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Eliza Hwang walked into the cafe. She looked like a model with her delicate, smooth white skin, her deep green eyes and her short black hair. She looked stunning that all eyes were on her.
“Welcome to Bishounen Cafe,” half the waiters greeted her, wanting to be her waiter.
She looked around as if she was searching for someone in particular. Her eyes narrowed in as she must have found him as her green eyes were focused on one person. The guy her eyes were zooming in on happened to be Mike He. He wasn’t looking towards her so he hasn’t seen her yet. She wondered how he would react after he sees her. Would he recognise her? Or has he already forgotten her? He was taking order from another customer and headed to the kitchen to deliver the order.
“I will like to be served by him, thank you,” she said as she pointed her finger at Mike just as he was going into the kitchen.
“It doesn’t really work out like that,” the other waiter mumbled looking dejected as she seemed only interested in Mike. “Every waiter has their own table allocated to them.”
“Then allocate me to his table, please,” she demanded and refused to accept anything else. “I can wait if I have to.”
“Please come this way, my lady,” he said after giving up and guided her to one of his table. She was too persistent for him not to do so. He gave the menu and left her.
Eliza covered her face with the handed menu just when Mike came back from the kitchen with the order. After he dealt with his customer he came towards her ready to serve her. He got his pen and pad out and asked her what she would like to order. She was still covering her face with the menu. He wasn’t even trying to see her face. He didn’t pay attention to her at all. She wondered if he was always like this. When she met him 1 year ago he seemed different to her.
“Can I have 2 chocolate cup cake, 2 chocolate éclairs and 2 double chocolate chip cookies. I will have black tea, no sugar, to go with it thank you.”
He didn’t reply to say that he got her order. With her green eyes she peered out a bit from the top of the menu. He stared intently at her. Then the next minutes she saw his eyes go wide with recognition and then disbelief. It soon then turned into anger. He still hadn’t said a word.
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Mike put his guard up and opted for an expressionless face. He was still reeling with anger inside. Soon as he heard her voice he wondered if it was a dream. He will always hear that voice in his dreams whether he was liked her not. He couldn’t get her out of his mind which annoys the hell out of him. Even after a year, he still can remember her voice and face clearly. When her green eyes peered from the top of the menu he knew it was her. He wondered why she was here after she disappeared in the middle of the night like a thief. He woke up in the morning only to find the women of his dream has gone. When he couldn’t find her he was gutted.
“Li ho,” she greeted him normally.
“What are you doing here Eliza and don’t tell me its coincidence,” he finally spoke quietly masking his anger but not completely as a hint of anger can be detected in his voice. “Is Eliza your real name because I have doubts about that?”
“I heard of this cafe from a friend so I though I’ll check it out, is there a problem?” she said innocently. He looked at her with utter disbelief. “And yes, my name is Eliza. Eliza Hwang.”
“It would have helped if I had your surname then. There would have been more of a chance to find you then. I really thought you were a figment of my imagination. Did you come back for another action with a stud like me,” he said with menace without hiding how he was feeling this time.
“Is that in the menu?” Eliza pretending to consider the offer.
“You’re unbeliev-,” Mike knew he was getting to heated up that everyone were now looking their way as they were making a scene.
“Mike, is anything wrong?” Alec Su the cafe manager interrupted them.
“No nothing,” he answered very quickly. “I’m just going to get her order. Please excuse me.” He was still fuming but he let it go. He didn’t want to make a spectacular of himself any longer than he already was.
“I hope he hasn’t said anything to upset you,” Alex said apologising. “He is actually the most serious and calm guy here. Even though he looks stern most of the time, actually scratch most of the time, it’s all the time, he's like this but girls flock to him like flies. The rest of the guys get annoyed as he doesn’t even try and he is way too popular.”
“No, No, he was being a wonderful host. In fact I will be requesting him every time I come. I couldn’t possibly have anyone else.” She said, ever so sweetly.
“I’m afraid it doesn’t work lik-” but he was unable to finish his sentence as she interrupted him.
“Don’t worry! I’ll just wait for him.” She was very adamant about it. Her eyes and face were serious. Anyone can see that she will not take no for an answer.
And this is actually what Eliza Hwang did.
She will always come every day and everyday she will insist that Mike would be her waiter. He wanted to kill all his fellow workers as they all accommodate her to her wishes.
“Don’t you get bored coming here every day?” he asked her one of the afternoons.
“No, why would I? I have a great view that I enjoy. How can I get bored?”
“You are not sitting near window to enjoy the view.”
“Who needs a window to have a great view?” She said, staring right at him, which clearly hints that he is that one that is getting ogled at. “I have a great view right here.”
He would always be rude to her and she will always talk pleasantly with him which pissed him even more. He feels as if he is being played by her and at the same time he couldn’t help but be awed by her.
“Well I hope you can enjoy yourself,” he said sarcastically.
“Oh I will,” Eliza said in a matter of fact tone as she drank her tea. She looked gorgeous and graceful to him that it irritated the hell out of him. Of course he was not the only one that thought she was beautiful. All the other workers thought so too which was the very reason he wanted to kill them.
“What are you really doing here?” He questioned her.
“I came for lunch,” like always her answer would leave him frustrated. To top his level of annoyance all the staffs were making fun of him. Soon as they spot her entering the cafe they will always say his girl is here. To make it worse he always loses his cool with her which further amuses them. This also includes his manager. He even asked the manager why he isn’t firing him as he is quite rude to her.
“Every time I ask her she insists that you’re a wonderful waiter. So as far as I’m cornered if the customer is happy so am I.”
He looked at him with disbelieve. “You’re the manager but I wonder if there are some screws missing in your head.”
“My head is perfectly fine but I wonder about yours,” Alec said teasingly. “Usually when we ever do anything to you or say anything, you just ignore us but when ever she's here you’re always flustered and lose your cool. You look more human to us now.”
“There is nothing wrong with me. And what part of me seem inhuman to you” he said in a rude manner.
“The way you behave. You hardly used to talk to anyone and you were hard to approach.”
“So?”
“Nothing. It’s just that everyone starting to see you in a different light. You’re not perfect as you made out to be before. They always found you could do anything. You can do the business side of this cafe. You can take my job any day if you wanted it but you’re not interested. With you here it makes my life easier. I can even go on extended holiday if I wanted to because I can leave you in charge. Ryo likes you too. You give him ideas that help the business. Anyways, never mind that, what are you going to do about her? She’s hot and she fancies you!” Alec said changing the subject.
“Don’t you have a fiancée?”
“So what. I’m just stating the obvious. I don’t fancy her like you.”
“What do you mean? I don’t like her.” he lied.
“Sure you don’t,” Alec didn’t believe him of course. “You know she’s one determined woman. You should give in and talk to her properly. Whatever the problem is, it won’t go away. You like her and she looks as she likes you so get over with it. Anyway I need to order the stuff for the cafe. I hope you give a thought to what I said.”
“It’s not that simple,” Mike admitted dejectedly and grumpily. “It’s complicated.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” the manager said before leaving to sort out the cafe order.
Mike started to wonder if he should. She was constantly in his mind.
The next time Eliza came was nearly closing time. As usual she will order a few things and it will always be chocolate.
“Don’t women complain about their weights? You eat as if you have no care in the world,” he commented. He saw her surprise expression. For a split second her expression showed vulnerability but it was quickly masked with her same happy-going face that he wondered if he imaged it. She was probably surprised by his change of behaviour. He was not being impolite but asking normally.
“Hmm, you can say that when you come to situation where you realise that life is too short that any experience you didn’t have because you were scared will make you have regret afterwards. I don’t want any regrets. Of course I won’t go overboard and eat what I like without conscience.”
“What situation was it that led you to that?” he asked curiously.
“This and that,” she said in a non-comment manner and then changing the subject, “Are you closing early today.” There were only few staffs remaining.
“No, this is the normal time we close and stop changing the subject.”
The rest of the staff started to leave. Alec could see that Mike had his hard, serious face on and knew that he wanted to have a serious conversation with her so he asked Mike to lock everything before he left. Everyone was gone except for them.
“You come here every day. Even when I’m rude to you but you still don’t budge. What’s the deal? I know you’re hiding something.”
“What makes you think that?” Eliza remained uncooperative.
“The way you avoid serious conversation. For example you are doing it now. Why is that do you think?”
“Do you still hate me?” she asked instead. He was surprised with her sudden question.
“I don’t hate you. I was angry at you for leaving but I don’t hate you,” He said truthfully. “I still don’t know why. You are not forthcoming and you don’t answer any of my questions. I don’t know what to do?”
She looked at him distressed and saddened. It soon changed to nervous and panic as she was consideration on what to say. She even started to play with the bangles. “I didn’t really want to leave you bu--but-”
“But?” He used hand movement encouraging her to carry on. He wanted to hear her answer to see if he meant anything to her like how she was to him.
“I actually ran away from the hospital that day,” she finally admitted it. Whatever his thoughts were he didn’t expect this answer.
“Hospital?” he questioned. He was worried now as she must have been seriously ill. Her next answer confirmed it.
“I had leukaemia.”
He didn’t think one sentence can change everything in matter of seconds. “Why didn’t you tell me,” he said ever so softly.
“How can I tell a complete stranger that I was ill? Actually to tell you the truth I didn’t want to believe what the doctors were telling me. I was scared. I ran from the hospital when I was supposed to have treatment. I told myself if I die then I die. I didn’t care. I did care but I made myself believe that I didn’t.
“But after I met you, I wanted to live so I went back to the hospital to have treatment. I wanted to tell you but I couldn’t. I wasn’t sure if I was going to live. I didn’t want you to suffer. The time I spend with you kept me strong to fight this disease so meeting you was the best thing in my life.” She gave him a heart warming smile.
He grabbed her hand and kissed both her hands. “I’m sorry you have to go through with it alone. I wish I could have been there with you.”
“I lost all my hair you know. I looked dreadful too.”
“I wouldn’t care about something about that. I love you.” His confession shocked them both. He had said it without thinking even though it was true.
“You love me,” she queried.
“Yes,” he finally admitted. “I fell for you the first time I met you.”
“I fell for you too.” She touched his cheeks, “I love you, Mike He. As soon as I was healthy enough and getting permission from my doctor I came to find you. I was hoping you haven’t found anyone.”
“I haven’t found anyone. In fact I couldn’t forget you.” She smiled at that but her smile froze all of a sudden. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh Mike, there’s something else. Something vital I have to say. But I don’t know how to say it. You might even hate me for it.”
“What?” he said now panicking wondering what was so serious. Was she still ill?
“I don’t know how to say it.”
“You’re worrying me, tell me. It can’t be that bad, can it?”
“I’m sorry Mike I don’t know how to say it. I will just have to tell you from the beginning. You see I had the treatment after I left you but it had failed.”
“Failed?”
“Yes, but I got a little surprise. A miracle you can say.”
“Surprise? Miracle? What do you mean?” he sensed that he won’t like the answer.
“I found out I was going to have your baby. I underwent a moderate dose of chemotherapy while I was pregnant. She was delivered a bit early and they used her umbilical cord to save my life. It was touch and go for a while for both of us but we survived. I gave my daughter life and she gave mine back. She saved me.” She looked at him but he was in shock. He was trying to take everything in. He was beyond shock.
“I’m sorry I need to close the shop. It would be a good idea if you left.” Hurt can be seen clearly on her face but he couldn’t do anything. He was too torn up inside. He can understand what she went through but she should have told him as soon as she found out she was pregnant.
She opened the door to leave when he asked her why she didn’t tell him.
“There was a chance that the baby would have not survived. I really didn’t want you to suffer.”
“You didn’t give me a chance. I had the right to choose,” he said angrily.
“I’m sorry and I’ll keep on saying I’m sorry. At the time I had to make a quick judgment thinking what would be the best for us,” she said with her face showing expression of grief. Before she left she left him with something to think about, “Just in case the baby survived and I didn’t, I did notify the doctor to find you. I wanted my daughter to at least have her father. I truly love you. If I didn’t then I know I couldn’t have survived. You kept me strong.” With the last sentence she left.
He went home after he closed up. He still didn’t have an answer the next morning when he went to work he wondered if she will come today.
He was still thinking of her and the daughter he never knew existed before yesterday. He doesn’t even know her name. He was too confused to ask then.
He does still love her though. No matter what, that didn’t change. But he doesn’t know how to go about it. While he was pondering on what to do he saw her come in. She had something with her today. It looked like a baby carrier. His heart was pounding against his ribs and he found it extremely hard to draw air into his lungs. He’s feeling was a mixture of fear of meeting his daughter and anticipation of wanting to know her.
“Li ho,” she greeted him. “There is someone who wants to meet you.”
The baby had her mother’s dark hair and green eyes but she looked identical to him especially when she gave him a toothless grin. In this instant he knew he fell in love with her. It blew his mind that this little girl is his baby girl. He hasn’t thought about fatherhood before and has no experience with them either. He wanted to hold her but he was scared.
“You can take her out from her carrier.” She said softly soothing his fears. As he’s heart slammed against his ribcage, he took several deep breaths before he took her in his arm.
He was silent and just stared at her. He couldn’t have gotten his vocal cords to work even if his life depended on it. After what felt like eternity he managed to get his voice back.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Yes,” she agreed.
“What’s her name?”
“Michelle Hwang He,” she said gently. “I call her Miki for short. I named her after you.”
He was touched. Most of his anger seemed to have evaporated. He knows if he wants them both in his life he needs to think this through. He cannot let his anger of missing out on his daughter affect him or he might lose the mother of his child.
“Li ho, Miki,” he called out his daughter name for the first time. “Did you come to say hello to daddy.” She gave a big smile. Holding her up in his arm he felt so protective of her. He decided on what action to take. Before he could say it she cut in.
“I was not sure on what to do but I wanted you to meet her so I got her. I hardly leave her alone at home as I miss her so much. It is only when I came here every day was the longest I ever left her. I know you’re angry with me and I don’t blame you. But I hope we can be friends for her sake.”
“Friends?” he said puzzled. “Why would I be friends with you?” She looked as if she was about to cry.
“I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to be with me and I know that you hate me now. But I was still hoping that we could be friends. I am-” she was trying to say more but was finding it hard to get it out her throat.
“You’re mistaken.” He finally said. “The reason I can’t be friends with you is because I want to marry you.” She was taken aback with a surprise. Her eyes were getting misty but she was trying to hold her tears back.
“Mike I don’t want to hold up on your work anymore so we will leave for now.”
“Don’t worry as from now I quit.”
“You quit? Why?” she asked looking troubled. “Is it because of me?”
“Yes,” he answered. Before she can say anything he cut in. “The rule for working here is that you have to be single. Also I’m going to take over my dad’s company. He has been pestering to take over but I have been refusing him.”
“What’s the name of the company?”
“It’s Xiang enterprise.” She was shocked. She wondered if it was her turn to be shocked now. She knows that Xiang enterprise is one of the top and riches company in Taiwan. Even her father wanted to do business with them.
“If your dad owns that how come you’re working as a waiter?”
“My dad wanted me to marry the daughter of one of his friend’s. I refused. Both of us can be so stubborn that we refuse to give in. He said he will disown me if i didn't marry her and I of couse told him to go ahead and walked out. I happen to pass an advertisement that says they were looking for good looking waiters and I applied for it. I wanted to piss him off and it had succeeded. He caved in last month and asked me to come back. I said I will think about it. So that’s it.”
He went to tell Alec that was quitting. He thanked him for his help with the apartment and the job. He thought this job was a good experience even though he took it to spite his father.
“So what are your plans,” Alec asked. “Marriage and children?”
“Since I already started on a family. It’s just marriage now.” He said as he introduced his daughter like a proud father. “My daughter, Miki.”
“Well I wonder about that! I haven’t been asked yet,” she said as she was contemplating if she wants to marry him.
“Where are my manners?” Mike quipped. She took her hand while holding his daughter, in front of everyone, he kneeled down and said, “Eliza Hwang, will you do the honour and marry me?”
“Hmm, let me see,” she was taking her time considering his offer. “Of course I would. I love you.” She finally says and bends down and kisses him deeply and softly until they gasped for air. There was a cheer all way round as everyone in the room were listening in on his proposal and they all started to congratulate them. She gave her a quick kiss to her daughter.
“She’s definitely a force to reckon with. She will keep you on your toes for a long time.” Alec commented which Mike agreed on. They ended up having a farewell party. Even the girls were actually happy for them but there few with wistful look as if they wanted to be Eliza’s shoes.
After the party was over they waved to everyone before they went out the cafe like a family of three.
