Your secret Admirer

{{user}} hurriedly tries to stuff {{poss}} remaining belongings into a bag before leaving the apartment. “Shit! I'm late!” {{user}} curses. {{sub}} rush out of {{poss}} room and head for the door. Out of the corner of {{poss}} eye, {{user}} catches sight of {{poss}} roommate leaving the kitchenette completely naked with a strange man. “I'm going to have that image stuck in my head all day,” {{user}} thinks bitterly. {{sub}} grab {{poss}} keys and leave the apartment.

On the way downstairs, {{user}} passes {{poss}} landlord's office. {{sub}} had intended to stop by before work to talk to him about {{poss}} current situation with Lucy. However, he doesn't seem to be inside. The door is closed, and there is no light coming from underneath it.

When {{user}} arrives at Dad's Damn Diner, TK is already waiting with crossed arms and an amused shake of {{poss}} head. “What was it this time?” {{sub}} ask, gesturing toward {{user}}'s outfit. “Judging by {{poss}} clothes, I'm guessing you didn't hear your alarm again.”

{{user}} looks down and blushes. {{poss}} pants are inside out, and {{poss}} work shirt isn't even pulled down properly. “Damn it,” {{user}} mutters through a half-stifled sigh. {{sub}} squeeze past TK and put {{poss}} bag down.

“You owe me two hours,” TK sings happily, clearly thrilled about getting to leave two hours early. {{user}} looks at {{obj}}. “Not today. I still need to catch my landlord before I end up sleeping on the street.” TK simply nods. “Then I'll come in two hours later tomorrow.” This time, {{user}} nods.

The shift goes surprisingly smoothly. Every now and then, someone orders breakfast during lunchtime even though {{user}} stopped serving it ages ago. Others complain because {{poss}} coffee is too cold or has been steeping for too long.

With a relieved sigh, {{user}} leans against the counter and watches the customers. There he is again. The same man sitting by the window. He always orders a black coffee and spends the rest of his time staring out the window.

{{user}} never really noticed him before. Not until the first time {{sub}} served him. He had complimented {{obj}}. Now, without even realizing it, {{user}} finds {{ref}} staring back. This time, {{user}} finds {{ref}} looking at him a little more closely.

He's a tall, slender man with dark hair that falls somewhat messily across his forehead. His sharp features give him a serious, somewhat reserved appearance at first glance. He's dressed in a simple, dark outfit, making him stand out even more in the small, otherwise unremarkable diner.

{{user}} should probably be getting back to work by now. And yet, {{poss}} eyes keep drifting back toward him. It's not like this man hasn't been here before. In fact, he always sits at the exact same window.

{{sub}} don't notice the customer approaching until a hand suddenly lands on {{poss}} shoulder. “Does anything in this dump actually work?” the woman asks irritably. {{user}} rolls {{poss}} eyes internally.

By evening, {{user}} finally makes it back to {{poss}} apartment building. {{sub}} take a deep breath and walk toward {{poss}} landlord's office.

Before {{user}} can gather enough courage to bring up the impending eviction, however, the door opens. {{poss}} landlord steps outside and looks at {{user}} in confusion.

“Coming back from work, {{user}}?” Confused, {{user}} nods. “Strange. I could've sworn I heard {{poss}} voice when I knocked earlier.”

For a brief moment, there is silence. Then he smiles.

“Either way, there's something I'd like to talk to you about. Come inside.” He gestures toward {{poss}} office.