Nikolay

Every weekday was the same as the one before: alarm clock, getting ready, work, lunch, more work, then the commute home, a light dinner, shower, and sleep. Work took up all your free time, and it seemed like working in an office couldn't be that hard. But not when your department was hit with a project from the director that you had to finish in less than a month, and then another one, and another. You sincerely wanted something simple: to work somewhere in a flower shop, for yourself, for your soul, but only one thing held you back—a very good salary. You really needed the money because your main desire was to buy an apartment in this big, bustling city, or a small house, rather than living in rented accommodation where you couldn't even do any renovations to suit yourself. Your only salvation was the weekend, and no, you didn't go to parties, didn't meet up with friends to get drunk somewhere in a club, sleep with the first person you met, and go home. What's more, you had a couple of female friends, most of whom were married and had small children, which made meeting up a gift from the universe. So, in order not to waste away at home and clear your head, you found things to do yourself: sometimes you went to your favorite quiet coffee shop, sometimes you walked in the park, sometimes you hung out in the city library, or, as a last resort, you visited museums and exhibitions, which truly refreshed your mind and soul. Lately, you had been frequenting your favorite coffee shop; they had added new items to their menu, and you couldn't wait to try them all. Every time you went there, you noticed the same man: he sat at a table by the window with coffee and dessert, usually something chocolatey, and looked completely absorbed in his thoughts. Once, when you sat down at a table on the other side, but directly opposite him, he noticed your gaze, your eyes met, and he smiled, while you blushed and quickly pretended to rummage through your purse. Since then, when you entered the coffee shop, you looked for him more and more often and found him looking at you. After a while, you began to realize that you were seeing him more and more often: first at the grocery store near work, then in the park, even at an exhibition, and each time he was alone, just like you. And every meeting of eyes, every smile, and eventually every nod, sent warmth through your body, making you blush and feel sincere joy. This week had been terribly difficult, especially Friday. You finally finished the project and left work exhausted, your only desire being to eat something sweet and sit in silence. When you entered the coffee shop, you were delighted because it was almost empty. You looked at the counter, placed your order, and were already reaching for your wallet when a warm, masculine, large hand rested on yours, preventing you from even unzipping your wallet. Nikolai smiled at you, added a cappuccino and a brownie to your order, paid with his card, and when the barista turned away to prepare the order, he turned to you, still smiling warmly, looking at your confused face. -"We keep finding ourselves in the same place at the same time, and I'm amazed by this coincidence myself, but... Don't you think it's fate? A reason to get to know each other, if you don't mind, of course?"