To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

- Anatole France

Tatiana's Cafe quickly became a place for the people to escape the everyday stresses of life and became a comfortable place to hangout with friends or read a book. All in one, this cafe become very popular within the local since the day it opened.

Since, it was within the walking distance from my apartment, I visited this place quite often. The jolly old Italian lady who runs the cafe with several helpers was familiar with me. She helped me learn many essentials from the pastry world. The cafe's old decorations gave the cafe a homey look. This cafe was my kind of place. Hence, I choosed it for today.

Though right this moment, I solely regretted my decision. The coffee shop was starting to get rowdy and it was getting on my nerves. All the high school students had to be in the shop when I visited one. Just great. This was ridiculous. God, was I that noisy at their age? I hope not at least. Though I couldn't say the same thing about Chloe.

I picked up the glass of water and sipped from it. The waitresses were eyeing me with their cat eyes, from all the way across the shop. I was really getting tired of their behaviour. They knew me but never liked me because Tatiana behaved well with me. They were thinking I was just sitting here for the AC or something since I hadn't ordered anything.

Well, it wasn't my fault that I was sitting here idly. I was waiting for someone. I was waiting for that arrogant man.

Where was he?

There was no way I would order something and waste my money when I had my precious leftovers waiting for me at home.

The tables in the cafe were seated far enough from each other to give people their privacy but not much far, to let them be a outcast. I kept on tapping my fingers repeatedly over the table. I was sure the old couple sitting across my table could hear the sound. And I was sure, Tatiana wouldn't be happy when she found out a dent on the table made by my impatient and forceful fingers.

That man! He sure was a perfectionist. Cue the sarcasm, oops! I rolled my eyes at his so called given name by the tabloids. I did some research on him before coming to the shop and let me tell you, I expected this rich businessman to be punctual but I should had expected the unexpected when it came to this man.

While I was on the net, I tried to find out about Little Ariel too but there was nothing about her. There wasn't much of personal information on Tyler Sanders. His parents were mentioned with their names and photos but when it came to Little Ariel, Tabloids only mentioned, Tyler Sanders was a young father to a young daughter. Name or photos were unavailable.

My eyes were fixed on the door of the shop, impatiently waiting for a suited up guy. Since, I rarely saw this guy in casual outfits, both in person and magazines, I was sure he would be here in a suit made with royal fabric. That rich he was! Though I was starting to wonder whether he stood me up or not. Sadly, my view got blocked and I looked up to find a waitress glaring down at me.

"Miss, I hope you are ready to order or else you'd have to leave. As you can see, all tables are full and some customers are waiting for unreserved tables with unordered customer on it." The skimpy waitress with a name tag of Jenny said to me very impatiently. Skimpy waitress! How cliche! Well, I couldn't blame her for pointing me out. The shop was really full.

Before I could utter a apology, a very familiar manly voice spoke up from behind Jenny. "That wouldn't be needed. We will order in a minute."

Jenny turned abruptly at his voice, stepping aside and then I saw him all dressed up in a grey suit. Jenny's eyes widened and I immediately got the feeling that she would fondle with her hair and dress, and start her flirty charms on Tyler Sanders right away.

And that was what she did exactly. I wasn't even going to say the C word. Let it go, Claire! Tyler ignored her and took a seat in front of me. He looked at me with his usual poker face. What was up with him and poker face? Was I a poker buddy to him? Sure not. "What would you like to have?" He asked directly without any greeting.

Putting on a fake smile, I gave my order to Jenny and Tyler did the same. And oh look, Jenny was still at our table, making goggly eyes at my fiancé. Could she be that obvious? And why was I making big deal out of it? And wait..was he my fiancé now? Huh! I turned my head toward the glass window, looking out the street. Let Tyler handle this Jenny or whatever.

I heard Tyler speaking. "I think we're done ordering. Now, if you'd excuse us." I was sure that was directed to the waitress and not me which was why, I was suppressing a grin.

"I never had a woman sitting in front of me, gazing at another way and not me. What is so important over there to have you look at it and not me?" Mr. Tyler Sanders's obnoxious voice spoke up and this time I was sure, it was directed to me.

I scoffed and turned to him. "There's always a first time for everything, Mr. Sanders. And you should stop thinking so highly of you."

Tyler leaned close, putting his elbows on the table and penetrated my view with his intense grey eyes. "You know Ms. Claire Bishop, you're the first person who's talking to me this way and the first one to ever raise a hand on me, and get away with it completely scratch free." He said slowly. His grey eyes turned darker and I gulped. He had to bring that slap up. "You should consider yourself lucky since you're still sitting here, talking and not...."

Did he just...? I slapped my palms on the table and got in his face. "And not what?" When he didn't continue, I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you threatening me, Mr. Sanders?"

Well, there went our engagement discussion. How was I suppose to marry him when all we did was argue back and forth? It was all his fault. Someone needed to put him on his place. There was no way I was backing down now.

He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his muscular chest. "That wasn't a threat. That was a advice."

I threw my hands in the air and exclaimed. "Advice, my foot! If that is how you advice, then I don't know how you threaten."

Tyler's lips twitched, it was as if he was holding back a smile. "Trust me, Claire. You don't wanna know."

I blinked couple of times to ignore the usual tingle I received, whenever I hear him speak my christian name and tried to focus on his words. This guy really thought very highly of him. It was like he was trying to make me stop my comebacks and be afraid of him but he had another thing coming, if he thought I was going to back down that easily. Never!

"You think everyone gets scared of you when you talk like that, Mr. Oh so Mighty Lord?" I said to him emphasising on his nickname and he gritted his teeth. "Well, I'm not scared of you." He raised one eyebrow and I raised my head to him. "I'm not and besides, you can't do anything to me." Now, he raised both eyebrows. "You can't. You need me." Still raising his eyebrows, he stared at me like I was a fool. So I tried my last card. "Well, your daughter needs me."

And that made all his facial expressions go neutral. He became all serious. He became the businessman. He became the person I met for the first time outside the diner.

He slowly uncrossed his arms and agreed. "Yes." He looked out the window and at that precise moment, we found a family of four standing on the sidewalks. A couple with two kids. How ironic! He kept on staring at them and I kept on staring at him but then he turned. "You're right. My daughter needs you." He extended his right hand to me and opened his palm, "Did you bring the box? Give it to me."

The box? The ring box? He was taking it back? Why? I pulled my purse from the chair to my lap and opened it to take out the black box where the engagement ring rested. I gave it to him, never speaking a word. Did he not want to marry me now? Was it because of how I talked?

He took it and straightened up from his seat. Oh no. He was leaving but wait, he stopped and why was he....walking toward me? And ...getting down on one knee? I widened my eyes. "Oh my god." I looked around the shop and found everyone's eyes at us instantly. That was fast. I looked back at Tyler to find him getting the beautiful ring out of the box and I whisper-yelled at him, "What the hell are you doing? Get up!"

He took my left hand and said. "I'm letting everyone know that we are getting engaged so that no one would be surprised when we get married." I looked around us again to make sure no one heard it. It seemed like no one did because they were busy whispering, smiling and taking pictures rather than focusing on his words. They were probably thinking he was unleashing his true devotion and love toward me.

The grip on my hand brought me back to the real situation and I heard Tyler mutter. "Just go with it." And I gave a nervous smile at him, raising my free hand to cover it since it was wobbling really bad. Tyler took a deep breath and I thought here it comes! And it did. He spoke loud and clear for everyone inside the shop, in broad daylight so that everyone could hear it. "Claire Bishop, would you do the honour of marrying me?"

Should I cry? Nah, that would be too much. Let's just be normal.

I slowly nodded and repeatedly said. "Yes, Yes, Yes." I added a big bright smile on my face to emphasise my happiness but I couldn't hide my widened eyes when Tyler quickly slipped in the ring, to pull me up with him to stand and kiss me directly on the lips. The lips! The bastard didn't even warn me before. Thank god for his big shoulders which hid my face from the prying eyes but now back to the kiss.

Oh the kiss! The sweet slow first kiss of Tyler and me!

This man surely knew how to kiss a woman. His lips were warm and his shoulders were hard beneath my hands. I was frozen at first but then his grip on my waist tightened and I realised everyone was still watching us. And Tyler expected me to kiss him back. I hesitated at first then moved my lips with his, synchronised them with his ones, feeling the warm wet lips of his. It was like time stopped and we were just the only ones. Only ones in our own world.

The sound of claps and cheering brought us back to reality. We were so into that kiss to even realise the world around us. Tyler realised that too, for he quit stepped away from me but then looked around us, noticing the whole crowd. He nodded at everyone and lended his hand to me. I grabbed my purse while he dropped a few dollars on the table. He tugged me toward him and we walked out, all the way thanking everyone who ever congratulated us.

The car ride was silent and I was sure, we both were thinking about the kiss. The kiss! I actually liked it. I actually liked kissing him and I wanted more. What was wrong with me?!

I abruptly turned my head to the side, hiding the blush that was warming up to my cheeks from Tyler Sanders, who was deep in thought to even realise he was the reason behind my blush.