“You should’ve told me! How about your studies? Are you still going to school? Gosh, were you lying to me all this time?!” He scratched his head.
“I wanted to help you, okay!” She blinked a couple of times because of his response.
“Help me?” He nodded.
“I know you’re struggling for us.. I just wanted to help. I wanted to have money so I can be some sort of help. I’m still studying and my grades are good, I swear!” He raised his hand as a pledge of allegiance and she sighed.
“Do you.. still have your shift?” She cleared her throat and he nodded.
She sighed and nodded. “Okay. Let’s discuss this at home later. I’ll go buy Timothy ice cream.” Philippe just nodded and let his older sibling go. Is she mad? He can’t really tell. Ever since he was young he wanted to help her but no one hires him because of his young age.
“Aish,” he whispered before going back inside the coffee shop.
After Fatima got the ice cream, she hurried back to the fountain. She looked around and couldn’t find him anywhere. Panic consumed her as she tried to find him. “Timothy!” she screamed as she wandered around the park.
“Timothy! Where are you!” (Fuck!)
“Timothy-“ Her eyes landed on him sitting on a bench with ice cream in his hands. “I told you to stay near the fountain!” She scolded and he lowered down his head.
“Don’t do that again! You could’ve gotten lost!” She continues scolding her little brother.
“He’s fine.” She looked to the left and saw Christopher sitting beside Tim. She didn’t even notice him until he spoke. “What.. what are you doing here?”
“I was just walking around and saw this little guy. Is he your child?” He raised an eyebrow and her eyes widened.
“What?! He’s my brother!” she immediately exclaimed and he nodded.
“That’s great news,” he whispered to himself and smiled slightly. (That means she’s single..) he thought to himself.
“Don’t go anywhere with strangers, got it? You’re lucky this guy isn’t a kidnapper,” she told her brother and he nodded. She sighed again in relief that her brother is safe.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been working at the bar?” Fatima eyed him, thinking what his intentions towards her were.
(He’s your ex, Fatima. Don’t befriend him!) she reminded herself to not get close to him. Not again.
“None of your business.” She grabbed her brother’s hand and let him stand up. They were about to leave when Christopher spoke.
“You should quit. I can offer you a job at my company.” She turned around with furrowed eyebrows.
“Why are you being nice to me, huh? You don’t even know me.” She questioned his motives. He clenched his jaw as he examined her face. (I know everything about you, you were my lover. Stop trying to convince me you’re someone else,) he thought to himself.
“Well, if you don’t want to.. the coffee shop across the road is hiring.” (The one where Philippe works?) she thought to herself.
“I heard they pay a good amount to their workers.” Fatima starts thinking about it. She hates working at the bar. If she can work at the coffee shop, maybe she can work freely. The woman before seemed nice enough to Philippe.
“How do I apply?” She turned to him and he smiled.
“I have no idea. You should ask the female working there, she should interview you,” he responded with a smile on his face. She eyed him before carrying her brother so she can get home quickly. She looked at the coffee shop again before heading home.
ONCE NIGHTTIME CAME, Philippe went home and found his sister waiting for him in the living room. He silently went next to her like an obedient student. She cleared her throat and handed him the ice cream she bought earlier that was in a bucket.
“Thanks..” he said slowly.
“You should’ve been honest with me, Phil.” He lowered his head and held the ice cream. She looked at him and sighed. “We’re a family.. we should be open to each other and not keep secrets like that, okay?`` She reminded him and he nodded.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to help.. ever since dad passed away... you’ve been just..” he whispered his words as his eyes started to water. Fatima extended her arm and hugged him. “I know it’s been hard for the both of us..” Fatima whispered and wiped his tears.
“I miss dad...” he whispered and more tears fell. She hugged him tighter. She rubbed his head and whistled a tune.
“Our lives will be a lot different a few more years from now, trust me.” He started to calm down and hugged her back.
“You can continue working but don’t miss classes because of it, okay?” He nodded.
“And uh.. is that coffee shop still hiring employees?” She wondered about what Chris told her earlier.
“Do you want to work there?” he asked and she nodded while pursing her lips.
“Hmm! It might be good if we work together. My old job isn’t that great,” she said and laughed.
“What’s your job anyway?” She scratched her head and didn't know how to answer him. She kept her job a secret because she doesn’t want her brothers to worry that she works in a bar.
“Server at a restaurant.” Philippe nodded slowly and she smiled at him. She can’t help but lie in order for them to not worry.
“I’ll ask the manager tomorrow about it.” Fatima clapped her hands and hugged him. “Thank you!” she exclaimed. She can’t help but think of Christopher though. She should avoid him at all costs. Her heart beats differently when he’s around and she doesn’t like it.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, at the company of Christopher, he was busy with working on the new game they’re developing. In the midst of this busy morning, his secretary, Grian, called him regarding the coffee shop. “So I have to pretend I’m the owner?” He asked for the millionth time again. “Yes,” he answered, a bit annoyed. “Interview Fatima and hire her to work there.” Grian nodded and sighed. “Why don’t you do it?” he asked and Chris rolled his eyes. “She seems to be avoiding me so do it.” He ended the call and continued working. His mind is boggled by Fatima, he can’t stop thinking about her.
ONCE FATIMA RETURNED home, she saw William, her co-worker at the bar waiting for her outside. “What are you doing here?” He stood up from the ground and approached her. He smiled and shrugged before answering, “Sorry I couldn’t visit yesterday when I told you I will.” “Aish, it’s fine. I was going to the bar later anyways,” she answered. “You really need to find a better job, I hate how men look at you in there,” he stated and shook his head. Fatima smiled. “I got a new job! I wanted to go to the bar later so I can quit,” she announced and William’s face lit up.“Really? Where are you going to work?”
“You should’ve been careful,” Christopher calmly told her and she scratched her head. She’s sitting down on a chair while he is kneeling while tending her wounded ankle. Instead of going to the hospital, they went to the back since Christopher arrived at the coffee shop. Grian went out to buy medicine for her so she can get treated by Chris. He was reluctant to leave her but he agreed anyway because it’s for her sake. “So you’re a doctor?” Fatima asked and he nodded. “And a CEO,” he added to what she said. “Pretty cool, huh? CEO and a doctor,” he boasted about himself and she rolled her eyes. He never changed, he&rsqu
“I love coffee, you see. So I always want to be at my brot- at Grian’s coffee shop.” Nikki is also in on the lie. The coffee shop is owned by her family, specifically her brother. She didn’t want to do it at first but she eventually got persuaded. “I’ll get these for my brothers,” Fatima whispered to Grian which made Chris annoyed. “If you’re going to say something, let us hear it as well,” he complained and she almost rolled her eyes. “Leave her be,” Grian said and sighed. After they had their dinner, Fatima hurried outside when she found out what time it was already. “I’ll take you home, it’s dark now.”
FATIMA WAS LEAVING for work when she saw William walking to her house. She stopped walking and waited for him to get to her. She smiled and waved her hand and so did he. “What happened at the bar?” she asked and William shrugged before looking at her with a smile. “Nothing much, he wanted to fire me but he knows I’m the most valuable employee he has,” he bragged while smirking. “Fatima, there’s a parent’s teacher conference tomorrow, can you come?” They turned around to her brother who seemed shy with his request. “Of course, I’ll go with you.” Philippe smiled and hugged her before running to the side of the street to ride his bike to school. “That boy really needs some new bike,” William commented before turning to her. “Let’s walk to your work?” They both went out to the busy streets and walked on the sidewalks. The moving cars, tall buildings, and pedestrians walking are what make a city. It’s just like any other day.
“There’s a lot of customers coming in,” she answered while pouting. Christopher scoffed before smiling. “I’m a regular customer here, okay? Give me another coffee then.” She stared at him before going at the back and making him another drink. She brought it to him and he stared at it. “The design isn’t perfect,” he commented and she almost scoffed. “Do you want another one?” she politely asked. “No.” (You made it so it’s fine,) he thought to himself. While working, she looked at Christopher who’s typing on his laptop. His hair was blond more than six years ago but now he dyed it black. His eyes are still beautiful with the color of the sea. His eyebrows, nose, jawline, all perfectly match each other. And his lips.. the most kissable lips. She got back to her senses once he moved his gaze towards her. She cleared her throat and held her hear
FATIMA AND WILLIAM got ready to go to her brother’s school because of the conference and the card of Philippe. It’s been a while since she went to his school so she’s a bit nervous. The last time she went there, the other moms judged her for how she dressed and how young she is. They all thought she’s the mother of Philippe which she didn’t mind because she acts like his mother figure. “Call me dad,” William teased Philippe and he scoffed in disgust. “No way!” He chuckled loudly to his response and so did Fatima. William didn’t have to come with her but he insisted on coming and so he did. Once they arrived at the school, they got out of William’s car and walked to the building. As they were walking, they met Christopher and Grian walking inside as well. “Sir Grian!” Phil greeted and waved his hand. The pair turned ar
“The world is small, isn’t it?” he murmured and she looked up at him and furrowed her eyebrows. “Huh?” she asked. “Nothing.” He cleared his throat before looking at Philippe who’s preparing his coffee. After he got his coffee, he went back to his seat to continue what he was doing on his laptop. More customers came in and they got busy real quick. Fatima was fixing a sign outside and Christopher looked over at her and smiled. He thought about helping her with putting up the sign or not. He stood up from his seat and walked outside the shop. “Need any help?” She looked at him and she shook her head. He sighed and leaned against the window. “Did you grow up here?” he questioned. “Uh