One
Dominic
They say love is free, I still don’t understand why I haven’t found mine yet. My friends are getting married, but I’m here trying to convince myself that I’ll soon find the woman who’s preordained for me.
I let out a sharp breath as I open my café for the day. I’ve been running this café for three years. My café is one of the best spots in Crystal Mill. I’ve seen various women, and I’ve flirted with quite a few, but it never works out. It does not ever work out. Most women who come here are either married or come here to meet their lover. I know if I’ll find a woman, it would not be in this café. But I’m usually in this place every day of my life. I don’t have a life outside running this café. It’s quite depressing, but it’s true.
Yesterday afternoon, a lady came here; she was gorgeous. I decided to try my luck again, only to discover she’s married and here on vacation with her husband. It was heart-breaking. I’m open to love, but it just seems like I will never find the woman destined for me. Or perhaps, there’s no woman destined for me.
“Hey, Dom.”
I turn around when I feel a manly hand on the small of my back.
“Hey, Coleman.” We bump our right fists in a friendly manner.
“I was driving by, so I decided to say hello.” He smiles, and we both walk inside the café.
“It’s a bright morning, isn’t it?” I say, looking outside, observing the morning sky.
“Yeah, it is, and a busy one. I drove my wife to Crystal Mill’s health center.” Coleman pulls a stool back to sit.
“Is everything okay?” I question with concern in my tone.
“Yeah, everything is fine. It’s just for antenatal care and all. She’s totally fine, and the baby is fine too,” he explains to me, happiness visible in his voice.
“Great,” I nod, smiling.
One day, I’ll drive my wife to Crystal Mill’s health center too for prenatal care. One day.
“I haven’t seen Wayne around in a long time. Have you seen him lately?” I continue the conversation as I clean my espresso machine and bring out some coffee beans.
“Oh, I haven’t either. I asked his wife today at the health center, according to what she told me, he traveled, but he would be back next week Friday,” Coleman answers.
“Ah, I see.”
“Yeah,” he nods before pulling out his MacBook.
They come here to browse most times. My café is the only place that has a good network connection in Crystal Mill. It’s another reason why I see a lot of people daily. Many people come here to browse the internet more than to buy coffee. And none of the young ladies are ever interested in a relationship.
“Hey, man.”
I turn around when a familiar voice joins us.
“Gary.”
He greets Coleman first before walking to give me a friendly hug.
“I’ll take a small coffee and a donut, please,” Gary tells me as he breaks the hug.
“Sure,” I nod.
He walks to sit on a stool next to Coleman, and they engage in small talks.
“Hey, Dom, this question is for you as well,” Gary gestures towards me, laughing.
“What question?” I ask, without paying attention to him.
“Coleman just asked why we are not married yet. Haha…”
