A cappuccino, please | j.o
part 1 part 2
"Good morning!" I turn to the sound of the voice and smile as I see Jenna Ortega gracefully entering the café.
It had been about a month since our last encounter, and I almost thought I wouldn't see her again. Yet, there she was in front of me, dazzling: a black skirt elegantly draping, a white sweatshirt, and high heels that added a sophisticated touch.
"Hey..." I manage to say, a spontaneous smile on my lips as I instinctively try to lean on the broom, almost stumbling in the attempt. My legs seem to have a mind of their own, and I wobble forward, clutching the broom as if it were my only support.
My cheeks turn red as I look at Jenna. She has her hands in front of her mouth, obviously concerned about my sudden clumsiness.
"Are you okay?" Jenna asks with a small smile, approaching to see if I'm in one piece.
"Yes, yes... just lost my balance," I confess, embarrassed, trying to downplay the situation.
"Who knows why?" Maria chimes in, carrying a tray of pastries to place in the display.
"Maria!" I exclaim, my voice high-pitched, leaning the broom against the wall.
Jenna chuckles softly and comes closer. Her presence is comforting, and her smile makes me feel more at ease despite the spectacle I just made.
I widen my eyes in surprise as I feel Jenna's arms enveloping me in a warm hug. Slowly, I let myself melt into that contact, placing my hands gently on her hips. I rest my head in the curve of her neck, allowing myself to breathe in the inviting scent of her perfume. Everything seems to pause for a moment as I let myself be swayed by that feeling of closeness and intimacy.
My eyes shift to the café entrance, astonished to see an imposing man in a suit looking at us sternly, wearing sunglasses and an earpiece. His presence is decidedly intimidating.
Jenna tightens her hold around me, a sigh grazing my neck.
"Umm... who is that?" I instinctively ask, watching the bodyguard intently. The man takes a step forward, and fear makes me open my eyes wide.
"Oh... he's Tom," Jenna replies, rolling her eyes slightly. "Last time I went out alone... and my agent didn't like it," she confesses reluctantly.
"Now he'll come with me wherever," she concludes, sighing.
"Exactly, Miss Ortega," interjects the man in a monotone voice. "I hate it when he does," Jenna mutters under her breath, and I can't help but laugh at the expression on her face.
"In any case... what would you like?" I ask Jenna, glancing at Tom.
I turn to Jenna and notice her gaze on my lips. I raise an eyebrow in curiosity, and she lowers her gaze, blushing slightly.
"Oh... a cappuccino, please" she murmurs shyly, tilting her head to hide the blush on her cheeks.
"It'll be ready right away," I respond with a friendly smile, raising my hand to quickly touch her nose, making her laugh.
I walk to the counter, and Jenna follows me with quick steps.
"Tom... would you like something?" Jenna asks, leaning her arms on the counter.
"A coffee, miss," he replies seriously.
Tom, the bodyguard, positions himself discreetly at a certain distance but in a position that allows him to watch over us.
I take the cappuccino cup, the milk frother, and an espresso capsule.
"Does he move sometimes?" I whisper to Jenna, watching the bodyguard.
"Yes..." Jenna responds with a complicit smile, "WHEREVER I go," she exclaims loudly, pointing out the last part.
"We've discussed this, Miss Ortega," Tom replies professionally. I smile as I watch Jenna childishly repeat her bodyguard's words, making a funny face.
I grab the espresso and prepare the second capsule for Tom's coffee.
"You've been busy lately, haven't you?" I ask curiously, pouring a third of the coffee into the cup.
I take the milk jug and slowly pour its contents into the cup, creating a simple design.
"You can't imagine... the exhausting interviews and preparations for the new season are killing us," she exclaims in exasperation.
I offer Jenna the cappuccino.
"Thank you," Jenna exclaims with a smile. "I had to study the script for weeks... getting very little sleep," she murmurs, stirring the cappuccino with a spoon.
"Do you have brown sugar?" she asks, and I offer her the basket with all the types of sugar.
"Well... but I think you've done great," I confess, grabbing Tom's espresso cup, "and I know you're very professional, truly amazing," I look at Tom and convey through my gaze that he should come get the coffee.
He remains still in his place.
Jenna rolls her eyes, moving her lips away from the cup, "Tom, come get the coffee," she murmurs, practically ordering Jenna.
"Yes, Miss," Tom nods and approaches, drinking the coffee in one gulp.
Jenna takes the cappuccino again, looking at me through her long lashes.
"Y/n!" Maria's voice from the kitchen sounds like a command, and, giving a quick glance to Jenna, I silently apologize to go see what my boss needed.
"Take these and put them in the display," she gently asks.
Without much thought, I grab the tray and return to the counter. I open the display and place the freshly baked pastries.
"They look delicious," Jenna murmurs, finishing her cappuccino.
I hold back a smile as I see the cappuccino foam on her lips.
"You have something..." I point to my face, and Jenna furrows her brow in confusion.
"Where?" Jenna sticks her tongue out and runs it over her lower lip.
"Not here..." I lean shyly towards her and put my finger on her lips. Jenna looks at me attentively as I collect the foam with my index finger.
"Miss..." Tom murmurs seriously, approaching to see what was going on.
"I'm fine, Tom. You can go back to your place," Jenna murmurs, looking at me with curious eyes.
"My apologies if I'm interfering so directly," says Tom, apologizing.
"No problem, Tom. I know you're doing your job to make sure I'm safe," Jenna responds, reassuring him.
"Ah! By the way..." Jenna turns completely towards me, rests her face in her hands and looks at me with a charming smile. "You must come with me," she murmurs softly, and I laugh lightly in disbelief.
"When? Where?" I ask curiously.
"Now... come with me, that's enough," she murmurs sweetly, tilting her head to the side. I smile at her tenderness.
"Miss... I'm not sure if Edward will..." Tom begins seriously, expressing his opinion.
"Edward won't say anything," Jenna murmurs, annoyed. "Alright, miss," Tom responds politely.
"Edward?" I ask and she rolls her eyes annoyed. "He's my agent," she murmurs weakly.
"In any case," Jenna slightly bites her lower lip with malice and goes around the counter, coming towards me. "You're coming with me," she exclaims seriously, taking my wrist to drag me with her.
I feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest, and an involuntary smile spreads across my lips.
"Jen, I'm not sure if I can... I'm working," I mumble absentmindedly, embarrassed.
"Mmmh..." Jenna murmurs, thoughtful.
"Actually..." I turn towards the sound of the voice and see Maria wiping her hands with a cloth. "In 10 minutes, my niece will arrive... she can help me cover your shift," my boss exclaims with a half-smile.
I look at Maria with concern.
"Are you sure?" I ask timidly, and Maria nods. "You heard her. Now come with me," Jenna murmurs, making a radiant smile.
"Oh, Maria," Jenna turns to her and smiles, "thanks for the service, I left the tip on the table," she exclaims.
"Thank you, miss," Maria responds.
Tom opens the store's door, and we step out, with him walking behind us. I could feel his presence at my back, and I glimpse him placing his hand on Jenna's shoulder.
Jenna tightens her grip on my hand.
"Oh shit..." Jenna exclaims upon noticing the paparazzi near the café.
With adrenaline rushing through our veins, we walk towards the SUV parked across the street, shielding our faces from the numerous camera flashes.
Tom stands in front of us and clears a path through the crowd.
"Is she your new girlfriend?" a paparazzo asks curiously. "Is she part of the cast?" another asks.
I was completely confused.
Jenna lowers her head and shields her eyes with her free hand, avoiding the questions and quickly getting into the vehicle.
A hand rests on my shoulder. "By any chance, do you know if Jen..." a journalist begins, but I stop hearing the question when the mentioned girl literally drags me into the car, closing the door.
Silence envelops us.
"I'm sorry... you know... they were untimely questions," murmurs Jenna, and I sigh.
"It's okay," I confess, and Jenna rests her head on my shoulder, playing with our intertwined fingers.
My heart is racing.
The sound of a closing door catches my attention. "Eric... start it up," says Tom, buckling his seatbelt.
Jenna relaxes and looks at me through her long lashes. Her gaze is intense yet tender at the same time. "I'm sorry for the sudden commotion," Jenna repeats, trying to push away the annoyance caused by the paparazzi.
"You don't have to apologize," I confess, gently squeezing her hand. "I understand it's part of your life." She smiles, but I can sense a shadow of sadness in her eyes.
Perhaps she's exhausted from the constant media attention and the lack of privacy.
"Anyway... where are we going?" I ask, trying to change the subject to lighten the mood.
"To introduce you to some people," Jenna murmurs softly, "and to show you the environment where I work," she whispers faintly, snuggling between my arms.
I must admit Jenna is a very affectionate friend, but obviously, I don't mind.
222 notes
·
View notes