Now or Never

I regret leaving the interview more and more as the scene continues to replay in my head. all because of the uneasy feeling I had on the inside towards that pretentious man. I decided I'd store myself in my room as a result until I thought it was appropriate to continue showing my face to the world.

My weak and vulnerable side emerged once I noticed who I'd be working for. That mysterious guy from the club, I never expected to see that man ever again, and when I did, it brought significant shame to my body and my confidence. By blocking the company number and shutting myself away, I've hoped never to catch sight or contact him again. If I could run into him once after that night, there is a chance it can happen again.

"Why did you bring me here again? You never gave me a valid answer, and don't get me wrong; I'm ecstatic by your generosity," I ask before sipping my daily drug.

Kelli sighs and points her eyes in my direction, "you've been depressing in your room for a whole decade over a little embarrassment. I had to get you out somehow" she pauses as she stuffs her macadamia nut cookie down her greedy throat.

"It was now or never."  she shrugs her shoulders, mouth full of cookies.

"And coffee always cheers you up, so I thought-why not?" she exclaims.

Kelli was right; I adored coffee; it was always my go-to when I felt down or when I just craved the dazzling taste. This was the first place I noticed and began retrieving my cravings only at the age of fifteen. I fell in love with coffee and this coffee house ever since.

"thanks for thinking my actual embarrassment was so little," I whine as I cross my arms over my chest. I could be dramatic most of the time, but my feelings has been more complicated to hold in since my parent's death and my first ever heartbreak.

Kelli chuckled while twirling her spoon in her coffee repeatedly, "I'm sorry, but you're overreacting, Mia. that guy wasn't doing anything unprofessional, and you ran out for what? because you had a bad feeling?"

Her expression softens as she set upright, "I love you, but a one-night stand is called a one-night stand for a reason. You fuck one night and leave it alone the next. It's as easy as that."

"Speaking from experience?" I smirk cocking my brows.

"Exactly," she winks.

I smile, rolling my eyes away from her direction. I can't deny that I was speechless from her words; yeah, I was afraid of facing a man -I had mindless sex with- every day for 8 hours straight, and yeah, and yeah, me not remembering a thing makes me feel even worse. Still, as much as I try to convince myself otherwise, I completely fucked up my chances.

"Anyways, what are you up to tomorrow?" She questions as her glare switches to an amorous goggle.

"Maybe just going to- what are you even staring at?" I cut myself off, trying to catch sight of the thing that has a hold of her attention.

She suddenly blinks fast, straightening her back out while snapping out of whatever fantasy she was wrapped in.

"I think I saw you, brother," she admits.

"And you were looking at him like that?" I laugh with a cocked brow. She laughs, smacking her lips.

"Not at all; I must have just been seeing things anyway," she says, waving off my suspicions.

"Well, as I was saying. I plan on just staying in my bed having some me time." I shrug my shoulders, causing Kelli to let out a low scoff, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You've got to be kidding me, Mia. You're calling back up to that place to have a re-do before the time is up," she says with a demanding tone.

I roll my eyes towards her response, "let's be realistic here, Kelli. It's almost been a week since my last interview; in what reality will I get a second chance at an opportunity like that?"

"In the reality of second chances and a convincing lie," she leans back into her chair with her shoulders arched and a cocky grin spreading on her face.

"Oh, please. I couldn't even convince my brother of my whereabouts. How the hell am I supposed to lie to a condescending boss?"

Her face forms into a frown, and her lips let out a sigh of realization, showing that she lost hope in her plans. I can't lie; she had me thinking I'd be able to redeem myself but let's face it, "not everyone gets a second chance."

"Oh wow he's hot" Kelli changes the subject as she flirtatiously bats her lashes.

I quickly turn around, searching for this good-looking guy, until my eyes fall upon a familiar face standing at the store entrance. Realization washes over me, and my eyes widen by the second.

"I'm guessing you know the guy," Kelli says, focusing on my reaction.

No, that cannot be him.

It just can't be.

My eyes remain attached to the man who is now standing at the counter. Mr. West the devil himself. I know I've said it would be possible to see him again, but I never expected to see him again unless I was begging for a do-over.

He looked completely different from the interview day; it's like he was another person. Exactly the way he looked at the club. Complete and utterly captivating.

His body turns swiftly towards me like he knew I was here the whole time; he lets out a small smile and waves slightly in my direction. I must have been staring too long, him noticing my stare wasn't in my best interest.

Quickly turning my head like I was never looking in the first place, Kelli raises her eyebrows in confusion.

I let out a large breath of air before spilling, "that's the guy."

"shut up!" She shouts, practically catching the attention of everyone in the coffee shop.

I slap my hand over her mouth, silencing her in the process, "why cause more attention to me" I cover my head in embarrassment, hoping he wasn't looking.

"I'm sorry, but like wow. I'd probably be acting a nut if I had sex with him too." She jokes, causing me to swat her hand.

"Just stop."

"Seriously. I can't blame you now" she bursts into laughter, forcing my cheeks to burn from her constant outbursts.

She calms herself before looking back at him, "speaking of second chances," she nods her head towards him.

"I think he wants to talk to you" I suddenly hear footsteps, and I spin my head only to see him walking towards me.

I take one last glance at her, revealing my 'I will kill you later for doing this'  look before standing to meet him halfway.

"Hi Mia, it's great to see you again," he says, flashing his teeth with a coffee in one hand and the other rested in his pocket.

"If you don't mind me calling you that" he jumps in to correct himself and I smile at the respect he has.

"It's nice to see you too, Mr. West" I reply, holding onto my fingers behind my back.

"Call me Arden," he laughs, sipping his coffee.

I nod. He gives me the same cheesy grin he did the first day we met, flashing his dimples while staring hopelessly at the ground.

"I had assumed something important happened when you ran out of my office the other day. I tried getting in touch with you, but I couldn't reach your number," he says with genuine concern on his face.

An awkward laugh escapes my lips, and I think of what Kelli said not too long ago, second chances and a convincing lie, but what's an appropriate convincing lie?

"I'm sorry, I was so worked up that my uncertainty rendered me useless. I don't know what went over me" I say, shrugging my shoulders hoping the truth wouldn't fail me as I couldn't find an appropriate lie.

He nods, "of course it's no worries, Mia. Even when I was prepared my whole life, I wasn't mentally prepared to take over my grandfather's place of business, but in the end, I still did what was needed to be done," he explained, giving me a reassuring smile.

This did allow my mind to be a little more at ease and the tension in my body to relax, "I'm happy you understand. I didn't know how I'd explain what was happening without looking like a complete idiot."

I found myself becoming more and more comfortable with our conversation as time went by, "well, I have to get going; I hope to see you again this Wednesday."

"This Wednesday?" I question not fully aware of his wording.

"After you, Mia; there was no luck with anyone else, so I hope you'll try with us again, we're having walk in interviews," he says, bringing his coffee to his soft lips.

"I guess I'll see you then, Arden" I laugh. he nods, giving me a silent wave and a gesturing smirk before walking out of the shop.

I stand there in disbelief by how I got another interview quickly, Just by relating to the boss.  I never anticipated anything like this to happen in real life so unexpectedly or even to me, but I wasn't complaining. I was glad I was given a second chance, and this time, it will be different; I was changing for the better.

I turn over on my heels, grinning in Kelli's direction; once she noticed my excitement, there was an explosion in her reaction, and she jumped up and ran towards me.

"I knew he'd understand," she laughed, shrugging her shoulders.

"How the hell? He had like a million girls applying for that position. Why me?" I look at kelli with an equally excited tone.

"You're one in a million. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to give you the world" I gave her a warm smile before we grabbed our things and left the coffee shop.