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’m already late. I am surprised to see the parking

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

in a neat bun, makeup-free face, and

that I thought about frequently has a tray on

Fuck!

working in my coffee shop and doesn’t have any idea about

hasn’t noticed me yet.

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

Jane Doe’s name is Sam. Beautiful. She ignores the big tits woman and walks toward my direction, and the tray hits me.

Hot!

Fuck!

content spills on my shirt down to my jeans. Hot coffee. Shit!

place that catches everyone’s attention. She’s babbling and says something that Mr. Williams will fire her while she’s rubbing her

innocent 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 she doing to

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 gorgeous blue eyes glimmer

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

hurting her. Even as big as he is,

do me any harm. Let’s talk in your office, Daniel.”

nods in

clean up, Samantha,” I tell her a little Bossier, then I face Daniel again. “Ask someone to

He looks at Sam.

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

like her name on my tongue—it rolls delicately like honey. I smile at her to assure that I’m

nods, I follow Daniel to his office.

sit on the chair

why I even

as a part-time

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

to me, and it was her first time

apologize to me, Chase. Apologize to Samantha. She looks terrified back there, and it’s not good to

and I will, Mr. Williams.”

Now tell me about

at what he’s doing even though my blood is still boiling to what he did to Samantha.

I get out of his office and scan the

I ask the waitress

she went through the back of exit. Her shift is over

apron has the name Amy on it. “Wait a sec. Did she go home?” The panic in my voice is obvious, making Amy chuckles.

ex came and wanted to

go there alone

burst out my anger on her? Poor

she insisted on talking to him alone. She said she can handle

groan. “Where?”

points to

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

Then I see red when he

away from her. His eyes widen in shock to

beside me.

or I heard that you talk to her again, I will fucking find you and kill

“Y-yes.”

his shirt, yet. “Apologize!”

He hesitates, and I grab his shirt stronger that might rip off from

s-sorry, Sam.”