《Lucian & Aurelia》 Part 1 I walk into the coffee shop¡ª it''s become part of my daily routine now. Every morning, I cross the street from the bookstore where I work to get my coffee. I order, sit down, and watch her for a while before heading to my job. Today is no different. As I step inside, there she is, Aurelia, standing at the counter, taking another customer''s order. I fall in line behind the girl, my eyes locked on her. God, she''s beautiful. Her brown hair catches the light, almost golden in the sun. And those freckles¡ªI want to kiss every single one of them. Her lips, full and inviting, her nose, just slightly flat from the side¡ªit''s the cutest thing I''ve ever seen. I''m not sure when this obsession started. I think it was the first time I walked into this place, just after starting my job at the bookstore. She was behind the counter, captivating me from the moment I saw her. I fell hard, and now, here I am, coming every day like some kind of creep. God, I hope she doesn''t think I''m a creep. "Same thing today?" Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts. It''s beautiful almost melodic. "Oh, um, yes, please" I stammer like an idiot. "That''ll be $5.25," she says, her tone as mesmerizing as ever. I could listen to her talk for hours. "Alright, I''ll be paying by card today, if that''s okay" I manage to say trying to sound normal. "Sure thing. So, how''s your day been so far sir?" She asks, surprising me. This is the first time we''ve exchanged words beyond the usual order and payment. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Uh, it''s been good, you know, just getting ready for work. How about you?" I seize the chance to keep the conversation going. "It''s been good. Just a bit busy earlier, but it''s died down now. Oh, here''s your coffee. Enjoy sir," she says, handing me the cup. I wanted to talk to her more, but maybe next time. "Thank you," I say, taking the coffee and walking out of the store, I''m getting late for work so I head to the bookstore. - - - Aurelia''s pov: I keep checking out customers, occasionally glancing at the clock, waiting for him to come in. He comes every day at the same time and orders the same thing. Every day, I feel the same excitement and butterflies in my stomach when he walks through the door. I''m not sure when I became so obsessed, maybe it was the first time he came in, ordered the same order that I always get, and gave me that captivating smile. That might have been when I fell for him. And there he is. I see him walk in as I''m Checking out a girl. I notice him staring at me but not saying anything¡ªhe seems lost in deep thought. " same thing today?" I ask He blinks, then replies, "Oh, um, yes please" his voice is so incredibly sexy¡ªdeep yet gentle. And his eyes, oh, his eyes there so deep and mesmerizing. I wish he made eye contact more often. When he does look at me, I''m lost in his gaze. His eyes are almost white with how light grey they are. I want to take off his glasses to see them more clearly. "That''ll be $5.25," I say. "Alright, I''ll be paying with card if that''s okay" he responds. Today, I decided to be courageous. I''m going to talk to this beautiful man. "Sure thing. How''s your day so far, sir?" I ask, realizing how silly the question sounds given it''s only noon. I mentally scold myself. He replies to my question. Making me fall for him even more, but I think I''m just being delusional at this point. "Uh, it''s been good, you know just getting ready for work. How about you?" Oh my god, he''s asking about my day too. I need to calm down¡ª this is just basic human decency. "It''s been good, just a bit busy earlier, but it''s died down now. Oh, here''s your coffee. Enjoy, sir." I wish his coffee hadn''t been prepared so quickly¡ªI wanted to talk to him longer. Maybe next time. Part 2 "I''m taking my break," I call out to my coworker. "Okay," he replies. I start walking towards the exit of the bookstore, debating whether I should stop by the coffee shop again. It''s the second time today, but this time, I''m not going for the coffee. It''s my lunch but I''m not hungry, but I could go for something sweet and honestly, I just want to see her again¡ªmaybe even talk to her some more. Before I know it, I''m standing at the door of the coffee shop, which is just across the street. I walk in and she greets me without looking up. "Welcome in." I approach the counter, realizing I''ll need to get her attention somehow. " Hello, Aurelia." She looks up, surprised. It''s the first time I''ve used her name, and I love the way it sounds as it rolls off my tongue. It hits me that she doesn''t know my name yet. I want to hear her say it. "Oh, hi, sir. You''re back." She says her surprise making me smile. "Yes, Aurelia, I''m back," I repeat, savoring the sound of her name again. " what can I get for you then, sir?" She asks still calling me "sir." I realize I''m probably older than her, but I''d much rather hear her say my name. "Please, call me Lucian." Is it weird to give her my name like this? I''m not sure. Nothing feels certain anymore. "Okay, Lucian. Did you want another coffee, or are you looking for something else?" I''m so captivated by her voice that I almost forget to respond. " I wanted to get some cakes or something like that, anything sweet really. Could you recommend something?" I ask, hoping to keep her talking. "Oh yes! I love our chocolate croissants. The chocolate eclairs are delicious too, and the Kahlua Cr¨¨me Caramel is so good. It''s a French dessert. Sorry, I don''t mean to ramble, but those three are my favorites." This is the most we''ve ever spoken, and it makes me ridiculously happy. I hope I''m not smiling like an idiot. "They all sound great. I''ll take two of the Kahlua Cr¨¨me Caramel and a chocolate eclair, please." "Alright, that''ll be $15.00 exactly. Are you going to pay with card again?" She asks, remembering how I paid earlier today. Considering how many customers she must get, it feels special that she remembers. I tell myself to calm down¡ª I''m getting carried away. "Yes, I will" "Okay, let me just go get that for you." She says before walking away. I decide to sit down hoping she''ll call my name now that she knows it. I zone out, staring out the window, until I sense someone in front of me. "Here you go, sir. I called your name a couple of times, but you seemed pretty zoned out," she says. She looks so good I can''t help but stare. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "Oh, thank you. Sorry, I guess I was lost in thought." "That''s okay, enjoy." I don''t want her to leave just yet. On impulse, I grab her wrist. "Wait." What am I doing? Now what? "Um yes?" She asks, her eyes fixed on me. "Have you taken your break yet?" "No, I haven''t. Why?" Shit. What if she says no? "Would you mind taking your break with me then?" I ask, avoiding her gaze. "Oh," she says, staring at me for a moment. I feel stupid for even asking. "Yeah, I can. Just give me a second¡ªI''m gonna go grab my lunch, okay?" My eyes widen in surprise as she agrees, and I realize I''m still holding her wrist. "Oh yeah okay. That''s fine" She smiles at me and walks away. A couple of minutes later, she''s back and sits across from me. Her hair is now down, flowing over her shoulders. She opens a small box with food inside. "You pack your lunch?" I ask. "Oh yeah, I love cooking, so I always make my lunch. Plus, it saves me money you know?" For some reason, I love that about her. Maybe one day she''ll cook for me. I need to relax; she needs to get to know me first. Hopefully, she''ll like me¡ª even half as much as I already like her. "Really? That''s nice. I''m the complete opposite. I''m a disaster in the kitchen," I tell her. She laughs and my chest swells with pride. "Really? How come? You look so put together," she tells me. "Oh, I''m organized if that''s what you mean," I reply, confused. She just giggles, the sound like music to my ears. I can''t stop smiling. "No, I mean you look like you can do anything you put your mind to. You just give off that vibe." "Oh, well, not cooking. That''s one thing I definitely can''t do." I admit sheepishly. Unable to hold back, I add, "Do you prefer a man who can cook?" Why did I ask that? She looks at me for a moment before replying, "Not really. I don''t mind if he can cook or not since I can cook for us. I''m a pretty good cook if I may say so myself." She grins cheekily, making me smile again. I can''t seem to stop smiling around her. Remembering the two cr¨¨me caramels I bought. I push one towards her. "Here you go." She looks at me in surprise and confusion. "Is that for me?" "Oh, yeah. I bought it to give you one. It''s one of your favorites right?" She gives me a genuine smile. "Thank you, Lucian. That''s so sweet of you." I know I''m blushing now¡ª I can feel the heat in my face. Feeling confident, I tell her, "Maybe one day I can try your cooking." She replies excitedly, "Yes! I would love to. I don''t have anyone to cook for, so that would be nice." "Well, I work at the bookstore right across the street if you ever want to have lunch together again sometime," I say, hoping she''s willing. "Really? Yes, I would love to," she tells me making me smile again. "Oh, Lucian, can I ask you something?" She says. "Yeah," I reply. "How old are you, if you don''t mind me asking?" "I''m 24," I tell her. "Wow, really? I thought you''d be younger," she says. "You think so?" I chuckle. "Yeah, I''m 19, by the way." This doesn''t really surprise me¡ªshe did look younger than me. "Oh. Okay. Does it bother you to be friends with someone a little older?" I ask, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, though it''s only a five¡ªyear difference. "No," she says, then adds with a sweet smile, "Are we friends, Lucian?" I want her to smile only at me like that. "Well. I hope so," I reply, then joke, "Would you like to be this poor old man''s friend, Aurelia?" She laughs and replies, "Oh yes, I do love taking part in charity, after all." This makes me genuinely laugh. "Charity is harsh," I feign offense. "Oh, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to hurt your poor old soul," she continues, making me laugh harder. I glance at the time. "Well, I''d love to keep talking, but I have to get back to work," I tell her. I swear she looks a little sad to see me go, but maybe I''m just imagining it. "I''ll see you tomorrow for my coffee," I tell her, "and maybe for lunch if you don''t mind." She smiles at that. "Yes, I''ll see you tomorrow. Bye, Lucian. Take care." "Bye, Aurelia," I say, walking out and heading back to the bookstore. Part 3 I walk into the coffee shop, heading straight to the counter where I see Aurelia. "Aurelia," I say, catching her attention. "Hi, Lucian," she greets me with a smile, and I can''t help but think this is the perfect way to start my day. "It''s going to be $5.25," she says. I hand her six dollars and drop the change into the tip jar. "How''s your morning been so far?" I ask. "Pretty good," she replies, smiling again. "It wasn''t as busy as usual today. How about you? Ready for work?" "Oh yeah, just coffee and work, you know." She hands me my coffee, "Here you go." "Thank you," I say, meeting her eyes for a moment¡ª surprising myself¡ªeye contact is difficult for me when it comes to her. As I turn to leave too flustered to say anything else, she calls out, "Oh, Lucian?" "Yes?" I reply, turning back to her. "Do you think it''s okay if I come by the bookstore during my lunch break? We could have lunch together?" Her voice wobbles slightly, revealing her nerves. It''s kind of adorable. "Of course," I say, handing her my phone. "Here, do you want my number? You can text me whenever you''re ready, and we can eat here, at the bookstore, or wherever u want." She puts her number in and says, "Maybe we can go to the park nearby?" "Yeah, that''s fine with me," I agree. "So, I''ll see you later." "See you later, Lucian." With that, I head out and make my way to the bookstore, eager to get on break already. - - - Aurelia''s POV: It''s time for my break, and I''m so nervous I don''t know what to do. I was so shocked when he asked me to take my break with him yesterday. That means he likes me, right? Even though he said we''re just friends... ugh, I don''t know anymore. Whatever, I''m going to make him like me anyway. I even packed a lunch for him today because he wanted to try my cooking. I might''ve gone a little overboard, but it''s fine. "I''m going on my break," I call out to Jake, my coworker. "Okay," he replies from the back. I step out of the coffee shop and shoot Lucian a text, letting him know I''m on my way to the bookstore. He reads it but doesn''t reply. I walk in and spot him immediately¡ªhe''s already looking at me with a slight smile on his face. As he starts walking toward me, I can''t help but stare. This man is actually so beautiful, wtf. He''s standing in front of me now, and I probably look like I''ve never seen a human before. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Hi, Lucian," I greet him. "Aurelia," he says in reply, and for some reason, hearing him say my name gives me butterflies. Actually, it happens every time he says my name. "You ready to go?" I ask. "Yeah," he says. I hand him one of the lunch boxes, and he looks at it, then at me. "Is this for me?" he asks. "yes, you wanted to try my cooking right? And I''m guessing you don''t eat lunch on your breaks." He stares at me for a second before smiling. Is he blushing? he has to like me, right? Am I being delusional? "Thank you, Aurelia," he says. "That''s very nice of you. I usually just have a snack or two, but this is way better. Do you want to walk to the park? or I can drive us there." "Oh, do you mind if we walk? the weather is so nice today," He smiles at me again. "yeah, whatever you want." I''m definitely going to take advantage of that, just kidding, but seriously, is he even real? "The sky is so pretty," I said pointing up. "And the trees are so green, everything just goes together perfectly, like a painting--but better." He looks at me for a minute before looking ahead. "yeah, it really is," he says. We keep walking until we reach the park. Instinctively, I grab his hand to show him my secret spot. "Look, come on, I have a spot for us," I tell him, leading him by the hand. He''s awfully quiet, but I don''t mind assuming he''s just taking in our surroundings. I lead us to a bench that overlooks the whole park, but it''s far enough from everyone else and has flowers growing all around. I finally turn to look at him and--oh my god, is he blushing? His face and ears are all red, and he''s staring at our hands. He has to like me, right? "Are you okay?" I ask, just in case I''m being delusional again. "Uh, yes...um, it''s beautiful," he stammers, avoiding eye contact. "Here, let''s sit," I say, sitting down. His face is less red now, and I''ve let go of his hand, his hands are so big and gentle feeling. His voice pulls me out of my thoughts when he asks, "So, what did you make?" "I made us some rice with curry and vegetables on the side, I bought some mango juice for us too. open it," I tell him, pointing to the food with my eyes. He does and the smell hits him immediately. "Mmm, it smells good," he says with a contented smile. "Try it," I urge wanting to see his reaction before I eat my food, and he takes a bite. "Mmm, this tastes even better than it smells," he says, smiling and taking another bite. "I might want lunch every day now," he jokes. "I''ll make you lunch every day, then," I say, laughing and taking a bite of my own food. He asks me about my day, and I start rambling about the shop and different customers. He just sits there, eating and listening to me, which feels so nice. I have a habit of rambling, so people usually tune me out but he takes in everything I say in important or not. I stop talking when I realize he''s just staring at me with a slight smile on his face, which is making me flustered. "What?" I ask him. "Is there something on my face?" I ask wiping imaginary food from my mouth. "No," he replies, chuckling. " You just look beautiful," he says. I look at him, eyes wide. "Oh... thank you," I smile. It feels nice coming from him---he doesn''t seem like the type to just hand out compliments. We spend the rest of the time just eating and talking--- well, mostly me talking and him listening. Eventually, we decided to head back. "Thank you for the food," he says when we''re in front of the coffee shop. "I appreciate it, and it was really good." "No problem," I say, taking the box from him. "I''ll make you something different tomorrow if you don''t mind eating with me again." "Yeah, of course," he replies. "I have to get going now," he says then bends down a little placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Have a good day rest of your day okay. Bye, Aurelia." In a daze, I tell him, "Bye, Lucian." Part 4 Lucian''s POV: I walk into the coffee shop, and there''s quite a line today. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweets fills the air as usual, mingling with the soft hums of conversations. I get in line, glancing around the shop that has become familiar. A few minutes later, I''m only one person away from the counter, and that''s when I see her. My heart skips a beat at seeing her face, god I''m so whipped. She looks stunning today. Her hair is styled differently, flowing down her shoulders in soft waves, with two delicate braids on each side clipped with gold hair rings that catch the light. I can''t help but notice that her cheeks have a rosy hue and brightness under her eyes. Her lips are tinted pinker than they usually are, adding to the gentle warmth in her expression. God, I can''t get over how beautiful she looks. As I wait, I overhear the conversation she''s having with the guy in front of me. His tone is too cocky. "You''re very beautiful, miss," he says his voice sickly smooth as he leans slightly closer to the counter, and I wanna grab the back of his neck and slam his head onto the counter. "Thank you," she replies politely, a small, professional smile on her lips. He then scribbles something on the receipt she handed to him. "text me, beautiful. I''d love to take you out," he adds with a wink as he hands it back to her before walking off with a self-assured stride I want nothing more than to wipe that stupid grin off his face. My chest tightens with jealousy. Anger surges through me as I imagine grabbing the fuck and cutting his tongue out for daring to hit on my Aurelia. Is she going to text him? The thought nags at me, and I can''t help but wonder why she kept the receipt. As I step up to the counter, these questions whirl in my mind, and my frustration only grows. "Hi, Lucian," she greets me with that familiar smile, her eyes lighting up as she sees me. "so, are you going to text him?" I ask, unable to keep the sharp edge out of my voice as I stare at her, searching her face for any sign of interest in that fuck. "What are you talking about?" she asks, her brows knitting together in confusion. I reach across the counter and grab the receipt, holding it up between us. "This," I say, my voice low, not caring that there''s a line forming behind me. "Oh," she murmurs, her gaze dropping to the slip of paper in my hand. "No, I wasn''t planning to." "Then why''d you keep it?" I press, my frustration bubbling over. All I can think about is how I should''ve done more than just let the guy walk away. How I wanted to tell him to back the fuck off, that she''s mine. She looks up at me, her expression gentle yet firm. "I didn''t want to throw it away in front of him, Lucian. That''s rude," she explains, her tone calm. I don''t respond immediately, my thoughts tangled in a mix of relief and possessiveness. She should''ve been rude. She''s mine; she doesn''t need to be nice to other guys. I want to tell her that she never has to be polite to anyone like him. But I force myself to understand, to let go of my irrational irritation. With a quiet sigh, I crumple the piece of paper and toss it into the trash behind the counter. "My usual coffee, please," I say, my voice a bit softer now. She nods and quickly prepares it, the familiar routine calming some of the tension I feel. As she hands me the cup, our fingers brush, sending a jolt through me. I look at her, and something shifts inside me. I don''t want to leave things like this. "I''ll take you out," I tell her, my voice firmer this time. "We can talk about it more at lunch." I pause, letting the words hang between us before I add, "And you look very pretty today," my tone softer, more intimate. Without thinking, I reach over and gently tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, my fingers grazing the soft skin on her cheek. Her breath hitches slightly at the contact, and I can see a faint blush rising on her already rosy cheeks. Before she can respond, I lean in, placing a light kiss on her cheek, letting my lips linger just a moment longer than necessary. "I''ll see you later, Aurelia," I whisper in her ear, my voice low and sincere. As I pull back, I catch the surprised yet pleased? look in her eyes. and it sends a warm rush through me. Without waiting for her reply, I turn and start my walk to the bookstore, still seething a bit inside, but now more determined to show her she''s mine and no one else''s. ___ It''s around the time I usually take a break with Aurelia, so I head to the coffee shop to meet her. I''m pretty sure she''s made us lunch again¡ªsomething that makes me fall for her even more. I swear, she''s the closest thing to perfection. But then, the thought of that douchebag who asked her out earlier hits me, reminding me that she probably gets hit on daily. That gnawing realization makes my chest tighten. I need to make her mine as soon as possible. I can''t stand the idea of her falling for someone else. When I walk into the coffee shop, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air like always. I see her at the counter, checking out some customers. I take a seat where I can watch her without being too obvious. I know she''s aware of my presence because she glances my way every few seconds. Each time, it''s like a small jolt to my heart. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. About five minutes later, she heads into the back, and another guy takes over. When she steps out, apron off, my breath catches in my throat. She looks absolutely stunning. This morning, I couldn''t see what she was wearing under her apron, but now I can see she''s in a sundress. I recognize it from when she showed me her shopping cart online, full of sundresses. This one is pink, and it hugs her waist perfectly, the fabric flowing down to tease at her thighs. And those thighs¡ªshe''s going to be the death of me. As she starts walking toward me, a bag in her hands, probably with our lunch, I suddenly feel uncharacteristically nervous. I''m not usually good with words, but right now, I''m at a complete loss. I can''t help but just stare at her, trying to memorize every detail of how she looks in this moment."Hi," she greets me, her voice like music to my ears. "I hope I didn''t make you wait too long."I stand up, stepping so close that she has to crane her neck to look at me. The warmth of her body so close to mine sends a rush of heat through me. I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary. "Aurelia," I murmur, her name slipping from my lips as I try to regain my composure. The way she looks at me, with those big eyes, makes my heart race. I run my hand down her arm to her wrist, taking the bag from her, then grab her other hand, lacing our fingers together. I can''t help but think how right it feels to have her hand in mine. We''re definitely driving to the park today, I think to myself. I need to get her somewhere private, away from prying eyes. The thought of some other guy even glancing at her right now... I don''t know if I could handle it. Not when she looks this good. Not that she doesn''t always look good, but man today I''m fucking whipped. "We''re driving today, okay?" I tell her, and she looks up at me, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Oh? How come?" she asks, a smile tugging at her lips. For a moment, I''m torn between telling her the truth¡ªthat I''m desperate to have her to myself¡ªand keeping my feelings locked inside. Instead, I just stare at her, then shrug, looking away. I lead her to my car, every step making me more aware of how close she is. I open the door for her, placing the food by her feet and buckling her in. It''s an instinctive move, something I didn''t even think about, but as I pull back, I hope she doesn''t think it''s weird. I just want to take care of her. I close her door and get in on my side, my fingers brushing against the keys as I start the car. The hum of the engine breaks the silence, and I hand her my phone, which is connected to the car''s Bluetooth. I know she likes to listen to music while driving; she once told me how much she loves Lana Del Rey''s voice and how it makes her feel calm and ethereal or something like that. She looks at the phone for a second, then at me. "Um, what''s this?" she asks, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "You want to play some music?" I offer, hoping it''ll help me focus on driving and not on how much I want to kiss her right now. "Oh yes!" she says excitedly, her whole face lighting up. It makes me smile too, seeing her so happy. She grabs the phone and quickly finds a Lana Del Rey song. Her excitement is contagious, and I find myself relaxing, the tension in my shoulders easing as the music fills the car. Instead of heading to the usual park, I drive us to a clearing I discovered a while ago. The sun is warm, the sky a clear blue, and I hope she likes what I''ve prepared. I had it set up earlier, getting someone to cover for me at the bookstore in the morning so I could do it, granted it was last minute so it''s not really all that. I pull up to the side and walk around to open her door. She lets me, and I can''t help but notice how her hand feels in mine, soft and warm. I grab the food and lead her by the hand."I thought we''d do something a little different today," I say, my voice softer than usual. She smiles, looking around at the view. "It''s pretty," she says, her eyes wide with appreciation."Yeah definitely pretty," I think to myself looking at her, but instead, I just say, "Yeah, it is." I take her hand and lead her toward my setup¡ªa simple blanket on the ground with some flowers and a small cake. I know she has a sweet tooth, and during one of our breaks she told me how much she loves strawberries, so I got her a strawberry cake. She stands still, taking it all in, then turns to look at me, her eyes shining. "Is this for us?" she asks, almost in disbelief. "Yeah," I reply, suddenly feeling nervous again. "I hope you don''t mind. I just wanted to do something for..." I trail off, my heart pounding as she suddenly jumps on me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I lean down so she doesn''t strain herself, then stand up straight, her legs dangling as I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. She feels so good in my arms, and for a moment, I wish I could just keep her there forever. She lets go, and I set her down gently, my hands lingering on her waist. "So, I guess you like it then?" I chuckle, feeling relieved that she''s happy. "Like it? I love it, Lucian!" she exclaims, her giggles filling the air. "This is so freaking cute," she squeals, and I can''t help but grin. I set our food down and sit, but when she goes to sit across from me, I grab her wrist and pull her down to sit next to me. I just want her close, need to feel her warmth beside me. She doesn''t protest, just blushes slightly, and settles in next to me, her shoulder brushing against mine. She opens the food, revealing pasta, and we dig in. Her cooking is the best thing that''s ever entered my mouth, and I can''t help but eat quickly, savoring every bite. I finish my meal while she''s still working on hers. She sets her food aside after getting mostly done and stares at the cake. I grab it, open it, and hand her a fork, grabbing one for myself too. "Here, let''s try this," I say, handing her the fork. She takes a bite and moans softly, exclaiming how good it is. The sound sends a jolt straight through me, and I freeze, staring at the sky, trying to keep my thoughts in check. She doesn''t realize what she does to me, how much she affects me without even trying. I take a bite of the cake, and it is good, but all I can think about is her, so I just turn my whole body towards her and just stare, shame flying right out the window. Then, she grabs a strawberry from the top of the cake, dips it into the frosting, and slowly sucks the frosting off, all innocent-like. I look away quickly, feeling the tension building inside me. *I can''t handle this,* I think to myself. *I''m such a freaking wimp. There''s no way I''m getting turned on by her eating a damn strawberry.* "What''s wrong, Lucian?" she asks, her voice soft and concerned. *Don''t talk to me right now,* I think, her voice only making it harder to stay composed. "Yeah, I''m good," I manage to say, forcing a smile. "You like everything?" I ask, hoping to shift the focus away from my internal struggle. She smiles warmly, her eyes meeting mine. "Yeah, I love it. Thank you, Lucian," she says, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "This is so nice." "It''s nothing," I reply, feeling bashful under her gaze. I can feel my face heating up and hope I don''t look like a tomato right now. After we eat some of the cake, she starts talking, her words flowing easily like she doesn''t have a care in the world. As she chatters on about everything and anything, I couldn''t be happier. Just being here with her, listening to her voice, it''s everything I didn''t know I needed. Part 5 Aurelia''s POV: The shop is buzzing with activity today, and the stress is starting to get to me. It''s one of those days when customers seem more indecisive than usual, making everything feel twice as difficult. I glance at the clock, knowing it''s usually around the time Lucian comes in, but before I can check if he''s come in yet, I''m called over to help another customer. After what feels like an endless stream of about 30 customers, I finally catch sight of Lucian standing just behind the next guy in line. My mood instantly lifts at the sight of him, and I try to hurry through the current order. As I finish ringing up the customer, I expect him to leave, but he lingers in front of me. Before I can ask if he needs anything else, he interrupts with a bold, "You''re very beautiful, miss." Curious about Lucian''s reaction, I glance over at him. He''s glaring at the guy with a look that sends shivers down my spine. I can''t deny it¡ªsomething is so attractive about the way he looks right now. I turn back to the customer, forcing a polite smile. "Thank you," I reply, hoping that would be the end of it. But instead of moving on, he scribbles something on his receipt and hands it to me. Confused, I take the receipt and see that he''s written down his number. He casually tells me to text him and walks away, as if it''s a given that I''ll reach out. I don''t even have time to respond before he''s gone. Sure, he''s not bad-looking, but I can already tell he''s one of those cocky frat boy types. Definitely not my type. Lucian steps up to the counter, and just seeing him makes me forget all about the previous interaction. "Hi, Lucian," I greet him, maybe a little too enthusiastically. "So, are you going to text him?" he asks, his voice colder than I''ve ever heard it. The sudden shift in his tone makes my smile falter. "What are you talking about?" I ask, confused by his demeanor. He reaches across the counter, grabs the receipt I had absentmindedly set aside, and holds it up in front of my face. "This," he says in a low, almost growling voice. Is he jealous? He sounds mad, which is so sexy. "No, I wasn''t planning to," I reply honestly. "Then why''d you keep it?" His voice is still cold, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sends my heart racing. I want to record the way he sounds right now because it''s the hottest thing I''ve ever heard, but that would definitely be creepy. "Lucian, I didn''t want to throw it away in front of him. That would have been rude," I explain, trying to keep my voice calm. He doesn''t respond right away. Instead, he stares past me, his jaw clenched as he crushes the piece of paper in his hand. I have no idea what he''s looking at¡ªI''m certain there''s no one behind me. After what feels like an eternity, he tosses the crumpled receipt into the trash. "My usual coffee, please," he says, his tone making it clear he''s not in the mood for small talk. His attitude stings a little, and I can''t help but feel like I''ve done something wrong, but I just might be overthinking it. I quickly nod and prepare his coffee, handing it over without another word. I expect him to leave, but instead, he lingers, his eyes fixed on me. Then, as if he''s made a decision, he says, "I''ll take you out." His voice is firm, like there''s no question about it. "We can talk about it more at lunch." I''m too shocked to respond, so I just stand there, staring at him like an idiot. He softens his gaze just a little and adds, "And you look very pretty today." My heart skips a beat, and I can feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. I''m definitely blushing. Before I can gather my thoughts, Lucian reaches over and tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear. My breath hitches at the intimate gesture, and before I can say anything, he leans in closer, his lips pressing against my cheek then he whispers, "I''ll see you later, Aurelia." My hands instinctively grip the counter as my knees weaken and butterflies flutter wildly in my stomach. When I snap back to reality, he''s already walking out of the store. Embarrassed, I turn to help the next customer, noticing that a line has formed behind Lucian. The elderly lady next in line is smirking at me like she''s just uncovered a juicy secret. --- I glance up from handing a customer their receipt and catch sight of Lucian walking in. My heart skips a beat, and my eyes dart to the clock on the wall¡ªit''s already time for our lunch. There¡¯s still a line of five customers, but I try to hurry through them, eager to be with him. He¡¯s caught me stealing glances at him more times than I can count, and each time, it feels like he¡¯s seeing right through me. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Finally, the last customer is taken care of, and I practically sprint to the back. I need Jake to cover the counter. ¡°Jake,¡± I call out, finding him at the sink, his hands deep in soapy water. ¡°I¡¯m taking my break, can you watch the counter?¡± ¡°Yeah, I gotchu. You going with that guy again?¡± he asks, his tone teasing. ¡°Yeah, his name¡¯s Lucian,¡± I reply, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face. ¡°You gotta tell me all about it,¡± Jake grins, giving me a knowing look. ¡°You know I will,¡± I laugh, slipping off my apron and heading out. Jake is like an older brother to me, someone who¡¯s always had my back. What he thinks matters, and I really hope he likes Lucian because, well, I¡¯m starting to like him a lot. I grab the lunch I made for us from the back and start walking towards the table where Lucian is sitting. He¡¯s just staring at me, and I suddenly become hyper-aware of everything¡ªhow I¡¯m walking, how I¡¯m breathing. God, I hope I¡¯m not walking weird. Sometimes, it feels like I forget how to walk and I have to manual it. ¡°Hi,¡± I greet him, feeling a flutter in my chest. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t keep you waiting too long.¡± Lucian stands up, and suddenly, he¡¯s right there in front of me, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. He¡¯s so tall, towering over me in a way that makes my pulse race. But I don¡¯t mind, not one bit. He reaches out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering just a second longer than necessary. Then, his hand glides down my arm, sending shivers across my skin, before he takes the lunch from me. ¡°Aurelia,¡± he breathes my name, his voice low and soft, almost reverent. He entwines his fingers with mine, his hand warm and firm, and leads us out of the coffee shop. His hand feels so big around mine, and I love it. ¡°We¡¯re driving today, okay?¡± he says. ¡°Why?¡± I ask, curious since we¡¯ve never driven to the park before. He hesitates, glancing at me like he¡¯s weighing whether to say something, but then just shrugs and looks away, leading me to his car. I can feel my palms start to sweat, and I hope he doesn¡¯t notice. He opens the car door for me, setting the food at my feet, and my heart stutters when he leans in to buckle my seatbelt for me. The intimacy of the moment, his closeness, makes me squeeze my thighs together, trying to stay composed. He closes the door, walks around to the driver¡¯s side, and starts the car. When he hands me his phone to pick the music, I almost squeal. Of course, I¡¯m going to play some Lana¡ªher voice is so ethereal. As we drive, I notice we pass the park, and my curiosity deepens. Where is he taking me? What if this is some kind of abduction scenario? Though, honestly, if Lucian was the one kidnapping me, I wouldn¡¯t mind... just kidding... sort of. We pull up to a beautiful clearing, and my breath catches. It¡¯s stunning, with a blanket spread out on the grass, surrounded by delicate pink and white flowers and a small cake. ¡°Is this for us?¡± I ask, unable to hide my surprise. ¡°Yeah,¡± he replies, looking a bit shy. ¡°I just wanted to do something special for you¡­¡± Before he can finish, I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. My fingers stretch as far as they can, given our height difference, and he chuckles softly, placing his hands on my waist to hold me close. After a moment, he gently sets me down. ¡°So, I guess you like it?¡± he asks, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. ¡°Like it? I love it, Lucian,¡± I say, my voice filled with emotion. ¡°This is so freaking cute!¡± Lucian sits down on the blanket, and as I move to sit across from him, he pulls me down beside him instead. My face heats up at our closeness, but I don¡¯t mind. We start eating the pasta I made, and Lucian finishes his portion before I¡¯m even halfway through. I eye the strawberry cake, debating whether to wait for him or not. As if reading my mind, Lucian hands me a fork, urging me to try the cake with him. I happily oblige, thrilled that he picked strawberry¡ªit¡¯s my favorite. I take a bite, and it¡¯s delicious. But when I dip a fresh strawberry into the frosting and pop it into my mouth, I hear Lucian groan beside me. I glance over and see him looking up at the sky, dragging his hands down his face as if he¡¯s struggling with something. ¡°Lucian, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I ask, concerned. Did he not like the cake? ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m good,¡± he replies, but his voice sounds strained, and his smile doesn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. Before I can press him further, he asks, ¡°You like everything?¡± ¡°Yeah, I love it. Thank you, Lucian,¡± I say sincerely, my heart swelling with affection. ¡°This is so nice.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he mumbles, his ears turning a cute shade of red. We finish the cake, and I start talking a mile a minute, jumping from one topic to the next, while he listens with that soft smile of his that makes me fall a little more.