Chapter 5 Five

"Hi," she said, enthusiastically.

"Hi Antonia." Allison greeted, flashing her a smile before lookin back at the screen.

"Uhm isn't it lunch time yet?" She asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"Oh my God. Don't be such a workaholic on your first day Allison." She eyed the assistant sitting down and the laptop situated in front of her. "You are going to wear out if you don't get a refill of energy."

"But I am almost done." Allison pouted. With a small sweet persuasion, she finally agreed to follow her.

Just as they entered the elevator and it started descending, Antonia clasped her hands on her cheeks, beaming with smiles.

"Anything you would like to share?" Allison asked, bemused.

"Well," she stressed slowly, perhaps choosing her words carefully. "There's this guy I've been checking out, at the place I have lunch. I think I have a crush on him."

"Oh really?" In surprise Allison faced her, still listening to the gist.

"I assume he does too because whenever I go there, he's super nice, smiles at me, not to mention he serves me personally."

"You sure about that? Because that's what employees in a restaurant do," her inner voice said.

"Merely seeing his face brightens my day more." She added, tucking a strand of red hair away from her cheeks.

It was obvious she liked this guy.

"Why don't you just tell him how you feel?"

Antonia gasped, looking at her in awe. Then she gave out a little laugh, slapping Allison's arm playfully.

"Allison that would be both silly and stupid."

"Well," Allison shrugged awkwardly. "I don't know about that. Back at San Whitney, girls usually make the first move once it comes to that situation."

"Wow, that's really something,"

she said, amused.

"It really is and I miss it." Sadness tugged in her voice.

"I understand, you will soon get used to the new changes. Trust me." Antonia patted her back.

The elevator dong and they strolled out. The walk to the restaurant didn't take much long because it was just 3 buildings away from Fashion Fay. Once they reached the restaurant, Allison looked at the display board on top of the building. It read "Delectable Cafe" in bold fonts. The front side of the building was make of glass, hence a bunch of customers could be seen inside. It looked appealing and deserved to be tried out.

Once they entered the small restaurant, Allison was impressed by their choice of interior design. Painted with yellow, it brightened up the cafe as it looked comfy and nice. Although it was a mini restaurant, it's interior designer constructed it to have an upstair -in case the downstairs got filled up with customers- which was accessible with a couple of nearly orbicular staircase. It was a bit thrilling.

Antonia grabbed Allison's hand in the midst of her awe and secured a booth. She tapped a button on the table then a mini monitor slowly displayed from the surface of the table.

Allison's mouth opened in surprise.

"Yes, I know. It's really cool, isn't it?" Antonia chuckled at the briefly stunned Allison in front of her.

"Wow. Just wow. Hands down, that's the coolest thing I've seen yet in Coastville. It's so full of surprises." But Antonia shrugged, waving off her statement.

"I've lived here my whole life, so I guess i am used to it."

Allison nodded in understanding. "Let's quickly order our lunch before our break is over, ok?"

"Sure. What would you like to order? Because I already know mine."

"I would like some fries, a medium double meat burger or hotdog, and a Soda," she said casually as she listed with her fingers. Looking up, Antonia stared at her and she furrowed her eyebrows.

"What?"

"Did anyone ever tell you eat too much?"

"Well my body allows me to have intake of whatever I want without gaining weight. I like to take advantage of that." Allison replied, a smile present on her face.

"I wish I could say the same for me," she murmured, nevertheless scrolling the options on the monitor, selecting some options and finally tapping send.

"Now we wait," She said once she finished on the tablet.

"So let's talk, shall we? Tell me a little about yourself." She sat straight, ready to listen.

Allison stroke her forehead before placing both hands on the table. "I can't possibly spill everything. I don't even know why i am here with her. I don't want friends. And I won't want to taint my past on her. Less people, less drama. More like "No people, no drama."

"Well... you know my name. I am 21 of age. Uhm, my parents are business people, so they are far away. Now I live with my grandma."

"So why did you come here?"

Now that's the part I can never tell anyone.

Just as Allison wanted to lie about it, a waiter brought their food, arranging them on the table while she scan their lunch, inhaling the aroma that lingered in the air.

Delectable indeed.

Then she saw the plate of fruit salad positioned in front of Antonia. "Miss Antonia is watching her weight." Her inner voice affirmed.

"Here are your orders ladies. Hi Antonia. Looking good."

"Thanks B," she said in crimson.

Noticing Antonia's cheeks turn red, Allison assumed it must be her crush, although something else about his voice caught her attention too. So with a quick witted act, she rose her head to thank the waiter, only to stiffen, swallow her words and keep quiet. She was in fact very annoyed and vexed.

"Hey," he said, casually.

"You know her?" Antonia asked, surprised.

Before he could reply, Allison interjected. "Why wouldn't he? I mean why won't we know each other?"

"Allison what's wrong?" She asked with worry written on her face .

"I figured she's confused. And it's a good thing I got to see her again to clarify," he said to Antonia as he scooted her to shift and he sat down on the booth.

"What do you mean by clarify?" She quoted in air. Glancing at his tag on his T-shirt, she snapped. "Oh now it's Bryan? Is there any sincere male out here?"

"Thats because he is Bryan," Antonia said, firmly.

"Come on Antonia, he isn't. He's a two faced. He is Ryan. The guy we saw the day I got approved at work. I heard when you tskked at him, don't think I missed that. Get this, he's even her boyfriend." Allison elaborated in frustration, not getting why Antonia wasn't understanding her points. She didn't even know why that last part tasted bitter in her mouth.

The two sitting opposite her bursted into a longing laughter which caught the attention of other customers, meanwhile Allison wrapped her arms and pouted, feeling hurt. Reading people have been a gift to Allison. Just a glance, your cosmic sign, your temperament with a little talk, she would know who ever she was with. But Ryan or Bryan, was one tough nut to figure out. He camouflaged a lot.

He dyes his hair outside the building. His eyes? Different. Contact lens perhaps? Undoubtably still handsome, check. His tattoo?! Where is his tattoo? Does he cover it? Don't tell me he uses foundation for that.

"I guess the truth won't be coming from me Bryan." Antonia referred to Bryan once they quiet down just as Allison sat in anticipation to what was to be said. Or probably what she already knew.

"Of course." His eyes locked on Allison. "Allison, the logic to why you think Bryan and Ryan are the same, is so visible yet you choose to overlook it."

The way he said it made Allison hunger for more fact, clearly Bryan can see that too.

Sighing he began."Hi, am Bryan." Duh. Hi, I am Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter. Tell me more. Tell me more. "And the other guy you met at your workplace is Ryan, my twin brother." He finally affirmed to what Antonia said earlier.

"My twin brother" Those three words kept ringing in her head as her eyes widened in realization.

The hair, the eyes, the tattoo, the voice, even the aura. It was two brothers all along. Handsome identical twins. It started making sense to her.

"Oh my God!" She cupped her mouth in her palms just as Antonia folded her hands, watching the show. "I never knew. I am so so sorry Bryan. I really am."

"No worries, the misconception happens time to time. I am really happy you got to know before it's late," he said with a knowingly smile. That dazzled Allison but she still had remorse of her recent behavior toward him.

"Are you sure though? I am forgiven? No grudges?"

Bryan tapped his finger on his nose as if to think for a second. "Well if you really want to apologize, like a real lady would, who am I to object?I guess you wouldn't mind doing that on a date night, huh?"

Allison wasn't sure but she thought she saw Antonia flinch a nano second there. Tempting as it may have seem, she was quite stunned by the offer but didn't want to waltz in and steal Antonia's dream crush. But on the other hand, Antonia was now flashing a genuine smile that's urging her to accept. So she did what she thought any rational girl would do.

"I'll think about it, Bryan."

"Great," he said. "I'll beep you so you have my number too. I am sorry I've not been able to call." Then he slide from the booth and stood up.

"It's no..."

"Wait? You guys already exchanged numbers?" Antonia interjected.

"Yes, a few days ago. When we met," Allison said, recalling that eventful night.

"Glad this misunderstanding is over." He clapped his hands and added. "No need to pay ladies, it's all on the house." He smiled with a wink before walking back to his duties.

A brief smile appeared on Allison's face which was obvious for Antonia to see.

"You like him, don't you?" She inquired, lowering her head.

"That's ridiculous, Antonia. I clearly don't. I was just being polite." Allison focused on eating her lunch.

"Then look me in the eye and say it again."

Allison knew Antonia's calm brown eyes wouldn't allow her to throw a white lie at her face. Those eyes were too hypnotizing. It could possibly leave one in an abyss if one stared for too long too.

"Ok fine. I guess a little. He is a gentleman, you know? But it seem unfair to butt in on the guy you are having a crush on. I already feel guilty, again," she said, amidst chewing her food and Antonia followed suit.

"Yes I know. I see that. I guess this proves he sees me more as a friend. Moreover this crush stuff, is just a phase, l am not some teenage girl that's obsessed with Kpop and cries over rejection, so that's why am giving you a go ahead."

For few seconds Allison chown on her food to make way to talk. "I understand your point but trust me," she waved her soda straw to and fro. "I doubt am going on a date with him, not because I feel it's not right on you or I feel guilty though."

"Maybe if I give her an insight of what I mean, she will understand and not question me. Maybe not." My inner voice once again chimed in

"Are you straight?"

"Huh?"

"Sorry. I meant to say, are you into guys or girls?"

Allison had to clasps her mouth before she spit out the chums in her mouth, on the the girl opposite her out of laughter.

"Come on. He's clearly one of those cliche handsome good looking guys. I recall you saying he's a gentleman plus I bet you guys would be perfect together." She curved a smile as she spoke.

"There's nothing like perfect in this universe, I can vouch a dozen times on that."

"Oh." Antonia started getting dots of what Allison was referring to. "Were the guys that bad?"

Allison simply munched on her fries but nodded .

"Everything is fine now," she said as she caressed Allison's hand. "Take another chance on people." She added. Then she cast her head down on her food, eating in silence.

"You don't want to know how much of that I've told my grandma while trying to convince myself to believe the lies I tell her."

"One quick question, Tonia. He said the bill is on the house. Why? I mean he's just an employee, is that allowed? Can he afford all these?" Allison asked as she pointed at their orders.

With a full grin on her face she responded. "We are doing nicknames now, Allie? Well, that's where you got it all wrong.He isn't just an employee .He can afford all these," Antonia gestures to their foods. "Because he owns Delectable Cafe."

•••••

Hello🙋🏽‍♀️

Which in Japanese I'd like to say

"Konichiwa"

Soliloquy: ''I hope I got that spelling right."

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