3 To Cafe Evergarden

'I'm so disappointed, why can't he see it?'

The burden she carried grew heavier than it was then. All she wanted was to go on her terms this time around, but was declined by one person whom she thought she could rely onwards.

Nathalie bit her lip when Tyler wanted to grab the opportunity, but she couldn't help but somewhere deep in her heart ached when he viewed far ahead into the future.

But not that it aligned hers.

Worse, she might not be able to see as his goals were beyond horizon.

'This is, by far, the worst I had got into an encounter with him.'

A series of grumbles escaped her lips, incredibly disdained from everything that happened to her.

'Earlier, looking at him, acting all high and mighty as he tugged the lapels of his black coat while harrumphing.' A click of her tongue was her cue to end her endless rants.

Her eyes stuck at the towering edifice; its frontage was intimidating—a thousand floors, of the same array of glass fractals, and to its glinting spire that reaches the blue skies—arching her neck gave her a sudden onset of vertigo.

Upon shaking her head, she then slapped her cheek a couple of times and sashayed away. Within the line of sight, she beckoned her chauffeur, who was in white uniform, standing beside her white BMW.

"Jonathan, take me to the nearby cafe. Now!" She hollered, strolling close to her vehicle.

"Without delay, Miss Quinn." Jonathan nudged his white feather beret, and his fitted knee-length leather boots shuffled to the backseat. He then offered a gesture for her to enter.

She dropped her sling bag to the side, leaning her back against the cozy seat. The back of her hand propped on her forehead as she breathed out.

The chauffeur but for most of the time as her bodyguard, Jonathan, got into the car, revved up the engine, and drove off in a jiffy.

It was but of a single activation, and they now zoomed into the streets, slipping into the crowd of cars.

Despite the buzzing sounds and heatwave swirling amongst the road with their moving flashes of light, she sought comfort and solace in her seat. It was the moment she needed to get away from all of the stress built up.

But it didn't last when Jonathan pulled up the car to the favorite cafe of hers. When she noticed, he went out of the driver's seat and trotted to open the door for her.

'I know it was that near, but not that near—' she pulled back her ponytail out of groaning. 'Nevermind that.'

With him opening, her stiletto heel greeted the city winds before clacking to the cemented pavement. She then arched her back as she took a leave from her car and faced Jonathan.

"Thank you. I shall take my leave."

She tugged the golden chains in her sling bag as she strutted towards the front porch of the cafe. Every motif it bore was everything to her: a tinge of meadowy vines that slithered on to the oakwood beams and foundations. There were several pieces of furniture, chairs, and table sets, with few of them occupied.

It seemed that there were a lot of people, hanging out with a few friends and colleagues, even some well-known celebrities just right outside the porch, in which she thought for a moment.

'My, is it full?' She halted for a while. 'Let's go check it in.'

Her sharp clacks quieted as soon as she reached the platform, there she reached out the door handle, and a series of bell chimes rang her ear ever-so-sweetly. A cold breeze greeted her that embossed the aromatic smell of roasted beans and pastries within.

Taking her time to look around, she breathed with a smile as soon as a few customers occupied the seats and indulged themselves with their orders.

She scoured around and saw her favorite spot: It was a little space—perhaps enough for a couple to enjoy the time of the day—nearby the window, facing the famous amusement theme park in the city.

Soon as she took a seat and placed her sling bag on her lap, a server came for her aid in an instant.

"Would you like blueberry cheesecake and passion fruit bubble tea for this Wednesday, Miss?" Voice of a man so sweet and noble she had to tilt her sunglasses down and peered at him.

She giggled, propping her chin on her clasped fingertips.

"You know what I want, Chad."

"I sure do," Chad replied while scribbling on his palm-sized paper. "Anything else you would like to add?"

His scribbles were relatively swift and clean; she could see how taut his forearms were every time he moved.

"...Miss Quinn?"

To hide her embarrassment, she flicked her ponytail to the side with a slight clear on her throat. Clutching her chest, she said, "Please bring me a glass of water when you come back here with the order."

"As you wish."

"I'd have that special edition your cafe has to offer, was it that tart?" While peering at the menu several inches away.

"Yes."

"Alright, then. That would be all."

With a nod, Chad shuffled out and went to the counter to assess her order.

Along the way, she then peered at his gray fitted trousers and dress shirt with folded up three-quarters on his sleeves.

Anyone could tell how toned his body was from the outline of his outfit. Although there, he also donned a white apron, but not gleam enough to blind her eyes.

'Look at this cafe, thriving so much. I have been here even before I rose so much in my career. I would always pray for this success.'

Unbeknownst to her, she was already in a fantasy.

'Even the services are top-notch; I'm—I feel like I can die in peace.'

A silly grin was all she beamed, tapping her cheeks with a minute giggle.

"Nat!"

She broke free from cupping her cheeks and looked around, trying to find the familiar voice that called her name.