Jolyn's Pov
The wind whipped around me as I approached Lucious, who was standing by the gate. Miraculously, there were no other girls in sight—an unusual sight for him.
"What are you looking at?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
"Just wondering about your fan club," I replied.
He laughed, not taking my comment seriously.
"Shall we head out? How about grabbing a coffee?" he offered.
"I'd like coffee, but not with you," I said bluntly.
"You don't have much of a choice. Since you're friendless, it looks like you're stuck with me. Seems like no one wants to befriend a so-called 'warrior princess,'" he teased.
"You sure about that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lucious wore a puzzled look. "What does that mean?"
"It means I have a friend now," I said with confidence. He didn't seem convinced.
"An imaginary friend? Where is this mysterious friend of yours?" he inquired, spreading his arms and scanning the area.
"I'm right here, Lucious," came a voice behind him. He turned to see his sister, Bailey, leaning casually against the gate. She smiled at him teasingly.
"Hello," she greeted, but Lucious didn't respond.
"Now you see her. We're off. Goodbye," I said, turning to leave.
Lucious stopped me. "Wait, do you two know each other?" His disbelief was evident.
"Yeah, we're friends now. We have something in common," I said, stepping closer to Bailey. "We both dislike you." It was reassuring to find someone who shared my feelings about him.
Lucious seemed unable to handle the rejection, trying to provoke us further.
"That's rich. You two are both oddballs," he laughed dismissively.
I glanced at Bailey, who was about to respond. "Let's get coffee. I'd rather not look at my brother's face any longer; he's infuriating," Bailey said with a chuckle.
"Fine," I replied, giving Lucious a look that clearly said we couldn't care less.
We started walking away, laughing about how we had managed to offend Lucious without even trying. It felt good to be free of his influence, even if only for a while.
"My brother doesn't handle rejection well. He'll probably talk to me about it later when I get home. He's always like this," Bailey explained. She went on to describe her brother's criticisms, including his negative remarks about her fashion choices. Despite her brother's harshness, Bailey's outfits, though dark, were clearly a part of her powerful persona.
"That's how he's always been," I agreed. I was glad to meet Bailey, someone who understood Lucious's behavior. It was comforting to have someone to confide in.
"He used to be like that. I never understood why other girls were attracted to him. Sure, he's strong and good-looking, but that's about it," Bailey said with a laugh. Her candidness was refreshing.
"Oh, here we are," she said, stopping in front of a café. I looked up and read the name: "Bravebae Café." It rang a bell, but I couldn't place where I'd heard it before.
"You might have heard it mentioned by a student. It's quite popular globally. I happen to know that the owner's daughter studies here too," Bailey said.
I said nothing and followed her inside. The café was stunning, far more elegant than I had expected. It had a vintage charm that was captivating.
"I'm amazed. This place is beautiful," I said, noting the artistic décor. Bailey didn't seem to notice my reaction; she was busy searching for a table.
"There's my favorite spot," Bailey said, leading me to a table by the window.
We sat down, and I admired the paintings on the walls. I had a feeling that I might have met the café's owner before, and it would be delightful to reconnect.
"This table is always available, thankfully. I'm glad no one took it today," Bailey said with a smile.
"Who usually takes it?" I asked.
She shook her head with a laugh. "Someone who always occupies this spot. I don't know him well, but he's quite handsome." She seemed intrigued by him.
"You have a soft spot for him?" I teased.
"Not really," Bailey said quickly.
"Why not?"
She hesitated. "He didn't seem to notice me."
"Someone didn't notice you? He must be a fool," I said.
"Or maybe he has high standards?" Bailey suggested.
"Why? You surpass any standard. You're strong, smart, and beautiful," I insisted.
Bailey laughed. "You're funny."
"I wasn't joking," I replied.
"Alright, let's order. What would you like?"
I glanced at the menu Bailey was holding. "I'm not sure. Just pick something good for me."
"I've got just the thing. You won't regret it," she said confidently.
It was a pleasant day. Meeting Bailey felt like a small victory, and I was happy to have found a new friend who shared my frustrations with Lucious.
"So, why weren't you at the party?" I asked Bailey after taking a sit across from her at the cafe.
"I was on vacation that day and went home right after the dinner," Bailey said, explaining why she missed the party and the dinner. I had been curious, especially since Lucious never mentioned her existence.
"But I do know a few things about you. My father mentioned the story of how the King discovered the lost princess. It's a touching story. I'm glad you reunited with your real parents."
I took a sip of my coffee, savoring the flavor.
"How's the coffee?" Bailey asked, her face lighting up with anticipation.
"It's... like a sweet memory," I said thoughtfully.
Her face brightened even more. "That's my favorite coffee. It's meant to evoke sweet memories."
"But with a hint of sadness..." I added, feeling a pang of nostalgia.
I was flooded with memories of my friend Alice—our adventures, dreams, and the times we shared. I missed those days and the people I loved.
Bailey's voice pulled me back to the present. "Are you alright?"
I looked away, trying to compose myself. I didn't want to make a scene or cry. "Yeah, I'm just taken aback by how powerful this coffee is."
"That's understandable. Memories can be intense. You're not alone in feeling that way. We all carry our own dark secrets and painful memories," Bailey said softly. Her empathy was refreshing, especially since I had braced myself for judgment.
I remained silent, absorbing her words. It seemed she had experienced her own share of pain, and her understanding was comforting. Our pasts might differ, but we all navigate through a mix of good and bad experiences.
The café's soft music enveloped us, and I closed my eyes, feeling a sense of familiarity with the melody.
Goosebumps prickled my skin. " Really, why does this place feel so familiar?"