I questioned as I'm already at the coffee shop for my shift, might as well bring over some food for them. Sitting down, I waited for a reply that didn't take long to arrive.

Ordering Amayah and Aaron's usual, I also requested the delivery guy, John, who I also became somewhat friends with, to buy a bouquet of tulips and hand it along with the breakfast. I didn't get to message Amayah again when my break ended.

Working at the coffee shop is another step for me into getting out of my comfort zone, having to work with other people and interact with customers, adult customers most of the time. It's far different from babysitting kids who are easier to handle and less judgemental.

Luckily for me, I haven't encountered a single customer who eats violence for breakfast, although I've met a few grumpy and snobbish ones, but it's probably because they haven't had their caffeine.

"Aiden?" I turned to Tim, a college student who also works as a part-time waiter. "People at table 5 are asking for you."

Frowning, I went to the said table, and of course, it's my friends, who else could it be? Julius waved excitedly while the three remained smiling, signaling me to come over.

"Why are you guys here? I'm working."

Vera shrugged. "Supporting you?"

"More like distracting me," I huffed. "You know how noisy this one gets." I pointed at Julius who gasped, feigning hurt.

"We wanted some coffee and thought why not go to where you work." Lexie explained for them. "We won't take long."

"Take our orders, bitch." Julius said playfully, earning a smack from Lexie. "Please." He added with a wince, rubbing his arm.

After taking their orders, I was about to leave when Julius stopped me. He had his puppy eyes, giving me a sweet smile. "Can I borrow your phone? I forgot mine and I'm bored."

"Borrow Lexie's." I groaned when he pulled me back again when I tried to leave.

Julius gave me a pleading look, way sadder now. "They don't have games on their phone."

Huffing, I took out my phone from my pocket and handed it to him. "Just for 10 minutes."

"Whaaat? That's not enough for a whole game. 30 minutes." He tried to bargain.

"15 minutes."

"20."

"10."

Julius rolled his eyes. "Fine, 15." I smiled in triumph before leaving them.

Whipping up their orders, it took me less than 10 minutes before I arrived with their orders. A frown settled on my forehead upon noticing Julius' weird behavior, although it doesn't seem like the others noticed, continuing with their conversation like he doesn't exist.

I tapped his shoulder. "What's wrong with you?"

His face paled. "I didn't mean to read it."

My brows furrowed in confusion. "Read what?"

Hesitantly, Julius handed me my phone, a message already opened, it was sent just 5 minutes ago.

A blush appeared on my face upon seeing the heart she sent along with the message and photo, I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling too much.

She sent me a heart!

I composed a message to reply.

I paused from typing, eyes widening when I realized something. Julius smiled as if constipated as I glanced down at him with wide eyes and mouth agape. Without missing a beat, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards the storage room, ignoring the others' questions and looks of confusion.

"For the record, I already had a hunch and the message just confirmed that for me." Julius defended, noticing my frantic state. "I didn't really mean to read it though, I was playing when the message popped up and I swear it was an accident when I saw the message."

I blew out a breath, knowing he's being honest. It's not like I can deny it when he already knows. Besides, I knew his nosy ass at least knows I have feelings for Amayah. "Please, don't ever tell anyone about this. Not one word, Julius."

He placed his hand on top of his chest. "I promise, Aiden. You have my word."

"Can I really trust you with this?"

He nodded in determination. "Yes. You can chop off my dick if I even think of telling anyone."

I scrunched my nose in disgust. "That's a bit too much."

"That's how serious I am about keeping this a secret."

I rolled my eyes, although I couldn't help but smile at his ridiculousness. "Go back to them and don't open your big mouth."

"Yes, boss." Julius saluted, marching off.

Shit. I still have to tell Amayah about this.

I just hope this won't cause a problem between us.

"How was your visit with Bianca?" I asked Aaron as I prepared food for both me and him.

"It was great! She helped me with my assignment although I didn't really need the help, then we played basketball with dad." I let the kid ramble about his day with Bianca and Tristan, nodding once in a while to show I'm listening.

The conversation was cut short when we heard a familiar car engine stopping and heels clicking after a few minutes. Amayah entered the house, her eyes immediately falling on us.

"Hey, baby." Amayah leaned down to kiss her son's forehead before turning to me with a heart stopping smile. "Hi, Aiden."

"Hi." I greeted back with a smile. "Dinner's ready. How was work?"

Amayah raised a brow, eyeing me in amusement. "It was tiring, but good nonetheless. How was yours?"

I was about to reply and ramble about it when I remembered what happened at work earlier with Julius. The nervousness set in and I had to bite my lip.

"Can we talk outside the patio?" I asked. Although confused, Amayah nodded and followed me. I pulled a chair for her to sit down on before I took the seat next to her.

"What is it about?"

Hesitantly, I started to speak. "Well, remember the text you sent? The one with the image?" She nodded. "It just so happened that my friend, Julius, was holding my phone at that time and... and he saw the message by accident. I can't really deny it any longer as he also suspected that I have feelings for you for awhile now. But he swears he won't tell anyone, I'll make sure of it." I rushed out the last part, worried about how she'll react. "Please don't get mad."

My eyes closed briefly when I heard a sigh from the older woman. Guilt-ridden for not being careful enough, I cowered as I waited for what she's about to say.

"Do you trust your friend?" I looked up to her and nodded at the question without any hesitation. "It's partially my fault. We can't really do anything about it, we just have to trust that your friend will keep this a secret."

I bounced my leg, feeling anxious. "You're not mad?"

The beauty shook her head and smiled, reassuring my worries. "I'm not, Aide. Don't worry."

"Really?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Really."

"Oh, thank g-d. I thought you'll be really mad at me. I promise it won't happen again, I'll be more careful from now on."

"Hm... People will eventually find out, secrets are hard to keep. It's not something you can just hide especially at a town like this."

I frowned. She has a point. "Still, we're not even together yet. I don't want it to end because of that when it hasn't even started."

"You think this will end if the truth comes out?"

I shrugged. "Won't it?"

Amayah regarded me with her eyes. "Why do you think so?"

"It's your career on the line, I wouldn't want you to stay with me if it means ruining what you have. If it ever comes to that point, I will let you go."

She nodded slowly. "Just like that?"

I bit my lip, nodding hesitantly. "Just like that." I whispered, and it felt so much like a lie.

"If it ever comes to that point..." Amayah paused, eyes looking away from me. "I wouldn't want you to let me go."

My mouth fell open at what she said, not believing what my ears just heard. "R-Really? But why?"

"It's easy to find a new job... I don't think I can find another one like you."

"Oh."

Heat rose to my cheeks, my heart thumping faster and louder against my chest like how it always would whenever Amayah returns my affection.

"Promise me one thing." Amayah took my hand, intertwining our fingers. "Promise me you won't give up, on me... on us."

"I-I won't ever give up on you, Amayah. I promise."

And it didn't feel like a lie saying that.