It's 8 o'clock in the morning but Stephen hasn't gone out of his room.
His books on the study table are a bit scattered as well as some of the bunch of papers while he is comfortably lying on his king-sized bed that is slightly messy while staring at the picture of a pretty woman displayed on the screen of his phone.
Curtains with a combination of white and black gives a little light and darkness within the room while the white-colored door of a walk-in closet is slightly opened where Stephen's clothes and shoes are placed.
He heard a slight knock from the door so he quickly stood up and disgustedly opened it.
He was a bit startled to see Clarence standing while smiling widely at him. He just gave him an annoyed glare then turned around and sat on the couch.
"What the heck are you doing here? Did you already
missed me? So gay."
Clarence jokingly rolled his eyes. "Stop joking around. I'm here to tell you some good news. "
Stephen felt excited. "What is it? "
"Well, I was eating breakfast with my girlfriend at your restaurant when I saw Quim entered the glass door and looked for a vacant seat."
" Are you serious? " he asked with confusion but Clarence just laughed.
"Yes, of course! I hurriedly drove here after eating because I know you'll be surprised. So, hurry up and let's go there. Just pray that she'll still be there though. " Clarence smirks.
"O-okay, give me a minute!"
"Sure, take your time. I'll wait for you inside the car."
Stephen hurriedly ran to his bathroom and took a quick shower. Wearing a nice plain white shirt and denim pants partnered with his slip-on white shoes, he runs outside to meet Clarence inside the car.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the restaurant. They both rushed inside and Stephen accidentally bumped into someone.
Clarence and Stephen was startled to see the girl standing in front of them. It was Quim.
A girl with the same familiar face whom Stephen eagerly wants to see. She's wearing a simple white puffed dress and beige coloured mules.
"Stephen? Is that you?"
Stephen nervously nodded. Quim smiled when she also noticed Clarence standing beside him.
"It's been a while. I didn't expect to see the both of you here."
The two awkwardly laughed as if the situation was really coincidental when it's not.
"Well, to put it bluntly.. Stephen owns this place."
Quim seemed to be surprised. She doesn't know what to say so she looked at Stephen with a confused face but he just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"Really? Oh my gosh, I didn't know!"
Clarence slightly laughed by her reaction and tapped her shoulder.
"I believe it's destiny. Anyway, nice seeing you again. I'll go and let the both of you catch up. See you next time."
"Oh, nice meeting you too, Clarence. I'll see you around then."
Clarence waved his hand while smiling ear to ear before turning his back and walks out of the glass door.
Stephen tried to act normal but deep inside, he's nervous to even face her first love.
"Um—are you going home now?"
She gave him a sweet smile that kind of melts him inside.
"Well, I'm about to. But since I met you here, I'll just stay for an hour then. Let's catch up with each other."
Stephen was moved. He really wanted to be with her for a few more minutes.
"Well, then. Let's have a seat. "
Quim was smiling ear to ear while talking to Stephen. . They were enjoying each other's company as if they were the only ones in the restaurant. Stephen silently wished that time may stop for a while because he wanted to be with her longer.
"I'm so happy to see you here. It's been so long since we last met."
"Me too. I didn't even know that this was your place."
"Oh, yeah. It's only been 3 years since I started running this place."
Quim looks amazed and looked around the place before turning her gaze into him. "It turned out well, huh. I loved the place and the ambiance."
"Thanks. How about you? How long have you been here? I thought you were living abroad with your parents."
"It's only been 2 months since I got here. I came back for some reason."
Stephen was curious to ask her what was that 'reason' but he didn't dare to. He's afraid that it'll be uncomfortable for her.
"That's nice. I hope you're enjoying your stay here. If you want, I can tour you to some places that you didn't know."
She innocently laughed.
"Of course. A lot has changed here in Manila but I am really enjoying my stay here. Really? I would love that!"
Stephen smiled widely, he didn't expect that she would agree to his suggestion.
Quim checked her watch and hurriedly took her bag on the table and stood up.
"Oh! An hour already passed. Sorry but I have to go now, Stephen. I'll visit some other time."
" No,it's fine. I'm happy that we had time to catch up. I'll walk you out. Do you need a ride?"
" Thanks but no thanks, I have my car with me."
Stephen stood up and walked her out. Quim gave him a hug before rushing into her car and drove away. He was a bit shocked because of the hug and couldn't move for a moment.
Just as he was about to go back inside the restaurant, someone called his name and tap his shoulder from the back.
It was Lei Andrei. His college friend. She rarely hang out with them so he instantly gave her a confused look.
"Lei? What are the odds?"
He panicked for a while because he knows how she would react about Quim. She'll surely tease him.
Lei gave him a smirk. Now that's what he hates. This is embarrassing!
" Is that Quim? I saw you two hugging. Wow, you've grown!"
Stephen just rolled his eyes and turn back. He quickly walked towards the restaurant but she followed him until they reached his office. Before closing the door of his office, he ordered his staff to bring an iced coffee for Lei.
"What are you doing here, anyway?"
She comfortably sat down on the black couch and laughed. Stephen just threw a pillow at her but that just made her laugh louder.
" Why? Are you embarrassed that I saw you hugging? I didn't know that she came back, huh. Did you finally ask her out---I mean, is she still single? "
A staff came in and handed the iced coffee to Lei. She quickly took a sip on it because she's obviously a coffee lover. Well, more like she's addicted to it. Yeah.
" Seriously? What are you thinking? We just accidentally met each other today. Clarence was here, okay? He just left early. And FYI, Quim wanted to stay for an hour to catch up with me. That's all. "
She's not buying it. Instead of believing what he said, she raised her eyebrow. "Really? What a slow poke then. Make a move, bro!"
He shrugged his shoulder. "Whatever."
After finishing her coffee, she put the cup down and stood up while Stephen was quietly busy scrolling down on his social media account. He looked at her and stood up.
He opened the door for her but she insists not to walk her out. She gave him a fist bump before walking out of the door.
"I have to go, my boyfriend's here. I'll see you next time."
He watched her walk out of the restaurant. What she said earlier made him ask himself. "Why didn't I ask her if she's still single?"