"Coffee?"

Jake yawned while turning off his computer..

After days and nights of work, he finally managed to finish the work he was given within the deadline—More like just a few hours before the deadline..

He got up from his desk and stretched out his exhausted body..

Because of his work, he barely managed to buy some necessary stuff for his new apartment including his desk, computer and his bed..

He walked to the balcony, inhaling the fresh air and watching the sun rise..

'I should've bought some extra food'

He thought as his stomach grumbled..

He decided to take a warm shower before heading out for a walk—Hoping to find something to eat..

After a long walk, he saw a cafe in a distance and to his surprise, the lights were still on.. He could see an old woman mopping the floor..

Jake walked into the cafe hoping that the woman won't kick him out saying the cafe wasn't opened yet..

The old woman stopped as she saw a customer and welcomed him..

It was almost 6 am.. Jake was waiting for his food when he saw a kid going up to the old woman and hugging her from behind..

The woman softly smiled and asked

"Why are you awake so early?"

"I should be the one to ask you why you opened the cafe so early?"

He looked over to Jake..

"And you already have a customer? This early? Wow"

The woman nodded at the kid who was probably in his teen years..

"I usually open it around this time but rarely get lucky to get a customer this early.. You won't know since you're always sleeping like a sloth"

"Grandmaa!~" He whined and pouted as his grandmother teased him..

Jake who was watching them couldn't help but feel even more empty inside..

It has always been like that—Every time he sees a kid with their family.. He would feel more and more empty and cold; He would wonder, what he did to deserve the emptiness..

But in the end, it wasn't his fault after all..

Somewhere between him growing up all alone, he begins to think that maybe it was his fault, that he was not worthy enough of someone's time and love..

'Since when did a child have to fake their happiness and lie to themselves just to receive love from their parents' he would wonder..

Once he was done with his breakfast he walked back home.. On his way back, he saw a convenience store and bought some food for himself..

-

Jake sighed in relief while sitting on his desk after submitting his work..

He has been working on the project from home but he was finally back at the office today..

While he was making a coffee for himself he heard a familiar voice talking to someone..

They were about to make themself a coffee as well but decided not to when they saw Jake, to avoid him..

Abby did not know how to face Jake.. They didn't even know what to say or how should they react..

He could sense that they were nervous, he was too—Yet he still wanted to make the first move.. He remembered the conversation he had with Ruby..

..

"You want to stay away and watch them like a rejected puppy from afar or will you actually go ahead and make a move and make up for all your past regrets?"

..

As he was done making two cups of coffee, he got into the elevator to give one to Abby ..

He walked over to Abby's desk and placed their cup on their desk.. Abby wasn't expecting that..

Taken aback they just looked up at them with a questioning look..

"Well uh.. You made one for me too.. the day before yesterday? No the day before that?" He answered questioning himself..

Letting out a chuckle he joked..

"I'm getting old you see .. can't remember"

His smile turned into an awkward one when he saw Abby's expression didn't change at all..

He cleared his throat before grabbing a chair from the desk beside Abby's and sitting down..

"Actually.. um.. I know you must be surprised and I shouldn't have said all that .. all of a sudden and.. I'm sorry for what my parents said and for their behaviour.. and .. I shouldn't have taken you there and... Its just.. I was worried and.. I... But trust me didn't have any bad intentions it's just... I... I'm sorry"

Abby stared at him for a second, wondering how to respond.. They knew none of it was his fault..

They sighed..

"Why are you so obsessed with apologizing to people even when it's not your fault"

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry too for overreacting it's just.. I can't understand anything.. I just feel stupid"

They bit their inner cheek trying to control themself but they couldn't stop the words that were coming out of their mouth..

"I just.. feel stupid.. I can't even choose what to believe and what not to believe.. I just have to follow what other people say.. I-It sucks you know.. I can't remember anything—I can't even tell if someone is lying to me"

"You don't have to force yourself to believe in things that don't feel right" Jake said while staring at his cup..

"What?" They looked at him with a slight frown on their face..

He looked up—His eyes meeting theirs..

"You do have a choice.. People will tell you to believe things that feel right to them and if something feels right to someone that doesn't mean that the other person will feel the same about it.. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions"

'Were those words really what I wanted to hear?'

They questioned themself..

For a long time, they hoped that someone would tell them that they were allowed to say no.. That they had the freedom to choose to believe what feels right to them not what others want them to believe.. But as they finally heard those words, it didn't feel exactly as how they expected; It was bittersweet..