Victor's

My visit this time feels different. My ego says that the entire contents of the Ecology Cafe are now also mine. I know this feeling is wrong. Narcissistic. All of Victor's is still Victor's. Even if I later marry him, it does not mean that I have the right to anything that belongs to him in the first place.

I mocked my overconfident self. It's not necessarily that our relationship is smooth all the way to the wedding. Didn't I declare myself not to marry one month ago? Why now I'm imagining married life with Victor?

I walked into the Ecology Cafe and looked for a seat after ordering a drink at the counter. I saw the face of a new barista, his name was Abe. The man is tall, with a plontos head, and an alluring style of speech. It deserves to be on the frontline of a café.

I made an appointment with Victor here. He's also happy that I work at his café. He said there was no need to pay, but I was not at ease. I still have to pay in advance. It seems that Abe and his friends, fellow employees at the Cafe know that I am Victor's girlfriend. Abe had refused my money. I insist on paying professionally.

"Tell him that I reject this kind of kindness. I came as a customer," I said firmly in front of Abe.

"But we've been told so...."

"No! I don't like being spoiled like this," I said.

Abe finally accepted the money I gave. Even then after I growled.

Victor sent a message. He couldn't believe I didn't want to be treated preferentially.

"I'm glad you prepared that for me. If you want a treat, treat me outside," I told Victor in a chat message.

"When can I see you?" A follow-up message I sent.

"I'm checking the monthly report in the office. I came when I was done, how about it?"

Victor retorted.

"Okay. I'm ahead. I also need to write."

I sent that reply with an additional smile emoticon.

After that I put down my mobile phone and continued with work matters.

I had just finished an article when Victor suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Oh wow! I guess it will be a long time?"

"Indeed," Victor said, he lifted his tab.

"Oh, I thought there would be a stack of papers on your desk," I said.

Victor laughed. "I use a digital system," he said.

I forget this is not the time when a café owner checks sales based on receipts that come out. They can already check all that with digital notes. Receipts are only physical evidence provided to customers. Even many customers don't need it.

I laughed along. Ashamed of my mindset.

"I think you're the type who can appreciate vintage things," Victor said. It sounded like he was smoothing his taunts.

"You mean my mindset is old-fashioned?"

"Nope," Victor said. "I mean you're going to fit in with something vintage style. It was your spontaneous thoughts that made me think so."

"Oh, okay. Whatever. So that stack of documents that you have to check, is there?" My finger pointed to the tab that was in Victor's hand.

Victor nodded. "How are you?"

"Just finished one article. There are still four more keywords that I have to write. Want to work together here?"

"It's obvious, right? I brought my tab here."

Someone delivered coffee to Victor and I. We both ordered Americano.

Every now and then I steal a glance at Victor focusing on his tab. I don't know if he stole a glance at me either or not. It doesn't seem to be. He had something that stole his attention completely.

This makes me think that Victor is very compatible with me. He's not the kind of boyfriend who forbids me to work. Even so, I still have to confirm other things before later putting too much feelings on him.

I finished writing five keywords three hours later. I turned off the laptop to rest for a while.

"It's hard to finish?" Victor asked, who realized the laptop was already stuck.

"Yes, for the first stage," I said.

"There's more?"

I nodded. Do I need to tell him my next move?

"Want to eat?" Victor asked. He looked at the watch. It is indeed lunchtime.

My Americano is up. I often don't realize when I drink it.

"I'm not hungry," I said.

"We're leaving now," Victor said as if not listening.

"Go? Where to go?"

"Just follow me," he said.

His words clearly implied he did not accept rejection. I followed him out of the café with a briefcase attached to his back. I guess Victor will take me to eat out.

A few minutes later, my conjecture was answered. Victor took me to eat at a restaurant, especially roast duck and fried duck. He didn't ask me what I wanted to eat first. Actually, I want to eat soupy food. I hope this restaurant provides soup.

"The roast duck here is famous. I've eaten a few meals," Victor said as he walked inside. We get a welcome from restaurant employees. The employee gave us a menu and invited us to choose a seat. When we're ready to order, we can call them at any time.

"Okay. It sounds promising," I said.

Victor chose a seat near the garden. The setting of the restaurant is similar to the Ecology café. It has indoor and semi-outdoor areas. Victor chose a semi-outdoor area.

Victor recommends several menus. I barely ordered based on my own choice. This one side makes it easier for me. On the other hand, this feels like I'm being dictated.

"What's your job done by the way?"

I asked because I was worried that he couldn't finish his work in time.

"For the first stage, yes it has," Victor replied.

"You're like copying and pasting my words."

"That's the truth. I also often said something like that with my other friends," Victor said.

I don't easily believe it.

"I'm serious. I didn't imitate you. Maybe this is the similarity between us?"

"Maybe."

It feels like something is strange. But what?

I noticed Victor's performance that afternoon. Before, the to-do list had already grabbed my attention, so I didn't pay attention to it.

Victor was wearing a bluish-white shirt. The color is almost similar to the color of the salted egg shell. He was wearing black jeans and sneakers from Nike. In addition, the watch from Rolex is wrapped around his right arm.

Isn't this the usual combination? What makes him look different than the average man?

It's not because I like it. Physically, Victor has a formed body. He looked very fit. Beneath his shirt, his chest was a field. The belly looks tight.

"What did you notice?"

"Huh?"

I got nervous because of the scuffle.

Victor laughed.

"I'm in the gym. It's not routine. At most three times a week," Victor said.

I became even more embarrassed that Victor was apparently aware of the question in my head.

"Want to try?"

"What?"

"Go to the gym."

Oh, I guess he wants to say something else.

"Uumm, nope. I don't like sports," I said quickly.

"Exercise is not about whether you like it or not, but to maintain health."

"I don't know. To stay healthy, I think going to bed early, waking up early, warming up and eating healthy is enough."

Victor smiled.

Is my thinking too simple and it's weird for him?