Huffing under the harsh sun, I was glad to have finally found a shade in a quaint little cafe. The moment I entered, a sigh left my lips as the air conditioner blew out cool air caressing my overheated skin.

Finding a spot by a shaded window, I placed my bag next to an empty chair and took a seat with a heavy thud. Placing my head on the table I waited for my body to cool even more. It was so hot today. I must have dozed off for the next moment a tap on my shoulders woke me up.

Gathering my bearings I looked around, only to find a man dressed in a blue shirt and black trousers waking me up gently by placing a glass of cold coffee in front of me. Blinking once, twice, thrice, I finally mustered the courage and looked at his face and gasped inwardly. Holy love of everything dear to me... who is this guy?

The shirt was striking against his dark black orbs, but what mesmerized me was a single spectacled glass perched carefully on his nose and a mole right below his lids and the other on his earlobe like a diamond solitaire stud.

"Ma'am?" His voice was dreamy.

Wait! Am I dreaming?

I then realized that my scarf was covering my face and as I pinned it behind my ears, his eyes widened and slowly a smile bloomed on his face.

"Hello beautiful." He greeted with awe.

From ma'am to beautiful... I liked this.

"My name is Yang Guo." His smile was so dreamy and captivating.

"My name is-" He cut me off and smiled, "Alexandra, I know."

Scrunching my eyebrows together I asked, "How did you know?"

Showing me my identification card, he spoke, while his lips suppressed mirth. "It had fallen off from your bag." Before I could utter another word he brought out a small cake in front of my face, "Happy Birthday."

Am I dreaming?

"It's my birthday too." He confessed with a small blush and blew on the candle softly, "I wished for the most beautiful girl to be mine," raising his eyes to meet mine he grins, "seems my wish is fulfilled."

Oh My!

I was mesmerized by his looks. Was I under hypnosis? I just couldn't look away from his eyes! I was being a complete idiot over here. Not being able to say a word and probably staring at him like a stupid. What must he think of me? I tried to gather myself and at least make an attempt to utter sounds.

"How..." I squeaked, then stopped and cleared my throat. I finally took a look around the café. "Do you work here?" I asked softly.

His eyes flitted to my lips for a second, making me catch my breath. But the next moment he shook his head with another smile. "It's my friend's café. He asked me to look after it while he went to run some chores." He answered. God, his melodious voice...

He got up from the chair and smiled down at me. "I hope you are not thinking that I am forward like this generally. I am sorry if I offended you, ma'am."

"You didn't offend me." His smile at my words dazzled me. "I mean... I'm not in the habit of receiving cakes and compliments offered to me like this, but somehow, coming from you it seems okay." I dipped my head shyly, hearing him laugh.

"That's... good." He said, running his fingers through his hair shyly. "I've never done anything like this. So I'm kind of relieved that you didn't punch me immediately." I couldn't help chuckling. Picking up a spoon I dig into the cake with a gesture asking, "May I?" I was answered with a smile.

Strawberry. Mmm. It was my favorite. Did he know about it too? I was thinking about asking him, when he turned at a call from another customer.

"Please enjoy the cake and coffee." He said with a kind smile, "I have to attend the shop." He bowed and walked away.

Watching Yang Guo interact with the customers was interesting. His cheerful self seemed to make the atmosphere of the café lighter and brighter as he flitted between the tables, taking orders and serving. Once in a while he glanced in my direction, and the smile in his eyes set my heart beating fast. I took a deep breath each time, trying to curb my silliness, and continued to eat my cake. This will sustain me till the friend I was supposed to meet showed up.

It was boiling hot outside. You could drop an egg on the street and you'd be picking up an omelet. Not many were loitering outside as most people were enjoying their afternoon siestas snug within their cool interiors. And I was here braving the heat in a new town, knowing nobody except the friend I waited for.

At the right time my ringtone woke me up from my reverie. I quickly picked it up to see my friend's number on the screen. "Hey. I've been waiting for over an hour. Where are you?"

"I'll be over in about 30 more minutes. But, er... Alex..."

I frowned at May's stuttering. "But what?"

"Um, well, your date bailed out."

A low growl left my mouth making May chuckle. "I wasn't very interested in the first place, but he shouldn't have canceled at the last moment, don't you think? I've been waiting at an unknown place in an unknown city in an unknown country for over an hour alone!"

"I know. I know. I'll give him grief later. I am really sorry for making you wait. But my boss refused to let me off duty earlier. Urgh. But don't worry. I'm reaching in half an hour. Just bear it for thirty more minutes please? I'll make it up to you."

"Alright. Chill. I'm not annoyed at you. I'll be waiting. Drive safely."

"Yeah. Causing an accident before meeting the love of my life won't do." I chuckled at her cheerful voice and cut the call. Crazy for Xiao Zhan, the girl. I thought fondly.

Sigh. Thirty more minutes before I stopped feeling like an abandoned hen. This date was beep. Yes. I don't swear, I beep out my cuss words. I swear!

"May I offer another glass of coffee?"

Yang Guo's voice made me start and look up. Random thoughts had made me space out. I mentally conked my own head to banish another random set of thoughts that replaced the former.

"Oh! Thank you." I smiled as he placed another glass of cold coffee before me. "May I have a glass with the beautiful girl too? My friend is back and I'm free."

"You do not have to flatter me so much. I'd have invited you myself. I have nothing to do but wait for a friend to show up." I wondered if May would also have a chance meeting like this with Xiao Zhan*?

"Who said I was flattering?" Yang Guo laughed as he sat down opposite me. He took a large gulp of his cold coffee and sighed. "It really is hot today.." For some reason, his eyes had something in them. "Is this friend a special one?" He asked.

"A special one?"

"Mm. Like... boyfriend maybe...?"

"Oh?" That stopped me. Wow! Was that possessiveness in his eyes? At the realization, my stupid heart started its summersaults again. It was an entirely new feeling for me. Never in my life had I thought of myself as the center of attention for someone other than my parents. Get a grip Alex. You don't even know this man. But he's hot! Spoke my eager brain, and I shushed it down.

"Why are you interested?" I asked him, struggling to keep my face straight. Inside my chest, Mr. Heart was trying out a hip hop move that I had no name for. Not getting a straight yes or no answer made Yang Guo's face somewhat fall. "Just wanted to know if this was my lucky day or not." He said quietly, staring at my eye.

Will you please run at your regular pace dear heart?? It's uncomfortable. You're making me breathless.

"Yes." I said, and watched his eyes light up again. Kyaak! The day was not completely a waste in spite of my date ditching. But he immediately became wary again. Um, what happened?

"Wait... yes he's your boyfriend or yes it's my lucky day?" He inquired timidly. Seeing him trying to keep back a smile made me unable to keep back my own laugh.

"Yes it might be your lucky day." I said, smiling.

"Brilliant!" He cheered, making me laugh again.

"I've just arrived in China from Canada," I explained. "I'm supposed to meet and stay with my friend, but she couldn't get away from work sooner. She will be here to pick me up soon." Did I hear something like 'I'm trying out some pick up lines too' ?

"Ah. I see. Sightseeing?" He said out loud. I shook my head.

"A job. I got the job of a librarian in the National Library of China."

"Whoa! An international librarian! I'm impressed!" He really did look impressed, and that made me feel like flying. Nothing brings more confidence to a girl than admiration for her abilities. "Thank you." I said shyly and he smiled warmly.

"Even more glad that you are here to stay." He said. "Being a scribe somehow suits you."

I couldn't look away from his warm eyes. They held the promise of beautiful days ahead. China suddenly seemed less of a foreign country. Yang Guo alone made it seem interesting. I watched, mesmerized, as those eyes slowly slid from mine, releasing me from his gaze, but I sat frozen. I watched them take in the arch of my brows, go down the slant of my nose, and come to settle on my lips. As if the weather wasn't hot enough. I quickly took a few gulps of my cold coffee, blushing furiously.

Unconsciously, we both took deep breaths. Leaning forward, Yang Guo opened his mouth to say something but got interrupted by his ring tone. With an apologetic smile, he got up to take the call. I took the chance to quickly drink all of my coffee, watching his sexy back. Wait- did I just say that?? Facepalm. Well, since he couldn't see... I grinned widely. Shit.. he was turning. I schooled my expression back to normal.

"Miss Alexandra, I have to leave for something that came up." He said, then looked at my bag beside my feet and frowned. "I don't like leaving you all by yourself in this new country, but I can't stay. It's urgent."

"Is everything alright?" I asked. He had dropped the flirting attitude.

"Yes. Just some work that I have to tackle. I'll tell you what", he said, "I'll ask my friend to keep an eye on you till your friend comes to pick you up. Will that be alright?"

So many points were scored at the first meeting. Now if he disappoints... that will really be beep.

"It's quite alright." I replied, smiling. "I even dared to fly all the way here by myself didn't I? Don't worry about me. I do hope the work goes well."

"Yes. You are a courageous one." He smiled his sunny smile, bowed a little and took two steps towards the door, when he halted and looked back.

"I'll ensure that the next time you can enjoy a full and uninterrupted view of my back."

Shit. My reflection on the glass windows. Bury me alive!!!

Yang Guo disappeared through the door with a grin, leaving me to actually bang my head on the table. I wasn't even in the state to worry about the startled exclamations from the other tables at the loud bang.

Wait...

"Oh shit." I groaned. "I didn't ask for his phone number!" And lifted my face to come face to face with May who enquired, "Whose phone number? And why is your face like a furnace?" Grinning broadly she winked, "Spill."

Dead.

Sketch by medicstories

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* Xiao Zhan : For those who do not know, Xiao Zhan is a Chinese actor who shot to fame after acting in a Chinese series called Chen Qing Ling (English name : The Untamed). The story is a screen adaptation of the Chinese novel MO DAO ZU SHI (English name :  Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation) by author MO XIANG TONG XIU. If you haven't watched the series or read the novel yet, do do do! One of the greatest love stories, it's taking the world by storm these days. And with good reason!