Anna finally let Rachel sleep at three after she was fully convinced that Rachel had no hidden detail about Chris. Anna's benevolent gesture was also due the fact that by that time Rachel was barely coherent and even with her ear pressed next to Rachel's mouth she wasn't able to decipher the words from the random mumblings.

Rachel got up early next morning, and was dead on her feet. She glanced at Anna who was already up and smiling at her.

"Don't you need rest?" Rachel screamed.

"Nah. You know me Rach I feed and live on gossip," Anna beamed as she got up from the bed and skipping went to Rachel's kitchen.

Rachel stood and followed her out yawning loudly, barefoot with her hair rumpled up.

They sat opposite each other on the table with mugs brimming with coffee as Anna sang erotic love songs and dedicated them to Rachel and Chris while Rachel kept her head down on her hands and desperately tried to ignore her too cheerful bidding.

"You know what?" Anna chirped. Rachel just raised her eyebrows.

"I am going to be working at 'The Pri' as a temporary waitress."

"What?" Now Rachel was wide awake, “Why? Anna it's not a joke. You know why I chose to work there."

Anna simply nodded her head furiously and took a long sip of her coffee, "Yes, but no play makes Rachel a dull girl," she said the sentence with finality as if stating a fact.

Rachel groaned and sighed. She knew Anna and she knew once her decision was made not even God could change it. She begrudgingly left the table and went for a shower after expressing her intense displeasure on the said topic.

.........

Anna loved the Pri,"It is so cute, just like a little doll house cafe. Hell! Who is that bi," at Rachel's glare changed her tone; she smiled and amended herself," biotch."

"How can you even judge someone like that?" Rachel shook her head at Anna in disappointment. The girl whom Anna was pin- pointing was none other than Trina.

“Because, what girl will sit and color her nails garish fluorescent orange when there is so much work to do?" Anna tried to justify her action.

“I chose her for the very same reason," Rachel quipped.

Anna gave Rachel a glance of disbelief as she picked up the fresh tablecloths and said," You my friend are truly weird."

Soon, the cafe was full of people and Anna was enjoying herself playing the role of a waitress to the hilt. She even found time to inform Rachel who was behind the cash counter tallying up her stock that it all seemed so real.

Rachel just rolled her eyes. She wanted to point out that this was in fact the real deal but decided against bursting Anna's happy bubble.

Anna came and pinched Rachel none too lightly on her waist. Rachel yelped and glared at her, “Check out. There come your parents. You didn't tell me they were going to dine here?"Anna scowled at Rachel.

Rachel jumped from her seat and rushed to the table currently being occupied graciously by her parents.

She stood near her mother's chair and whisper yelled at her dad, “What are you both doing here?"

Her dad looked at her mother as he took her hand in his and smiled at Rachel, “I am here to treat my stunning wife to breakfast."

"You're really making me angry now," Rachel glowered at her parents.

Maria, Rachel's mum quipped," You know what is funny Richard?"

Richard gave his wife his undivided attention," What, my love?"

"This beautiful woman standing right here, unceremoniously glaring at us resembles a lot like our ONLY daughter," Maria furrowed her brows and looked at Rachel up and down.

“Goodness, you’re absolutely right. You mean the daughter who hasn't visited us, her only parents for the past one week," Richard beamed at Rachel as if noticing her standing there for the first time.

Rachel simply rolled her eyes at their antics.

“I speak with you every morning and evening, righteously,” when her mother just continued to glare at her, she quickly added, “I apologize, alright? Why did you have to come here?" Rachel tried to rebuke her parents.

She couldn’t very well tell them the reason for her non-compliance of the visiting rules. Her mind had been daintily pre-occupied by one man who refused to leave her dreams alone and always left her writhing in desire and pretty unsatisfied.

"Desperate situations call for desperate measures," her father twinkled at her.

"Dad, mum. You will get me in trouble. Please leave," Rachel pleaded.

"Do you promise to be home tonight or do we have to make this our regular eating place?" Maria asked looking squarely in Rachel's eyes.

"Yes. I promise," she gestured them to leave again.

Maria shook her head, “Now, be a sweet little waitress and go get your menu. Also, please tell Anna, she looks lovely today. Will it be possible for you to give your amazing parents a hug?" she further enquired looking pretty pleased.

"No, mum. Sorry dad. I will give you hundreds of bone crushing ones when I get home," she huffed and left to get the menu not before she overheard her dad retort, “We will be looking forward to them. Love you too"

Anna stood near the counter literally bouncing on her feet and exclaimed," I utterly love your parents, serves you right for ignoring them. "

Rachel muttered, "Unbelievable" and watched as her own best friend turned hostile towards her.

Anna quickly grabbed the menus and rushed to serve her parents.

Rachel watched as her manager having recognized her parents rushed towards their table and began fussing over them. 

Her parents left after a while giving her a meaningful stare which Rachel countered with an innocent smile.

........

It was evening now; Rachel and Anna had planned on leaving for home in another hour. Rachel was having withdrawal symptoms. For the past week, everyday she had seen Chris but today after yesterday's date, he was nowhere to be seen.

Was he just being polite? Did he not like the date or me? Oh! Who was she kidding; a supermodel with a heavenly body must have snatched his wandering attention. She scolded herself for trusting too much, for being so very hopeful. He even had her number but didn't bother calling, texting or even ‘se….xting’.

‘Control Rachel’, she scolded her crazy hormones, ‘Less of self-pitying, more of work. ‘

Rachel stood on a stepping stool, struggling to stack some registers on the top cup-board. She upset her balance further by stretching up on her tiptoes on the less-than-stable stool, and she surely would have stumbled to a very painful concussion if at the very right moment a pair of strong hands hadn't fastened securely at her waist.

Surprised at the contact, Rachel yelped and jumped a little but the hands continued to hold her in place, and she recognized the familiar masculine scent as it engulfed her, causing her senses to respond in a very inappropriate manner . Her lower abdomen ached for immediate release. She tried to ignore the sensations that had been calling out to her the entire day.

Focus, Rachel. But, those sturdy arms felt amazing; she felt protected, secure and could spend an entire life time in them. 

A low chuckle drifted up to her ears. She leaned back and her back pressed against his chest, she enjoyed the warmth of the spontaneous cuddle.

Rachel loved it.

She glanced over her shoulder to see a grinning handsome Chris holding her steady and she felt her heart skitter around in her chest the precise way a heart shouldn't.

"Don't do that," she said in an attempt to take control of the feeling. "Sneak up on me like that; I nearly jumped out of my skin."

"What? Would you prefer to fall? Not that I'd mind, of course; I'd always be here to catch you, Cassandra," he winked up at her and kept his hands right where they were. As per usual, Chris wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to touch her.

Cassandra, the name sounded delicious on his lips. He loved the way her body responded to his touch. He wanted more; to touch her, to hold her, kiss her. He missed these sensations and couldn’t stop himself from barging in her café. He had to look at her. She was turning out to be his sweet addiction.

"That's just about the worst line you’ve used on me."

"Oh, I don't know about that, Cassandra; I've used some rather bad lines on you,” Chris said thoughtfully. His index fingers strayed almost casually to her stomach, “Due to the indisputable fact that it has managed to bring a smile on your beautiful face, I won’t call it the worst."

"So, are you stalking me?" Rachel looked at Chris and asked playfully.

Chris looked over at her and smiled lazily, "Not that I'm aware of, but I could if you wanted me to, Cassandra."

Rachel laughed, squirming pleasantly as Chris's fingertips traced the slight curve of her waist, “I guess you can put me down now?”

"How about no," Chris frowned good-naturedly, "The only place I am willing to put you down is on a bed.”

Another burst of laughter escaped her throat, rendering her feigned indignation useless, " Flirt."

"To be fair, you’re gorgeous, –"

Rachel scoffed, but she was enjoying what his hands were doing to her now. Not that she'd ever tell him that, of course, "It seems to me that you and I have vastly different ideas of romance."

"What would you like then, my gorgeous lady?" Chris laughed and asked, genuinely curious as he grazed his fingertips lightly against her arms, "Champagne, roses, candlelight? I could tell you how attractive you are."

Rachel shivered from the delightful contact, “You have already told me that."

Chris sighed dramatically," How about this? I will tell you you're beautiful, you remark upon my –"

"Intelligence?" Rachel struggled against her smile but couldn't manage it.

"Sure, that."

"Shut up," Rachel giggled and got off the stool while Chris grabbed her hand before she could retreat, pulling her against his chest and wrapping his arms securely around her waist. Rachel was enjoying this closeness way too much.

"You know, I'm notoriously bad at shutting up," Chris reminded her, "Now, if you could give my mouth some sort of alternative, I'm sure we could work something out."

Rachel lifted an eyebrow and leaned back as he leaned in, “You’re really on your game this evening, aren't you?"

"It is for a worthy cause," he justified, Rachel moved her fingertips on his arms around her waist, his grip slackened as his hands moved to capture her hands in his, Rachel managed to step out of his arms.

“No, it's not," she informed him in an undertone that made him shiver. He could just imagine other things she could say in that tone of voice and those kinds of fantasies weren't exactly safe when he had her close, no matter how much they were just teasing.

She laughed when Chris whimpered and gave her that dramatically wide-eyed reproachful look. She shook her head as the smile continued to toy with her lips.

Rachel rolled her eyes to distract herself from whatever her traitorous body was trying to do to her, “Go sit on your table before I strangle you, yeah?"

Chris raised an eyebrow, "So you're into gagging?"

"Yes. If it'll shut you up," Rachel quipped back at him. She loved his innuendos and the way his harmless teasing made her smile.

He winked at her. "Duly noted, Cassandra," he walked towards the cash counter and sat down right in front of it.

Anna winked at Rachel while Rachel looked up towards Chris and saw him seated with his friend.

Chris sat down, waved a greeting at Trina as Anna bounced towards Rachel,” He is such a hot beast but who is that little hottie monster accompanying him. Not bad looking, eh?”

She shook her head, left Anna there and sat behind the counter facing Chris and his friend.

His friend cleared his throat, nudged him and stood in front of the counter," So, I am going to play a game with you to measure how intelligent you are. “

“What?” she glanced at Chris who looked visibly amused and tipped his head.

“Alright, I will bite.”

“But you will have to make a bet first. How about a kiss?” he wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

“Hey!” Chris butted in and took hold of his friend’s head in a headlock.

His friend laughed and Rachel just smiled. ”Can you blame me for trying, she is strikingly beautiful,” his friend remarked, “Alright! As Chris won’t let you to kiss me, how about you kiss him on the cheek if I win, what say?”

Rachel laughed and asked, “And what if I win?”

His friend just shook his head, “Not possible. But if you manage to do the impossible then we will decide your prize on the spot but I know you won’t.”

“That confident, eh?” Rachel smiled taking in the challenge.

“So, I am going to ask you four questions to which you have to give me all wrong answers. We shall start now.”

“Alrightie,” Rachel chimed.

“What town are we in?”

“New Delhi,” Rachel smoothly answered.

“What country is this?”

“Australia.”

“What's today's date?”

“111 BC.”

Then, he paused and asked her, “Sorry, how many questions was that?”

Rachel smiled and laughed, “Two.”

Chris bursted out in laughter as he saw his friend’s shocked face. He knew, no one had defeated his friend in this game till now and Chris was mighty impressed.

“Ah, you got me. You've played this before, haven't you?” his friend asked gloomily.

“Like I told Chris yesterday, I don’t kiss and tell. So, now my prize,” Rachel smiled and winked.

He just laughed and lifted his hands in defeat, “Anything, my lady.”

“I am feeling pretty generous today; I will think of something and let you know Mr.? Rachel replied.

The man took her hand in his, “I am Robert Han, Chris's close friend and your knight in the shining armor and I am the one who is going to reveal all the dirty secrets," he looked at Chris and smirked.

Chris simply rolled his eyes, "Don't scare the lady now." He watched as a girl came over to Cassandra, flopped down rather ungracefully in front of them.

With an arm around Rachel, Anna stated," She is my property. Don't hog her. By the way, I am Anna; Cassandra's bestest, most beautiful friend and it’s a pleasure to meet you."

Chris smiled and returned her polite greeting. While Rob stood up, raked his eyes over Anna and exclaimed,” Where have you been all my life? “

Anna made a pish- posh sound and looked at Rob firmly in his eyes and said,”Hiding from you.”

Rachel shook her head and looked at an amused Chris as she asked," So, was there a specific reason that you guys decided to grace us with your charming presence or just normal coffee time?”

Chris took Anna’s hand in his and said, “Tomorrow, would you and Anna like to go out with us for scuba diving?”

“Definitely,” Anna squealed, “We would love to.”

Rachel just shook her head and nodded a yes as some light hearted banter flowed freely between them. 

**************

Hi, my beautiful people.

The game plays out as this-

Rob tells her...he is going to ask her FOUR questions and she has to give all WRONG answers..

First question: What town are we in?

Second question: What country?

Third question: Date?

Fourth question: Sorry, how many questions was that?

Rachel says ...two for the last one... as she had to give all WRONG answers and when he asks her 'Sorry, how many questions was that?'.....THAT IS also a question.

Hope you're enjoying the story...No, no. Don't say no. Just love it...Because I love you. *Gives a flying kiss*

Warmest Regards,

HIndia

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