Clash Of Smirks

The tension was starting to get on my nerves.If I let them keep staring at each other like that, the next thing flying across the room would be chairs — or fists.

I slapped my hands on the counter loudly, making both of them flinch.

"Alright, that's enough," I snapped, trying to sound taller than I was."Stop acting like kids and get along."

Luke looked away, mumbling something under his breath.Ren, on the other hand, tilted his head and smiled slyly.

"With that voice, and that serious little frown, you really do look like a cute child trying to scold grown-ups," he said, chuckling.

I stiffened, my cheeks warming instantly.Before Luke could jump to my defense, I quickly signaled him with a subtle shake of my head —I got this.

 I turned back to Ren, giving him the iciest glare I could manage.

"If you don't have anything to order, then the way out is yours," I said, pointing to the door with exaggerated politeness.

For a split second, Ren actually looked surprised.But then —that maddening grin of his stretched across his face.

"Actually," he said, sauntering toward the counter like he owned the place,"I do have an order. I'll take a black coffee. And a sandwich, please."

I gritted my teeth, muttering something under my breath that probably wasn't very nice.Ren just laughed under his breath, clearly enjoying every second of it.

As I stomped off to the kitchen to make his order, Luke stood up.

"Leaving so soon?" Ren called out casually."I thought you were supposed to be protecting her?"

Luke just smirked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Don't worry," he said coolly,"I know she can handle you."

Ren raised an eyebrow, amused."Oh really?"

"Definitely. You're no match for her," Luke said without missing a beat, then gave me a quick wave and left the café.

The moment the door jingled closed, the silence hit harder.

It was just me and Ren now.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering nerves in my chest, and walked over to him with his tray.My hands trembled slightly as I placed his coffee and sandwich in front of him.

Before he could say anything stupid again, I cleared my throat.

"About last night..." I started, fidgeting with the edge of my apron."I just... I'm sorry for how things got weird. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

There was a moment where he just stared at me, unreadable.

Then he leaned back in his chair, arms folded casually.

"Thank you," he said simply.

I blinked."Thank you? For what?"

A slow smirk curled on his lips.

"I mean, it's not every day a cute girl in a cute maid outfit apologizes to me," he said teasingly.

My face practically exploded with heat.

Without trusting myself to say a single word, I just turned on my heel and walked away briskly, fists clenching the sides of my skirt.

"You clearly haven't changed," I muttered under my breath as I stalked back to the kitchen.

Behind me, I could still hear Ren laughing softly —like he was already looking forward to whatever was coming next.

And somehow, that scared me more than anything.