Dulcia hadn't taken anytime to herself since moving city. She'd only just finished unpacking her boxes, with less than a day before starting her new job, and all she wanted to do was sit down and enjoy a drink. She'd seen a cute cafe tucked away down a side street between two glass skyscrapers, and since seeing it she'd wanted nothing more then to try it out.

            The cafe was a stark contrast to the corporate buildings surrounding it. It was covered in dark wood panelling and frosted glass etched with 'The Longeared Owl and Ass' in cursive script. Dulcia pushed open the cafe door. A bell rang out her entrance to the cafe. She was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee and leather. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim lights illuminating the cafe.

            It was quiet, with only a couple of patrons scattered among the tables. Two elderly gentlemen sat at a table sipping coffee from large mugs, perusing over a crossword puzzle together. A woman sat in a red leather chair, that dwarfed her by comparison, with her legs tucked up underneath herself. Dulcia struggled to pull her eyes away from her, soaking up every detail. Her dark hair tumbled down her shoulders almost blending in with her navy sun dress. The elegance in how she held the dainty cup. Finally, the soft curl to her lips after taking a sip.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

            She looked up catching Dulcia's gaze. Dulcia snapped her head away, her heart beating fast, having been caught admiring the woman. She moved over to the counter, busying herself with looking over the handwritten menu. It was all Italian words she hardly recognised. Dulcia searched the board for anything that she was familiar with; tea, hot chocolate, anything that wasn't coffee.

            “Can I take your order please?” the barista asked.

            Dulcia looked between the barista and the board, picking the first thing her eyes landed on. “Could I have an espresso?”