The rain had returned that day after several dry, sunlit ones. Luckily, Sera had remembered to bring her blue umbrella, the one she always carried on unpredictable days like this.
"Hot chocolate sounds perfect today. Maybe I'll stop by the café… just for a cup," she whispered to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. The thought of the warm chocolate filled her mind all day, a comforting image amid the gray drizzle outside. Her shift passed in a blur, almost unnoticed, until finally, the clock struck closing time.
After bidding farewell to her colleagues, Sera stepped out, her umbrella shielding her from the persistent drizzle. Each droplet seemed to tap a rhythm on the umbrella's fabric, a gentle percussion that matched the quiet pulse in her chest. She hurried toward the café, eager for a moment of comfort in its warmth.
The moment she opened the door, a wave of familiar scents—roasted coffee beans, baked pastries, and warm chocolate—washed over her. She breathed it in, letting it fill the hollow ache left by recent days.
"Hello, miss! Back again after some time. Hot chocolate as usual?" The waiter's familiar voice pulled her back to reality. Sera nodded, smiling softly. He already knew her favorite, a comforting reassurance.
"Please, sit wherever you like. We'll bring it over shortly. The corner table by the bookshelf," he said. Sera laughed quietly, heading toward her usual spot. She picked up a novel from the shelf while she waited, letting the smell of paper and ink mingle with the aroma of chocolate.
"Your order, miss." The steaming cup of chocolate was placed gently in front of her.
"Tha—Ghio?" Sera blinked, her eyes widening. "Are you working here?"
Ghio shook his head, settling into the chair across from her. "No, I own the café." He smiled, a soft, genuine warmth that made her heart beat a little faster.
"Oh? I've never seen you before."
"Yes, I just returned from overseas last week. Let me guess—you come here often?" Ghio's eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.
Sera nodded. "Yes… your hot chocolate is the best I've ever had."
"Woah, really? That makes me happy! Do you enjoy reading novels too?"
"Yes. The novels here are really good. How about you?"
"I love them. Almost all of these books belong to me. I've read them all," Ghio replied casually.
"Really? Then maybe you can recommend one for me."
Ghio paused thoughtfully before reaching for a book from the shelf and handing it to her. "'Across a Hundred Lifetimes'," he said.
"If you like romance, it's perfect. I've read it, and it was… captivating," Ghio added, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
Hearing this, Sera felt a flicker of confidence. "Hearing that from you… it makes me trust your recommendation a little more."
"A little more?" Ghio laughed softly. "Trust me—I'm an experienced reader. You'll love the ending, I promise."
Sera chuckled. "Alright, I'll read it then."
"Enjoy your chocolate. I must get back to work." Ghio rose, leaving her with a gentle smile and a lingering warmth.
Outside, Liam's eyes followed Sera through the café window. His chest tightened with a mix of longing and guilt. She was smiling—smiling at another man, someone who made her laugh. He knew, rationally, that he had no right to feel jealous, yet the pain in his chest was undeniable.
He imagined stepping inside, sweeping her into his arms, confessing everything he had kept buried. But fear rooted him in place. His cowardice prevented him from bridging the gap he so desperately wanted to close.
Meanwhile, Sera, oblivious to Liam's presence, sipped her hot chocolate and turned the pages of the book Ghio had recommended. She let herself relax, allowing the warmth of the cup and the story to push away the lingering anxiety of recent weeks. Her heart had been heavy, yes, but for a few moments, it felt lighter.
Liam lingered in the shadows, watching. Every laugh, every turn of her head, every flicker of her smile—he memorized it all. And with each memory, his heart ached more fiercely.
The rain slowed to a drizzle, the streetlights casting a dim glow over the wet pavement. Liam finally turned away, disappearing into the darkness, leaving behind the sight of Sera's laughter, etched painfully into his mind.
That night, lying in bed, Liam's thoughts refused to quiet. He saw her clearly: the way she cradled the cup, the way her eyes danced over the pages, the little smile she reserved for Ghio. It was unbearable.
Sleep eventually claimed him, dragging him into dreams where Sera's laughter floated just out of reach, a bittersweet reminder of all he had lost and all he had yet to confess.