Chapter 9 Cup of coffee and unexpected conversations (Part 1)

Sitting awkwardly in a man's car I barely know is like the situation on the very first day at school where kids feel trembling and shy-well, not all-trying to start a conversation with whoever they feel like talking to.

And this was the awkward situation I was feeling at the moment.

I am sitting beside a man I just knew yesterday.

In his car.

On his shotgun seat.

Practically, he was still a total stranger.

I leaned on the window, trying to think of something that we could converse about to make the situation between us a little lighter, but I couldn't think of anything. Not even a single spark of an exciting topic to talk about was forming in my mind. Should I ask the man the brand of his perfume? Because his fragrance smelled so good. He probably bought it at some luxurious stores I never dared to shop from, with dangling chandeliers attached on the ceilings that emit shining and shimmering flicker of lights. Huh.

That's not going to be helpful, Misty.

The silence was intensely deafening. The man didn't even play some music on his radio. I looked at the man beside me, who was so focused on driving. I didn't even know if I could trust him, considering the kind of attitude he showed me. Nonetheless, he wouldn't have offered me a ride if there wasn't any kindness left within him.

"How awkward this situation could get?" I whispered very silently, making sure he wouldn't hear me talking, well, more like complaining.

The man just cleared his throat and didn't even bother looking at me.

I grinned. "Awkward....."

If this was the cause of confronting a man in the middle of the night and reminding him of a joke about flirting which wasn't supposed to be said out loud-but I still did, anyway-even though he was still so kind that he even lent his shirt and cardigan to you, then maybe, I'll go with the flow.

That's right! At first, I had no idea that the person I met at Ahjumma's Plate and Kayla's cafe was the same. And most of all, I had no idea that he was also the man living right in front of my unit. I mean, he was wearing a mask and beanie the first time I encountered him. So, it was pretty fair and acceptable.

Just get over it, Misty.

With puzzling thoughts brimming inside my head, the car suddenly stopped.

"We're here," the man said to me while unbuckling his seat belt.

I looked outside the car's window and noticed that we were in front of a small cafe.

Wait, isn't this the cafe in front of Paper Chase Publishing House? This cafe is where I would usually go during my breaks. So it means that I'm already close to my office. Why did he take me here out of all the cafes we passed through earlier?

"We could've gone to the other cafes, you know. We passed through a lot of other ones," I expressed and removed my seat belt as well.

"You said you were given only until 9:30 am, so I figured you would have to be closer to your work. You will not have to rush later when you go to your work."

Huh.

"Oh, wow. You're being considerate now," I scoffed and crossed my arms.

"Not really, though," he boasted and returned the look to me. "This cafe is where I would usually go-other than the cafe from yesterday-on the way to work. Anyway, let's grab something to eat now, or your stomach might growl like-Ouch!" I slapped his chest with my bag. "What was that for?" he asked, massaging his chest.

I rolled my eyes at him, that my eyeballs kind of hurt. "Very funny, Mister. You don't wanna mess with a hungry person."

"Oh, scary," he mocked me.

Realizing this argument was pointless and would take away my time where I should be getting to the publishing house, I didn't respond to him and headed first to the cafe. I strolled for as fast as I could just so I could be freed from his appearance that was annoying my mood, even for a few seconds-because we were going to eat together, anyway, so it was useless avoiding him from that brief seconds. But before I could even open it myself, the man had already opened it for me.

Oh, of course, it was him.

"Wait up!" he said and gestured me to enter the cafe first.

Sauntering to the counter with a man beside me whom I barely know but felt like I've argued with him in my entire existence, I never felt this nervous before.

I gulped.

With a little unknown nervousness lingering within me, I stared at the man who was checking the menu already. Wow, was I just arguing with him yesterday?

The man may or may not notice that I was gazing at him like a piece of oil painting displayed on the walls of an art gallery or exhibition. "What?" he scowled.

I cleared my throat. "Nothing."

I looked slightly at the cafe's appealing menu to still check their beverages, even though I usually go here. There might be something new, anyway. But then, when I checked my wristwatch first, I realized I had only half an hour left to eat or drink something enough to ease the growling monsters inside my stomach. Even though it was cold already, I suddenly craved to drink something cold.

"Iced Americano, please," the man and I recited at the same time.

The staff at the counter was confused for a bit, so he smiled at us. "Uhm, are these separate orders or should I punch them to just one?"

"No, not separate. I'll pay for the two drinks," the man denoted and took out his black card. I might be dreaming upon seeing his card. Like, my eyes, as well as the staff's, turned big.

Wow, the black card! This man had a black card! He's wealthy!

A black card is a credit card only offered to people with incredibly high net worth and spending needs. In short, for luxurious people. I don't understand; he's living in a crappy condominium where I live. I mean, why? There are many more expensive and classy condominiums in Gangnam, but he chose to live in a cheaper one.

"I can pay it myself," I said.

"This one's on me," he said and smiled at me before placing the order. "Two regular-sized cups of Iced Americano, please."

"Huh! Thank you, then!" The man was shocked for a moment because of my voice's tone and that he even exchanged a weird look with the staff. "You saved me extra money for packs of gummy bears and worms, Mister! I'll give you one pack next time. The tangerine ones," I rejoiced enthusiastically.

"Uhm, okay? Tangerine." His eyebrows frowned.

Well, that was cool. I had no choice. I mean, why would I even reject a treat if I knew I would save money from it? And what I cheered about was right! I could use the money to buy new stacks of gummy bears and worms to aid my fainting cupboard. If I remember correctly, the convenience store below my place was selling a unique array of brands and flavours that looked refreshing for me the other day.

"Okay," I uttered, realizing how silly I sounded.

"Make it two packs or more."

"Why?"

"I feel like I'll treat you more coffees later on."

His eye-smile. That was really cute. Time froze. I couldn't move a single action, even tapping my fingers on my hips wasn't possible for that kind of remark. A few good seconds passed, I felt my cheeks were burning, trying to decode what the man just meant. Or maybe, I misheard it. But no, I didn't.

The man waved his hand in front of me. "Hey, Miss, are you okay?" he asked.

I was startled a little. "Huh?

"Get used to this. I'm a very nice neighbour."

He winked at me-very playfully.

Mister, that wasn't needed.

*****