Webfiction lib

Loud cheering and high-pitched squeals erupted from the front of the café. “What’s going on out there?” I asked, wiping my hands on my apron. “The usual,” Julia said with a knowing smile. “That tall biker guy is back. Only he gets our girls this excited.” My stomach did a little flip. “Who?” “You know exactly who — the mysterious one who makes all the young girls drool over him. The biker one… the tallest one.” She was trying really hard to describe him. Right. The masked customer. No one had ever seen his face because he always kept his black helmet on, visor down. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed entirely in dark leather and denim like he walked out of some fanfiction. No wonder our girls were crazy about him. “Funny thing,” Julia added, lowering her voice, “you’re always at the counter whenever he shows up. And he never comes when you’re not here.” “Really? That guy actually scares me a little,” I admitted. “He’s so tall… always dressed in black like that.” “And ridiculously attractive,” she added with a dreamy sigh. “How would you even know? You’ve never seen his face.” “Oh, you poor old-fashioned housewife,” she teased, shaking her head. “I am none of those things,” I shot back, laughing. “Come on, Lena. You don’t need to see his face. Just look at that physique — that height, those broad shoulders, the powerful aura he carries. Even women who come in with their husbands can’t help breaking their necks to stare at him.” “That’s cheating,” I said, wrinkling my nose in genuine disgust. “They’re with their men, yet lusting after someone else.” “Oh please, why can’t you just be fun for once?” Julia gr0aned. “Fun? You call that fun? You mean thinking another man is more attractive than your own husband is fun?” “Yes!” she snapped. I was disappointed. “But… don’t you love Billy anymore?” “Of course I do. I love my husband. But I’m not blind! I can see when another man is attractive… I can tell who is more attractive than my husband. Same goes for Billy.” “That’s… that’s… a thing?” “Girl, what planet are you from?” she asked. I looked down. “I refuse to accept that there’s a man out there more attractive than my husband. Call me naive or stup1d, but have you actually seen my husband, Mitch? He is so handsome.” “You brag about him nonstop. You’re just hopelessly in love… that’s why you find other men unattractive,” she said, rolling her eyes. I smiled sadly. “Because he means everything to me. He loves me like nobody else ever could.” And my weight ruined it. Julia sighed softly. “Alright, Mrs. Loyalty, let’s finish these cakes before—” The swinging door burst open. The younger servers tumbled in, all three of them flushed and giggling uncontrollably. “He asked for Lena specifically,” one of them announced breathlessly. “He doesn’t want any of us to serve him.” Julia and I exchanged a quick glance. “Well, he must be tired of you girls surrounding him like starving wolves trying to eat him alive, so he needs someone who is married and minds her own business,” Julia scolded. “We didn’t!” they chorused in protest. “Yeah, you did,” Julia replied, arms folded across her chest with a frown. I let out a long sigh. “Boss will lose her mind if she walks in and sees you all acting like you’ve never seen a man before. I’ll go serve him. Someone take over the icing while I’m gone.” I pulled my apron and hairnet, dusted myself before heading toward the front. I could hear them murmuring excitedly behind me. “He smells so good… oh my gosh!” Felicia said. “His voice is even hotter than his body. I wasn’t disappointed when he spoke. So deep. Every time he said something, I couldn’t stop giggling,” Gabi added. “You were a total mess, Gabi, but it’s understandable. The moment he talked to me, it felt like the whole café disappeared. What if he removes his helmet and he’s got a Shrek face?” Vivian pointed out, and they laughed and argued about the possibility. Their words triggered a sudden flashback — how my heart had raced the very first time I saw Mitch all those years ago. When I was their age, I really wasn’t any different. TAKE CARE I took a deep breath and pushed through the swinging door into the front of the café. I saw the tall biker standing at the counter, helmet still on, visor down. His black leather jacket stretched across those shoulders Julia had been raving about, and even from here I could see why the girls were losing their minds. He radiated a quiet, almost dangerous confidence. "Weird one." I muttered to myself and wiped my hands on my apron. I walked over, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hi. You asked for me?” He turned his head slightly. Even though I couldn’t see his eyes, I felt his gaze land on me. “Yes,” came the deep, low voice that had Gabi and the others giggling like schoolgirls. “I want the usual. Chocolate fudge cake. And a black coffee, no sugar.” His voice really was something. Rich and smooth, like dark velvet. No wonder the younger girls had melted. I nodded quickly and started preparing his order, conscious of the way the entire front area had gone strangely quiet. The usual chatter from the tables had dropped to whispers. A few women at a nearby booth kept stealing glances, one of them even tilting her head so hard you'd fear she would break her poor neck. As I boxed the thick slice of cake, I couldn’t help but ask, “You always come at this time. Is the cake that good, or do you just like torturing our staff?” A low chuckle rumbled from behind the helmet. “Both.” I slid the box and the coffee across the counter. “Here you go.” He didn’t move to take it right away. Instead, he tilted his head a little, studying me. “You look tired, Lena.” My name on his lips sent a small jolt through me. How did he even know my name? I didn’t remember ever telling him. The girls said he described me to them. “I’m fine,” I said, forcing a polite smile. “Just a long morning.” He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a crisp bill, and placed it on the counter — way more than the order cost. “Keep the change.” His gloved fingers lingered for half a second. “And… take it easy. You work too hard.” Before I could respond, he picked up the cake and coffee, turned, and walked out. The bell above the door chimed behind him, and the whole café seemed to exhale. As soon as he was gone the girls came back murmuring about how cool he was. Meanwhile, I stood frozen behind the counter, heart beating faster than it should. What was that about? He spoke for the first time to ask me to take it easy like he knew everything about me. When, I finally walked back into the Baking area, Julia was waiting with raised eyebrows and a knowing grin. “So?” she asked, leaning against the counter. “Did the mysterious biker say anything interesting, or did you just stand there being your loyal, married self?” I shrugged. “He ordered the usual. Nothing special.” Julia narrowed her eyes. “Liar. Your face is doing that thing again.” “What thing?” “The ‘I’m pretending I’m not flustered’ thing.” She laughed softly. “Girl, even you aren’t immune. Admit it — he’s got that effect.” I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come. I picked up the icing spatula again. “He’s just a customer,” I said quietly. “A very tall, very generous customer.” Julia hummed, unconvinced. “If you say so, Mrs. Loyalty.” But as I continued icing the next cake, I couldn’t stop replaying that deep voice saying my name… or the way he’d told me to take it easy. It reminds me of Mitch when we started dating. After the morning shift at the restaurant, my legs were already aching, but I still had to rush home, shower, and get ready for my night job at the bar. I hadn’t eaten anything since morning—just water—because I was still fasting to lose some pounds. Mitch hated the extra weight I’d gained. The moment I stepped into our compound, I could hear the music. Heavy bass thumping from the master bedroom, so loud the windows were vibrating. Mitch was home early. Way too early. I caught my reflection in our neighbour’s car window and my stomach dropped. My hair looked crazy, my face was puffy with dark circles like a panda, and my lips were dry and cracked. The thought of Mitch seeing me like this made my heart jump in fear. I quickly svcked in my tummy, fixed my hair as best as I could, and dug out my lip gloss. I applied a fresh layer, pressing my lips together so I’d look soft and presentable. Less irritating to him. I checked my reflection one more time, drew a deep breath, and told myself this would have to do. Slowly, I unlocked the front door with trembling fingers, forced a bright smile onto my face, and stepped inside. “Honey, you’re back ear—?” The words died in my throat. My handbag slid from my shoulder and hit the floor with a dull thud. A pile of female clothes—tiny red lace pant1es, a short denim skirt, and a crop top—were scattered carelessly across the living room couch. My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe. I didn’t know if the pounding in my ears was from hunger or the sickening fear clawing up my spine. Then I heard it.