It was already our fourth date, yet I still couldn't get used to this setup. A wall with a small hole, only allowing me to glimpse part of the other person's clothes.
The dim lighting, the mysterious air—it all felt almost thrilling, but mostly just uncomfortable.
It was a strange setup, after all.
"Lea? Are you asleep?"
His voice pulled me back to reality.
"Huh? Oh! Y-yeah, sorry."
"Did something happen at work again?" His tone carried a hint of concern.
I hummed dismissively. "It's nothing. We were just completely swamped today. Customers came rushing in like tidal waves. We panicked."
"Let me guess—students?"
I snapped my fingers. "Exactly!"
A quiet chuckle echoed from his side of the wall. "You never mentioned what kind of part-time job you have, but judging by the type of customers you deal with… I'd say it's either a convenience store or a café."
I blinked in surprise. "Ah… well, it is a café, actually."
He was sharp. It took me weeks to even guess his personality, yet he had already figured this much about me.
Speaking of which…
"By the way, you said you work too. If you don't mind me asking… what kind of—"
"I work at a café near a school."
I froze.
What a coincidence! The café I worked at was also near a school—
Wait.
Was it really a coincidence?
There were plenty of cafés near schools, sure. But if we were talking about this town specifically… ours was the only one.
Unless—his café was in another town. That was possible, too.
But… what if he was actually one of the male employees at Everbloom?
Before I could spiral into the thought, he let out a melodic laugh, one that sent a tingle down my spine. Even his laugh was addictive. His voice alone had made me blush on our first 'date.'
"You know, it would be funny if we actually worked at the same café," he mused. "Imagine treating each other completely differently here, not realizing we've been seeing each other this whole time."
***
"Um… is there something on my face?"
Jayson's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He furrowed his brows, clearly noticing that I had been staring at him for a while.
I quickly looked away, shrugging.
We were both in the faculty room, taking a thirty-minute break. My gaze shifted to the other male employees around us, scanning them carefully.
The thought Syl had planted in my head last night wouldn't leave me alone.
We only met twice a week—Tuesdays and Fridays. A schedule we had agreed upon due to our other commitments.
It was now Wednesday, the day after our fourth date.
And I was growing paranoid.
Was Syl… actually one of my coworkers?
"Ah, right. I have something for you."
Jayson's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. My head turned toward him just as he rummaged through his bag.
"Here."
He slid a keychain across the table—a small, fluffy keychain of Gumball, the blue cat from a cartoon show I used to watch as a kid.
My favorite character.
My eyes lit up instantly. "Wait, wha—why?" I stuttered, confused by the sudden gesture.
More importantly, how did he know I liked this character?
Jayson smiled. "A gift."
I hesitated but took it, running my fingers over the soft plush material. "Thanks… but why Gumball?"
"You seem to like it. I'm glad." He remarked as he observed my reaction.
"Well… it might sound silly, but it's actually my favorite cartoon character," I admitted. "I'm surprised you knew. Or… was it just a coincidence?"
He hummed. "I heard somewhere that you liked that character. Then I happened to pass by a street stall selling cartoon keychains."
"Ah… I see."
I smiled, accepting his explanation.
But something about it nagged at me.
Where had he heard that I liked Gumball?
And then—it hit me.
A memory flashed through my mind.
My second date with Syl.
It was a week ago, before we finalized our schedule. I had rambled on about my favorite shows for nearly half the date.
And I had definitely talked about Gumball.
Screeeech!
I abruptly pushed back my chair and stood up, startling Jayson.
"Azalea? What's the matter?"
I stared at him, my heart pounding.
No way.
Could it be?
Is Jayson… Syl?