Liana woke up later than usual.
She checked the time and immediately sat up.
She was supposed to open the café.
By the time she arrived, slightly out of breath, the morning light had already filled the place. Her coworker, Mia, was at the counter.
"You're late," Mia said, raising an eyebrow.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Liana tied her apron quickly and started preparing the machine. Her eyes moved toward the window without meaning to.
He wasn't there.
She told herself it was fine. He didn't promise anything. He never actually promised anything.
The bell rang.
She looked up too fast.
But it wasn't him.
Two office workers walked in instead.
The morning rush started. Orders piled up. Cups stacked near the sink. Milk steamed. Receipts printed nonstop.
She kept telling herself she didn't care.
Around ten, when things finally slowed down, the bell rang again.
This time, it was him.
Adrian stepped inside, scanning the café like he usually did. But today, something was different.
He wasn't alone.
A woman walked in behind him.
She was well-dressed, confident, the type who looked like she belonged in a different kind of café. She lightly touched Adrian's arm as they spoke.
Liana's hands froze for a second before she forced herself to move.
It's nothing, she told herself. He's allowed to know people.
They approached the counter together.
"Morning," Adrian said, like always.
"Morning," she replied. Her voice sounded normal. She was proud of that.
"What can I get you?" she asked, looking at both of them.
"Hot black," Adrian said.
The woman smiled. "I'll have a caramel latte."
Liana nodded and started preparing the drinks. She could feel Mia watching her from the side.
"You okay?" Mia whispered.
"I'm fine," Liana said quietly.
She handed the drinks over. Adrian gave her a small nod. The woman thanked her politely.
They sat at his usual table by the window.
Liana tried not to look. She failed.
The woman leaned closer while talking. Adrian listened carefully. At one point, he laughed.
Liana looked away immediately.
She hated that her chest felt tight. She hated that she was affected at all.
He's just a customer, she reminded herself.
After about thirty minutes, the woman stood up first. She shook Adrian's hand firm, professional and left.
Professional.
Not romantic.
Not intimate.
Professional.
Adrian stayed seated for another few minutes before walking back to the counter.
"You were late today," he said casually.
She blinked. "How did you know?"
"I came earlier," he replied. "You weren't here."
Her stomach dropped slightly.
"Oh."
He looked at her for a moment. "Everything okay?"
"Yes," she said quickly. Too quickly.
He studied her face like he was trying to read something.
Then he placed money on the counter.
"The woman earlier," he said, almost as an afterthought. "She's from a gallery. She wants to feature some of my photos."
Liana looked up.
"That's… good," she said.
"It is."
There was a small pause.
"Don't overthink things," he added quietly.
Her breath caught.
"I'm not," she said, but she knew she was.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Same time tomorrow?" he asked.
She held his gaze for a second longer than usual.
"Same time tomorrow."
When he left, the café didn't feel as light as before.
Because now, she realized something.
He wasn't just a customer anymore.
And that scared her a little.