8- Do you miss me?

I woke up with a horrible headache on Monday morning. I got out of bed and got ready for college. Today, I had the AFO test that I had studied for. By some miracle, I felt confident that I would get a good grade. I washed my face and saw the deep bags under my eyes, a result of the sleepless night because of what had happened. "When will I start having inner peace?" I asked myself.

I made some coffee, ate a piece of toast, took a headache medicine, and headed out to catch the bus (it was almost time). The morning went by smoothly, I finished the test, and the professor let us leave early. Since I worked part-time at a café near the college, I decided to start my shift early.

— Kyra, what are you doing here so early? Anne, my coworker, asked.

— Anne, good morning! I said, winking at her.

— Oops, sorry! It was so rushed this morning that I didn't even greet you properly. Let me start over. Good morning, Kyra!

— That's better! I said, smiling. Since I arrived early, I'll help you get everything in order. Oh, I left early because I had a test today.

— Oh, I see. You're an angel! she said, relieved.

I took a look at the café before going to the back to get ready; it was quite busy. "Wonderful, Kyra! The day will fly by," I said to myself.

After finishing getting ready, I went to help Anne with the customers who were arriving. There were 15 people who had just come in to place their orders.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, dear reader, how the café was. It still exists today, with a red and cream decoration. There was an awning in front with the dessert display facing the street. It had around 10 tables with 4 seats, 5 tables for 2, and a counter with 10 stools for customers who came alone or liked to interact. It's one of the places where I feel at home, super comfortable and inviting, with different coffee-themed paintings. My favorite was the one above the cash register, a red cup and saucer with black coffee, steam rising against a blue background. Ahh, how comforting it was to look at that painting! (When I left the job after finishing college, they gave it to me, and now it's in my apartment).

Returning to the dreadful Monday of my past, we had already finished serving all the customers, the afternoon had flown by, and my shift was coming to an end. I couldn't wait to leave when suddenly I heard my name.

— Kyra?! a familiar voice called me.

I looked back and didn't see anyone. I glanced at the tables but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. "I must be going crazy, I'm even hearing voices," I said, laughing.

— No! You heard correctly! I didn't know you worked here. You should have told me.

I looked to the side and saw the most beautiful person who had ever entered my life. He approached me and whispered in my ear:

— Did you miss me? Dante said.

— What?! I said, with a shocked expression.

— I can see that you did! he said, laughing.

— How self-centered you are, right? As if I would miss a disturbance like you. That's just what I needed.

— I know you like me, you just won't admit it, he said, winking at me.

— Do I need to keep pretending? I said in his ear.

— Yes! It's too late for you to run.

— You can say we broke up and that you got back together with Lola, I said mischievously, a victorious smile on my lips.

— You're wicked. I'd rather spend my days being mistreated by you than have to find another parasite.

— Changing the subject, what should I do? I'm still on duty, and I don't know how to act around you (my current boyfriend).

— Well, I'll give you a kiss on the cheek, and you smile at me. That's enough, I don't want to distract you either.

— Okay, I said, my face burning with embarrassment.

Dante approached, put his hand on my waist, and kissed my forehead. I blushed instantly. I played the role of the girlfriend well, but what no one knew was that my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to jump out of my mouth, and his touch on my waist was enough to make me feel warm. Dante smiled at me and went back to the table where he was sitting. At that moment, Anna approached and asked:

— What did I miss? You didn't tell me you were dating a handsome man! she pouted.

— Sorry, Anna. I didn't even have time to think about it myself.

— It seems like a dream, huh? she said, lost in her thoughts.

— It really does. A man like him would never take me seriously, even if I were born again. I thought to myself.

— Kyra, finish your shift for today and go enjoy your handsome prince, Anna said, smiling and excited.

— Are you sure? It still seems quite busy, I said, looking around.

— You can go, I'll take care of the rest. she winked at me and went to the cash register to attend to a customer.

I went to the back again, changing clothes and lost in thoughts. Everyone seemed happy that I was dating a handsome and charming man, but why wasn't I? I didn't feel worthy of him because I wasn't as beautiful, I wasn't working in the field I wanted, I hadn't graduated yet, and most importantly, there were much more attractive women vying for his attention. It was frustrating because I didn't have high self-esteem.

After finishing changing, I grabbed my belongings, returned to the front of the café, and went towards Dante's table. He looked handsome, wearing a white polo shirt, black jeans, and a black blazer. He seemed lost in thought, staring out the café window.

— You seem worried, I said as I sat down at the table.

— I am, he said, looking at me.

— Did I do something wrong?

— No, not at all. You played your part well back there. It really seemed like you were blushing because I kissed you. You did a great job.

— Thank you! I said, winking at him.

— What's bothering me is not that, but it seems like it's not enough to convince the media and the women around me that I'm in a serious relationship.

— And what do you suggest? I asked, quite innocently, already regretting asking.

— Going to the dean's party tonight.

— What?! I said, startled. The dean's party on a Monday? How is that even possible?

— The life of a wealthy businessman is eventful.

— I can see that. One question: What should I wear to the party?

— A dress, it doesn't have to be flashy, but it should enhance your beauty.

— Enhance my beauty? I started laughing. It would have to be a miraculous dress. Can I even find one? I said sarcastically.

— You're funny, he said.

— I do what I can.

— I'll take you to a nearby store to choose one. We'll get ready at the apartment I'm staying in because there won't be enough time to take you to your place and then pick you up. Is that okay with you?

— What can I do? Do I have a choice?

— No, he said, smiling. But first, have some coffee and eat something with me.

— Alright, I'll choose a slice of the powdered milk pie and a café au lait. What would you like? I asked.

— A slice of powdered milk pie? I've never had that before. I think I'll have the same as you. Please order a café au lait for me as well.

— Okay.

I got up, went to the counter to place our orders with Anne, who attended to me right away and said she would bring it to the table. I returned to the table and sat down.

— The order is on its way, I said.

— Alright. Oh, I forgot to ask, how was the test today? Did you do well? Did it cover what we studied?

— Yes, for the first time, I feel like I did well on the test. None of the questions seemed too difficult, and they were easy to answer. I calculated everything as you taught me, and the results matched the options in the answers. I said excitedly.

— Did it include any income statement questions?

— Yes, it did. I had to calculate all the inflows and outflows of a fictional company and create its income statement.

— I'm glad you did well! he said, winking at me.

— Yes, I have to thank you for that.

— Oh, imagine, I'm just returning the favor you're doing me. Let me know when the grades are out; I want to evaluate your performance.

— My performance? I furrowed my brow.

— Yes, I want to see if you're a good student, he said, smiling.

— I never know when you're being serious or joking with me.

— Both. I love seeing you angry or confused, he said, laughing.

— That's torture, you know? I glared at him.

— Torture? Why? I know you enjoy this kind of torture.

— You're completely mistaken.

— You'll never admit it.

Anne arrived with our orders. The pie looked beautiful, with two layers of yellow tone, filled with powdered milk in the middle and a yellowish topping. I took the first bite with a fork and was in heaven... Seriously, I travel while eating and savoring the flavors of food, it's wonderful. I was so lost in the moment that Dante called my name three times before I heard his voice and came back down from the flavorsome heaven I was in.

— Kyra? he said, laughing.

— Hey! I said, looking at him.

— You get carried away when you eat something you like, huh?

— Is it that obvious?

— Yes, but let me tell you, this pie is amazing. I don't regret ordering the same thing as you. Thanks for the suggestion.

— I'm really happy to share this with you. You know, hardly anyone tries the desserts I like.

— Not even your friends? he asked, furrowing his brow.

— No, João doesn't really like sweets, and Lucy doesn't eat them because she says they'll make her gain weight, I said, making a face.

— I like that, he said, and I saw a sparkle in Dante's eyes that I had never seen before.

— Like what? I asked.

— It seems so pure to share these moments with you. I know they're simple, but it doesn't take much to please you. That's what surprises me.

— The simple things are the best! I said, surprised.

We finished eating, and Dante didn't let me help pay the bill. He got up and went to the counter to talk to Anne.

— Are you happy? Anne asked.

— Huh? Dante said, a bit confused. Sorry, I didn't understand your question.

— About Kyra. I hope you take good care of her; she's a golden girl, you know. She's been through a lot in life and deserves to be taken care of.

— Ahh, yes, I can say that I'm really happy, Dante said, carefully choosing his words.

— I hope you two are happy, and make sure you don't hurt her, okay? Anne said, smiling but with a threatening tone. Or you'll have to deal with me.

— Don't worry! I don't intend to hurt her, but I can see that you really care about her, and I'm glad to know that.

Dante finished paying, and Anne smiled and thanked him for his patronage. He returned to the table where Kyra was deep in thought about Anne's question: are you happy? This question caught him off guard because in none of his previous relationships had he questioned his happiness or remembered having fun dating the girls who had come into his life. One thing was certain: the fake relationship he had with Kyra was surpassing all the real ones he had ever had. He couldn't deny that. He had never had so much fun with anyone before. Well, that was a topic for another time, he thought.

— Shall we, Kyra? Dante asked.

— Yes. I got up from the table and walked with him out of the café toward the car.

— Now we just need to find the right dress, he said, getting into the car.

— We? Wait, shouldn't it be my choice?

— It needs to have my approval. So get ready to try on several dresses today, he said, smiling.

— I'll be tortured.

We arrived at the store he mentioned. Dante parked the car, and we got out.

I was left speechless by the display, facade, and entrance, which looked more like a shopping center than a regular clothing store. Seriously, I had never seen a store like that before and didn't even know it existed. Dante stood beside me and gently closed my mouth, lifting my chin.

— Relax, it's just a regular clothing store, he said, laughing.

— No, a regular clothing store is very different. Have you ever been to those factory outlets? They're practical and efficient self-service stores, but they're nothing like this.

— I've never been to one.

— I figured. My world is very different from yours.

— Is that a bad thing?

— I can't say, but everything is new, that's for sure.

— Your world is also new to me, and I'm loving getting to know it, I said, blushing and trying not to let him notice. Shall we go in? I asked.

— Let's.