Coffee and Roses

Tale 11

Tale 11
The Twin’s Guest

“Mommy we’re home!” Nikola said as they enter the door

“Hello Little Bosses.” A customer greeted them

“You’re still as cute as ever.” Another customer said

“So adorable.” Another one commented

The twins smiled at the customers as they ran towards their mother.

“Mommy! Mommy! We made a new friend today!” Nikola excitedly said

Primrose who’s busy making some iced coffee, was surprised to hear that.

Didn’t they sent home their classmates crying just a few days ago? Who was the brave soul who befriended her twins?

Well, whoever he is, Primrose is glad.

“That’s good. Why don’t you invite him over to our cafe sometimes?” Primrose

“W-we did, Mommy.” Niclaud

“He’ll be here later!” Nikola said with visible excitement

“Oh? Then should I bake some cookies?” Primrose

“No Mommy. But can you bake a Tiramisu Cake for us? We promised to share some to him.” Nikola

Primrose was surprised once again. Tiramisu Cake is the twins’ favourite so it’s not for sale at their cafe. Do they like this new friend of them that much?

“Well, it’s nice to know that you made a new friend so I’ll bake your favourite cake right away.” Primrose

“Yehey!” Nikola

“T-thank you Mommy.” Niclaud

She watched with a smile as the twins sat down at a table to work on their assignments while waiting for their friend to come.

Customers come and go. But the twin’s guest is still not here.

“Do you think he will still come over?” Nikola asked as he stare at the door

“I.. I think he will..” Niclaud

“Have this for now.” Primrose placed a cup of hot chocolate in front of Niclaud and a glass of chocolate Ice-cream in front of Nikola.

Niclaud who inherited Primrose’s affinity for Water, is sensitive to cold, so he would still drink hot chocolate even on a warm summer day like today.

While Nikola who have affinity to Fire, is sensitive to heat. So he likes cold food and drinks.

The twins would share their mana to each other by holding each other’s hands. That way, Nikola won’t suffer much from the heat, and Niclaud won’t feel too cold.

Clang

The bell by the door suddenly rang, and the twins’ eyes lit up upon seeing the person who arrived.

Alondra and Madeline gawked in amazement.

“Isn’t that the baker across the street?” Alondra whispered to Madeline

“Why is he here?” Madeline asked back with shock

“Mister! You’re finally here!” Nikola said excitedly

“.......” Primrose

What?

The twin’s guest is... Titus Saros?

“G-good day Miss Primrose Grace.” Titus greeted nervously

“Why are you here?” Primrose asked coldly

Is he after the twins?

“I... ahm..” Titus can’t find his voice under her watchful eyes

“We invited him over, Mommy!” Nikola interjected

“A-are you mad Mommy?” Niclaud

Hearing that, Primrose forced out a smile, “Of course not. Why would Mommy be angry?”

“That’s good! Come sit with us Mister!” Nikola said enthusiastically

“I..ahm... T-thank you.” Titus said awkwardly as he sat down. He can feel Primrose’s glare.

“Mister, why are you so late?” Nikola asked curiously

“The cafe looks busy, and I don’t want to disturb. I’m sorry for making you two wait.” Titus

“You’re forgiven.” The twins said in unison

The two of them smiled at him.

Titus smiled back. These two are so adorable.

On the other side of the cafe, Madeline and Alondra look shocked.

“Don’t you think he looks familiar?” Alondra whispered to Madeline

The two of them stared at Titus, then to Niclaud, then back to Titus.

“Do you think he is the twin’s fathe—” Madeline

“Shhh!” Alondra covered Madeline’s mouth

“......” Madeline

“It’s Lady Boss’ private life. Let’s just pretend as if we didn’t noticed anything.” Alondra whispered

“Okay.” Madeline

Alondra then approached the counter, “Boss, should we close early today?”

Alondra is worried that the customers might also notice the resemblance of Titus and Niclaud. Alondra is afraid that rumours might start spreading on the town about the Lady Boss of the Cafe and the Boss of the new Bakery.

Primrose who’s already tired because of Titus’ sudden appearance, readily agreed.

‘As expected, Boss is super lazy so she loves to slack off.’ Alondra thought to her self as she breath a sigh of relief, she then flipped the signage by the door.

[Sorry, we’re closed.]

Primrose on the other hand, took out the Tiramisu cake from the fridge, she then prepared slices for the three.

“Thank you Mommy!” the twins said in unison

“T-thank you.” Titus

Primrose smiled at the twins but ignored Titus.

“Mister, I think Mommy hates you.” Nikola whispered when Primrose went back to the counter

“I think so too.” Titus

“N-no, if Mommy hates you, she’ll k-kick you out already. Mommy is too lazy to entertain people s-she doesn’t like.” Niclaud

“Oh, you’re right Claud!” Nikola nod his head immediately

“Don’t f-frighten the Mister too much. H-he might not come back.” Niclaud whispered to Nikola

“Sorry. It was a slipped of the tongue.” Nikola whispered back

Titus who breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that Primrose doesn’t hate him, was speechless after hearing the twins whispering to each other.

These two midgets are plotting something.

And all he could do is to pretend as if he didn’t noticed.

Primrose on the other hand, pretended to be busy. But honestly, she’s secretly watching the three.

She’s worried that Titus might do or say something to the twins.

She still don’t understand his intentions for approaching them.

Titus must have noticed by now how much Niclaud resembles him. He may or may not already know that the twins are his children.

If he’s here for the twins then she won’t just stand by and watch him take them away from her.

“M-mister, why are you crying?” she heard Niclaud’s voice so she looked at the three and saw that Titus is wiping away some tears as he eat.

Huh? She doesn’t remember adding anything weird on that cake. Why is he crying?

“Do you like the cake that much, Mister?” Nikola asked

Titus nod his head as he stuffed his self with the cake.

“.....” Primrose

She suddenly recall that during their earlier years at the academy, they had a baking class, and every week, Titus would approach her to ask for the cake she baked.

Does he like her Tiramisu Cake that much?

Well, seeing how the twins love it, they probably took after him.

Ha, she can’t believe that someone like Titus Saros have a cute side to him too.

But that doesn’t change the fact that she doesn’t like him.

He is [Tea and Roses]’s villain after all.

“Here, it’s Iced Coffee.” Primrose said as she placed a glass of iced-coffee in front of Titus

Titus looked up to her face with wide eyes. He can’t believe that Primrose Grace is being nice to him.

“Don’t misunderstand. I just don’t want you to choke and die on my cafe.” She said, pretending not to care.

“I.. I understand.” Titus said while blushing.

“Good.” She said before turning her back on him and returned to the counter.

“M-mister is as red as a tomato.” Niclaud whispered to Nikola

“I think he likes Mommy more than the cake.” Nikola whispered back

“S-should we help him?” Niclaud whispered

“I like him so we should.” Nikola whispered back to Niclaud.

“Y-yes, I like the Mister too.” Niclaud whispered

“But I think he’s a cry-baby.” Nikola whispered

“I t-think so too.” Niclaud whispered back to his twin brother

“.........” Titus

Boys, I can hear you, you know?

~~~~~~~~~