Just a Fan

DANA

Meeting me again? I don't even remember who this man is. I watched in confusion as he looked back at me with two orbs of pretty eyes.

There was a hint of recognition on his eyes when he saw me up close. Maybe he's one of my customers? A journalist? A fan, perhaps?

"I'm sorry… I don't remember who you are. Have we met?" – I asked, trying to sound polite

The disappointment on his face was obvious. He cleared his throat and gave a look to the man at the counter. Peter gave him a meaningful stare and shook his head. whatever was going on here, I hope someone would give me a clue.

I took a spoonful of my order and waited for the man to get his shit together. I let myself glance at him one more time, trying to recover whatever memory I forgot with him on it. Still, I failed. There was nothing there to remember.

"can I sit down?" – the man said and before I can say no, he already did.

"hi, Miss Dana. It's fine if you don't remember me anymore… but we've met before. Years ago on an island. It was a vacation tour for me. you were there, too. I was the one who drove the yacht for-"

"RIGHT! YES, IT WAS YOU! oh, how can I forget… I apologize. Thank you for that. I don't think I already thanked you for doing that."

I said, instantly regretting what I was thinking and the sharp glares I gave him. I'm not one with the friendly type of people, but I don't forget gratitude. I just find it hard to remember faces… or names, that's all. I mean, it's justified, right? it happened years ago.

The man smiled shyly.

"my name's Ivor by the way. If you also forgotten."

"Ivor… yeah, that's the one." - I nodded

There was a little amount of silence between us as I thought of what else to say to him. He's almost a stranger to me. Someone who's easily forgotten, just one of the faces you see in a crowded place. You may remember them for a moment, but given some time and they're nobody.

"so… busy day?"

He was looking at my gadget and the file that was open on it. I shrugged. I'm always busy with building my dynasty there's no need to answer that.

"you? you live here somewhere?"

He smiled… again. I got to admit, he has a beautiful smile though. But that doesn't excuse why he has to smile every 5 minutes.

"nah… I… I own this place."

That raised my eyebrow. Not to be judgmental or anything but it's not obvious. I'm not belittling his appearance but he's only wearing basic clothes. Plain gray shirt and black pants. The shoes were also black. Aside from the silver watch he was wearing, there was nothing else on his person that might suggest he's someone who's well-off. it's… admirable but unexpected. Or maybe I was only comparing his looks with Neil who's every piece of clothing screams luxury.

"wow, I'm impressed."

And I mean with both. His simplicity and the fact that he owns this simple but sophisticated coffee shop.

"thank you. you're kind of my inspiration anyway."

I grimaced. What did he just say?

"no, no, no… not in a weird way or anything, miss Dana. What I meant was… since I met you on that island, I got interested with you, again not in a romantic way, but in the way you went on with your family's company and everything that you did. It was tough."

I gulped. it's heartwarming to hear those sweet words from someone who's almost a stranger to me. it's good to know that I am inspiring someone even when I am not aware that I am.

"thanks."

"it was your story that gained me the confidence to open this small coffee place. As a start-up."

I was nodding to what he was saying. What else can I do? How do I properly react to what he's narrating? I guess there's no other way but to show my silent support.

He went on and on with his coffee shop story. How he left college for a big risk, obtaining a loan to the bank (which is now fully paid, thanks for the shop's daily income), the struggles of starting over from nothing, the terrifying first day of opening and how it all eventually led up to this point that he hired more staff and bought more tools for the shop. He wasn't done telling me things when Peter appeared beside us and whispered something to him.

"excuse me, Miss Dana. I have somewhere to be. please… do enjoy yourself." – Ivor said and stood up, following Peter

"thank you."

Five faces forward and then he turned back to give me something.

"I hope I'll see you again, Miss Dana-"

"please, call me Dana. There's no reason for us to be too formal here. it's also your place, be comfortable."

He nodded.

"okay, okay. Here's my card, Dana. I hope you get to visit again."

He said and left a card on the table right next to my hand. He walked towards the counter of the shop as my eyes scanned the information on the card. It was a simple card in tan and chocolate brown color on a white background. It only contained three information:

IVOR LYNCH

HE BREWS CEO

+639275423091

I flipped the car on the back to find one line written in cursive handwriting-like font:

"Coffee and good conversation: something you didn't know you need."

A small smile crept on my face. It's a cute slogan. I flipped the card again and stared at the printed words. right, he was that man who helped me get home in a very unfortunate time. The man who rose to the occasion to help me. as I stared at the card some more, I realized what just happened. He gave me his contact number. For what possible reason did he do that?