Chapter 37: Promise

"Don't you dare say you're into minors now?"

I sharply turned my gaze towards him, utterly appalled by the audacity of his statement.

"Are you a complete idiot?" I snapped back, my annoyance palpable.

He chuckled, raising both hands in a feigned surrender.

"Just curious," he quipped, arching an eyebrow mischievously. "So, tell me, what kind of person catches your interest?" he pressed on, undeterred.

I grabbed a tray from the counter, contemplating the idea of smacking it across his face. He quickly retreated, laughing nervously.

"Relax!" he chuckled. "You really have a short fuse," he commented, amused.

"Well, you're incredibly exasperating," I rolled my eyes once more, unable to hide my irritation.

"And what about Wada? How's she doing?" he inquired.

I hadn't had the chance to see much of her since the end of the school year. My visits to the café had become sporadic due to various commitments.

"They're on a family outing," he replied nonchalantly.

"They didn't invite you?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice.

He sighed, his annoyance evident. "Am I already part of their family? What an imbecile. It's still too early for that, so don't get ahead of yourself," he retorted.

I smirked in response. "Well, consider yourself lucky then that they left you behind," I taunted.

"I'll be going on vacation with my parents. I'll be gone for two months," Tres announced.

"That's alright. Evorie and Sassa will be here," I reassured him, trying to ease his worry.

He nodded, and we both returned to our respective tasks, fully engrossed in attending to the café. We often switched roles, taking turns serving customers or manning the counter, while Sassa and Evorie remained occupied with clearing tables and keeping the surroundings tidy.

Knowing I would be absent for two months, I realized that Sassa and Evorie would need additional assistance. As the number of customers dwindled, I called Sassa over to take charge of the counter while I busied myself with crafting a "Now Hiring" sign for a waitress.

Leaning back in my swivel chair, I watched as the freshly printed sign emerged, satisfied with the result. With the sign in hand, I stepped outside and hung it on the transparent door of the café, hoping to attract potential candidates.

"Hello!"

I spun around, startled by the voice that suddenly resonated behind me. I turned to face the unexpected visitor, my brows furrowing in bewilderment.

"Why are you here?" I questioned Fin, who stood before me with a bouquet of flowers.

"They're for you," he stated, a warm smile gracing his lips.

I eyed the flowers hesitantly, unsure of what to make of this gesture. Sensing my hesitation, he slowly lowered his outstretched hands, allowing the flowers to rest at his side. His shoulders slumped, and his once cheerful expression faded into a more somber one.

It was clear that Fin was interested in me. He possessed good looks, stood tall like Kyle, and had a well-toned physique, undoubtedly attracting the attention of many women. However, I couldn't reciprocate those feelings. It wasn't because of what Kyle and Yanna did, but because I had my reservations about trusting again.

I wanted to heal myself first. I wanted to focus on myself, my interests, and finding happiness within myself. I needed to fully love myself first, and perhaps with time, I could consider getting into a relationship again, but that remained to be seen.

Fin's presence, while flattering, wasn't what I needed at the moment. For now, I needed to focus on myself and my café, and that was more than enough.

"Please, allow me to take possession of this flower," I requested, pointing to the delicate blossom in question.

A glimmer of excitement illuminated his eyes, and I was determined not to give him false hope. Thus, I resolved that today would be the day I put an end to his pursuit.

With a joyful countenance, he extended the flower towards me, his lips curving into a broad smile that radiated pure delight.

Taking a moment to study the flower in my hand, I then shifted my gaze to Fin, preparing to deliver my message.

"I must apologize, Fin," I began with a tinge of regret in my voice.

Gradually, the smile on his face waned, and he ran his hands through his hair, momentarily turning away. After a few seconds, he turned back to face me, his smile reemerging, albeit lacking the same degree of warmth and exuberance. It didn't quite reach his eyes, and the overall enthusiasm seemed noticeably subdued.

"Please don't worry about it... I was merely taking a chance," he replied, his tone tinged with resignation.

Offering him a small, sympathetic smile, I absentmindedly twirled the sunflower's petals between my fingers, contemplating my next words.

"It is with sincere regret, Fin, that I can only offer you my friendship," I expressed honestly.

He let out a sigh, the disappointment evident on his face, yet he nodded, acknowledging his understanding.

"I do comprehend, Yvonne. You need not apologize for your decision. As I mentioned before, I was merely hoping for a different outcome. Nevertheless, I will respect your wishes. I am content with maintaining our friendship," he responded, his tone noticeably calmer and accepting.

Suppressing a chuckle, I marveled at his ability to handle the situation with such grace. It was clear that he held some affection for me, but it was not as deep as I had feared. I felt relief wash over me, knowing that he wouldn't struggle too much to move on from the rejection he had just experienced.

"Rest assured, Fin, you will find a better match for yourself," I reassured him, offering a genuine smile.

"Yes," he agreed with a nod. "So, shall we remain friends?" he proposed, extending his hand towards me. I accepted the gesture, and we shook hands, sealing our commitment to friendship.

Releasing my hand first, he surprised me by reclaiming the sunflower.

"I'll keep this, if you don't mind. After all, I did spend 250 pesos on it, and now that I've been rejected and placed in the friend zone," he said teasingly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I couldn't help but grimace and roll my eyes at his playful remark. He burst into a hearty laughter, finding great amusement in his jest, and then handed the sunflower back to me.

"You're quite the prankster," he chuckled, lightly tapping my arm, causing a brief moment of discomfort due to his strong grip.

"No need to apologize," I replied, nodding in acknowledgment of his gesture.

As he made his way into the café, I remained outside, allowing a deep sigh to escape my lips. It seemed that I would need to wait approximately three more years before venturing into another romantic relationship.

For the time being, I resolved to focus on myself, prioritizing personal growth and to love myself, fulfill what I want and be able to get my law degree and be able to use it in the future.

That's a promise, Yvonne Veronica!