Teasing Phoenix

PHOENIX

I yawn, rub my eyes with the back of my thumb, then close my laptop after reading the email from the manager of the coffee shop I recently bought.

I can’t help but think about the parking lot girl—her eyes, her laugh, and the way she jumped when she finally guessed the right name. It just...she makes me smile. I know one day, there’s a possibility of crossing our path again. This town is not that big, but the question is when?

I wake up just when my alarm goes off. After my breakfast, I shower, then I wear a shirt and jeans to look more casual. I will check first the restaurant since the night club will open at night.

It’s almost eleven when I get out of the restaurant, and everything is under control.

I answer the call from Mom when I get inside the car. “Mom, how are you? Did you take your meds on time?”

“Oh, honey, I’m good. Don’t worry about me. How about you? How’s your business?” She sounds relaxed.

After the divorce, Mom was diagnosed with Acute coronary syndrome. She’s on regular meds, diet, and monthly appointments.

“I’m doing great, and business is good. Aren’t you planning on coming to see me?”

She doesn’t like this place after the divorce had been finalized. She never remarries. Unlike dad, who met women and having a fair share of mistresses.

“You know the reason why, but since your dad passed away, I might think of revisiting that place. So much about me, I heard from Hawk that you met someone. Tell me about her, honey.”

I slump my head back against the seat. I’ll kick his ass. “I didn’t meet anyone, mom. It was just a short conversation. I shouldn’t have mentioned it to him.”

Mom laughs. I never introduce any woman to her—even my college girlfriend.

“Well, you know Hawk. He’ll tell me everything about you. You really should date and get married, honey. I’m not getting any younger anymore. I want to see my grandchildren before I’ll die.”

I don’t like the idea of dying. Dad just passed away a few months ago. I love my mother so much, and I will do everything if I can just extend her life.

“No more talking about dying. Why not ask Hawk for grandchildren? He has a wife, and I can’t just impregnate any woman you know that.” I sigh. This conversation is getting nowhere.

“Oh, honey, I’m not worried about Hawk. His life is stable. You, on the other hand, have everything except a woman to warm your bed at night. I don’t like the idea of you just banging around, Alexander Phoenix. It’s time to move on and date, and have a girlfriend.”

I groan, “Seriously? Is this really the reason why you’re calling me? To lecture me about banging women. Christ, mom! if I meet someone I like, I’ll let you know. I want you to be proud of me and be happy for me.” I run my fingers through my hair in frustration.

“You know that I’m proud of you, and I’m happy with your business, but you can’t stop me from worrying about your future—like when are you going to settle down and have a family.” I can hear the disappointment in her voice, but I can’t blame her though because life is too short, and even my father died at only sixty.

“Can you give me a break? I’m not forty. I’m twenty-six, and I still have so much time to meet and date someone.” Yeah, contrary to what I have in mind, but it’s the only way to stop my mother from dragging me to this issue.

“That’s what I’m worried about. I would die first before you would date and have a girlfriend. Just like what you said, you’re only twenty-six and you still have so much time.”

Honestly, I’m getting pissed. I bite my lower lip. Suddenly, I remember the parking lot girl. Jesus!

“Mom, I’m already late. I really have to go to see the shop. We’ll talk about this next time. Take care, okay?”

“We’re far from done, Alexander Phoenix. I love you.” I can still feel her disappointment, and it fucking hurts.

“I love you, too. Bye, Mom.”

I feel guilty. I always did everything she wanted me to do except this relationship thing. My parents didn’t have a good marriage and ended up divorced. I don’t want to be like them when I settle down.

I broke my heart once, and I don’t like breaking it again.

I drive my car to the coffee shop where my next visit is. I’m already late. I am surprised to see the parking lot that I almost don’t have a space

sugar wafting in the entire place as I enter. The tables are almost full, and the waitstaff is busy. Nobody notices

the aisle only to be surprised to the woman in a black apron—her hair tied in a neat bun, makeup-free face, and a hint of lip gloss on her healing lips. Jane

tray on her

Fuck!

She’s working in my coffee shop and doesn’t have any idea about me?

She hasn’t noticed me

woman with bigger tits calls a name Sam. Then she stops and

ignores the big tits woman and walks toward my direction, and the

Hot!

Fuck!

shirt down to my jeans. Hot

cup, and saucer echoes in the entire place that catches everyone’s attention.

touch. Shit again! She notices my bulging pants. I clench my jaw, grit my teeth, and breathe deeply to calm myself. What the hell is

manager Daniel Chase comes rushing to us, she stops cleaning, then she looks at me wearing a shock looked on her face. She’s more beautiful in broad daylight—her

to kiss away those worries and pain away. Daniel is pissed at her, but I’m more pissed when he

is flaring, and I want to punch him. Samantha was just harassed by her ex, and now he’s hurting her. Even as big as he is,

“I’m fine, that didn’t do me any harm. Let’s talk in

He nods in agreement.

a little Bossier, then I face Daniel again. “Ask someone to

at Sam.

She has to change her apron,” I order and look at her again who still looks terrified. “I’ll

her name on my tongue—it rolls delicately like honey. I smile

follow

lets me sit on the chair in front of his

why I even ask,

“Two years. She’s one of the hard-working waitresses, but she’s only working as a part-time though because she’s still in college

nod glumly. “Do you always grab them by the arm when they did mistakes or just Samantha?”

looks alarmed. “O-of course not, Mr. Williams. She’s like a sister to me, and it was her first time to get into an accident with a customer. I apologize for my behavior

looks terrified back there, and it’s not good to scare

nods. “You’re right, and I will, Mr.

me about this coffee

After almost an hour, we wrap-up the meeting. Daniel Chase is actually good at what he’s doing even though my blood is still boiling to what he did to Samantha.

out of his office and scan the place. Samantha is nowhere to

Samantha?” I ask the waitress

“Mr. Williams, she went through the back of exit. Her shift is over thirty minutes

a sec. Did she go home?” The panic

“Not yet. Her ex came and wanted to

my eyes. “And you let her go there alone to talk to her jerk of an

Shit! Did I just burst out my

talking to him alone. She said she

I groan. “Where?”

points to

I stride inside the kitchen and see the exit sign. I pull the door open, and there they are, in an intense conversation, and I want to break every bone in his body.

Then I see red when

them and push him away from her. His eyes widen in shock to see what I

beside me.

ever see you get near her, or I heard that you talk to her again, I will fucking find you and kill you myself!” My fist is already trembling and wanting to punch him, and it takes all my courage to control myself for the sake of Samantha. “Did you understand me?”

“Y-yes.”

his shirt,

stronger that might rip off from

s-sorry, Sam.”