Mister Romantic

by Alice Cooper

  “Welcom—” but I cut myself off as I realized who the customer was. Standing tall and intimidating is no other than Ciel. Every time he entered my shop the saying glaring daggers isn’t enough to express the pure hatred conveying through my eyes.

  Sure, Ciel was extremely good looking. Not only is he intimidatingly tall but he’s also built. His muscles definitely showoff how strong he looks. He has dark raven hair tussled to the side of his face covering one of his sharp blue eyes. His pale skin only made the sharp features on his face even more handsome. He had a long face with a strong jaw and a roman nose. His plumped lips always pulled up into a grin when he entered Fancy cups.

  Everything about him screamed dangerous. I’m not one to get scared easily but my hormones sure do get carried away sometimes.

  Too bad such good looks were put to waste for he was nothing but a nuisance. I can always feel a vein on my forehead throbbing from his mere presence. Ever since we opened Fancy cups he’s been coming here to get coffee and ever since then he’s been teasing me.

  “Good evening Habanero,” he greeted as his gaze was on me. I gritted my teeth at the nickname he’s always given me. I was a natural red head and not to mention I lose my temper every time he’s near.

  “What do you want Ciel?” I spat out.

  “My, my, my. Is that how you greet your regular customers nowadays?” he asked teasingly. I was only 25-years-old and if I start showing wrinkles at a young age then the reason would be the person smirking right at me.

  Angela and Stephen only scowled at Ciel’s presence knowing that not only does he irk me but his constant teasing and harassing is simply not good for my health.

  Unfortunately, Ciel’s my first kiss. He stole my first kiss, and for that I’ll never forgive him. It was the opening day of Fancy cups and I was greeting everyone who came that day, he just happened to be one. It was going great and everybody was either enjoying their order as they talk happily with their company, but off in the corner sat Ciel.

  He was the only customer who was alone. I decided to go over and talk to him and maybe ask what he thought of the shop. Once I asked him “Is there anything else I can help with you?” a grin started growing on his face. He instantly started flirting with me and at first I was flustered because who wouldn’t be madly blushing when a good looking guy starts flirting.

  Angela decided that it was a good idea to push me right as Ciel was about to stand. Making my lips collide with his. Ciel and I were frozen in that moment as we stared at each other with wide eyes. Ciel smirked into the kiss as his arms started wrapping around my waist.

  I did the only thing that was normal to do, I slapped him.

  “Lucky for you, you’re my regular customer or else I’d have you hung from the ceiling fan,” I murmured angrily to myself which only got a chuckle out of him.

  “I would have my usual,” his disgusting velvet voice rang through the shop and I hated how it gave me the chills. Instead of striking another argument with Ciel like we usually do, I’ve decided to ignore him completely. I sat in a chair that stood in the corner of the shop.

  I continued reading my book ignoring the annoying man in my shop. Somehow I expected him not to ignore me. There’s a reason why I call him annoying and nobody should take that word lightly. He had both of his hands leaning on the wall behind me as he stared intently on me.

  I felt his body heat but I refused to look up from my book. I ended up reading the same sentence three times. His closeness makes me want to fidget in my seat but this wasn’t unusual. He always enjoyed seeing me squirm when he gets too close.

  “When are you going to stop focusing on that fictional junk and start focusing on something more worthwhile?” he asked and I could smell his coffee scented breath. I slammed my book shut knowing that I won’t get any reading done with him near.

  “I can’t imagine anything more worthwhile than Mr. Darcy.” I said as I grinned and looked up to him. I wasn’t afraid to back down from our stare that’s until Angela saved me by saying “Your usual is ready Ciel,” she spat out his name.

  Ciel grinned even more like we had our own secret grinning contest. His finger then trailed from the side of my face to my jaw and whispered huskily “Until next time my little Habanero.” I couldn’t help but blush. You can’t really blame me, a handsome guy just flirted with me.

  Too bad he’s an irksome jerk.

  I opened my book and started reading once again. But as I found myself reading the same sentence again, I sighed and glared at Ciel who was paying Angela for his order. This is all his fault.

  He casually walked towards the door with his takeout coffee and said “See you around Habanero.” As he winked at me.

  Once the bell rung signaling that he’s finally gone a silence sat between the three of us. I knew they were waiting for it to happen. The image of my wet dream appeared in my mind which only frustrated me.

  I felt the vein on my forehead throb painfully that I couldn’t take it. I grabbed a small wooden chair and threw it across the room as I gave out a frustrated shout.

  He truly irks me.

  Chapter Two

  Ciel

  I exited Fancy cups with my cup of coffee. This is where I usually get my daily caffeine especially during hangovers. Not to mention, to see a certain red head. Francesca.

  The famous redhead who owns a quirky coffee shop. I remember the first time I’ve ever laid eyes on the freckled face Habanero. What caught my eyes was her bubbly butt and it was a plus that she was wearing leggings clung to her like a second set of skin. A plus was she also had perky breasts even with just wearing a simple shirt.

  Most importantly, she had one of the most beautiful smile plastered on her face, the opening of Fancy cups. She gave a warm welcome to every customer that day and she wasn’t even swayed from the way I look.

  I was so used to the way people react badly when they saw me. Like when I’m walking down the street people tend to cross the road just to not pass by me. How their judgmental eyes stared at me with either fear or loathe.

  But not her.

  Her smile never faltered and her brown eyes sparkled at the sight of me. I couldn’t hide the adoration I had for the innocent sexy girl. I was contented to admire her from afar. To not include her in this pathetic life of mine. She was too innocent for me… I don’t deserve a girl like her.

  But then the kiss happened…

  I felt every fiber in my body burn with a hidden desire. My soul was suddenly lit on fire with just the touch of her small plump lips that I wouldn’t mind kissing over and over again.

  Now that she has me wrapped me around her finger there’s no way I would ever let her go. After the kiss she ended it with a slap. Usually, when someone would lay a finger on me I would be furious but this only made me lust for her more. She was feisty that I curiously wondered what she would be like under the sheets.

  I was so consumed by thoughts of Fran that I didn’t notice that I arrived at the bar that I usually hung out at. “Yo Ciel! What has your head in the clouds?” my friend Zen asked as he pushed himself off the billiard table and walked up to me.

  “None of your business.” I said sternly. I won’t allow Zen nor the other guys to ever know about my Fran. Zen and the rest of the guys would only break her.

  Zen snickered as the both of us sat in front of the bar. My cup of coffee was already gone so I decided to order a bottle of beer. “Don’t tell me it’s some chick.” Zen said.

  For some reason it unnerved me that he was referring to Fran that my eyes sharpened its gaze on him. Zen smirked evilly and said “Oh! So it is a girl. You should bring her over sometime.” I was gripping the bottle of beer too tightly. “Is she a ten?” this only angered me further.

  The bottle in my hand suddenly shattered from my grip.

  This only made Zen feel satisfied. I played right into his hand but I didn’t like that Zen would put a number on my Fran. She’s mine and no one else’s. Not even that Mr. Darcy could stop
me.

  My hand was bleeding a bit from the shards of glass but I didn’t mind, it wasn’t unusual for my hands to bleed. Zen and I were high school friends and we caused trouble everywhere we went. From skipping school to illegal fighting. Zen was your typical player bad boy, jumping from one woman to another.

  He also had the habit to flirt with the girl I would date. His reason was to “test” their loyalty, and usually the girl I’m dating would fall for Zen.

  Zen lit up his cigarette and mumbled “Should I test this girl out?”

  Just the thought of Zen being near Fran didn’t settle well with me. I shrugged off my anger and said “There’s no girl, Zen.”

  I wanted to stay away from Fran to keep her away from Zen. We are definitely the type of men you would want to stay away from. But every time I thought that I wouldn’t see Fran only made my stomach clench painfully.

  I ended up staying the night at the bar again. I lived in an apartment away from my family. My parents were business people and they would do anything for me to jump into the family business. But I wanted so much more.

  I woke up from a very uncomfortable position on one of the sofas that sat in the lounging room of the rusty bar. My head throb from all the beers I drank last night. Trying my best to ignore my idiot friend, Zen.

  My head whirled around in search for said idiot friend but he was nowhere to be seen. I grabbed my leather jacket and walked up to the bar. “Has anyone seen Zen?” I asked no one in particular. Zen was probably with another woman today.

  “He said he’ll be back.” the bartender answered.

  I then proceeded to leave the bar and making way towards Fancy cups. My heart started racing as I realized that I was going to see Fran once again. Maybe I should bring up the kiss. Who knows it could turn into something more. I smirked as I can imagine her face being red as she starts yelling at me. I have it bad.

  My blood suddenly started racing towards my face as I arrived at Fran’s shop. The shop was made of glass so you could see who was inside. But what made my blood boil was that idiot friend of mine sitting at one of the tables. He had a grin on his face as he was saying something to Fran who was serving him.

  Fran had her arms folded in front of her chest as a scowl was plastered on her beautiful face. Probably frustrated from something that Zen said. But that’s not the only thing that made my blood boil, it was Zen’s hand caressing Fran’s arm.

  I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists ready to kill my friend. I pushed the door open making the entrance bell ring violently.

  “Get away from her!” I snarled at Zen, grabbing everyone’s attention. Zen casually looked at me with his grin plastered face and said “Look who arrived in time. Ciel, this is her isn’t it?” he said it like he just won a prize.

  I stormed over to where Zen sat. Fran took a step back as I grabbed Zen by the shirt and yanked him up. “What the hell are you doing here?” I growled at him. Zen chuckled and said “I never thought you’d be overprotective of something… or someone.”

  I tightened my grip on him as I easily lifted him off the floor. “Stay away from her!” I hissed.

  “Chill Ciel, I’m only testing her,” he said as his gaze turned towards Fran who looked at us with wide eyes. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “And it helps that she’s a total babe.” He added which only added fuel to the fire.

  As I saw the way he’s looking at Fran like she was a piece of meat. Like she could be his play thing. Like he could toy with her like some kind of object only pissed me off. I couldn’t hold it back anymore as I dropped him and pulled my fist back and gave a hard punch to his jaw making him knock down the table.

  Once I found out that he was still looking at her I continued assaulting him making some of the customers shout in fear as they ran out the shop. Zen stopped looking at Fran and decided to attack me as well. He started grabbing wooden chairs and cups from tables and throwing them at me.

  I easily dodged them but I know he wouldn’t be able to dodge me. My anger was too much for me. Fists met our faces as we started kicking each other. Blood was dripping on the floor. “Stay away from her.” I hissed as I gave him a punch for each word.

  I was too caught up in my own anger that I didn’t hear the small pitter patter of feet approaching us nor did I hear her angelic voice yell out “Stop!”

  Somebody grabbed my shoulder and instinctively I drew my fist back and punched the person who grabbed me only to be completely mortified. A shriek left Fran’s lips as she fell to the ground harshly.

  “Fran!” Fran’s two friends yelled as they came to her aid.

  One hand was still gripping Zen’s shirt but both of our gazes were on the unconscious red head.

  I hurt her.

  I immediately dropped Zen to the floor as I awkwardly stood in front of the two friends who were aiding Fran. Confused on what to do. Should I help or should I apologize?

  The guy friend moved Fran’s silky hair out of her face revealing a swollen cheek. Guilt instantly filled every part of my body.

  Fran’s female friend turned towards me with a glare as she asked “What the hell is wrong with you?” those words echoed through my head.

  Then I did the most cowardly thing.

  I ran.

  Chapter Three

  Francesca

  It’s been a week since the day Ciel and his jerk of a friend trashed our shop and included me in their fight. My cheek was still a bit swollen and is now a light purple now. I had to assure my customers that I was alright, that I was just a clumsy person.

  Stephen and Angela were furious. Stephen was even able to punch Ciel’s friend. But ever since then I haven’t seen Ciel. He didn’t come to the shop to get his coffee like he usually does.

  Sure, Ciel could be an absolute douchebag but I expected him to come back to the shop with his tail between his legs and start apologizing.

  “Stay away from her.”

  His voice echoed through my mind like a broken record player. Even if it’s been a week I was still torn between either being angry towards Ciel or… grateful?

  I realized I was standing behind the counter with my hand supporting my head in a dreamy state, thinking of the one man that frustrates me to no end. I shook my head from the thought of being grateful towards him.

  I could’ve handled myself.

  But then I remembered the look in Ciel’s eyes when his friend touched my arm. It was feral. Like a breast released from its cage. Ciel did had the bad boy look and his aura reeked of it but I expected him to be the type to flirt and maybe cause a bit of trouble.

  My heart jumped in my throat when Ciel defended me when his friend commented that I’m a babe. But he was no different, right? Ciel flirted way worse than his friend.

  “Look who arrived in time. Ciel, this is her isn’t it?”

  What did Ciel’s friend mean by that?

  This is her.

  I shook my head furiously. I’m overthinking things.

  “Hey Fran, does your cheek hurt?” Stephen asked worriedly. He’s always been a worrywart. I sighed and replied “Barely.”

  “Don’t bother her Steph, our friend here is thinking of her knight in shining leather.” Angela teased. I scowled at both of them as they both chuckled. They’ve caught me a few times staring out of space, of course, I was thinking none other than that douchebag. Sometimes I would also think about that wet dream of mine.

  “I’m not thinking of Ciel.” I spat out quickly which only caused them both to giggle at my reaction. “Who said it was Ciel?” Angela asked teasingly. My face fell into my hands as I sighed.

  “You know there’s a saying the more you hate the more you love.” Stephen suddenly wanted to join the teasing club. As if I could ever love a person like Ciel. It’s one thing to lust over someone and another to fall in love with him.

  The day passed by quickly and every time the entrance bell rang my head would snap towards its direction only to end up disappointed. The day was co
ming to an end and it was my day to do closing.

  “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Stephen asked as he and Angela were going out for a few drinks. “I’ll be okay. I’m going to go straight home after this.” I assured them. Angela rolled her eyes and said “You’d have a lot more fun in your life if you’d come during our outings.”

  I smiled sheepishly and said “I’d have more fun just sitting here in my shop and reading—” “About Mr. Darcy. We know, we know. Just take care.” Angela finished for me. After they left I stayed for almost an hour as I read a few chapters of my book.

  I checked my watch to see that it was midnight and decided to start heading out. But as I looked up from my watch I noticed that it was heavily raining. I sighed frustratingly as I remembered that I didn’t bring my umbrella. I slowly got my bag and jacket and exited the shop.

  I stood in the pouring rain as I tried locking the doors to the shop but it’s difficult to see through the rain. Not to mention, I dropped the keys on the ground making me stay longer in the rain. By the time the shop was secured and locked I was already drenched from head to toe.

  There was no point in running to my apartment, I would either sprain something or slip and fall. As I started walking I noticed a figure standing at the corner of the shop. I looked up and couldn’t help but let out a gasp. There stood in the pouring rain under an umbrella is none other than the man I’ve been waiting all week for. Ciel.

  He noticed me and it could be my imagination or the rain but I swore his eyes widened as he saw me. I stood still not knowing what to do. I could feel my inner self start yelling profanities at me. I’ve been imagining all week that he would stop by at the shop and we would get into our usual argument and he would apologize. I even practiced arguing.

  It even shock me that he wasn’t wearing his signature leather jacket. This time he’s wearing a long black wool jacket. It didn’t surprise me that he even looked good in it. Actually, he looked completely good in it… it made me wonder if he had abs like in my dream.