Chapter 2: Café Confessions

Chapter 2: Café Confessions

The small café on Rue des Abbesses was bustling with its usual morning crowd. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of warm pastries, creating a cozy atmosphere. Aroma, now slightly less frazzled after her earlier mishap, moved gracefully—or as gracefully as she could—between the tables, serving customers with a bright smile.

Zimmi perched on a stool at the counter, animatedly discussing her latest romantic escapade with Saize, who was arranging an array of delicate pastries in the display case.

"You wouldn't believe it, Saize! He showed up with flowers, serenaded me under my window, the whole cliché!" Zimmi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"And you?" Saize asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did you fall for it?"

Zimmi shrugged, grinning. "I might have. But, enough about me. What about Aroma's handsome rescuer this morning?"

Aroma blushed, overhearing the conversation as she placed a cappuccino in front of a customer. "Zimmi, it's nothing. He just helped me up."

Saize, ever the observant friend, chuckled. "From what I saw, there was definitely a spark. What's his name?"

"Lucas," Aroma said, her voice softening at the mention of his name. "He's an artist, I think. There was something... different about him."

Before she could say more, the bell above the door jingled, and to her surprise, Lucas walked in. He glanced around, his eyes lighting up when he saw Aroma. He approached the counter, a slight smile on his lips.

"Back so soon?" Aroma asked, her heart skipping a beat.

"I couldn't resist," Lucas replied. "I had to see if the croissants taste as good as they look."

Aroma laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Well, you're in for a treat. Saize is the best pastry chef in Paris."

Saize nodded in acknowledgment, sliding a plate with a perfectly flaky croissant towards Lucas. "On the house," he said with a wink.

As Lucas took a bite, a look of pure bliss crossed his face. "Incredible. You weren't kidding."

Zimmi leaned over, her curiosity piqued. "So, Lucas, what brings you to this part of Paris?"

"I live nearby, actually. I have a studio just a few blocks away," Lucas said. "I was out for a walk when I had the good fortune of bumping into Aroma."

Aroma's blush deepened, and she busied herself behind the counter, trying to hide her embarrassment. Lucas watched her with amusement, his gaze warm and attentive.

"Well, any friend of Aroma's is welcome here," Zimmi declared, raising her coffee cup in a mock toast. "To new friends and unexpected meetings!"

Lucas clinked his coffee cup against hers, his eyes never leaving Aroma. "To new beginnings," he echoed.