The café was one of the most popular spots near Northvale—always warm, always humming with conversation. Students liked to gather there after classes, some with notes spread across the table, others simply laughing away the stress of the day.
It was familiar, lively, and comforting.
And Cindy worked there as a part-timer, serving as a waitress. The pay was fair, the hours manageable, and the environment far gentler than most student jobs.
Her shift was just about to begin.
Cindy stepped through the staff entrance, the faint aroma of roasted beans and caramel greeting her instantly. As she pushed open the door to the break room, she spotted Raina—her supervisor and the owner's right hand—sorting through a stack of order sheets.
Raina carried an elegant presence that drew attention without effort.
Her hair was deep black, long and softly wavy, falling over her shoulders in smooth, dark ribbons that contrasted beautifully with her fair skin. Her features were refined—straight nose, gentle cheekbones, and lips that settled naturally into a composed, thoughtful line.
Her eyes were dark and steady, the kind that missed nothing. There was a quiet authority in the way she observed the room, not harsh, but unmistakably firm—like someone who understood people simply by watching them for a few seconds.
She wore a fitted black blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted, charcoal-gray trousers. The outfit was simple, clean, and professional, yet carried a subtle sophistication. A thin silver watch rested on her wrist, and her apron was tied with practiced ease, perfectly aligned and free of wrinkles. Even dressed for work, she looked effortlessly poised.
"Good evening, boss!" Cindy said cheerfully.
Raina glanced up, her expression softening. "Evening. Right on time, as always."
Cindy smiled back and reached for her uniform hanging neatly on the rack. The rush hour would start any minute. She slipped the apron over her head, tied it around her waist, and took a quiet breath.
It was going to get busy soon.
***
Solace, Valen, and Ryan stepped into the café. After their first class, they had decided to explore the nearby spots—cafés, restaurants, anything that would help them get familiar with the area. This café was the first on their list.
"Do they sell drinks in a café?" Ryan wondered aloud, rubbing his chin as if contemplating a philosophical question.
"Coffee is a kind of drink, idiot," Valen replied without looking at him.
"Not that kind of drink, Val. You know what I mean." Ryan wiggled his eyebrows, earning an immediate sigh from Solace.
"Ryan, control yourself for now. Let's get familiar with the place first," Solace said, giving him a light shove.
They moved a little deeper inside, the warm smell of roasted beans and baked pastries settling around them. Just then, Valen's steps slowed. He had noticed someone approaching from the behind them.
A girl.
She had soft, golden-blonde hair that fell in gentle waves, catching the café lights with a warm glow. Her hazel eyes were clear and focused, radiating a quiet sincerity as she scanned the tables. Her uniform suit her—simple, neat, yet somehow elegant.
It was Cindy.
Valen found himself staring before he even realized it. Something about her—her calm presence, her gentle expression—pulled his attention in a way he didn't expect. He didn't blink, didn't move.
Ryan elbowed him lightly. "Oi, Val. You good?"
But Valen didn't answer.
He couldn't take his eyes off her.
And when the girl passed by him, his body reacted before his mind did—Valen gave a small, instinctive nod.
Cindy noticed.
She returned it with a warm, gentle smile before stepping inside the café, her footsteps light against the floor.
Valen blinked.
Huh? Why did I just nod to an unknown girl?
Confusion settled over him.
He didn't know her. He had never seen her before.
So why had his body moved on its own?
He had no answer.
"Hey… do you hear me, Val?" Ryan nudged his arm.
"Huh? What?" Valen snapped back to reality, startled.
"What are you spacing out for, man?" Ryan studied his face for a moment—then his expression shifted into a mischievous grin. "And who was that girl, huh?"
Valen shook his head. "I don't know."
"Then why did you nod at her?" Ryan pressed, leaning closer as if sniffing out a secret. "Come on, don't lie. People don't nod at strangers unless something's—"
"Let's go in already," Solace cut in, saving Valen. "Otherwise we won't get any empty seats."
Ryan opened his mouth to tease more, but Solace grabbed him by the collar and pulled him toward the entrance.
"Oi—Sol! I can walk on my own!" Ryan protested, stumbling forward.
Valen exhaled softly, still a little unsure of himself, and followed them inside.
But even as he stepped into the warm, coffee-scented air of the café, one thought lingered:
Who was that girl… and why did she make me react like that?
The moment they stepped inside, the warmth of the café wrapped around them. Soft music drifted from hidden speakers—gentle, unobtrusive, blending with the low hum of conversations. The smell of freshly ground coffee and something sweet from the oven lingered in the air.
Most of the tables were already taken, clusters of students chatting over steaming mugs or tapping away at laptops. Light from hanging bulbs cast a golden glow across the room, making the space feel smaller, cozier than it looked from outside.
Solace spotted an empty corner table.
"Over there," he said.
They slid into their seats—Ryan immediately leaning back with a satisfied sigh, Valen still distracted, and Solace quietly taking in the surroundings.
Near the counter, the baristas moved with practiced rhythm, calling out orders as machines hissed and steamed. Laughter rose from a nearby group, then faded. Somewhere, a spoon clinked softly against ceramic.
Soon, a waitress approached their table.
Solace and Ryan placed their orders without hesitation—Solace asking for a latte, Ryan for a caramel iced blend. Valen, however, was still staring at the menu, flipping it as if every option required deep philosophical consideration.
"Val, hurry up," Ryan muttered.
"I'm deciding," Valen shot back, eyes still on the page.
Finally, he exhaled softly and closed the menu.
He lifted his head —and froze.
It was her.
The same girl from outside. Cindy.
She stood before them with a small notepad in one hand and a pen poised in the other. The café uniform suited her effortlessly—a soft cream blouse tucked into a caramel-colored apron, paired with black tailored trousers. A name-tag rested neatly on her chest, catching the light. Her golden hair was tied into a loose ponytail, a few strands falling gently along her cheek.
Calm, warm, composed.
"Your order?" Cindy asked with a polite smile, unaware of the silent earthquake happening inside Valen's mind.
Valen didn't speak.
He just stared.
Ryan cleared his throat loudly. "Uh—Val? We're waiting."
Cindy blinked, turning her hazel eyes back toward him. "Take your time," she said gently.
Her voice was soft. Too soft.
Valen felt something in his chest shift.
"I… I'll have… an Americano," he finally managed, the words coming out stiffer than he intended.
Cindy noted it down with a light stroke of her pen. "Alright. It'll be ready shortly."
She gave a small, polite nod and walked away, moving with the grace of someone who had done this a thousand times.
Valen watched her go, expression unreadable.
Ryan leaned in immediately. "Okay, WHAT was that?"
Solace didn't comment. But he noticed the way Valen's eyes lingered on her—a subtle pull, quiet but unmistakable.
Something had begun.
Something Valen wasn't prepared for.