"No way, you're Aleyah right?" asked the cafe employee. The man's words made Ash frown, this woman was too well-known by so many people, let alone a man.
Aleyah narrowed her eyes as she remembered who the person in front of her was. "Adnan, where have you been?" replied Aleyah excitedly.
The man wearing the apron put his hands in his pants pockets. "I'm always here, making refreshing drinks for the.." the man glanced at Ash and he immediately got an unfriendly look from the cold man. "Tourist." Adnan continued softly.
Ash looked back at Aleyah, who was very enthusiastic and happy to meet her male friend. But Aleyah kept staring at Adnan, not even realizing the burning fire behind her. "Tonight, the others and I want to visit Jeremy at the hospital. We'll have dinner together, do you want to come?"
"Of course, give me your number." Adnan said again while holding out his cellphone.
Ash immediately held Aleyah's shoulder and directed the woman to face him. "Are you still friends with that police officer?" Ash asked, interrupting their conversation. Adnan, who had intended to ask for the number, was pushed aside.
"Would that be a problem?" Aleyah asked again. "Wait, how do you know Jeremy is a police officer? And before that, what does it have to do with you?"
Ash cursed himself for being stupid. He was always like this when dealing with Aleyah. Easily emotional, irritated, angry, sometimes happy and now he is careless. Ash looked at Adnan then looked at Aleyah again, "I want an Americano, please." Ash said then immediately left the cashier's desk.
Aleyah reminded Adnan of their order in a hurry then followed Ash's steps. The man wearing the blue hat looked back at his phone. "Hey, you haven't answered me, how did you know Jeremy was a police officer?" Aleyah asked.
Ash sighed, "I saw a glimpse of the photo you showed to that person," he said while pointing at Adnan with his chin. "You and your friend Jeremy are in the hospital, there is a police jacket on the table," he explained more fully.
Aleyah shook her head then put her phone on the table. "Then why are you asking about my relationship with my friend?"
Ash looked at the woman in front of him, "I don't know." he answered. True, he himself did not know for sure why. Ash kept staring at Aleyah's face, admiring her lips and strands of hair, the part he liked the most was her eyes. Light brown that reminded him of sturdy and strong pine wood, sparkling with signs of life.
Then his gaze shifted to Adnan, who pointed his phone camera at Aleyah. Ash straightened his back and stared at the man sharply. When their eyes met, Ash relaxed his finger muscles until they made a sound. It made Adnan lower his phone and focused back on his work.
"Aleyah, I think you should change clothes. I can see your bra strap clearly." he said directly.
Aleyah immediately held her shoulders. "Oh this? This is a tank top strap, I don't mind."
"I do mind. People are staring at you and it's uncomfortable."
"What?"
Aleyah combed her hair back. "I can't believe this." she said without fear at Ash. "I can wear whatever I want, whenever and wherever I want." she said.
The man smiled because of Aleyah's boldness. But then he erased it quickly, "Believe me, not all men have respect towards women, especially the beautiful ones. You should pay more attention to yourself."
Aleyah rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Listen, I don't know who you are. You're not my boss, not my dad, not my friend, nor my boyfriend. You're not paying my bills or contributing happiness into my life, so don't you dare to have the audacity to correct me."
"Would you listen to what I said if I were your boyfriend?" That question was too sudden. "I pay for your lunch today, I can buy you a house if that can make you happy and I would like to buy you dinner tomorrow. So would you listen to me?"
Aleyah had difficulty answering but she gave a crisp laugh to confirm that Ash's words were just a joke. "Are you asking me out on a date?" she asked.
"Haven't I made myself clear?" Ash put his jacket on the table. "I don't want my future girlfriend's strap to be seen by others. Put on the jacket, please," he said in the most polite way he can.
Aleyah looked at the jacket and then looked at the man in front of her. They had only met twice, but this man had already asked her out. Aleyah rested her chin on her lap. "How many girls have you managed to date this way?" she asked.
"Just you," Ash answered quickly. The question was not difficult to answer, in fact, Aleyah was the only one he had ever wooed like this.
Aleyah smiled softly after that. "Well, no thank you," she answered after that.
"Did you reject me?"
"Can you believe it?" Aleyah replied bravely.
Ash dropped his jaws and leaned back in his chair. He stared at Aleyah and suddenly laughed, he even burst out laughing. Aleyah was truly an interesting woman, in fact, the most interesting person he had ever met. He could never guess what she was like.
Ash rested his chin on his lap, the woman in front of him had made a wise decision. So far, women had been crazy about him and even chased him, but it was different with Aleyah. He underestimated Aleyah, she was not a woman who worshiped wealth and was not interested in physical things, whatever she was looking for, Ash would definitely find out one day.
"So you're playing hard to get?"
"Honey, I am hard to get." Aleyah said firmly then she smiled while tying her hair up until her shoulders were clearly visible. "Do you think I'll agree to date someone I just met?"
Ash cleared his throat. "I admit that I was a little rude earlier. I have no right to forbid you so consider what I said earlier as advice from a friend."
Adnan came at the right time. Aleyah grabbed the cold latte then gulped it down until half was gone. Adnan held Aleyah's shoulder who suddenly drank in a hurry. "Are you okay?"
Ash sighed, he stood up to match Adnan's height. Ash emphasized their physical differences firmly. He glanced at the man's hand and it made Adnan take a step back.
"She's okay, then delete the photos from your phone before I ruin your phone and your eyes, got it?" he whispered or rather threatened.
Ash took his coffee cup from the tray that Adnan was holding then he pushed Adnan gently to leave them immediately. Aleyah didn't pay attention to them at all. She was busy filling her eyes with the delicious lemon cheesecake. Aleyah held the spoon and started to try the first bite.
Ash sat back down after dealing with Adnan. He kept his eyes on Aleyah with a look that was difficult to interpret. Meeting Aleyah again reminded him of the woman's arrogant words that said that she could make anyone fall in love with her.
Ash admitted that Aleyah was the most attractive woman he had ever met.
"By the way, thanks for the treat. After this, where do you want to go next?"
"Finish your cake first. I think I'll be staying in this city a little longer."
Aleyah nodded several times and then she took a fork and offered a piece of cake from her plate in front of Ash's lips. The man glared in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"Try it." Aleyah said without fading her smile.
"I don't like sweet food."
Aleyah's smile changed drastically. She stared at the piece of cake on the fork then her hand was immediately held by Ash. The man devoured the cake on the fork quickly. "You're being gloomy as if the world is going to end."
After that Ash and Aleyah didn't say anything more. Ash sipped his black coffee quietly. So did Aleyah who went back to enjoying her cake while stealing glances at the man in front of her.