Get a grip Ruby, it's only a voice.

A dreamy one nonetheless. *sigh*

I looked at my side, wanting to know who made my drab lunch entertaining. And boy, if I wasn't swooning then, I definitely was now. He stood tall, too tall (my neck was hurting having to crane so much) and absolutely gorgeous, dressed in a sharp suit. But what caught my immediate attention were his eyes. His eyes were a very familiar shade of Amber, startling me with their resemblance with his eyes.

Could this be the same person?

Not many people have this exact shade...

I feel like I know him. That has got to count for something right?

Obviously intimidated by this visibly strong stranger, Robert bet a hasty retreat.

Thankfully he hadn't ordered something that I would have to pay for. Money was tight as a play school teacher in this economy.

Going by the grin on Mr.Coffee Spiller's face, the accident had been totally intentional.

"I am sorry miss but I was going back towards my table and couldn't help but overhear a part of your conversation. I hope I didn't ruin your chances if you actually liked him but I couldn't hear someone talk like that to a beautiful young lady who can definitely do so much better. "

My heart stopped beating for a moment when he called me beautiful. Sure, my mom called me beautiful, Mar too and Mrs.

He didn't mean it. I was sure. He was only being polite. He had good conversational skills, I'd give that to him. 

"It's okay,he deserved that. If you hadn't done it, I would have."

"That would have been a waste of that lovely hot chocolate. Mine was simply black coffee."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Black coffee? Yikes. But you really should sit down. My neck hurts having to crane so much for looking at you."

"Oh! I am sorry...it's genetic, the height. Umm...I don't want to intrude."

Although he said he didn't want to intrude, he looked like he wanted to sit at my table. Perks of having studied behavioral science...

"Yeah, I am having an intense debate with that empty chair. So you better get going before you disturb us."

He let out a rich, throaty laugh (I was swooning again) and sat opposite to me.

"Don't freak out or something, but I feel like I recognise you." He said, surprising me.

"Oh?" Great job, Ruby. Sound skeptical. I could feel my subconscious making that disapproving face at me.

"There was a girl at my school. I met her in 6th grade and she transferred when I was in the 7th grade. She had the same auburn hair as you and the port wine stain as well." He recalled as if staring into a distant memory.

"W-what was her name?" I tried not to sound too shaky.

"I don't know. " he gave me an honest answer before continuing, "I called her Cerise."

I was sure. This was him. There was only one person who addressed me as Cerise in school. Or anywhere, really. Scratch that, there was only one person who'd talk to me in school other than the lunch lady.

"You are Michael Thomas."

He blinked and realization dawned on his face.

"The boy you saved from bullies. "

"Well, I wouldn't call myself a hero, but you can repay me with some cookies. Your stutter is completely gone now btw. " You can figure out what he was bullied for.

"He chuckled,  very well, I will get you some cookies. Better yet, I will make them myself, I pride on them. "

"Wow, a man who looks like that and can bake? I might kidnap you."

I immediately facepalm mentally. What the heck Ruby, way to sound like a creep.

"Umm, no, I-"

He interrupted me as I started to backtrack, "Calm down Cerise, I can take a joke."

"Oh and about my stutter, nope it's not completely gone, it makes a reappearance at times I am stressed. But it's under control after years of speech therapy." He continued.

I nodded, still unable to believe that my childhood crush was sitting in front of me. 

"Thank you so much for everything you did, Cerise, even if we knew each other only for a short while. I couldn't thank you before you left...I didn't even say goodbye. I looked for you everywhere in the city. Your neighbors didn't know your new address and there was only so much a thirteen year kid could do. Why didn't you tell me Cerise?" His voice sounds tinged with pain and it tugs at my heart.

"I am sorry Michael, I really am. I did want to tell you, part of wished I didn't have to leave so I could continue being your friend." I take a pause to compose myself.

"But I was a kid too, my parents thought moving to a quieter place would be better for me. Also, I didn't think you would want to know, or even miss me, for that matter. I didn't know what our friendship meant to you." 

"Don't be upset now Rissy." There he goes, making me mush with another variation of the nickname.

"And how did you even doubt whether I'd miss you or not? Did I not make it absolutely clear how much I loved spending time with you? Having lunch with you, walking around the corridors with you, waiting in the library while you picked out your books for the week just so I can be with you for a little longer, all these were what I truly looked forward to in school. I loved being your friend."

I can only make a sad attempt at smiling. "You never once complained about waiting for hours in the library, I know it wasn't your favorite place."

"It was yours, though, wasn't it? I didn't mind it at all." He says earnestly.

"Still, I apologize for putting you through that... and for not saying goodbye." His expression softens a bit when he hears that.

"What's done is done, okay? Now we have to make up for lost time. It isn't everyday I miraculously meet my favorite person from childhood, who, if I may add, has only gotten prettier. Get talking, quick. Tell me all about what you have been up to these years."

"Geez, okay okay calm down, I will tell you everything, I- "

"Wait, are you flirting with me?"

His eyes twinkle with mischief. "If you like it, then I am. If you don't, then I am not."

"Hahaha, okay so I shifted here for my university, and you know I always wanted to teach, so that's what I am doing right now. "

"Oh my gosh, you are living your dream then. I am so proud and happy for you."

"Thank you, Michael." I feel a smile creeping up. 

"What is it that you do now?" 

Michael looks up from his coffee, and into my eyes, making my smile wider. "I am a lawyer."

"You aren't gonna sue me for a kidnapping threat right? Please it was a mistake." I say in half panic and half jest. 

"How can I even think of something like that when you are making those puppy eyes?"

Then, we talked a bit more. About him,about me. My work ,Mar and his cute Golden Retriever that I was gonna meet soon. It was time for the cafe to close, and we were nowhere close to being done. 

"Cerise?" He asked as we were walking down to my house, and he insisted on dropping me off.

"Yeah?"

"Uhh..how will you meet my dog if you d-don't give me your number? Asking s-strictly for meeting-my-pet purposes."

"You know my address just bring him by my house any time after 3 p.m. You can carry on with your work I will play with your cutie dog." What? I saw his photo, and if not Michael, I could atleast temporarily kidnap his dog. Besides, I wanted him to think about having my contact once again, I did care about his mental health. 

He didn't appreciate the gesture though, making a face he replied, "You like messing with me, Cerise, don't you?"

I didn't expect him to tug on my arm and bring me closer to him, leading me to let out a slight gasp. 

"I am not leaving until I have your number. " His warm breath fanned my hair, and I had to grip his shoulder to maintain my balance as well as to steady my thoughts. 

"Gosh you are so stubborn and bossy. Not sure if I like this side of yours." I nervously replied. 

"Okay then. " He tucked a strand of hair behind my ears, and I...I liked it? Dammit what was he doing? "Cerise, will you please do me the honor of being in possession of your phone number so I could call you up at times and listen to your sweet voice, and so that I can get your sassy replies to my texts?" 

I stepped back, putting some much needed distance between us so I could speak coherently. "Hmm, now that you asked so nicely, you can have it." I didn't regret it one bit, not at all after looking at the lovely smile he graced me with, and I couldn't help but mirror it. 

"I will have your cookies waiting for you, the next time we meet." 

"Looking forward to it, Mr. Coffee Spiller."

-THE END-

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Writer's Corner:

So, thoughts?

Phew, 1.5k words, I didn't imagine it'd be this long. 

Also, for people who were genuinely reading this, I apologise for the delay. 

Did mystery man live up to the expectations? 

Want a Michael PoV? 

I dare you to laugh at the parts where they flirted, do you even know how difficult it is to write something that has never happened to you? Hmmph

Don't forget to vote and comment :)

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Length of Chapter: Roughly 1600 words

Date of Publication: 21/11/2024

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