's some Victorian-era courtship behavior. Next thing you know he's sending handwritten letters and brooding in the rain outside your condo.
MIA:
ARE HIS SHOULDERS BROAD??? Wait. Dumb question. Of course they are. You're in love. IT'S HAPPENING.
SUSMITA:
Tell us the café. We're getting binoculars.
JERSEY:
Yeah, we need to observe this man in his natural habitat. Like a wildlife documentary. "And here we see the elusive Emotionally Available Male, gently gifting warmth to his chosen mate..."
YASHINA:
Mace, be honest. Did your heart skip?
MACE:
...maybe a little 😩
JHAY:
I KNEW IT. This is blanket-game STRATEGY. He's playing 4D chess.
I logged out. Goodness, they didn't help.