Juliet
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As we stepped into the quaint little coffee shop, a wave of warmth and coziness enveloped me. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of freshly baked pastries, creating an inviting atmosphere that felt like a comforting embrace. The sound of soft chatter and gentle music filled the air, adding to the charm of the place.
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Eros led me to a cozy corner booth, his eyes twinkling with excitement as he gestured for me to take a seat. I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my chest. This wasn’t just any coffee shop—it was a hidden gem, a place that felt like a secret sanctuary tucked away from the bustling city streets. It doesn’t even look touched by the city, as if it was trapped in a time where this place was merely a town.
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As I settled into the booth, taking in the charming decor and the friendly faces of the staff, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over me. It was such a simple gesture, yet it meant the world to me. Eros had taken the time to plan this little outing, to show me a side of the city that I had never seen before and bring me into his world.
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Eros met my eyes as I scanned the room and smiles. " I’m going to order us coffees, and bring over a small menu.” He gets up and walks away without missing a beat. He left no room to argue with him over wanting to check everything out, but I think I’m okay with that. I pull out my phone for the first time, in what feels like a lifetime, and see 5 unopened texts from Autumn and 2 missed calls, 2 unopened texts from Stepha-Lance and 1 missed called from both my father, and my fathers lawyer.
Oh Fuck.
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I slip my phone back into my pocket and rub my hands against my chest for some sense of calm. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and turn to look for Eros. Only to be met, with his focused confused gaze before I turn back and zone out on the table.
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“I thought you might like this place,” he said, his voice soft and gentle, snapping me out of my mental prison. He takes his place across from me in the booth again, and sets down our coffees and menus. “It’s one of my favorites, a hidden gem in the city. I used to come here every single morning before classes in college. I can show you the first apartment I lived in, and then I can show you what my actual first apartment was if you’d like.”
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I couldn’t help but be touched by his thoughtfulness, he’s trying to show me who he was, before he became who he is. His words wash over me, and I feel a pang of guilt for not being more present in this moment. Eros is trying to share a piece of himself with me, to let me into his world in a way he hasn’t before. It’s a gesture of vulnerability, one that touches me deeply. But the fact that both my father, and his lawyer called me. Means that there is something severely wrong going on behind the scenes.
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I take a moment to sip my coffee, letting the warmth spread through me as I gather my thoughts. Eros watches me, his gaze filled with concern and understanding. He knows there’s something on my mind, something that’s pulling me away from this moment we’re supposed to share.
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“Hey,” he says gently, reaching across the table to place his hand over mine. “Is everything okay?”
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I look up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of judgment or impatience, but all I find is warmth and compassion. “I’m sorry,” I murmur, feeling the weight of my worries pressing down on me. “I just got lost in my head, I didn’t mean to.” I cringe at the weakness in my voice and look down to the table.
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“Little demon, you don’t need to hide from me. We can talk about it now, or later. Just promise me you’ll talk about it when you’re ready?” He grabs my other hand pulling it in front of me on the table, trapping me here.
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“No, I’m okay. Let’s just sip our coffee and have a good morning. It was a really good morning.” I smile at him half heartedly. “No, what’s on the menu here? I am sure it is absolutely delicious.” I insert a false tone of cheer into my statement and force a bigger smile on my face while grabbing the menu off the table. I can see Eros give me a questioning look, slowly grabbing the menu too, before he brings his attention to the menu with hums and haws.
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“Do you want something light since we ate breakfast? Or are you a breakfast part 2 kind of person?” Eros ask without looking up from the menu.
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“I was honestly really hoping I could convince you to share a bruschetta bread with me, and then I want the BLT for myself. I had no idea coffee shops had menus like this.” I actually start to get kind of excited seeing everything on the menu and my worries ease.
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“So you’re a breakfast part 2 kind of girl. I love it.” Eros raises his eyes to mine giving me a genuine small smile, which I returned. “I was thinking I would absolutely split a bruschetta bread with you, order myself a club sandwich and a secret mimosa.” He said holding my gaze, giving me a challenging look.
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“I would love a mimosa as well, if that’s at all possible.”
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“Of course little Demon. Whatever you want, if it helps you haunt the Grim Reaper, and make the devil bow.” His smile is a taunt of its own and a smile cracks across my face as a laugh bubbles in my chest. He gets up from the booth again heading to the counter, when the door of the coffee shop lightly swings open. I glance over, and notice a guy and girl late 20’s come in and sit at the booth just right of the door.
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Do you ever just look at a random person, or a group of people and wonder what their story is? Like, where they’ve been, what they’ve experienced, what makes them who they are? It’s this feeling of sonder, this realization that every individual around you is living a life just as complex and intricate as your own, with their own joys, struggles, and dreams. That couple could be on their first date, 70th date, or never even made it as far as a date, and I will never know.
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Eros sits across from me in the booth again, this time with a plate of bruschetta bread with in one hand, and our mimosa’s in the other. He shoots me a smile and sets down the drinks as he places the plate in front of him, giving me a beautifully mischievous smirk.
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“Nice try, you have to share that. It’s only fair since I convince you, that you wanted it.” I shoot him back the same grin.
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“I let you convince me.” He jokes.
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“Atleast give me a piece, I’m starving over here.” I stick my bottom lip out, trying my best to give him the biggest pout I can form.
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“Of course little demon. I would never let you starve.” He hands me the biggest piece of bread on the plate. “Food should be out in about 5 minutes, I figure we finish eating and go for a nice walk since it’s a beautiful day?” He looks at me with uncertainty, nervousness flickering in his eyes .
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“I would love that”
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A cellphone starts to ring and Eros tenses in front of me. He pulls out his cellphone, mouthing me a sorry and picking it up with a sharp, rough “Hello” as he excuses himself from the booth and heading towards the door towards the street. After a few minutes, Eros comes back in hugging his phone to his chest.
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“I’m really sorry little demon, there’s an emergency at work and I really have to run. I still want to get dinner with you this evening when you’re done work though. I will pick you up around 8.” Eros reaches his hand out and brushes my jaw before turning back to the door, and leaving. Without missing a beat, my BLT and Eros club sandwich get placed on the table without a words.
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As I sit there, finishing my meal, I can’t help but notice Eros’s absence. Despite the bustling activity of the cafe, there’s a nagging sense of emptiness that settles over me as I realize he’s had to leave for some urgent matter. A small frown creases my forehead, but I understand that sometimes life gets in the way, even during what was supposed to be a leisurely morning together.
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With a resigned sigh, I glance around the cafe, my gaze searching for any sign of his return. But deep down, I know he won’t be coming back anytime soon. Duty calls, and Eros is not one to shirk his responsibilities. Despite my disappointment, I can’t fault him for prioritizing whatever it is he needs to attend to.
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As I wave a server over to pay for both of our meals, a sense of independence washes over me. I may be alone in this moment, but I’m capable of handling myself. And while it’s not ideal to be left to pick up the tab, and I am absolutely not a fan of that being a consistent thing. I am more than prepared to handle the situation from all the times Lance stood me up or walked out on our dinner reservations after starting a fight with me over something else.
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With a reassuring smile, I settle the bill and gather my things, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Eros may not be by my side at this moment, but I know he’ll always have my back, even from afar. And as I step out of the cafe, I feel a sense of strength and resilience wash over me, ready to tackle whatever comes my way. I’m going to the bookstore. The book store always makes me feel better, and right now, I need to mindlessly feel better.
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