Ex

Chapter Nine

The Muse~

I blink a thousand times to process what I am seeing. There is a flicker of surprise in his eyes before it is gone. He props his elbow on the table between us and rests his chin on his palm, eyeing me with amusement for a moment then shakes his head. 

"This is not my book, Mimi." He chuckles and I feel like my heart is running a thousand miles at a second. "And how come you are here?" 

I gulp back the urge to say, "You are so pretty" and say, "I-I was just passing by" I stammer, trying not to blush, and lowering my gaze. 

Kyler's bottom lip disappears between his teeth as he pulls one of the books that was set by the side of the table. "This is a gift. Keep it." He signs the book and slips a bookmark inside the book.

"I didn't know that you'd be here," I say meekly in my defense although there is no offense in the first place. 

Kyler pushes the book toward me and laughs softly before lifting his head and looking me in the eyes through his glasses. It takes all of me not to let my breath hitch. "Miss Mimi Volkov, there is a large banner in front of the shop, everyone is holding my book and you still didn't get that it's my book signing event today." There is no disappointment, all there is amusement. 

A pink tint spreads across my cheek and I am at a loss for words, "I-I—" A girl who is seemingly his assistant whispers something to his ear and he tenses up. 

His eyes drift to the crowd behind me and his jaw tickles. I read the look in his eyes and glance over my shoulder to the crowd. They are growing restless because I am taking too much time. 

I bite my lip and turn to Kyler, I pick the book from the table, "Thank you for the book, and sorry for taking too much of your time." I start to walk toward the exit. 

For some reason, I don't want to leave. I want to talk to him more… 

"Mimi, wait!" I hear his voice and spin around, "Can you wait for me? Just a little? I think I will be done in… an hour. There is a cafe across from here…" He is looking unsure and troubled. Kyler rubs the back of his neck as he eyes the crowd looking at us, "If you are free, of course." 

And I want to laugh, he is looking really cute at the moment, "Right. One hour that is." I grin and exit the store, holding the book close to my chest and ignoring all those jealous eyes on me. 

 ***

I have come to this cafe a few times before but I have never felt this kind of anticipation before. All I have felt in this cafe is disappointment. I know this isn't right. That I shouldn't be seeing Kyler like this… but… this is the last time.

Yes, it is.

Eight years ago, the owner of the cafe was different, even the name was different. It was a regular dating spot for the high school couples. 

I look around and chuckle, it is still a famous dating spot for the young stars. I just hope that they don't have to suffer from the same disappointment and heartbreak I suffered when I was in high school. 

I am not as pretty as everyone else. I know that I don't deserve much. But I do deserve something. And when I date someone I expect them to give me at least the bare minimum. 

I used to date a boy when I was sixteen. It was a short-lasting relationship. No, at this point I don't even have any idea whether it was any relationship at all. Because Keith never really gave two shits about us. About me. He was such an asshole. 

I still wonder how I managed to spend those eight horrible months of my life. Every day, I would end up with a broken heart and a lot of disappointment. He would always flirt with other girls and would sprout bullshit that I didn't sign up for. 

Every day, he would do new new bullshit just to piss me off and make me want to never talk to him anymore. He was actually nice when we were on the talking stage. He would give me a lot of attention and treat me like I deserved to me. But the moment I said yes to his proposal, he changed color faster than anyone I'd ever seen. 

What an asshole. 

My friends always would tell me that I should break up with him and move on, but the problem was that I grew attached to him and he took every advantage possible taking from that attachment that I had for him. 

I still wonder if he cheated on me with some other chick and was just toying with me. But either case, we broke up. Or rather, I ghosted him. 

It was our eighth month and we decided to go on a date. We decided to meet up here. But he never showed up or he did, but I wasn't here to see him showing up. After waiting for 45 minutes for naught, I left him and blocked him from every possible social media account. I blocked his contact details and two days later left New York City as well. 

I still wonder what the hell got into me that I ended up dating that dick head. So yeah, this place holds a lot of emotion and I never want to come back here if possible. Who knows if that shithead pops out here? Am not about to handle his bullshits. It would worsen my migraine. 

"Mimi? Is that you?" An oddly familiar and irritating voice bursts into my ear and I grimace, "When did you come back here?" 

And I want to cut off my ears. Bolt out of the boor. No, first I want to throw my coffee at his face then go out of the door and pretend that I never saw or heard him here.

I never knew my assumptions were accurate. 

What the fuck?! Why the hell is he here?!