Work Text:
...
The café's dimmed lights flickered softly, enveloping the space in a lively yet warm atmosphere. It was exactly midnight, near the shop's closing time.
Yet in spite of this, the shop's regular was still sitting by the table at the window, still absent-mindedly scrolling through his phone.
The middle-aged man, though physically attractive seemed to have a stern look etched on his face, his eyebrows coming together.
The night-shift staff, Heather, Tyler, and Noah watched as the guy's tanned skin practically glowed under the lights, contrasting the dark shadows that lingered under his eyes.
The piece of cake the man ordered was left untouched and the coffee from his cup was half-full. The remaining night-shift staff watched as he took a few sips here and there.
"Why do you think that guy keeps coming here at such a late hour? Could he be a doctor?" Tyler, her colleague whispered.
"That is not how a doctor would be you know. If he were to be one, he should have been asleep at this hour." Heather retorted.
"That's too bad. He's pretty cute for an attorney." Noah commented.
Annoyed, she whispered,
"Tigilan mo yan ah. (Stop that, or else.) I can guarantee you guys, he's not a doctor or an attorney. He's more of... well... he seems more like a businessman."
She continues, "Have you guys ever even seen how early he goes to work? Along with that suitcase he brings around and the pressed suit he wears in the wee hours of the morning,"
"Wanna make a bet? Whoever gets his profession right gets ₱150 from all three of us. That's ₱50 per person." the short guy challenged.
"—and since you wanna prove us wrong so bad, you've got to go over there and find out," Tyler added.
"Fine. But ₱150 is a rip-off. Double it, and you've got a deal."
Both of the guys answered, "Deal."
...
Heather walked over to the man's table, lingering there before he caught onto her presence. Looking up he asks, "Yes?"
"Sir, tapos ka na ba sa order mo? (Sir, are you finished with your food?)"
"Yes. I'm finished."
"Sayang naman. May laman pa to o. (What a waste, There's still some food left.)"
"Sige, paki-take out nalang. (Okay, wrap it up and I'll have it to-go."
"Okay, Sir."
Though the customer seemed like he wasn't in the mood to talk, Heather had a trick up her sleeve. She purposefully stumbles and clutches her head, faking a fall.
"Sorry Doc, my head just hurts so bad and I feel really dizzy,"
"I think may have had the wrong idea Miss, I'm not a doctor."
"Oh, maybe an attorney?"
"Nope."
"Well then... could it be that you're a businessman?"
she implores.
After being met with a moment of silence, the stranger replies, "...Sort of."
After getting the answer she wanted, she stands up and says, "Okay, Sir. Ibabalot ko na ang order mo. (I'll be wrapping up your order.) Have a good evening."
He gives her a slight nod, masking his obvious intrigue over the peculiar form of small talk the woman brought him into. Looking away, his lips slowly lift up into a curve.
"Cute."
Heather walks away triumphantly, waving her victory in the faces of her dumbfounded co-workers. "Told you. Now pay up!"
Reluctantly, they surrendered the money they owed her, and shortly after, it was closing time.
...
After bidding her co-workers goodbye, Heather gazed around her. It was definitely not a time to be outside, yet here she was, standing in the middle of the street.
Heather had a pack of cigarettes in her left, a lighter on the right. She picked a single cigarette, and began to light the tip. As she puffed the smoke into the air, a familiar shadow stood beside her.
It was none other but the guy from the cafe.
She smiles, and offers him a cigarette. He takes it, and smirks before lighting it up, watching the smoke dissipate into the cold night air.
Sighing, she breaks the ice, "So, why are you here?"
"I followed you. Didn't know you smoked. It's pretty bad for your lungs, you know." the guy berated.
"So you just came here to judge me? How lovely." she replied with a sarcastic undertone.
Rolling his eyes, he let out a velvety chuckle. Heather felt her cheeks color into a shade of crimson. Though she was aware of her vices, the thought of the repercussion of her actions never seemed to have bothered her.
That is until, a handsome stranger chastised her.
"Oo nga pala, (While were on this topic) what's your name, mister?"
"Alejandro. The name's Alejandro."
"Heather. So why were you here again?"
"Couldn't sleep. The staff of that café must be sick of me, huh?"
"No, not at all. One of my co-workers has the hots for you, though I've assured him that you don't seem like the type to be gay," she finished, "Unless you are?"
Amused, Alejandro responded "No. However it did come to my thoughts that your confidence did attract me."
"Thanks, but it was just a bet. We quarreled over your profession, and I got that right."
"Right, Sir Businessman?"
"Yes, yes you did."
Moments of silence wafted in the icy breeze of the street, yet both of the strangers felt warmth from each other's company—as they inhaled and exhaled the smoke from their cigarettes.