Hot Chocolate

Love is like swallowing hot chocolate

Before it has cooled off

It takes you by surprise at first

But keeps you warm for a long time

And you,

You are the marshmallows

Topped with whipped cream

And a sprinkle of cinnamon

Sweet and all

Mine

"And I-I-I will al-wa-a-ays love yo-o-ou." The medley of love songs played out as a shadow slipped into the old, coffee shop. The door shutting gently. Red love booths lined back to back, as the smell of coffee wafted through the air. The boy approached the counter. His black hair wind-swept from the cold winds outside. The girl behind the counter was cleaning up a small spill with her back to the door and hadn't noticed his entrance at all. He tapped his foot against the polished, wooden floor. Still, she kept humming away, unaware of his presence. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Excuse me?"

The girl looked up banging her head on the cupboard above her. Her blue-tipped hair falling across her face.

"Ouch!"

Groaning in pain, she turned around. Upon, noticing a customer, her face brighten up.

"I'm sooooo sorry! Hello! Welcome to Café Eros! I hope you have been having a good day today. How may I help you?"

Her voice was annoyingly perky and irritated him.

"A cup of hot chocolate, please."

It came out ruder than he meant but she didn't seem to notice at all.

"Whipped cream?"

"Sure."

"Anything else? Some cakes or pastries?

"No, just the hot chocolate."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"The brownies are good. Freshly baked. Comes with a scoop of ice cream."

The girl had turned around and stopped focusing on him. Meddling with some things he couldn't see from this angle.

"No. I just want the hot chocolate."

"You sure?"

The boy felt annoyed, his ice-blue eyes glared at her as he flew a piece of fringe that fell in front of his eyes. He snapped.

"How annoying can you get? Either get me a hot chocolate or I'm leaving."

"But there isn't another coffee shop for about 4 blocks."

He sighed exasperated. He knew there was no coffee shop close by but if it took this much effort just to get a hot chocolate then it would probably be worth it. How much work can it be just to get a cup of hot chocolate? Why on earth is this girl so annoying?

"You know what, I'm leaving."

The boy turned away. The girl swept her black hair away from her eyes as she spun back around.

"Whoa there. Hold your horses. You can go, but you have to pay for the hot chocolate first. Especially, since it's already done. See?"

The boy turned to face the counter. The hot chocolate was indeed done, with whipped cream on top. Not only that, but there were chocolate sprinkles and marshmallows too.

"You seemed like you needed something sweet. That will be $7.50."

He stared at her dumbfounded then pulled out the money. He hesitated and pulled a $20 bill and a $10 bill. He glanced at the cakes laid out in the case.

"I won't take the brownie but I will have a slice of cheesecake."

"Certainly, that will be $23.50. Your change is $6.50. The cheesecake is the best in town. I like it lots but I thought you needed something sweeter. Obviously though you have great taste."

Pulling out a slice of cheesecake, the girl chatted on.

"We may be the only coffee shop for 4 blocks, but business here is so bad. Its so boring, I'm always happy when we get customers."

Great. Good for you."

"I've never met the owner but the old lady who employed me was very kind, like a second mother. She passed away recently and left the shop to me."

"Sorry for your lost."

"Its okay. I miss her, but I don't really think about it. What is your name?"

"What?"

"What is your name?"

"Why do you need to know that."

"I need to write it here."

"Why?"

The girl was pointing to a black, leather-bound book. With gold letters the words, Café Eros was written on the cover.

"Every time, someone new enters the shop, I have to write their name down. That was one of the requirements of working at this shop. No clue why though."

"I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours."

"Oh, okay. My name's Aria Robin Love."

"How ironic, Ms. Love working at the shop that belongs to the god of love."

"What? Oh. I've actually never realized that. That's funny."

She started to wipe the counter as she giggled at the joke he made.

"Nico Griffin Xavier."

"Xavier. Xavier. Ah! You don't happen to be-"

"Yes. My father is the owner of Xavier Enterprises. Biggest luxury hotel company in the world currently. Also the biggest booking and shipping company."

"Cool."

Surprised at her lack of enthusiasm, he didn't know how to react.

"You. You don't care?"

"Nah. Not really. I mean my dad just happens to be the founder of the biggest hospitals and medical centers in the world today. Meeting someone who is rich doesn't really surprise me anymore."

"Wait, your father doesn't happen to be-"

"Alexander Falcon Love? Yeah, that's him."

"Then why are you working in an empty store that is pretty much rundown?"

"Why are you buying hot chocolate from an empty store that is pretty much rundown?"

"Touché. I wanted to have some hot chocolate."

"I wanted to work and not live off my dad's money."

"Okay."

"Great."

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That night, long gone was the light. Everyone snoring softly in bed. A soft golden glow arose a leather-bound black book and shot out from the keyhole of the shop. Pausing as if to grab its senses, it shaked a little, before splitting into two and heading in two complete directions. A special bond was to be formed.