Chapter Text
The Safe Haven café was bustling with activity. Although the drinks and pastries are delicious, most patrons came for the atmosphere the café exudes.
The front of the café is nothing like other cafés and restaurants. A wooden sign hangs near the entrance, a cursive 'Safe Haven' decorating it. A couple of wooden tables outside the café for patrons who prefer to enjoy their coffee while watching the people go on with their day.
The decor on the inside are simple but homely. More wooden round tables with comfy cushioned chairs for customers to enjoy their time here with a huge window on the front that lets in sunlight that gives the café a warm glow. A simple bookcase on one wall filled with the owner's personal collection and a mural of fields full of different types of flowers on the other.
A stark contrast to the ever advancing, ever bustling metropolis outside.
Most came here to get away from it all, thus the name. The calm atmosphere can draw in anyone who seeks it.
Though not in this situation.
----
The tension in the air was thick enough for a knife to cut through. Four patrons were in a glaring match as they sat at the table in the corner of the café, quite hidden from prying eyes.
Though the other patrons were none of the wiser as they go on with their day
"I'm just saying," Aaron began. "They knew each other since they were kids. They're childhood friends. So if anything, they deserve each other."
"Keyword: Friends," Celestine scoffed as she tapped her manicured nails on the wooden table impatiently. "How are you not sure that they don't see Luke as a brother considering they grow up together?"
"Oh yeah?" Aaron challenged. "How are YOU not sure that they don't see Artem just their boss?"
"Besides," she continued on, ignoring him. "Don't childhood friends always got push away? They know each other too well that there'll be no excitement in their relationship."
"Yes, I agree," Vincent interjected. "Which is why Miss Rosa is better suited with Sir Hagen. Sir's life can bring the 'excitement', as you call it, to her life on dates alone."
"No, no, no," Nakoudo disagrees, shaking her head vehemently. "Have you even consider that Rosa may want stability than the money your boss can throw? She isn't one to look a person's wallet when she's considering a partner. What she deserves is someone who is mature and intellectual, like Dr. Richter, not a spoiled brat."
"Mature and intellectual?" Aaron raised his eyebrow sceptically. "He looks like a beady-eyed snake to me"
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK," Nakouda snapped, barely keeping her voice down. "Dr Richter is the most perfect guy I ever met. They be perfect together!"
Celestine rolled her eyes and then stopped when she noticed a golden opportunity that just rolled on to her lap. If she plays her cards right, she may have a chance to knock off one of her 'competitors' early in the game.
"If he's so 'perfect'," Celestine cut off before Aaron could retort back. "Then why don't YOU date him, hmm?"
The two men turned to look at Nakoudo for her response.
Celestine hoped this was one of those situations like in the movies where the girl thinks she doesn't deserve to be with a guy she likes and therefore tries to set them up with another person who she thinks deserves him, as cliché at it may sound.
Celestine expected her to be flustered, to stumble on her words as she denies her words.
"Miss Taylor," Nakoudo huffed without breaking eye contact, surprising her. "I'm gay."
Any hopes of knocking off a competitor immediately diminished.
"Anyway," she continued on, not realizing the impact of her answer. "Rosa deserves someone who have the time of day to spend quality time with her. Not someone who's too busy with business meetings or go on nights on 'investigations' about cheating husbands."
"Which is why Artem should be with her," Celestine interrupted, immediately recovering from her blunder. "She's Artem's work partner, they already spend every day working in the same office space."
"However Miss Taylor," Vincent interjected, who was mostly quiet during this 'debate'. "That is precisely why they should not be in a relationship together, it would be unprofessional of them. Sir would have no issue with this and therefore should be the one to court her."
"Oh? And dating one of her clients ISN'T 'unprofessional'" Celestine challenged.
Before any of them could get a word in, all of their phones rang simultaneously. Seeing who called, each of them immediately face away from each other to pick up the call.
"Hello, Artem. Do you need something-"
"Luke? Why're you calling-"
"Good afternoon, sir. Is there-"
"Dr Richter? What is the reason-"
Hearing their 'enemies' names, all of them snapped their heads back to each other and scowled without stumbling with their words, stood up and go to their ways. Although they all spend the afternoon arguing, they do have one unspoken agreement.
This isn't over.