12 | Cafe-Meet

AUTHOR'S POV. -

"WHAT!!" Livie almost screamed while slapping her hands on the counter making her father to raised his eyebrows but his hands kept moving nevertheless. "Don't be so violent. It's a fact that one day you have to get married." He said and turned off the stove as he was done cooking. "But dad-" "Who's getting married?" Livie was cut in between her words by Andy who came into the kitchen with his hands in his pocket and hair a little damp indicating he just showered. "Uncle. Are you finally planning to have a second marriage?" He playfully smiled and tossed some grapes placed in the fruit bowl in his mouth as Livie just huffed and folded her arms in front of her chest while her father let out a deep sigh. "That will be so much better." "Huh?" Andy confusingly looked at Livie and then at his uncle as none of them laughed at his remark. "What happened?" He asked now suspiciously eyeing both father and daughter.

"Livie's getting married."

"No one getting married!!"

Livie lost her cool as she cut her father's words making Andy flinch as he placed his hand on his chest and looked at Livie with wide eyes. "Dad. I can't believe you. I mean...just yesterday you were bowling your eyes out that I'll leave you and all. And look at you now. Already planning my marriage?" Andy blinked his eyes while looking at her and then at his uncle not understanding how he should react. "Um... guys..." He tried to say something but his uncle placed the plate of food in front of him and then looked at Livie. "Well, that doesn't mean you'll never get married. And just because you married doesn't mean that I'll never see you again." Hearing her father's words, Livie felt her anger rising as she rose from her seat and glanced at her father before storming out of the kitchen. "Livie, have your breakfast first!!" Her father called out for her but it was too late as they heard the door shutting sound indicating she left from the main door. "God!! This girl." Andy looked at his uncle who now had a frustrating expression on his face. "I was wondering if I would be on the list." He innocently took a bite from his food whilst his uncle stared at him. "You would be the first one on the list." Andy choke on his food while coughing hard and gulp a huge sip from his glass. While his uncle just stared at him with a plain expression.

ON THE STREET -

Livie walked with her hands folded in front of her chest and cheeks puffed up. "How can he even..." She sighs and shook her head. Reaching the end of the street, she entered the cafe and the bells rang indicating the arrival of a new customer. The cashier looked at the door and her eyes beamed with happiness. "Livie?!!" She placed the freshly baked cupcakes on the counter and hurriedly waddle towards Livie. "OMG girl!!! Long time no see." Livie chuckle when she got pulled in a bone-crashing hug. She hugged back with a wide grin on her face. "Same here Tina." Tina broke the hug and looked at Livie. "What brought you here suddenly?" She asked letting go of her hands and walking towards the counter when she saw more customers coming. Livie followed her behind and watched her talking with customers. "Why? Am I not allowed to visit my father's cafe?" Livie made a pouty face making Tina chuckle and shook her head. " Obviously, You're allowed. In fact thanks for coming. I may be needing a helping hand today." Tina made a face pleading to which Livie smiled and saluted her. "As you wish ma'am." Both of them giggle before Livie stood in the place of Tina to take orders while Tina went to bring out the other treats.

AFTER A WHILE -

"Thanks for visiting. Have a good day." Livie give out her brightest smile as the customer left satisfied. When the door closed, Livie breathed in relief. Tina smiled while looking at her and walk towards her. "So, what was the reason for today's fight?" She asked making Livie startled and stared at her in amusement. "Wait, how did you know?" Livie asked while going towards the table at the front and taking a seat. Tina also walk to the table and stood there while supporting her body with one hand on the table and leaning a little. "Just knew it. Sir said that he won't be coming today, but you showed up. And I know for a matter of fact that you only come here in the absence of your father when you fought with him or need some alone time." Livie blinked her eyes looking at Tina as if she just read her like an open book. Her astonished face turned smiley as she nod her head slightly. "Very well." They both giggle while Tina took a seat. "So?" She looked at Livie eagerly waiting for her to explain as Livie's face turn sour remembering the past events. "Nothing much. It's just, Dad. His being weird. And I don't know why." Livie sighed while Tina looked at her concern. "Why? What happened?" Livie took a deep breath before explaining to her everything that happened since last night.

Tina is like her elder sister. Livie's father runs a cafe on the downside of the street. Tina is a worker there. Although she's in her early 30's, she was always like an elder sister to Livie. Even her father treats her like his daughter. Livie can share anything with her without any fear as she was always the best advice giver for her. Tina listened to everything attentively as Livie explained her point of view to her. When Livie was done speaking, she just sigh and held her hands in her softly. "Livie, I know it can be frustrating sometimes. But he's just worried for you. He's a father. And his worry is very much expected. All he wants is your betterment. Just give him some time." Livie didn't know how to react to this as she just stared at Tina. Sighing, Livie opened her mouth to say something but that was left unfinished as the bells rang making Tina look at the door. She hurriedly got up and gave Livie a light smile. "Think about it." She whispered before going towards the counter while Livie sat in her place emerging in her thoughts.

'I know all he wants is for me. But thinking about the stuff which is not needed right now is making me frustrated. I don't want to get married right now. I don't even know how this topic ended in my marriage. Why is he suddenly so concerned about me? Is there something he's hiding? Or as Tina said it's just his worry for me? God!!!'

Defeated by her thoughts, Livie held her hair in her palms while groaning. Everything felt so messed up to her that she couldn't understand what to do next. As his daughter, Livie knows that her father won't let go of this topic until he gets a justifiable reason or his favourite answer from her. And that is something she doesn't want to happen. "What should I do?" She rubbed her forehead in annoyance.

"Maybe take a deep breath and try to calm down." A mainly deep voice made Livie flinch as she recognised it as it was now oddly familiar to her. Her lashes moved up to see the most pleasant and beautifully sculpted face she have ever seen. Her eyes widen slightly but her heartbeat surely increased with a sudden rush of excitement as well as fear. Her lips quiver, failing to form words as the male in front of her happens to sense her condition and chuckle internally at her. "Calm down Miss Livie, will you?" He took a seat beside her making her again snap out of her thoughts and realise her stares which were fixed on him.

"Mr. Mitc-" "Huh!!" Lucian raised his eyebrows with a hint of warning making Livie shut her mouth. "I mean Lucian. How come you here?" She asked controlling the blush that was trying to tint her cheeks. Lucian smiles while placing his elbows on the table and supporting his chin over his palms. "Is it bad?" His question made Livie's already wide eyes expand even more. "No no. I didn't mean it that way. I was..." Livie panicked trying to form proper words to which Lucian laughed making Livie stop blabbering and admire the delighted face of Lucian. Unwillingly, Livie always found herself staring or gawking at Lucian. She didn't know it yet but her heart felt at peace whenever she was with him. His presence brought comfort to her. And her soft face makes him feel at ease.

Livie didn't realise when Lucian stop laughing at stared back at her eyes which were admiring him. Lucian's hands ache to hold Livie close and whisper all his thoughts to her. But he definitely can't do that right now. He needs to wait and that wait must bring him happiness.

"So, should we have a coffee?"

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