Sparks Of Delusions

As I kept on having the feeling of being watched since getting that last note, it ran chills down my spine.

It all started when Jody brought me a bouquet of deep blue roses along with a handwritten note.

The penmanship was as captivating and delicate as its words: "It was a pleasure seeing you. These roses symbolize a wonderful day ahead, as you did mine."

Not gonna lie, my heart skipped a beat while reading. But it was soon followed by a tinge of wonder. Who could it be? Little did I know, that innocent note was just the beginning of a sinister game that would consume my every thought.

*Present*

Who could it be? Was it the cute guy by the window? The new guy we hired? Or could it be the guy in the black coat? She pondered with her fingers as they glided along the countertop while she glanced at the suspects.

Not seeing any dots connecting, Maddie sighed and patted her face. Thinking of what she should do with the roses, she got up from her stool, took a deep stretch, and spun at a sixty-degree angle to relax her mind.

The spin caused her to face a petite young girl who stood cleaning a vacant table. As her eyes glowed with an idea as she spotted the girl, "Hey Jody!" Maddie called out.

The girl came to a pause at the sound of her voice. Jody turned to face where the voice of her boss came from. Seeing her standing behind the counter, making a comeback gesture, she walked towards her."Boss, you called?" Jody asked as she stood before Maddie with a tint of confusion traced in her expressions, wondering if something had gone wrong.

"Here, head to the back and try drying them out; we will use them for tomorrow's cakes," Maddie said as she handed the bouquet of roses to the girl. "It's your first time, right?" Maddie questioned Jody as she handed over the bouquet of roses.

Nodding, the girl answered as she took the bouquet. "In that case, ask Matthew; he should be in the back." She pointed toward the back. Hearing the task, Jody's expression relaxed as she said, "Right on it," as she walked to the back room.

"Oh, and Jody, call me Maddie!" She shouted as the girl's back passed through the doors.

Seeing an objective out of the way, she decided to head back to work. Ding, the entrance opened as if it were fate. Smiling as the customer approached the counter where she stood, Maddie exchanged a greeting as she took the order and handed it to him.

Hours flew by with the greetings and orders of the morning and afternoon rush. Exhausted, Maddie took a chair from one of the tables and brought it behind the counter to rest her legs.

Ding, the entrance opened once more. "Hi, good morning. What can I get for you?" She asked as she looked up at a brunette guy with forest green eyes approaching the counter. "Really, Maddie?" he asked with an attitude before saying, "Just give me my usual," as he headed to the backroom. "Roger that!" Maddie exclaimed, saluting the man's figure, before rushing to the equipment and preparing his order.

Moments later, the man returned with a stool, placing it at the left of the register to avoid inconvenienting upcoming customers. Waiting, he watched as Maddie skillfully performed her task. He cracked a small smile at the thought of how breathtaking she was.

After finishing the order, she pretends to struggle carrying the items. Not giving her an expected reaction, the man sat there watching with an amused smile. "Here you go-your chocolate donut along with your dark coffee, no sugar, oh, and as usual, the extra fresh spit for flavor," she announces with a cheeky grin, wiping away invisible sweat as she places the items before him.

Not fazed, he took a sip and muttered a thank you as he watched her sit on the chair and say, "It tastes good," looking more amused.

Hearing that her grin got wider, she proudly said, "Of course." "I made sure to put my foot in...just for you," she craked.

Placing the cup down, he gazed down at her. There, in his eyes, was a tint of longing. He diverted his eyes from her face and asked, "So, how's work going so far?"

"Good, good. It is going well." She answered.

Gasping as she remembered the note, she took it from her pocket and handed it to him. "Marcus, look, I got a note; look here." She said she was boosting her own ego.

Confused, he reads the contents, and he utters, "When did you get this?"

Feeling her throat becoming dry, she took a sip of his coffee. Wide-eyed, she exclaimed, "Wow! It's really good!" as she licked her raspberry lips and answered, "around 10:30."

He glanced as she licked her lips and clenched his fist before tearing away. "Yeah, I just said that." Annoyed, he took back the cup, causing some of its contents to spill along the countertop. "Hey, I was drinking that," she shouted, drowning out his apologies.

Leaning on the counter and placing his hand on his cheek with an eager look, "So, who do you think it could be?" Marcus asked.

"Uhh," she said, getting in a comfortable position. "I am not sure who it could be." She leaned back and folded her arms. "A lot of people come in." Standing to get closer to the man, she leaned forward and whispered, "I hope that it was from that Luke guy; we exchanged numbers. He was jaw-dropping hot and polite too.".

Hearing her whispers in his ears, Marcus breath creased.

Not hearing a sound from him, Maddie assumed he wanted more details. She continued whispering in his ears,He came in around the morning rush; his eyes were deep brown but golden as they glisten in the sun; his body portions were perfect; and don't let me talk about his smile; I would."

"Stop." He said it in a panic as he backed away from her. Rubbing his ear, he said with a tone of horror, "Why? I don't want to do this," as he violently shucked his head.

Watching him as she felt her lips, she shouted. "Why are you being extra?" "It's not like I spat in your ear."

Ignoring her, he stands up and heads toward the exit.

Watching Marcus depart, she calls out, "Wait, are you leaving... but you just got here, so?"

"I have work," he shouted, stopping her in mid-sentence as he walked out the door.

The doors slammed shut, and she was left with only the sound of 'oh' in her head as she wondered why the writer didn't stay.

Watching him walk across the street, she sighed, wishing that he had just stayed a bit longer. Looking down as she thinks about his question, she says softly, "It might be Luke."

Ding, the door opened, and she was brought back to reality.

Forcing a smile, she greeted the approaching customer, "Hi, what can I get for you?".