Be My Mistake

Chapter Three

                                                                                              three

                                                                                       _____________

The coffee shop was jam packed today. I couldn't rant because it was good for me. Raining tips coming my way. Just as how I liked it. I was busy taking orders, roaming around to attend to customers' demands. 

By 2 pm, there were few customers left. My legs were slightly shaking, but I didn't mind it. When my legs had enough rest, I stood up from the chair and got straight to where the new customers were. 

Working in the service industry was really difficult. So difficult. Being treated like s**t by 'God's only child' like customers. Demanding as if I was their personal maid. Never mind. As soon as I save up money, I would enroll  in a crash course Interior Design or animation. 

I had been overworking myself for the last two days as I didn't want to remember my craziness that night. What did he think of me? I must have sounded like a creepy because of all the things I drunkenly blurted.  Ugh!

Erase. Erase.

I was now approaching the man whose broad back was facing me. If I wasn't tired already, I would have scanned him thoroughly. I badly needed rest. My embarrassment had worn off already, so there was no need for me to overwork just to shut the memories in my head. 

"Hello, Sir, are you ready to order? 

His head was in a bowed position as he typed on his phone. A sudden familiar scent hit my nostrils. Clean, crisp, woody...the combination smell of salty sea and woody spices. My eyes followed the broad back of the guy who passed behind me. 

Nope, not him. He looked just like an ordinary guy.  Xavier was every inch of a high fashion model. Back and front. He was way taller, broad-shouldered, and gorgeous. 

Stop, brain!  You were glorifying him too much.

I heard someone cleared his throat. I spun around to attend to the customer I had forgotten, only to be shocked and stood completely frozen. So the intoxicating scent I smelled was him...I was praying so hard that I didn't gape at him openly, as adding another embarrassing moment would be the total death of me. 

"Hi, one double shot espresso and triple almond cinnamon rolls, please. Thank you," Now that I was sober, his voice registered clear on my ears. Deep, low, manly voice. I gripped the ballpen in my hand, fearing he would see how my hand tremor while listing his orders. 

"O-one double shot espresso and triple almond cinnamon rolls coming up," I stuttered a bit when I repeated his orders.  I didn't dare look at him, even though I wanted to see his gorgeous face so bad. 

Just a glimpse would do.

I was surprised to see a glint of recognition in his brown eyes. He was looking at me which made me paused for a few seconds before I hurriedly walk away.  I put the tickler on my chest. My heart was still beating so fast from the scene where I fled. 

I was doing the breathing technique while preparing his order in the tray. I was planning to ask my co-worker to deliver the order but decided against it. It would really look as if I was that affected. 

Well, I was.

'Focus, Lana'

With calmness, I put the tray on the table and fixed the coaster and plate in front of him. "Here's your order, S-sir."

"Merci." 

I bit my tongue to stop the kilig I was feeling. Hearing him speak french sounded so hot and sexy in my ears. Well, everything about him was sexy...Though it was only a glimpse, I saw tiny moles on his jaw near his lips. 

A memory flicked before my eyes. 

I was grinning ear to ear, looking crazily drunk at a bar talking to Xavier nonstop. His replies were curt, putting a stop to the conversation I was trying to make with him. I didn't mind, though. I was heavily drunk for the very first time in my life. I didn't know what was I doing.

Alcohol made my mouth spit out unabashed words. I was carefree. 

I looked at him with my chin resting on my palm, "Rumor has it...hic...that Fwench...hic...are the best kis-sheeers. C-can you...hic...prove...hic...the rumor?"

His hand holding a glass stopped mid-air. He was probably thinking if his day could get any better...

I saw him hiding his amused smirk by drinking on the glass he was holding.

Shit!

I felt my cheeks getting hot as I remembered the crazy shits I had done to him. I swore to this day I would never ever drink beyond my limits!

The rest of my shift I stayed in the cashier. I didn't have the guts to face him after my throwback so I asked Jon, my co-worker, to give the tab to my neighbor.

"Hey, Aly, I think he left this tip for you," I lifted my head to Jon, furrowed brows, "Tip?" I asked.

He handed me a fin or five-dollar bill. I told Jon to keep it, but he declined. He said it was for me. I shrugged it off and thanked him, putting the fin on the back pocket of my jeans.

I finished my shift in the coffee shop. Next stop, Mexican Restaw.

* * *

I decided to stop by at the Brooklyn Bridge. Tonight was chilly and there were only few people passing by than usual. 

I continuously blew hot breathe on my palms and rubbed it 'til I felt warmth. I hugged myself as I watched the beautiful city lights. Was it just me that was feeling this way whenever I watch the city lights? Feeling happy and sad at the same time. Same with sunset. I didn't know why.

With one last glance, I resumed walking  on my way to my apartment. But I guess this was my lucky day—I saw Xavier standing a few meters away from me, admiring the city lights as I was. Looking tranquil just like the the first time I saw him watching the sunset.

Should I talk to him? What would I say?

Thank him and apologize, I guessed?

I remembered vividly everything that happened that night. I was heavily drunk, spouting nonsense, and harassing my neighbor all night.

He even helped me after passing out and took me home even though he could just left me in the bar. I was a freaking stranger after all! I storytelling him my address, my unit number, how good he smelled...even pointing him his own apartment!

He must knew by now that the drunk woman he met at the bar was having a big crush on him. To top that of, I seemed like a creep! Living in the same neighborhood as him, knowing his name, his nationality, his i********: account...

Well, he wasn't supposed to know that. Damn alcohol! I even insinuated him to french kiss me?!

Dear Lord, I won't drink again!!!

So much for first impression...

I was practicing the lines I would be telling him as I walked. I didn't notice that our distance was only one meter away, his back was facing me. Should I poke him? Say hi? What to do??? I drew a deep breathe and walked closer to where he was standing and focused my eyes on the glittering city. 

I saw him from my peripheral vision, he was surprised by my sudden intrusion of his peace but didn't say anything nor flinch. 

"Uhm...h-hi," I shyly greeted without facing him. The wind blew, chilly air fanning on my already numb face. 

"Are you talking to me?" I nodded. "Isn't it rude to talk to someone without looking at them?" my eyes widened, turning around as fast as I could to face him. I was, again, stunned by his gorgeousness. He was looking at me in all seriousness. It just tripled his sexiness in my eyes.

"I-i uhm..." I composed myself to stop me from looking like an i***t person. "I just want to apologize for ruining your night and uhm to thank you for helping me even though I am a stranger. I would have been in jeopardy had it not for you."

I said it with all sincerity. Really, I owed him a lot. And if he would ask me to pay him, I would willingly open my legs for him. Oh, gosh. Stop your thirst, Lana! As if he was interested in you. Dream on!

He was still looking at me intently and not saying anything. I swallowed involuntarily as I softly gazed at him. I had said it too many times, but he was really perfect.

"Don't drink without a companion. Next time you won't be so lucky," with that he turned his back on me and started walking away from me. 

Sometimes my body moves without thinking first. "Hey wait!" He was walking faster that was why I was panting a bit from chasing him. He stopped walking without turning around. Snob.

"Yes?" he asked coldly. 

"What should I do to pay you back? I owe you a lot." 

If he was annoyed, I didn't know because his facial expression didn't change. "Look, Miss, you already apologized and said your thanks. That should suffice." he was sounding irritated now. 

"Sir, although I was drunk and not thinking straight that night, I know it's not a license to get away with what I did. I want to take responsibility of my actions," I picked the calling card on my bag and handed it to him, still stunned at my bluntness. "Should you decide, just give me a call. Sorry and thank you, again. Have a good night!"

"You've called me already by my name all night. Too late for formality," I was left gaping at him as he walked away from me. Heat spread on my cheeks, warming up my previously numb face. He didn't tease me, did he?

What was that? He was so difficult to read. He was not exactly friendly, yet he helped me. He was not the talkative type, yet his few words could make you speechless.

I shook my head. 

Gorgeous, still.

After I got home, I took a quick shower, ate dinner and did my skincare. Opening my i********: account, I saw him posted a story. It was the coffee and cinnamon bun he ordered earlier this morning with greetings as a caption. The second pic was him working out on a gym. 

I saw him posted a photo of a beautiful pink sunset taken at the Brooklyn Bridge. My heart began racing so fast, making me dizzy and tremble as I read his caption saying, " I hope you like sunset as I do. It warms the deepest part of my heart."

"Damn, I do. Even you, I like you!" I screamed on my pillow.