❦ . ❦ . ❦

Maybe a cup of coffee in the morning could make everything better for a short while.

A proper cup of coffee at breakfast. One that had a distinct tang of roasted beans. Not anything lighter than milk tea. Not something sweeter than soda.

Laurence yawned and scratched his nape, blinking his sleepiness away, as he traveled the street with lazy gaits. The hot chocolate Florence's mother had prepared for him an hour ago failed to arouse his senses. Not even the abrupt beeps of the vehicles on the highway at seven a.m. could startle him to alertness.

It was just the beginning of the day, yet his brain was already exhausted. He had to make an excuse about going to the office earlier than usual because he'd wanted to dodge Ralph Villena's offer to drive him and go to work together. He knew the old man was trying to reclaim some of the control over his son, and Laurence would not allow it to happen.

The view of the bamboo palm by the front door of the Renascence Café encouraged him to increase his speed.

No one attended the counter when he entered the shop. Looking around, he found Jino squatting next to the interior column at the corner and tending to two different plants with white flowers, which both resembled brass instruments. The sunrays seeped through the glass walls, granting light and warmth upon the bushes inside.

"Are those morning glories and thornapples?" Laurence asked as he approached the young café employee.

Jino raised his head and grinned. "You're early, Mr. Florence." His gaze flicked at the plants for a second. "Are you familiar with these, sir?"

"Kinda," Laurence said in a whisper. There was no way he wouldn't know when these were few of his mother's favorites; one that unfurled its petals in daylight and the other that bloomed at night. Despite their contrasting traits, his mom loved both as the representations of the ephemeral nature of all existence in the universe. They served as a reminder that not even the most precious things would stay forever, so people should treasure every single second of their lives while they lasted.

The memory of the woman singing to the same flowers in their backyard garden at dawn brought a pensive smile on Laurence's lips. As he revisited the filmesque scene from his childhood, he could almost smell the fresh beans his father used to brew at daybreak. Everything about that certain episode stayed vivid in his mind. His pops walking to his mom in the middle of the colorful blossoms and handing her a steaming cup of coffee. He and his brother running to their parents to get their morning hugs. And his whole family spending breakfast in the garden.

He would have cherished those moments to the fullest if he'd known they would fade too soon.

"Mr. Florence?"

Laurence let out a tired sigh. The complicacies in his life these recent days must have caused him to miss his family more than usual. He wished there were people who could advise him what to do or at least recharge him with the cutest cuddles.

"Ah, yeah, it's 'cause my mom..." He cleared his throat. "I mean, her acquaintance, who loves gardening. I've learned a couple of things about flowers from her."

"I see." With his gloved hands, the café attendant placed the wilted leaves and flowers in the plastic bag. He stood up. "You're here for breakfast or morning drink, sir?"

"Just black coffee."

Jino smiled. "Please, give me a minute to clean up first," he said, proceeding to the counter area and slipping to the door behind it. True to his words, he didn't take long to come back.

While the young attendant was preparing his order, Laurence noted how there were a few more plants in the shop compared to when he'd last visited a couple of days ago. Out of nowhere, a certain entry in Florence's journal about the rumor that Renascence Café reminded Isaac of someone special cropped up in his memory.

That someone special, he didn't mean... Laurence shook his head and told his restless heart to settle down. Nah, no way. That's stupid, and it's only a rumor.

"Did you start working here because you like the atmosphere?" he asked once Jino handed him the cup of coffee and a bunch of napkin tissues. He took a sip of the drink, an appreciative sound leaving his mouth as the strong smell and taste guided him to complete wakefulness. "You seem to be fond of the plants, too."

His curiosity got a soft chuckle out of Jino. "Not necessarily. It's just part of my job to learn about taking care of them. My bosses are the ones into this kind of ambience, after all." The young attendant propped his arms on the edge of the counter. He gazed upward and surveyed the surroundings. "I can't say I don't like it, though."

"Right? It gives off a relaxing vibe." Laurence lowered his head. He tried to make out the reflections on the coffee, but the dark liquid made the figures vague. Murky, like his present life. As if the obscure images in the drink could answer him, he said, "Do you know the real story of why Isaac, I mean, Mr. Ruiz partnered up—"

The gentle tinkle of the wind chime jolted Laurence. Two young women wearing the uniforms of the nearby college came into the shop. A few steps behind them, Violet also arrived.

As the newcomers went to the counter, Laurence excused himself, gave the female café owner a short greeting, and rushed out of the place. He let out an inaudible curse at his earlier impulse to pry personal information about Isaac from an unsuspecting worker.

The hell do I care?

He chugged his black coffee, hoping it would subdue the tumult in his mind. Because of his abruptness when he drew the cup away from his lips, an amount of the drink spilled on the bottom side of his dress shirt.

"Hell." Laurence wiped the affected area before shoving the bunch of napkins into the open pocket of his sling bag. He inspected his top. The brown blot on the pastel yellow fabric put a frown on his face.

It was a brand new shirt, but what made him feel worse was the fact that Jade had bought it for him. Although he knew the coffee stain could be easily washed, he still thought he should have taken extra care of the other people's presents.

On the bright side, the spot was on the hem and a simple half-tuck would do the job of hiding it. Laurence shifted his green sling bag—another thing Jade had gifted him—to cover the mark in the meantime.

He reached the pedestrian crossing in a couple of strides. While waiting for the green signal, he pondered about how the older Villena sibling had been pampering him with all kinds of gifts and attention. Had she always been this close to his brother?

Laurence's fingers tightened around the strap of his bag. Florence had not once mentioned his relationship with his older sister in his journal. But then again, hardly had the guy ever written about the positive aspects in his life, so his notes were not enough to get a general idea of what kind of person Jade Villena ever was. It could have been natural for the woman to be indulgent with the people she cared about and she might have only gotten the chance to spend more time with Rence nowadays.

Even when they'd hung out, Jade had shopped for some clothes and accessories for him because Laurence wouldn't get anything for himself.

It was not like he was lacking in money. Or at least Florence wasn't. And with the help of a few legal papers, medical certificates, and Camila Villena, whom the son had listed as his beneficiary, Laurence had gained access to Florence's financial accounts. Still, the awareness that it was someone else's hard-earned funds made him hesitate to splurge on unnecessary stuff.

As absurd as it sounded, Laurence could not get over the notion that Florence was alive somewhere, and the guy might need his assets back when he returned.

The rush of people swept Laurence, forcing him to move forward as the pedestrian light turned green. He observed everyone's steps while his mind wandered to the possibility that Florence's soul had survived the same way it did with him.

Regardless of what Isaac had revealed about his supposed death, nothing confirmed that someone else had been in his body at that time. So what were the chances that Florence Villena had lost his life in place of Laurence Villegas?

❦ . ❦ . ❦

At lunch break, Laurence told Odessa he wouldn't be able to join her because he had to make a summary of the reports the other departments had submitted to them at the last minute. The woman went out first, but in the end, Laurence finished the work earlier than he'd expected, so he was able to visit the Renascence Café.

What met him first upon setting foot inside the coffee shop was the sight of the owners chatting with each other at the counter. Or more like Violet talking with a cheerful beam and animate waves of her hands while Isaac listened, his expression serious, not bothering to match his business partner's enthusiasm.

Laurence snorted. What a strange pairing.

He went to the counter, ignoring the two, and ordered his lunch. Triple-decker BLT, chicken salad, cream of mushroom soup, and black tea. Jino told him his food would be ready in fifteen minutes.

The excited story-telling of Violet petered out. Laurence glanced to his side to check why the woman had become silent. His stomach did a little somersault as he discovered that Isaac's attention was now on him.

"Have you always been a big eater?" Isaac asked, the goading loud in his words, although people who had no idea what he was doing might not hear it.

Laurence took a deep breath, making sure he had a calm voice before he said, "You know I was out for almost a year, sir, so I'd need all the nutrients I can get to restore everything I lost during those times."

"And you've been up for a while. You seem to have already recovered just fine."

"It may seem like it, but it's not." Laurence curled his twitching fingers and stopped the urge to sneer. "It's my own body, isn't it? Pretty sure I know how it's feeling more than anyone else."

To his side, he noticed Violet, whose grin had reduced to a faint smile, watching them. Laurence acknowledged her with a stiff bow.

The young CEO scanned his male assistant from head to toe. Amusement flitted across his lips. "Your own body. Certainly."

This smartass bastard. So what, you ain't even gonna try hard to hide your cheekiness in front of other people now?

Since he didn't want to give his boss the satisfaction of seeing him fumble with responses, Laurence told the pair he'd wait for his order at the table. Without hearing any answer, he left the counter to search for Odessa.

The woman was settled at the table next to the glass window with the view of the café's greenhouse. A distant look was in her eyes that were pointed somewhere but the half-eaten sandwich and salad on her plates.

Laurence walked to her and called out her name.

Odessa's shoulders jerked. She blinked and whipped her head. "Oh, Rence, you're here."

"Yeah, sorry." Taking the seat in front of her, Laurence explained how he finished the summary of the report sooner.

With a nod, Odessa picked up her fork and continued her lunch, but not before casting another glimpse behind her companion.

Her behavior prompted Laurence to follow the direction of her stares, and he was redirected to the scene at the counter where Isaac and Violet had resumed their conversation. Possibly because there were not many people eating at this hour that they had the time to slack off. Even Jino got the chance to play around with his phone while waiting for new customers.

His interest fixed on the pair of café owners. The more he studied them, the more he understood that those two might be a good match. Their opposite personalities complemented each other. Appearance-wise, they were both gorgeous people, and the image of them standing side by side was a wonder to behold.

Several needles poked at Laurence's chest, but he ignored it as he focused back on the colleague in front of him. He remembered what Florence had mentioned in his journal about this woman being into the owner of the Renascence Café, and he figured the assumption might be on the mark.

Odessa must have really liked Violet.

But Violet... Laurence sent Odessa a compassionate smile, recalling how happy the female café owner had been while talking to her business partner.

How complicated. And there was still that rumor about Isaac and Florence, which appeared to worry Odessa these recent days. It might have troubled her because she didn't want Violet to be hurt, in case Isaac turned out to be in a relationship with someone else.

But ain't that supposed to make her relieved those two won't be together, and she'd have more chance to win Violet? A quiet dry laugh broke out of Laurence's lips at how thorny feelings could get. He wondered if some people's love could be so selfless that they were willing to put their dearest's happiness above their own.

The arrival of his food distracted him from his thoughts. Laurence conveyed his thanks for the service.

"Oh, that's right, Rence," Odessa said as soon as the café attendant left. She took out a small glass bottle and passed it to him. "We thought you wouldn't make it here for lunch, so Violet told me to give it to you."

"This is..." Removing the cap of the container, he caught the earthy sweet scent of the ground leaves inside.

"It was the improved version of the blended tea sample that Jino gave us last time. Violet said she prepared it, especially for you, and she was excited to get your feedback about it." Odessa threw a furtive glance over Laurence's shoulder. She twirled her fork in the coleslaw. "Maybe after all that calling out about ruining a perfectly good coffee and tea, she was thrilled to know you're finally appreciating them."

"Then I should—"

"Hey." A masculine voice interrupted Laurence.

A voice too familiar that it caused him to stiffen once he realized it had come to his side. So close, as if it was speaking to him.

Slowly, in suspense, he looked up at the presence that had loomed at their table. His heart leaped into his throat as he recognized the dark brown eyes of the tall figure standing next to his seat.

"Thought so. I knew it was you," the man said in a light tone, his words and actions confirming he was indeed referring to Laurence.

"What—"

"You're that admin officer with the big boss the other week, yeah?"

Laurence slackened his shoulders, a mix of emotions washing over him. Relief, since for a moment, he was convinced he'd been found out. Disappointment, because a part of him wished that had been the case.

"Yeah... yes. And you're..." Laurence swallowed and managed a polite smile. "I might have seen you before too. The construction? From Black Crystal Builders, right?"

"Didn't expect you to remember." The man grinned. He rubbed his hand, which was not holding a cup of coffee, on his cargo shorts and offered it to Laurence. "Grey Calma."

The struggle to absorb the reality of the situation delayed Laurence's reactions. He was thrilled with this unexpected opportunity to interact with his best friend again. At the same time, he feared this might have all been a dream that would crush him after providing him with false hope.

His quivering fingers shot to accept Grey's extended hand just as the man was about to withdraw.

"I'm..." Laurence reined in the desire to introduce himself with his real name. Soon, he thought to console himself. Soon, you'd be able to chat with your friends like usual again. This is a good start. "Florence Villena. Close people call me Rence for short."

Grey's hold became rigid. His brows knitted. "Rence?"

"Yeah, something wrong?" Laurence asked, playing it cool as if he'd not let out the bit of information on purpose.

"No." Grey shook his head, getting unfocused for a second. "You just remind me of a late... of an old friend. Your names sound the same and..." The corner of his lips tensed, and an upset-sounding chuckle escaped. "We used to call him Rence too."

"Is that right? So, are you here for a business visit to the main office?"

Grey opened and closed his mouth. He let go of Laurence's hand. "Ah, yes, something like that."

"Figured. I'm kinda surprised to see you here since your home's far—I mean." To cover up the slip, Laurence said, "I just assumed you lived near the site you were working last time, and it's far from here. By the way, isn't it kinda awkward talking like this? Wouldn't you want to sit down with us for a minute?"

Gesturing at the table, Laurence turned to Odessa. "And this is..." His statement fell away from his tongue as a dark emotion he'd never seen on the woman before crossed her face.

Odessa aimed her narrowed eyes at Grey.

"No, it's fine. I'm about to go anyway," Grey said.

"Oh, yeah? I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce you," Laurence said, tentative, "this is Odessa, my officemate." He turned his head at the other man, but his curious gaze remained on Odessa. "And you probably heard Grey earlier. He's from Black Crystal Builders. I suppose you know that one under the ND Corporation."

Grey nodded at Odessa and reverted to the civil demeanor he often reserved for the administrative people who often visited their site. In return, the woman paid him with a stilted greeting.

It didn't take Grey another minute to bid them goodbye. As he exited the café, Odessa frowned at his retreating form.

Once he was out of their sight, Laurence asked in concern, "What's the matter? Do you know him?"

The dim expression cleared. Odessa gaped as if she'd been yanked out of a deep hypnotism. "Hah, no, sorry. What?"

"Grey—Mr. Calma. Do you know him?"

His question didn't sink in soon.

As the clock ticked, the few customers began to leave the coffee shop.

"Sorry, not really..." Odessa mumbled after a beat and stabbed her sandwich with a fork. "I just thought he looked like someone I know."