Work Text:
“Welcome to Random Cafe! What would you like-”
Astra cheerfully greeted the customer only to stop midway her sentence as she came face-to-face with a face she knew well but at the same time, had never seen before. She was starstruck. Golden-leaf blonde hair tied into a braided bun and sharp lilac eyes that seemed to stare straight into her soul. She was beautiful. Scratch that, this lady was drop-dead gorgeous. Astra snapped out of her daze when Belle nudged her with her elbow.
“...to order!”
Astra continued where she left off, her polite, customer service smile returning to her face. A million thoughts were running through her head with her heart beating a thousand miles per hour. She didn’t know how to feel about this lady because more than just the woman in front of her being absolutely stunning, she wore the face of her online friend, her crush, Evelyn Chevalier.
“A medium iced lavender latte with two pumps of vanilla, cold foam, and less ice.”
“Coming right up! Can I get your name, miss?” Astra grabs a cup and a pen, ready to write down the mysterious woman’s name.
“Eve.”
“I- I see.” Astra stutters, knowing that the stranger has the same name as the nickname Astra uses for Evelyn.
“Is something wrong?” The lady asks, tilting her head in confusion.
“Oh! Nothing is wrong, dear customer. I just thought that you had a beautiful name.”
Astra replies in an attempt to cover up her stuttering. ‘Eve’ smiles.
“Thank you, it’s a nickname a precious friend of mine gave to me.”
“Ah~ Is Eve short for something?”
“Yes, it’s short for Evelyn.”
Astra does a double take. Her full name was Evelyn. Thankfully she didn’t stop moving her hands for too long and flashes the stranger a cheerful smile.
“What a wonderful name you have, miss Eve. We will call your name once your order is ready.”
“Thank you.”, Eve says, giving her a nod and finding a seat in front of the store’s window.
What. the. actual. HECK.
Astra thought as she took a quick break from the counter and started making Miss Eve’s drink. She didn’t know what to think or feel about this entire situation.
Was that really Eve? Is she here? In LA? BUT WHY? And if that was her, why did it seem like she didn’t know me? I mean, she’s seen my face, she knows my real name, my school, my workplace and heck she even knows where I LIVE. At this point, how could she NOT know me???
Astra took a deep breath to calm down. There was no time to think about this now, while she was at work. Plus, Eve would be disappointed in her if she knew that she was distracted during work. She lightly slapped both of her cheeks, took a deep breath and called out, “One medium iced lavender latte with two pumps of vanilla, cold foam, and less ice for Miss Eve!”
Miss ‘Eve’ gets up from her seat and heads towards the counter to pick up her order.
“Thank you…”
Eve looks down at Astra’s nametag.
“...Astra.”
The way this lady said Astra’s name took her breath away. It was soft, tender in which you can hear the fondness in the way she says it. Astra let out a sigh and smiled brightly at the woman.
“You’re welcome, miss Eve!”
‘Eve’ smiled back before returning to her seat, staying there until it was the cafe’s closing time.
Astra flops down on her bed, tired from the classes and the work she’s been doing all day. Her eyes felt heavy, fluttering as she struggled to keep them open. Just when she thought sleep had come to visit, her mind flashes back to the mysterious lady named ‘Eve’. This causes her to abruptly sit up, as if sleep wasn't coming to take her moments ago. She quickly reaches out for her phone and shoots her Eve a text. It was 8 pm LA time, which meant it was 5 am in France.
My Eve~ <3
HI Eve~ I know you’re already up around this time in the morning so I uhm have a random question…
Are you still in France?
Astra sighs and waits for Evelyn’s reply. Reminiscing on how they first met and how their friendship came to be.
“You want to introduce me to your friend?” Astra asks Jane Doe, her longtime gamer friend she met online. They were currently on voice chat playing a multiplayer cooking game when Jane told Astra that there’s someone she’d like her to meet.
“Yes, she can be a bit of a dry texter, and can be quite curt but she’s a kind girl with a good heart. She just really REALLY sucks at socializing with others, and well, she’s a workaholic. So I thought, ‘why not introduce her to someone who’s good at socializing AND knows how to have fun?’”
“Aw~ I’m flattered that that's what you think of me.”
“Just stating facts, dear~ But ya I think you’ll find that my friend is quite a tough nut to crack.”
“I’ll take it as a challenge~ She may be a tough nut to crack but that doesn’t mean she CAN’T be cracked.”
“Then I’m sure the both of you will get along swimmingly.”
“Mhm! Leave it to me~”
Ping!
Astra hears a notification come from her phone, snapping her out of her reminiscing.
My Eve~ <3
HI Eve~ I know you’re already up around this time in the morning so I uhm have a random question…
Are you still in France?
I am. Why?
hmmm really?
…would you like a photo for evidence?
EH
UH
IS THAT OKAY
Yes? This is not the first time I’ve sent you a picture, Astra.
Ahahaha… right ya
uhm well if you don’t mind…
Astra’s phone is flashed with a picture of Eve’s usual bakery that she goes to everyday. The picture features two pieces of croissant and a cup of coffee on top of a white table, she was seated in her usual place which was at one of the tables outside of the bakery.
OH
I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE A PIC OF YOU
Shoot!
Astra thought nervously.
This will make it look like I’m desperate to see her face.
She was about to delete her message but it was too late, Eve had already seen it. She was relieved that Eve didn’t take it the wrong way but her reply made Astra’s heart leap out of her chest.
Oh, you wanted a photo of me? You should have just said so.
Astra receives another photo from Eve. It was a window selfie. While the selfie obscured the finer details of Eve’s face, Astra can still make out her blonde hair and the sharp, lilac eyes that she fell in love with.
I can’t fully see your face but good enough I guess :<
Pft. What brought this up anyways?
Hmmm well I saw this woman at work who looked like you but I guess I was mistaken :3
Oh?
Ya! She was a new customer at the cafe today and she gave me a heart attack! I thought it was you
Are you disappointed that it wasn't me?
UHM WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE TIME
I'm heading to bed now Eve, I've got a busy day tomorrow so good night!
Astra flopped back down on the bed, her stomach flat on it as she held her pillow close, feeling the room temperature rise a few degrees. Refusing to look at her phone until another notification popped up.
Good night. Rest well, Astra.
Astra feels foolish for being overjoyed at Evelyn wishing her a good night.
Eve chuckled at Astra’s attempt to dodge her question. She was concerned with the fact that Astra believed her that easily when photos can be taken ahead of time. She didn't know if it was because Astra trusted her enough to not question it or if it was because she was too gullible for her own good. She's hoping it's the former.
She was in her hotel room, drying her hair when Astra asked her if she was still in France. She was not. She was in LA and the woman Astra saw really was her. What was she doing in LA you may ask? She was here for work and won't be heading back to France for a while.
She wanted to surprise Astra by visiting the cafe she worked at, coming as a customer and hopefully chatting with her by the end of her shift. But seeing her flustered and a bit red, Evelyn couldn't help but want to mess with her a little, pretending to not know her and acting like any other customer in the cafe.
Astra Yao, or to put it simply Astra, was a friend of a friend whom she met 2 years ago. Long, silky raven-dark hair with eyes that shined like rubies and a smile always present on her face. She’s a 3rd year college student studying music who is very bright, extroverted, cheerful, and wears her heart on her sleeve, the exact opposite of Evelyn. Regardless of that, thanks to Jane Doe, their mutual friend, and Astra’s astronomical communication skills, they hit it off and have now been talking everyday despite the time differences.
She still remembers the conversation she had with Jane that led to her ‘blind date’ with Astra online.
“You need friends, Eve.”
Jane says to her while they were eating lunch at their university cafeteria. They were 3rd years at that time and both majored in Criminology. While they didn’t have much in common, they bonded over respecting each other's boundaries as most people these days don’t seem to know the definition of it. Evelyn was a working student so she’s been juggling work and her studies, giving her less time to meet new people.
“That's insulting. I already have friends.” Evelyn says without looking at Jane, continuing to eat her lunch.
“It's me, and that's only one. You have one friend.”
“That’s more than enough.”
“You need a social life.”
“That’s exhausting.”
“You're exhausting.”
“You need hobbies!”
“I do have hobbies.”
“Work is not a hobby.”
“I knit.”
“Grandma hobbies, make some friends, I beg of you. Your mom worries.” Jane says, which gets Evelyn to finally look at her, a puzzled look on Evelyn’s face.
“I don’t have a mother, we’ve been over this.”
“I’M YOUR MOTHER.”
“No??”
Jane sighs. She knows Evelyn won't make any more friends if she doesn't take matters in her own hands.
“Okay, how about this. I introduce you to an online friend. If it goes well, great! If it doesn't, I won't ever bug you about your social life ever again and force you into going out with me to meet with other people. What do you say?”
Evelyn stops to think about Jane’s proposal. A very tempting proposal. An online friend guarantees that they would understand if she suddenly disappears on them mid conversation, and she doesn't have to go out and meet them. The pros outweigh the cons and there was no harm in trying at least.
“Alright. I'll meet this friend of yours.”
“Great! I'll give her your socials and she'll text you in a while. She's a very cheerful girl and you need some of that in your life.”
“ You make it sound like I’m always gloomy.”
“LISTEN. People find you pretty but hard to approach ‘cause you're always so serious. Maybe meeting her will help you lighten up a little.”
“Whatever you say, Jane.”
“That's the spirit! Such a good child who listens to her mother~”
“Don't push it.”
It was quite a headache to deal with at that time, but Evelyn was glad she took that chance, and she was thankful for Jane who introduced Astra into her life. Not that she'd tell Jane of course. She'll never hear the end of it if she does.
She closed the lights and crawled into bed, ready to end the day and rest. As she felt her eyes closed, she pictured Astra’s flustered face from a few hours prior. She was definitely prettier in person than the photos and videos she had sent to Evelyn before. While Astra’s bright expression was pretty, that blush on her face suited her well. Evelyn’s last thought was how long it would take for Astra to notice the ‘Eve’ she met was her, before falling asleep.
"Look!!! Doesn't she look exactly like Eve?”
Astra shoves her phone in front of Belle's face, causing her to tilt her head back to properly see the picture in front of her. It was the lady in the cafe. She and Astra were preparing for their shift at the cafe when Belle had brought up Astra’s unusual behavior the day before in front of a new face at the cafe, stuttering and looking flustered. That was all it took for Astra to go off about how the mysterious lady looked a lot like her online crush.
“Ah, but Eve said she's still in France... hmm could she be a doppelgänger?" Astra muttered to herself, closing her eyes and scrunching her brow as she pondered. Belle continued to stare at the photo. She looks back and forth at Astra's face and the phone.
Okay, ya no, that's definitely Evelyn. Astra's just a little gullible and dumb.
Belle thinks but refrains from saying her thoughts out loud due to the fact that this situation will undoubtedly be very entertaining.
Astra proceeds to talk about Eve for another 2 hours as Belle tries to hold back a laugh or two every time Astra compares Evelyn to the lady in the cafe a few hours prior.
This will be fun.
Belle has had enough.
This was now frustrating and no longer fun.
Belle couldn't stand Astra longingly looking at Evelyn while being too much of a coward to actually talk to her. This has been going on for 2 weeks and she's surprised that Astra has lasted this long.
Multiple people have already tried to ask this lady out in the 2 weeks she’s been here, yet Astra couldn’t even bring herself to say a single word besides taking Evelyn’s order. Belle was not gonna lie, it was amusing at the beginning to see a myriad of emotions flash through Astra’s face when someone approached Evelyn.
Keyword: beginning .
But now, she couldn't take it anymore.
This was the reason why Belle was now heading towards Evelyn, delivering Eve’s drink herself despite Astra’s protests.
Evelyn was puzzled as to why Belle delivered her drink, since they usually just call out the customer’s name to pick up their own drinks, but this silent question was soon answered when Belle started talking.
"Hi, so my friend has been very interested in you for the past 2 weeks that you've been coming here, would it be alright for me to grab your number so she can ask you out?”
Evelyn looked towards the counter only to be met with Astra ducking behind it in embarrassment. She can't help but smile a little at the sight, something Belle would have missed had she not been studying Eve’s face.
"I'm very flattered but I'm not the type to accept an invitation from someone who can't ask me out face to face.”, Eve states, extremely amused that Belle beat Astra to the punch, before taking a sip from her coffee.
Belle smirks, "Oh I see~ so that can be solved if the person themself asks you, right?”
Eve puts her drink down, looks Belle right in the eye and says, "Yes."
Belle can see a twinkle of mischief in her lilac eyes. She knew right then and there that this lady was gonna be the death of Astra, which also means that she will be extremely entertained watching this lady continue to mess with her best friend.
Now, Astra was being virtually kicked out of her station by Belle, being forced to head towards the beautiful lady, turned regular, at the cafe. She was looking out the window, taking a sip of her coffee as she enjoyed the scenery. Astra took a deep breath to calm her nerves as she approached this mysterious woman who wore the same face as the woman she loved. The lady seemed to hear her approach as she looked towards Astra’s direction, giving her a polite smile.
Astra finally faces Eve's doppelgänger, sitting down at her table after Belle practically embarrasses her in front of this beautiful stranger.
She stares at the lady's face until the said lady snaps her out of it.
"Is there something on my face?"
The stranger asks, flustering Astra.
"Um!!! I'm sorry! It's just... well..."
Astra struggled to find her words and was grateful that the lady in front of her did not rush her.
"Have we met before?"
There was a pregnant silence after Astra asked that question.
"Is this your way of asking me out?"
The stranger asked in return, evidently amused by Astra's question.
Astra takes a second too long to process the lady's words, turning wide-eyed and bright red at the stranger's inquiry.
Astra was now frantically waving her hands around and rapping her words out of embarrassment and a fear of Miss ‘Eve’ misunderstanding her intentions.
“WHA- NO THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEAN- not that there’s anything wrong with you miss, I think you look absolutely stunning and I’m sure your personality is lovely as well - BUT UM IT’S JUST YOU LOOK LIKE SOMEONE I KNOW-”
She stops waving her hands around and uses it to hide her face and sighs,
“I’m sorry…” She says in a small voice.
She’s honestly too embarrassed to look at this beautiful stranger but she hears a soft laugh that prompts her to peek through her fingers. She was dumbfounded. This lady has not shown any other expression besides a polite smile and a cold, serious face the entire time she has been visiting the cafe. But here she was, laughing. Her laugh was melodious, like soft bells ringing in the morning.
After ‘Eve’ notices that Astra was staring at her with an awestruck face, she clears her throat to bring both of them back to reality. She re-composes herself yet the smirk never leaves her face.
“There’s no need to apologize. In fact, I should apologize for laughing at you.”
Astra takes this time to sit up properly, fixing her hair and fanning herself to cool down.
“It’s okay! I mean, I don’t blame you. I pretty much made a fool out of myself haha…”
“I think it was cute.”
The lady says, wearing a smirk and mirth evident in her lilac eyes. Astra could feel her face heating up again from those words. She could have sworn those sharp eyes had softened since the laughter that ‘Eve’ had let out.
“Please stop teasing me, I can’t handle any more of this.”
Astra looks away as the stranger chuckles.
“I see you just needed a push to finally talk to me, Astra.”
“It was more like a shove if we think about it-”
Astra froze. This lady called her by her name. She said it so naturally, Astra almost missed it. She slowly turned back to look at the one called ‘Eve’ in front of her. ‘Eve’s’ eyes shone with familiarity and affection, looking at Astra with a tenderness that isn’t evident when you look at someone you barely know.
“...Eve?”
“Yes, Astra?”
“Eve.”
“What is it, Astra?”
“Eve.”
Eve chuckles.
“Astra.”
Astra’s eyes shone with unshed tears and excitement.
“Eve!!!”
Evelyn laughs as Astra quickly gets off her seat to hug her.
“You're here! I can't believe it!!!”
Evelyn stifled a laugh.
“Well I'm right in front of you, aren't I? I've been in LA for 2 weeks.”
Astra gasped and hit Evelyn on the arm.
“You should have told me!!! You were right in front of me yet you didn't say a word! I thought I was hallucinating when you came up to the counter.”
Astra let go of Evelyn and looked away, pouting and crossing her arms in the process. Evelyn was amused by Astra's antics, finding her friend cute and silly.
“Apologies. I did plan on telling you when we met but your reaction was very amusing so I decided to wait and see how long it would take for you to talk to me.”
“Hmph. Well, I'm glad you had your fun, but what brings you to LA anyways? I doubt I'm the only reason you're here.”
“What's wrong with you being the only reason I came to LA?”
“What-”
Astra quickly turned back to Evelyn with widened eyes and blush dusting her cheeks. Eve smirks.
“While I don't see anything wrong with coming here just for you, I’m here for work and I'll be in LA for a while.”
“Oh that’s great! We can do all sorts of things while you're here! Also, how long exactly is ‘for a while’?” Astra asked, ignoring Eve’s comment and the heat on her face that's threatening to swallow her whole.
“Perhaps a few years? I'm building a branch here for my company back in France so I can't just leave without knowing if it's stable or not.”
“That's perfect! When you're free, is there any place you'd like to visit?”
“Oh? So is this you asking me out?”
“Ya- wait what?”
Astra answered before she could properly process Eve’s question.
“Alright then. It's a date.”
Eve then finishes her coffee and stands up, ready to head out of the cafe.
“There are some things I have to take care of first, but I'll pick you up at your house later. As for the place we're heading to, hm, I trust your judgement so I'll leave that up to you, alright?”
“Ah ya, I know a few places we can visit.”
“Good to know. I'll see you later then?”
“Uh ya, see you.”
Evelyn was out the door before Astra could even digest what just happened.
She got herself a date.
With her online crush.
THE Evelyn Chevalier.
Afterwards, she went back to work in a daze, the situation sinking in once she got home. The moment she entered the threshold of her apartment she suddenly dropped to the floor and became a blushing mess. She was in a situation she never thought she'd be in and it's all because of Evelyn Chevalier.
That woman will be the death of her but she wouldn't have it any other way.