Cherreads

Chapter 1 - Dangerously Warm

I was in a bad mood.

I didn't know the cause at first. Maybe every little thing annoyed me that day—the soft white music, the grinding of coffee beans, the quiet chatter of high school kids sipping drinks.

Or the college students and adults laughing with wide smiles on their faces. Or even the wafting aroma of milk, chocolate, coffee, and tea. I still didn't know what had me so out of sorts.

I leaned against the counter, wearing my professional smile. My cheeks started to shake a little from the forced muscle strain.

I sighed when a hand touched my shoulder, already knowing who it belonged to. I looked at her, my face betraying my distracted tiredness. Crazy, considering it was still only seven in the morning.

"Are you okay?" Her voice pulled me out of my daze. I sighed and looked at the silver-eyed girl in her waiter dress.

I shook my head and forced another professional smile—which only made my cheeks ache. "Nothing out of the usual, Sarah," I said, tapping my fingertips on the counter.

"And what does that mean?" she asked with a raised brow, arms crossed just under her chest.

I looked at her and smiled. "It means I'm fine."

Her brow raised even higher. She clearly wasn't convinced. But what could she say?

She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I know Mondays are a pain in the ass, but we all live. Let's just hope the day ends faster," she said, and I smiled a little.

Then a customer called for her, and she left. I sighed and limply fell forward onto the counter. Typical Mondays.

The bell over the door rang. Cold winter air brushed my bangs back from my forehead, signaling the arrival of another customer. A group of high schoolers walked in, no older than eighteen.

But even through the chaos and laughter, one figure managed to grab my attention.

It was like the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows had been pulled toward him, wrapping him in this soft, almost unreal glow.

Probably seen only by me.

I stared for a moment, a little shocked, before quickly looking away. This was dangerous. The fact that a child—no more than sixteen, hell, he even looked fourteen—made my heart beat like this...

It was like there was a tiny marathon going on in my stomach. My cheeks grew warm.

Fuck. Was I blushing over a child? I thought, panicking.

Just his laugh.

Only his laugh, and that adorable spark in those doe-like eyes managed to make this old cow's heart flutter.

I was nothing more than an old cow eyeing tender grass.

I took a breath and tried to control my expression as I served another customer.

I focused on her appearance to push the boy's face out of my mind. She had blonde curly hair—like all the girls here. Maybe it was a trend, I thought, noting her blue eyes. Her pale cheeks were dusted with a reddish-pink blush.

Was she blushing? I thought, a little surprised, before realizing I was staring. I cleared my throat and looked down at my tablet, writing her order.

"Is that all?" I asked, raising a brow.

She nodded with a smile before stepping away.

I glanced around. No customers left. I laid back on the counter, trying hard to erase those adorable doe eyes from my mind.

But then, as I was lying there, a soft, sweet fragrance wafted toward me. It was warm and creamy, with a milky hint. It smelled like vanilla milk.

I raised my head, searching for the source of the scent—only to be pulled in by those same beautiful eyes.

My breath hitched. Seeing them this close was... breathtaking.

They were honey brown, with a spark I couldn't explain. They were just so beautiful.

My gaze narrowed slightly. The cute stranger smiled and scratched his head nervously.

Who wouldn't be nervous, with a twenty-four-year-old man staring at them like this?

I shook my head, burying my disgusting thoughts under a professional smile.

Even with the marathon still raging in my chest, I managed to whisper six words:

"What would you like to order?" I asked, eyes fixed on my tablet. I knew if I looked into his eyes again, my sanity would evaporate.

This feeling was dangerous.

Too dangerous.

The sweet scent around me was dangerous. His adorable, beautiful eyes were dangerous.

The cause of it all… was dangerous.

"I would like matcha," the boy said, tapping the counter nervously.

My grip on the pen tightened. I took a deep breath and smiled before writing it down.

"Can I have strawberry cold foam on it?" he asked. I chuckled, marveling at his sweet tooth.

Matcha and strawberry cold foam? That was too much. But still, it was cute.

I nodded. After making it, I handed the drink to him. He smiled, then walked to his table where his friends sat, sipping his matcha.

It was weird and cute at the same time. He was the only small, slim figure among the group. The other three looked like basketball players—with flashy red, blonde, and brunette hair.

Only he had natural black hair, which made those doe eyes shine even more.

Even though he might seem average to others... to me, he looked more beautiful than anyone at that table.

After a while, they left. And that's when I finally could breathe.

But with the relief came a strange kind of sadness. Like that boy had walked out with half of my heartstrings.

This feeling was strange.

Too strange.

And concerning.

I had never felt this way for a boy.

And to make it worse… a minor.

I sighed, limply laying my head on the table again.

Sarah walked toward me, concern on her face. Her brunette hair was tied in a tight ponytail. Before she could even ask what was wrong, I turned to her with a smile.

"I'm fine. No need to worry," I said.

She didn't look convinced, but she nodded, respecting the closed door. I was grateful for that.

What a long, painful day. I thought, shaking my head.

And yet, even though I wanted to lock away these disgusting feelings and bury them deep—

…I wanted to see you again.

It was crazy.

But it felt right.

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