That evening, Seraphine visited the café Yvonne had mentioned, Canvas & Co. The café was small and dimly lit, its walls bathed in soft golden light and filled with paintings. When she opened the door, the smell of roasted coffee greeted her. The sound of gentle spoon clinks and low conversation created a soothing rhythm that instantly eased her chest.
Seraphine stepped inside slowly, letting her eyes wander from one painting to another. One of them caught her attention, a stormy sky layered with gray and streaks of light. Something about it drew her in. It felt like she had seen it before, as if the painting carried a memory she could not name. Her heart began to race the longer she stared, until a voice behind the counter made her turn.
A middle-aged woman smiled politely from behind the counter, and Seraphine walked closer. A small menu rested on the wooden surface, handwritten and decorated with simple drawings. The effort that went into it made the place feel personal.
"What would you like to order?" the woman asked softly.
"I'll have a latte," Seraphine answered.
The woman typed in the order and told her the price. Seraphine tapped her card, and the familiar sound confirmed her payment.
"Your drink will be ready soon. You can wait by the pick-up counter," the woman said before walking to the coffee machine.
Seraphine followed her instructions and waited. When her order was ready, she took the warm cup carefully. The latte art on top was shaped perfectly.
"Hope you like it," the woman said kindly before stepping away.
Seraphine hesitated for a moment, then spoke up."Excuse me," she said. The woman turned back with a gentle expression. "I heard this café is looking for part-time workers?"
"That's right. Are you interested?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I'll get you the form."
"Thank you. I'll wait over there." Seraphine pointed to a small table near the window.
The woman nodded and went through a door in the back, while Seraphine sat down with her drink. She looked out the window, watching people pass by. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down, as if the world itself was caught between one breath and the next. Her thoughts drifted to her childhood, memories flickering like an old film playing inside her mind.
The sound of footsteps brought her back. The woman returned with a form in hand."Here you go. Please fill it out completely, and when you're done, you can take it to that room," she said, pointing to the door in the back.
"Thank you," Seraphine replied with a small nod.
She filled out every line carefully. When she was done, she stood and walked toward the back room. Just as she reached the door, it opened from the inside. A young man stepped out, carrying a stack of plates in his hands.
He moved quietly and steadily. His pale gray eyes caught the light in a way that made them look almost translucent.
As Seraphine stepped aside to give him space, the edge of her bag brushed against the plates. The top cup slipped, hit the floor, and shattered into pieces.
Everyone in the café turned to look.
"I'm so sorry," Seraphine said quickly, bending down to help gather the shards. The young man stood still for a moment, then looked down at the floor without any visible emotion.
"It's fine," he said calmly. "You didn't break anything important."
His voice was steady but distant, as if it came from somewhere far away.
He crouched beside her to help. That was when Seraphine noticed his hands. Faint scars ran along his fingers, and dark stains, like ink or paint, marked his skin in a way that looked permanent.
Their eyes met. A strange sensation rippled through her body. Her head grew light, and for an instant, it felt as if she was being pulled into a memory that did not belong to her.
The young man's quiet voice pulled her back."Be careful with sharp things," he said. "They remember who bled on them."
It sounded like a joke, but his tone was too serious to be one.
Once the broken pieces were cleared away, Seraphine stood up. The young man placed the shards on top of the plates and walked off without another word.
"That was strange," she whispered under her breath before opening the door to the back room.
Inside, a woman sat behind a desk, reading through a few papers. Seraphine knocked gently, and the woman looked up with a polite smile.
"Please, come in," she said.
Seraphine entered, set the form on the desk, and took a seat."Excuse me, ma'am. I'd like to apply for the part-time position here."
"Of course. Let me take a look."
The woman read through the paper, her expression changing slightly when she reached the top section."I see," she murmured before looking up again. "Congratulations. You're hired. You can start tomorrow."
It was so fast it almost felt unreal.
For a brief moment, Seraphine understood why. It must have been her name. Aurelline. Anyone familiar with art would recognize it. That name alone was enough to open doors.
Because she was the Maestro's daughter.
Seraphine stood, thanked the woman, and left the café. When the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall outside. Her eyes lowered to a puddle near her feet, reflecting the streetlights.
"Again," she whispered to herself.
"You don't have to force yourself to paint if it hurts you."
The voice came from her left. Seraphine's eyes widened. She turned to see the same young man from before, throwing a trash bag into the bin beside the café.
She stared at him, stunned.How could he possibly know?