As soon as I step into the café, the thick smell of coffee hits right under my nose. A soft classical track floats from the speakers, and the whispers and giggles of couples tangled together make me sick.
I drag a hand under my nose and spot Rose taking an order at one of the tables. I lift my hand and motion toward the counter-the one place she hates me going, which is exactly why I always head straight there.
I weave through the tiny round tables and all the damn staring eyes until I reach the counter. Her precious favorite barista is standing with his back to me, busy pouring some latte art. I circle around the counter and stand beside him. Leaning an elbow against the wooden shelf behind me, I look at him sideways.
"What's up?"
The bastard never startles. He turns, gives me a not-so-friendly look and a firm, quiet "Thanks."
Yeah. That stupid flirty crap of his is exactly how he drove Rose insane for him.
He turns back and keeps working on his art-one of those outdated, basic wheat patterns. I stare at his profile in that unsettling way on purpose. He's my height, but broader. His not-too-short hair is tied in a tiny bun behind his head. The brown leather apron fits him and his stupid girl-killer style perfectly.
"Nice earrings."
He shoots me a side glance, then looks away again.
My eyes fall on the square glass container beside him, filled with ice. I reach over, grab it, tilt it, and dump a few cubes into my mouth. He doesn't say anything, but I hear that annoyed breath he tries to hide. Crunching the ice loudly between my teeth, I go:
"I came to see my cousin. At the café we opened together. You got a problem with that?"
No answer. He slides the finished latte to one of the servers behind the counter and fills another cup with ice.
"What are you doing here?"
I turn toward the voice. Rose looks between him and me, annoyed.
"I told you to call me when you got here. I'd come out myself."
I blink at her, chewing ice.
"Why? Is this an Eren-restricted zone? Or you scared I'll mess up your artist's precious focus? He won't be able to make his little latte art?"
The sound of a cloth slamming onto the table makes me turn. He's staring at me-straight, angry. I stare right back.
Rose grabs my wrist and drags me out from behind the counter, pulling me so hard heads turn to look at us.
Outside the café, she finally lets go and snaps:
"Didn't I say you're not allowed to come here anymore?"
I lift a brow.
"Did you?"
"Don't play dumb, Eren. You drunk again?"
My expression hardens.
"I'm sharper than ever. Where are my clothes?"
"First listen to me. I don't like you barging into the café like some stray. And then going straight back there and acting like a damn clown. What's the point? You want to piss Arsam off?"
"A stray? This outfit looks like a stray to you? Maybe that's why your customers grin from ear to ear when they see me."
I pull my jacket zipper down to mid-chest.
"Maybe if I show up like this, it'll be better?"
She immediately zips it back up when she notices I'm not wearing a shirt underneath.
"That's exactly it. You don't act like a human being. I just want to have one place in my life where I live normally, and you won't let me. With your shitty vibe, your shitty attitude-God knows-sometimes you show up high, sometimes drunk, sometimes crazy..."
She glances down at my shoes and wrinkles her face in disgust.
"What the hell are those shoes? Why are the backs crushed?"
I lift my heel slightly.
"My nerves were already fucked up. Didn't feel like putting them on properly."
She sighs sharply and rubs her forehead.
"Stay here, for fuck's sake. I'll go get your stuff."
I lean back, smirking.
"Even if I have to gargle acid afterward, I swear I'll kiss you right in front of that guy one time-just to see what the hell his problem is. He acts like he owns our cousin or something, like I owe him a goddamn apology."
Rose freezes and stares at me.
"Try it, and I'll tear you apart."
_________________ ________________
📝 A Little Note from Me!
Hey everyone! 👋
I'm taking things slow to properly introduce you to Eren and the world of the novel. We're building up to that super exciting moment you got a glimpse of in Chapter 1-the one you've all been waiting for!
So please, hang in there and stick with the story.
I promise to deliver a huge dose of excitement and nail-biting suspense! 😉
#Eren #Suspense #Thriller #Mystery #SlowBurn #PatienceIsKey #NewNovel
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Reverse Time
RomanceREVERSE TIME: It All Began the Moment Love Died. Eren was a man who loved his wife to the point of obsession-until her sudden, mysterious murder turns his ordinary life into a hell suspended between heartbeats. The deeper he digs for the killer, the...
