Maya stood there, the napkin in one hand and the ten-pound note in the other, her eyes lingering on the rain-slick street outside.
The Maybach that had been parked opposite glided away.
A black Audi, however, still sat idling on the far side of the street.
She craned her neck slightly, watching the moving car through the glass until it finally merged into the traffic and disappeared around the corner.
The café fell into a hush again.
By her side, two heads slowly peeked from behind her
"Was that a customer?" Nora whispered, eyes wide as if she had just witnessed a scene out of a spy movie.
Maya jumped. "Ah—!"
Nora flinched back instantly. "Oh my god, sorry! You scared me first!"
A soft giggle erupted from Rosa's arms.
Little Aria, with her bright eyes and dimpled cheeks, clapped her tiny hands together in delight at the startled chaos.
Maya let out a shaky laugh, pressing a palm to her chest. "You two nearly gave me a heart attack."
She turned back to the table, picking up the cup servings the man had left behind.
It was still warm to the touch. She frowned faintly. There was a faint trace of coffee left at the bottom, almost untouched.
"Did he not like it?" she murmured under her breath. "Maybe I brewed it too bitter."
The thought tugged at something small and disappointed inside her.
For some reason, she wanted that man to have liked her coffee.
She wanted him to think something about her café other than pity or indifference.
"Well, that'll be sad," she muttered, setting the cup back on the tray.
Behind her, Rosa and Nora exchanged a look.
Rosa placed a hand on her hip. "Was that a customer, dear? Because I swear, they looked like something out of one of those crime thrillers. You sure you're not running a secret agent front here?"
Nora gasped. "Are you undercover, boss lady?"
Maya turned, her lips twitching despite herself. "It was a customer," she said firmly, giving them both a look.
"Uh-huh," Rosa said, unconvinced. "Customer with a Maybach and a bodyguard. Fancy."
"Maybe he's a celebrity," Nora said, eyes shining. "Or a royal! Did you see that suit? I could smell the money from here."
Maya rolled her eyes but felt the corners of her mouth soften.
Rosa took the tray from Maya. "Go sit down, love. I'll wash these. You look like you've seen a ghost."
Maya hesitated but relented.
She handed over the tray, muttering a quiet thanks, then reached out to take Aria from Rosa's arms.
However Rosa just calmly passed the tray immediately to Nora who looked betrayed.
Aria immediately wrapped her arms around Maya's neck and nestled her face against her shoulder. Her soft curls tickled Maya's cheek.
"There you are," Maya whispered, smiling faintly. "Mama missed you."
"Ti!" Aria squealed, pointing toward the door.
Maya followed her gaze — the glass door still glistened with raindrops.
"Yes, love," she said softly. "I see."
Her reflection stared back at her from the glass: a young woman trying to look composed, dressed neatly in a black skirt and cream blouse, but with tired eyes and the faintest trace of longing she didn't want to acknowledge.
She tore her gaze away.
"Right," Rosa said from the counter, her tone mock-stern. "So, mystery man comes in, orders one black coffee, leaves before finishing it, and tips you with a ten-pound note. I'm just saying, that's either a bad date or the start of something interesting."
Nora's head popped up from the sink, eyes alight with mischief. "What if he comes back? Oh my god, what if he's like, one of those regulars who pretends not to notice you at first but secretly—"
"Nora," Maya interrupted, her cheeks heating despite herself. "He was just a customer."
"Sure," Rosa said, humming skeptically. "And I just bake pastries for fun."
Maya rolled her eyes again, bouncing Aria gently on her hip.
Maya shook her head, pushing the thought away. "I have enough problems already," she muttered to herself. "I don't need to add mysterious strangers to the list."
She walked towards her office