ᴋɪꜱꜱᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʀᴏɪꜱꜱᴀɴᴛ | 𝘓𝘰𝘶 𝘹 𝘋𝘦𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘦

chapitre six | k&c

𝕂𝕀𝕊𝕊𝔼𝕊 𝔸ℕ𝔻 ℂℝ𝕆𝕀𝕊𝕊𝔸ℕ𝕋

—

ᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴀᴘ ᴏɴ the white tile, her fingers finding their right places, her eyes closed. Lou felt as if her soul was being pulled from the world around her. It didn't matter how her hands moved; they had their own lives to chase the notes as how Chopin wrote them.

People watched intently.

Curious at how her hands seemed to bounce from one note to another. And it wasn't long before more customers started bringing their phones out to record. It wasn't often to see Lou Miller play the piano at her own cafe. The jazz band wasn't able to make it tonight. And what does 30 years of practicing the piano is for if she doesn't do the entertainment at all?

There was a sense of wonder whenever she played with the keys. It's like an unending feeling and seeking of contentment to pick and synchronize the right notes. And Lou has never been able to recover from the bewitchment since then.

It was utterly mesmerizing how quickly the phase jumps from fast down to slow, as if teasing a probing heart. And at that moment, it felt as if nobody was watching her at all. It was just her and the music.

The final note of the piano piece resonated with a profound richness, its vibrations cascading through the air like molten gold, lingering in the lower registers of the room.

Applauding echoed, and it was when Lou opened her eyes to meet the audience. Her heart warmed. She mouthed a 'thank you' before bowing and coming down from the stage.

People resumed with their croissants.

"Didn't know you could play the piano." Lou was startled by the voice, and it was funny how she recognized it so quickly.

Her heart raced when Debbie Ocean was suddenly standing in front of her. Wearing the same smile Lou has been daydreaming about. She smiled back and crossed her arms, nodding her head as if thanking the universe for sending the woman in front of her.

"Well, then, I'm honored to play the music to the most beautiful woman on earth." She responded and winked. Oh, that wink that Debbie vividly remembers. She raised her brows, stood up as best as she could, and clasped her hands.

"Oh, stop being a fooler." She rolled her eyes playfully.

"I'm not." Lou observed how their height difference seemed almost perfect. She was just a bit taller than the woman, and for a moment, she could not help but smile at how they would make a powerful couple. She shrugged the thought away, letting out a chuckle instead.

"Let me save you a seat, my lady." Lou offered a hand.

My lady... Debbie could swear she would kiss the woman and propose to her right now if she says that one more time. She accepted her hand and followed the blonde.

This time, Debbie wasn't seated anymore at the table beside the window; she was sitting on the other side of the room, on Lou's claimed table. She wanted to check her supposed table, and unfortunately, someone was there to occupy it. But how could she make a complaint about it when all she could think about was how Lou's warm hand perfectly fits with her hand? Debbie didn't want to let go, but Lou was already pulling out the chair for her. She smiled and sat down.

"So, what makes you come here, Doctor Ocean?" Lou asked. Her voice is probably the sexiest thing she has ever heard, and Debbie could not suppress her smile as she watched Lou take her own seat in front of her.

"To see you."

Straight to the point, without any hesitation. It felt good not having to conceal her feelings.

Lou was smiling like a freak; she felt as if she had just won a lottery ticket, as if she needed it at all. She doesn't. But her smile, as bright as the Parisian street, does not care to hide, nor does she want it to. She bit her lower lip, trying to collect her remaining senses.

"Is that so?" She asked teasingly.

"Oh, we're not teenagers here, mademoiselle." Her playful grin held a glint of mischief, as if daring Lou to catch the subtle undertones of her words.

"I agree. I'm glad you came because I believe we do have an unfinished business, Doctor." Debbie arched her eyebrow, a silent challenge to see if the blonde was willing to put up with this exchange she was orchestrating.

"Uh, huh?"

"Like you said, we're not little ladies anymore. You forgot to give me your number." Lou grinned. It was like a dance of amusement and boldness. Debbie could not help but laugh. There was something about the blonde that was just irresistibly made for Debbie to ignore. She tucked in a strand of her hair before she looked at Lou and bit her lower lip. Making a single nod.

"You forgot to ask for it?" Debbie's lips curled into a self-assured smile, her chin tilting ever so slightly upward. A proud glint in her gaze, as if she had just laid down a challenge and knew she had the upper hand.

"Oh, yes, I did." Lou faked a frown, which earned a laugh from Debbie.

The café buzzed around them, but in that moment, it was as if the rest of the world had faded into the background, leaving only Debbie and Lou in their own little bubble of playful banter and stolen glances.

Debbie leaned forward, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Well then, I suppose I'll have to rectify that oversight, won't I?"

Lou's grin widened, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "I would greatly appreciate that, Doctor Ocean."

Debbie's lips curled into a sly smile as she pulled out her phone, her fingers dancing over the screen with practiced ease. "And what's the lucky number, Mademoiselle?"

Lou leaned in conspiratorially, their shoulders almost touching. "Oh, I'm afraid that's classified information, Doctor. You'll have to earn that privilege."

Debbie's laughter rang out—a warm, melodious sound that seemed to light up the space between them. "You drive a hard bargain, Mademoiselle Miller."

Lou's gaze held a mixture of challenge and allure. "I've been told I'm a tough negotiator."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the air was charged with an electric tension. The playful exchange was like a dance, each word and glance a step in a choreography of flirtation and intrigue.

Debbie finally entered her number into Lou's phone, a triumphant smile on her face as she handed it back. "There you go. Now, don't lose this one."

Lou pocketed her phone with a mock salute. "Rest assured, Doctor Ocean, I will guard it with my life."

Debbie's playful grin didn't falter. "Well, I'm glad to know my number is in safe hands. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

Lou pretended to ponder this with exaggerated seriousness. "I promise to use this power wisely, Doctor Ocean. No late-night prank calls or ordering pizza deliveries to your doorstep."

"Don't tell me you've done that!"

"Well, at some point in our lives, we were just teenagers chasing fun." Lou winked.

"Is this the getting to know each other part two?"

"I don't know. A beautiful lady just came here to look for me, and I'd be honored to call this a first date."

"Now, that's fast. You just said you didn't want to give me your number."

"But I have yours, so..."

"Let's not call it a night, shall we?"

"Long hours ahead, Debbie. You can have them for the rest of the evening."

"Honored." Debbie laughed.