Chapter 3

The next morning

"Kami ! Kami ! I have to tell you something that happened to me last night so come here right now", said Ashley, very excited, when she phoned her friend Kamila.

"What the h*ll Ash ? It's six in the morning. Why are you calling me so early ?", Kamila said with a sleepy voice.

"Oh come on Kami ! I have to tell you something very very weird so come to place right now", Ashley told her.

"But can't you just tell it to me on the phone ?", Kamila asked still with a sleepy voice.

"You wouldn't believe me if I tell it to you on the phone", Ashley answered.

"Fine ! Fine ! I'm on my way", Kamila said, tiredly.

Kamila lives in a luxurious apartment not far from Ashley's appartment and it's also very close to campus.

A few minutes later

Kamila knocks at Ashley's door

"Finally you're here. Come in", Ashley said, while pulling Kamila to enter inside her appartment.

"So now you better tell me what is that thing that you have to tell me and that you couldn't tell on the phone", Kamila asked with her arms crossed.

"Well, it's about my rent", Ashley said.

"Wait ! You woke me up at 6 in the morning just to talk about your rent", Kamila said, a little bit angry.

"Yeah, because I've already told you not to pay it for me Kami but you did it anyway", Ashley said a little bit angry too.

"Wait ! What ?", Kamila said surprised.

"Oh ! Come on Kami ! I know what you've done", Ashley replied.

"And what have I done ?", Kamila asked curiously.

"I know that you paid my rent for me and I'm really grateful for that but I can accept it Kami. I've already told you not to help me financially. And all my other bills too were all paid as all the checks that I sent to pay them are all back", Ashley told her.

"But I've never done such a thing Ash. I didn't pay your rent nor pay your other bills", Kamila replied, surprised by Ashley’s words.

"Liar !", Ashley shouted.

"I swear it Ashley that I never paid your rent", Kamila said.

"But you are the only person aware that I have some financial problem and if you didn't pay them then who did it ? Because you are the only person that I know who is rich enough to do such a thing", Ashley answered.

"Are you sure I'm the only person that you know who is rich ? Isn't there anybody else maybe a boy who is in love with you and who is ready to do anything for you ?", Kamila asked.

"Brad ?! But he don't know that I have financial problem", Ashley said, surprised.

"Yeah, I may or may not tell him that you were a bit late on your rent again but that's all", Kamila said while turning her fingers.

"Kami !", Ashley shouted angrily.

"I'm sorry ok. We were talking and then it just came out of my mouth like that but I really didn't do it on purpose Ash, you know very well that I have a big mouth", Kamila replied.

"Yeah, I know you and your big mouth very well", Ashley said still angry and then Kamila apologized again.

"You know what Kami never mind. Now thanks to you I have a debt towards him now", Ashley told her, still a bit mad.

"I'm sorry again Ash", Kamila said.

"Yeah ! Yeah ! I'll just go to work now", Ashley replied and then left.

At a coffee shop,

Carlos and Rafael are in the car just in front of the coffe where Ashley works.

"Carlos what are we doing here so early in the morning ?", Rafael said.

"Look at your right", Carlos told him, while pointing in Rafael's right.

"And what's up to my right", Rafael said while turning his head on his right.

"At the coffee shop", Carlos replied.

"Yeah, what's up with this coffee shop ?", Rafael told him then he noticed that there is someone special in there.

"It's her ?", Rafael asked.

"Yes, it's her. She works here every morning before going to her classes", Carlos said and then smile when he saw that his Capo is actually very fascinated at the coffee shop.

Rafael's thoughts at that moment were :"WOW ! She is even more beautiful in real than on the pictures" and he was a bit sad that Ashley must do that so early and every morning.

"Do want a coffee Capo ?", Carlos asked.

"Yes but actually I think I'll just grab it on myself"? Rafael answered, still looking at Ashley's direction and then get out of the car.

Then the bell of the coffe shop rang when Rafael pushed the door to open it. Ashley immediately turned her gaze into the door.

"Ash, there is a really hot guy at the door", Lola said, another girl who works with Ashley at the coffee shop.

"Yeah, I saw him Lola. I'm not blind", Ashley replied rolling her eyes.

"Oh Gosh ! He is coming towards us. Do I look okay ?", Lola said nervously.

"You are looking like a girl who served coffee", Ashley mocked her and then laughed.

"Haha very funny Ash but I'll settle for it", Lola replied and then arranged her hair.

"Good morning Sir ! What can I do for you ?", Ashley said smiling when Rafael arrived at the counter.

Rafael first looked at Ashley carefully as if he undressed her with his gaze which put Ashley very uncomfortable so she said again : "Sir, what can I do for you ?"

"Actually many things", Rafael replied and then wait a little before saying " but I'll settle for a coffee for the moment".

Ashley blushed a little and then said : "what kind of coffee Sir ?"

"What do you suggest to me ?", Rafael asked, while looking at Ashley intensely in the eyes.

"Well, all of our coffee are delicious but for you, I think a black coffee would suit you the best", Ashley ansered him and smiled.

"Alright then I'll take a black coffee", Rafael replied.

"Right away Sir. Do you want to drink it here ?", Ashley said.

"I'll drink it here", Rafael told her.

"Do want something else with your black coffee ?", Ashley asked.

"Yes a croissant please", Rafael replied.

"Alright ! Please take a seat, I'll bring your coffee and your croissant to you in a moment", Ashley said and then Rafael sit at a free table. Lola during this time didn't say anything but just stared at Rafael.

"Wow ! You managed him so well Ash, I really don't know how you do that. And did you see the way that he looked at you ?", Lola said, excited.

"I was doing just my work Lola, I did nothing special. And yeah, I noticed his way to look at me. It really made me so uncomfortable and I found that so impolite and inappropriate too", Ashley said while preparing Rafael's black coffee and then took a croissant.

"And did you notice too that he has a small accent ?", Lola asked.

"Yeah, a Spanish accent I think", Ashley replied and then went to Rafael's table with his order.

"Here is your black coffee and your croissant Sir", Ashley said and Rafael is still staring at her which made tremble and spilled a little hot coffee on her hand.

"Ouch", Ashley said.

Rafael took immediately the coffee form Ashley's hand and said :"Are you ok ?"