The next day was a weekend, so I decided to go for a walk to keep myself sane. But then hunger struck. Hard. My eyes landed on a café like it was destiny.
Naturally, I marched in happily and proceeded to order like a human vacuum: two shortcakes—strawberry and chocolate—then a cheesecake, milk tea, bubble tea, a cheeseburger, and fries.
Yes, I eat a lot. I know. Orders arrived, and I was about to take a glorious first bite of my burger, when my head snapped up. Brother Nadrien.
And not alone. Another tall figure with slick black hair and a sharp suit followed him. Both looked impossibly handsome, like the universe just decided to punish me. But of course, my Nadrien was the main disaster. He ordered, sat down, and started talking serious stuff with the other guy, calm and perfect as ever.
I froze over my milk tea, thinking: okay, he's sitting ahead of me. Maybe he doesn't even know I'm here. So, does that mean he can read my mind right now or not? Wait—how does this mind-reading thing even work?
I should ask Nayel first. But if he can't read my mind here, I'm safe, right? Right. Time to admire him discreetly. Oh God. He looked so fine. Black jeans, white t-shirt. Perfect posture. Hair just messy enough to be casual but still gorgeous.
Does he exist just to make me drool? I noticed him drinking black coffee. He always drinks it. Must be good, right? If he drinks it, I have to try it too. Maybe if I do things he likes, he'll like me back. Genius logic. Totally sane. I quickly ordered a black coffee. Confidently, I lifted the cup, took a big sip, and immediately froze. Before I knew it, I was coughing like a broken machine.
Loud. Echoing. Across the entire café. Most eyes in the café had diverted to me.
Even the guy sitting with Brother Nadrien glanced over.
Shit. I'm done for.
Brother Nadrien noticed me. Didn't he?
I blinked, and yep—his eyes were on me, calm, sharp, unnervingly focused. Oh my god.
Why am I still existing?
Why does he have to see me like this, choking on coffee in front of everyone?
I sniffed, wishing I could vanish into thin air, when a voice beside me broke through my panic. "Alvin, you okay?"
It was Johny, a classmate. I nodded, gulping water to try and get rid of the taste of death that was the black coffee.
"I'm fine, but this tastes awful. Here, take it—my treat," I said quickly, shoving the cup toward him, desperate to get rid of it. He frowned, confused, gently patting my back. "You sure?"
"Yeah, fine. No coughing anymore,it's too damn embarrassing." I muttered under my breath, looking down, wishing I could disappear. Then a shadow fell over me.
I looked up. Brother Nadrien. Calm. But somehow, cold. His eyes, sharp and commanding, flicked to Johny's hand on my back.
In an instant, Johny pulled away, sensing the heat and tension radiating off him. Nadrien calmly took the black coffee from Johny's hand and, without a trace of hesitation, said to me, "Stand up." Almost an order.
I froze for a second, then meekly complied, making sure to grab my remaining milk tea and fries, at least I could hold onto some dignity.
I couldn't even say goodbye to Johny as Nadrien's grip on my wrist pulled me away from the café.
"Where are we going?" I asked nervously.
"If you can't stand it, don't order it," he said calmly, sipping the black coffee.
My mind raced. Didn't I drink it too? Oh god, an indirect Kiss. No stop thinking, My face is so red.
"Sorry." I muttered, thinking, I only wanted to try it because you like it...
"No need to do things just because of me. That's unnecessary. Just be yourself. That's enough." His words were calm, but they cut right through me.
Oh god. I forgot. He could read my mind.
My face burned. His voice was gentle, but serious.
Did he think I was annoying, trying to do things he liked? That made me feel small, sulky, and embarrassed all at once.
I glanced down at my fries, trying not to melt under his calm, intense gaze.
Brother Nadrien seemed to notice, but before he could say anything, a cold, untouchable voice spoke beside him.
"How could you just leave without saying bye?" I looked up. The black-haired guy with him. Calm, composed, intimidating.
"I had more important matters to handle than listening to you," Nadrien said smoothly, eyes still fixed on me.
"I see," the guy smirked, glancing at me with an amused tilt of his head.
Just then, Nayel came running up, out of breath. "Brother, why'd you call oh..... You're here too," he muttered, looking at the black-haired guy in a way that made my brain fry.
Quiet. Shy. So different from his usual confident self.
"Yes, I'm leaving. Just came to say bye. Take care," the guy said softly, smiling gently as he patted Nayel's head.
"Yeah, whatever. I'll be fine anyway," Nayel said, moving his head, but I could see the sadness behind his eyes.
The guy chuckled, waved goodbye to Nadrien again, and even smiled at me before leaving in a sleek, expensive car.
I blinked, shaking my head to focus back on Nadrien, only to see Nayel looking… well, sad.
"Who was that? And why do you look so sad?" I asked, gently patting his hair.
"No one special just he's going abroad for studies today," Nayel mumbled.
"Let me guess—he's your crush, and now you're broken because he's leaving. My poor baby," I cooed, spreading my arms to hug him.
Before I could wrap him up, Nadrien's hand shot out, gripping my collar and pulling me back. "Enough of your melodrama. Go home and study," he said, sharp and commanding. Nayel glared at him, lips pressed tight, but didn't argue.
I blinked, my heart racing.
Did he just stop me from hugging his brother? But why... Was he jealous, ah no! Calm down, Alvin. Calm. Down. Stop being so damn delusional always.
"You're such a terrible brother! You're just, so full of yourself Because your way is so easy, Of course you wouldn't understand my pain," Nayel shouted, fuming.
"Oh, you think it's easy?" Nadrien replied, his tone low and serious. Both brothers locked eyes in an intense glare that made my stomach flip and my throat dry.
I gulped nervously. "Can We, uh...calm down? you tell me what's happening? Don't leave me hanging?" I asked, completely confused.
Nayel didn't answer. Instead, he turned on his heel and ran off before I could even process it.
I opened my mouth to follow, but Nadrien's hand shot out, gripping my wrist. "Forget it. He'll be fine soon," Nadrien said, still calmly sipping his black coffee, like nothing had happened.
"Oh," I muttered, feeling a mix of worry and confusion. But what did he mean by that? "His way is easy"? What way?
What's easy?
My brain scrambled as I tried to piece together the conversation, but all I could do was stand there, clutching my milk tea, heart pounding, and hoping I wouldn't overthink myself into another embarrassing meltdown.