Alluring Masquerade

Chapter 19 - Zach, The Secret Crush.

          "Uh-oh," she whispered. I can't be falling for him, right? She asked herself silently. She looked back and he winked at her while answering his mobile phone. And then ... the butterflies erupted. "Shit!" she said aloud, almost dropping the cup of coffee form the counter.

          She began the deadly walk towards Zach who was now talking seriously on the small mechanism behind his hand. It was a deadly walk because the butterflies were making her nervous, causing her hands to shake. She had almost dropped the cup and saucer, the little pot of sugar and a teaspoon off of the shiny tray if she hadn't picked up her pace and put on Zach's table.

          "Cup of coffee," she said, her voice wobble. She poured a teaspoon of sugar quickly and mixed it. She could see from her peripheral vision that he had now hung up the phone. "Enjoy." She watched him get up, after taking a careful sip from the cup and put it down again.

          "I'm so sorry," he said, checking the time on his watch. "But there's an emergency at work. I have to go." He was giving her such an apologetic expression that she didn't even mind that hadn't finished the cup of coffee.

          "It's alright," she smiled, waving a hand in the air. But she was feeling a bit sad that he couldn't stay longer.

          "Next time I'll take you to diner, we can spend more quality time together. What's your number? I'll call you..." He took out his phone again, waiting for an answer.

          The digits automatically came out of her mouth.

          "Thanks, I'll be here to pick you up when you get your break, if that's alright," he said, but didn't wait for chance in case she could protest, and saved her number. "See you soon, beautiful." He winked at her again before disappearing outside. He waved at her with his dazzling smile as he passed by the large window.

          Her mouth was moving mutely and her right hand was slightly outstretched. Great, I gave my number, she thought, and couldn't help day-dreaming about him calling her already. She gasped to herself. What am I thinking? It's like he has put a spell on me. Her eyes grew dreamier.

          "Excuse me, waitress!" a rather angry customer's voice interrupted her reverie. "Are we going to have to serve ourselves?!"

                                                                                                  ~*~

          She couldn't help but check the watch every five minutes since he had gone. There were only fifteen minutes left until it was twelve o'clock. The cafe wasn't so busy at the moment, which was bugging her because she wanted any excuse not to go out with him this afternoon. Her short, clear nail-varnished nails tapped the counter nervously as her eyes darted towards the door. But she knew she couldn't ignore it. She had agreed herself. She sighed heavily.

          Jarred came walking out of the kitchen, and said, "You can go home early today."

          She turned to look at him, her eyes wide. "Why?"

          "It's too quiet. And I have to see Angelina," he stated.

          "But I can still carry on..." she insisted, but Jarred was shaking his head.

          "No," he said, running a hand down his face as if he was tired. "It's alright; I'll close down early now."

          "But what about the customers?" she asked, gesturing at the five people occupying the cafe.