Love, Lies & Lattes

The next morning, Kiara arrived at Brew-tiful Days before dawn. The street was still asleep, dew glistening on parked cars, and the smell of roasted beans filled the café as she prepped the first batch of coffee.

She worked in silence, her thoughts louder than the grinder.

That video hadn’t left her mind. Rohan standing alone outside her café—no crowd, no smug smile, no confrontation. Just... presence. It didn’t fit the version of him she’d built in her head.

But she shoved the thought away, focusing instead on setting up a new “Local Loyalty” board—offering discounts to returning customers and spotlighting regulars. If she couldn’t compete with flashy coupons, she’d compete with community.

An hour later, as Meera walked in, yawning and wrapped in a hoodie, Kiara was already scribbling chalk quotes on the menu board.

Meera blinked. “You’ve either had a very good night’s sleep or absolutely none.”

Kiara didn’t look up. “Somewhere in between.”

Meera approached slowly. “Still thinking about the video?”

“I’m thinking about how easy it is to misjudge people,” Kiara replied, pausing. “And how hard it is to stop once you’ve started.”

Meera didn’t comment. She just grabbed an apron and quietly started the morning playlist.

By noon, the café had picked up steam. Kiara was mid-order when a familiar voice floated through the hum of conversation.

“Nice quote on the board. A little optimistic for someone so… competitive.”

She looked up slowly.

Rohan Kapoor stood at the counter, dressed down for once—no blazer, no pretense, just a dark sweater and jeans. His smile wasn’t smug today. If anything, it was guarded.

Kiara stared at him for a beat too long before replying, “Some people need optimism to survive the week.”

Rohan nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the café. “Looks like your survival tactics are working.”

She stepped behind the counter, keeping her tone cool. “Coffee?”

He held up a hand. “Actually… I came to return something.”

From his coat pocket, he pulled out a small, rolled-up paper bag. Kiara frowned, taking it cautiously. Inside was a fabric badge—her old “Brew-tiful Days” logo pin.

“I found it under one of your patio chairs,” he said. “Probably from your late-night rush last week.”

Kiara stared at the pin, something tightening in her chest. She hadn’t even realized it was missing.

“Thanks,” she said after a pause, voice quieter now.

He nodded once, as if unsure what to say next. And for a second, neither of them moved.

Then Rohan stepped back.

“Well, I won’t overstay my welcome. Just wanted to return what’s yours.”

She watched him walk toward the door, but just before he reached it, she called out—almost against her will.

“Rohan.”

He turned, eyebrows raised.

She hesitated, words catching somewhere between pride and curiosity. “Why were you here the other night?”

His face didn’t change, but something in his eyes shifted—subtle, unreadable.

“I was passing by,” he said simply. “That’s all.”

And before she could ask anything else, he pushed open the door and disappeared into the afternoon sun.

Kiara stared at the spot where he’d stood, the badge still warm in her hand.

For once, she had nothing to say.