Mr. Coffee Man.

"Shit. Shit. Shit." Kayden muttered under his breath while slowly getting up. "I'm so sorry Isles.. I.. we didn't know you were coming."

"You didn't know I was coming?" I asked him in utter dismay while looking at each one of them. He looked so embarrassed and I nearly felt sorry for him.

"No.. I mean,y- yes." He stuttered. " We knew you were coming,but not right now. I thought you'd text or something." He was slowly approaching me in quick light steps. 

"I texted." I blurted out but I remembered I didn't exactly hit the send button. "Yeah.. right. I typed the message but didn't send it." I sighed and shifted my weight on my left foot.

"We are sorry, Isles. You shouldn't have seen this.. it won't happen again I promise." He reached for my hand but I took a step back.

"Ew,dude. Don't touch me." I grimaced. "I think you would want to sanitize your hands and rinse that mouth before coming any closer." I whispered for his ears only and he laughed.

He raised his hands in mock resignation and stepped back still laughing.

"I'm gonna go to my room." I announced. Kayden nodded and started walking back to the couch while I turned to head upstairs.

"Happy birthday, Isla." Valencia said sweetly, stopping me in my tracks. If I didn't know better,I would think she really meant it. Her face broke into a smile, lighting up the whole room."We're going to order some pizza,care to join us?"

Join you and third wheel on my birthday dinner? I'll pass.

"No,thank you. I think I'll just rest for the night." That was true. I was extremely exhausted.

"Aren't you hungry?"She pressed on running her fingers in her long midnight black hair that flowed over her shoulders. "Come on Isla, it's your birthday. Let's have some fun!"

She could fool Kayden but not me. I saw through the flawless facadę that she always masked whenever Kayden was around. But he was too blinded with love to see her for who she really was.

"I'm fine, really. I ate on my way here, I'm quite full." I lied. "Besides,I hate third wheeling. You guys have fun."

Excusing myself,I rushed upstairs and softly closed the door behind me. I didn't bother to shower or change into my PJs. I jumped on the bed fully clothed and drifted off as soon as I lay down.

***

"Morning,sunshine." Kayden's voice was the first thing I heard when I woke up. I groggily opened my heavy eyelids and I felt for the blanket below me so I could cover myself with it but it wasn't there. With a heavy sigh,I pulled myself to sit up and swiped the hair from my face.

"What time is it?" I yawned . My stomach grumbled and I remembered I hadn't had a decent meal for over twenty four hours.

"Time to wake up." He replied, flexing in my mirror. His biceps popped as he moved and he smiled to himself.

He was already dressed and there I was swaying sleepily on the bed with my hair pointing in all fucking directions.

"You woke up early." I said as I stumbled out of the bed. "I figured you'd wake up late after last night.

He gave me a knowing look and smirked. "Val left to her aunt's place," he stepped closer and started making my bed amid my protests. "She said she'll be back but I don't know when."

I gave him a blank stare. "She didn't tell you when she'll get back?"

He shrugged.

When he finally left,I stripped and got into the steaming shower. I averted my eyes and caught sight of my exposed body in the mirror. My long fingers stroked over my stomach while my gaze remained fixed on the misty mirror. I didn't have to look to know what was there.

The small breasts that I hated, a wasped waist and the large hips I was proud of.

And there, right below my bellybutton was a scar that had remained after the cut had been made. The one scar that bore memories of everything I had held in one fleeting moment before I selfishly let them drift away. Nothing could ever exceed the pain and loss that one mark symbolized. My hand moved up and down to rub at the spot as my heart ached painfully in my chest. I knew it would take much longer to heal the pain in my soul and the guilt seeping inside me to finally dissipate.

Bile rose up my throat and I let my tears flow freely, weeping for the loss of the one thing I ever treasured in my whole life. Shuddering,I hastened my shower as more tears flowed mixing with the water. It was like I was bathing in my own tears.

***

Kayden pulled up at the Sawyer's and I quickly rushed out without waiting for him. My shift had began fifteen minutes earlier and I knew Maeve wouldn't let it pass. Pushing past the glass door,I walked into the Sawyer's and the sweet smell of coffee instantly filled my nose.

I saw her a couple of tables away leaning against the table as she talked—flirted with a customer. She wore a red skirt that barely covered her ass and a white top that was two sizes smaller. Her platinum blonde hair flowed over her shoulders as she shook her head while saying something. And the way she was bending over,I was damn sure everyone saw whatever she had on beneath the red skirt. The customer said something and her hysterical laugh made me cringe. It sounded fake—forced. Even the smile she gave him seemed fake and pretentious.

Looking away from her, I signed in and pulled on my apron before heading to my position.

The clicking of Maeve's heels got closer and I looked up just in time as she grabbed and pulled into the pantry.

"What the fuck?"

"Oh. My. God." She exclaimed and I stepped back in shock. She held my hands into hers and a shit eating grin formed on her face.

"Maeve,are- are you okay?" I was  honestly concerned. This wasn't like her.

"Why wouldn't I be?" She scoffed and forced a smile. "You wouldn't believe who just walked into the Sawyer's." She whispered in a low tone as if we were best of friends and she was telling me how good the sex was the previous night.

I cocked a brow. " Should I be worried? Wait..is it a serial killer? Or a terrorist perhaps? A suicide bomber?... oh my gosh! Are we under attack? Should I dial 911 and—"

"Just shut up and listen." She hissed impatiently. "The son of the CEO of Jennings Corporation is here..like right now!"

"And I give a fuck why?"

"Because he comes from one of the most influential and wealthiest families in the world?" She shook her head disbelievingly

"Okay. So?"

"So?" She prompted in shock.

"Yeah. So?" I repeated much louder. "Should I strip naked and parade my modesty before everyone just because the son of the CEO of Jennings Corporation decided to buy coffee from the Sawyer's? I don't think so. If you have nothing else to say,I would like to get back to my post before I'm accused of slacking."

She was quiet and I took that as my cue to leave.

"He's asking for to you." I heard her say just as I was turning the doorknob. I halted and turned around.

"What do you mean he's asking for me?"

"You're the only barista called Isla." She said in duh tone while crossing her arms.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. The son of a CEO knew me? And not just a CEO.. the Jennings Corporation CEO!He even knew my name? How in the hell did that happen? He must be looking for another woman who just happened to have my name. Not me.

"Just put in a good word for me while you are at it." Maeve's voice brought me back to the present. "Please."

I walked out of the pantry and glanced towards the table where his figure was still positioned. His back was facing me and I couldn't see his face from here, unless I walked to him.

Gathering my last ounce of strength, I made my way towards him,my heart humming in my chest. His raven black hair that was coiffed to perfection came into view and I was dazed at how neat and flowing it was. I immediately recognized him when his electrifying gaze fell on me.

"You?" I gasped in disbelief.

A smile lit up his handsome face. " The one and only."

For a moment, I just stared at him. Like really, stared. Today he wore a crispy white suit that complemented his looks and a Patek Phillipe designer watch. He looked gorgeous, I'd give him that. He raised scythe- shaped eyebrows and grinned.

I looked away, realizing I had been ogling at him. " Still stalking me?" I asked while slumping on the seat opposite him.

He sipped his coffee and shrugged. "Who wouldn't want to?" Colton gleamed." I just came for my morning coffee."

I snorted. Didn't billionaires have butlers and maids at their beck and call?

"You didn't tell me you were a fucking trillionaire." I mumbled as I swerved on my seat. "Is that even a word?"

He gave me a smile that barely reached his eyes and sighed. "I can tell you everything about me if you let me, Isla."

"Not interested." I said bluntly. "So,what can I do for you, Mr. Coffee Man?"

The laughter that rumbled through his chest was satisfying.

"Mr. Coffee Man, huh?" He blurted,a remnant of his laughter still on his lips. "You're a feisty one, aren't you?"

I rolled my eyes.

"What. Do. You. Want." I let out slowly and his smile  faded.

"Can't we just sit and... chat?"

"As much as I would like to sit and watch you laughing at my expense,I have work. Some of us have to work tirelessly to pay our bills and chatting with you doesn't fall on that list." I stood up and straightened my wrinkled shirt. I pushed past him but he grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

"Isla, would you like to hang out with me sometime?" He asked.