Coffee || closed
@daliah-price
Jonny texted Daliah as soon as he woke up for her to meet him at the cafe. It was early, around eight o'clock. Arriving a little later than he had hoped he orders a caramel macchiato and an apple fritter.
“Hey, sunshine.” He greets with a broad smile.
Soaring through an intersection at nearly sixty miles per hour Jonny breaks enough to turn right and nearly drifts to the other lane before recovering. He let’s out a cheery hoot of laughter before shifting gears and coasting through the next light, slowing down to a smooth stop at the next light. He knew these streets like the back of his hand and could probably navigate them blindfolded.
Letting out an excited breath as they hit the red she smiles.
“So what do ya want to do now?”
She asked ready to do anything he asked her to.
“Let’s go to my place.” He suggests, meaning the apartment that he kept on the side. Merging slowly into the left turn lane he flips his blinker on and turns when the light turns green after a few cars pass. He had a third floor apartment on Hedges Street, across the street to a furniture repair shop. It was a brick warehouse refurbished to an apartment building. He had a one bedroom and it was furnished minimally. One chair and a futon sat in the living room with a flat screen TV and a PlayStation 3. The place was immaculate and it was clear everything had a place and it was all in order. He tossed his keys to a table and shrugged off his navy blue suit jacket.
Taking a moment to look around Daliah smiles. Jonny’s house was very minimalistic just like he pretended to be but just like him she was sure it hid many secret depths. Gingerly sitting down on his futon she bounces a few times and watches Jonny as he pours himself a drink.
“I like your place.”
She smiles kindly.
“Thank you. I don’t spend much time here.” Jonny replies, “Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, soda?” He asks. “If offer you a beer or something but you’re still underage…” He remarks.
“Soda’s fine.” She chuckles “I’m not a huge fan of alcohol anyway. I’ve tried it here and there and it just doesn’t seem to be my thing.”
Rubbing the back of her head she wondered if Jonny ever felt akward about the drastic age difference. Hell she had only just turned nineteen a few months before meeting him.
“Yeah, it’s not the most pleasant thing.” He laughs. “Is Orange soda fine?” He asks, pulling out a 12 ounce bottle of Orange Fanta from the fridge. “Or there’s ginger ale. It’s all I have.” He adds. Looking her over after sipping his old fashioned his lips pull into a faint crooked smile. She was beautiful and smart and funny…her age didn’t matter to him. And neither did her money. She made him happy with her personality. Besides, he had a fortune sitting in two bank accounts. He just wanted her to be happy. And from the looks of things she seemed to be. Handing her the soda he sat down beside her and kicked off his shoes. “Make yourself at home.” He says, picking up the game controller and opening up Netflix.
Thanking Jonny for the drink Daliah curls into Jonny’s side when he tells her to get comfortable. All she wanted was to be near him. Watching him flip through Netflix selections she smiles, she felt so comfortable around Jonny. He was so much better than any man she had met before. He was grounded and passionate, he wasn’t self absorbed like the men who ran in her parents circles. It was refreshing and knew. Smiling she breathes his sent in deeply before she spots a small photo sitting nearby. Reaching out she grabs it and studies it. It was of Jonny and a beautiful young woman. A child stood just before them and another was tucked in Jonny’s arms. A twinge of jealousy ran Daliah’s spine.
“She’s pretty.”
She mentions off handedly still scrutinizing the photograph.
“Huh?” Jonny asks, glancing over. “Oh, yeah…she was. That was my family. They…they died.” He says, taking the photograph and tucking it into a copy of Brave New World. “That was a 4th of July party.” He tells her, turning his attention back to the television.
Suddenly she regretted the jealosy she had felt. Looking up at Jonny with crested brows she could see the hurt in his eyes as he tried to play it cool. Opting not to pressure him she just kisses his cheek and tucks further into his side. Letting out a calming breath she zones out not realising she was quickly dozing off.
And Jonny took comfort in that…knowing there was somebody there for him, again. Someone who loved and cared about him. He was a good guy besides his work. He had a lot of love for Daliah and he loved her innocence. Settling down comfortably he covers them up with a throw blanket and drifts off as well.
A few hours later Daliah finally stirs. Yawning she sips off the couch and moves to the fridge to grab another soda. Drifting around the apartment aimlessly Daliah let Jonny sleep. Taking in the details of his place she notices a thin layer of dust over much of the appartment. Almost as if it hadn’t been stayed in a while. Shrugging it off she was about to head to the bathroom when Jonny’s phone rang.
🎶Aha-hahaha Aha-hahaha now they call me the Joker-🎶
Jonny animated quickly and answered the phone quickly.
“Yeah boss?” He says a bit groggily, wiping his eyes and raking his fingers through his hair. “Yeaaaah~…” He says, stretching out and groaning. “Oh, sure…yeah I know.” He nods, wiping his left eye before reaching for a smoke. His lighter strikes three times before it flames. “No problem.” He says, hanging up. Puffing on his cigarette he leans back into the futon and looks to Daliah. “Hey Sunshine.” He greets with a smile. “Best we get you home, huh?” He laughs, noticing it was starting to get dark outside.
Something about Jonny’s ring tone set Daliah on edge, shaking the feeling she moves to his side and kisses his cheek.
“Id protest but it sounds like you’re needed at work.”
Smiling softly she nuzzles into him.
“Thank you for coming today Jonny. And… I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you who I was…”
Looking off to the side she nibbles her lip.
“It’s fine, sweetheart.” He smiles, ruffling her hair before giving her a kiss. “My boss was just calling me to remind me of a few things we need.” He explains. “You don’t have to go yet if you don’t want to.” He admits.
Smiling she curls tighter into the futon. It felt so right to be with Jonny. She idolized him, he was the first person to treat her like a normal girl her entire life. He didn’t coddle her or seem to care about her wealth. She felt safe with him. An hour or so later its Daliah’s phone that rang. Looking at the display she smiles. Answering the phone she chirps.
“Hi Bruce!”
“Where are you!? Your mother has been worried sick! She’s called you a dozen times why didn’t you answer her!?” He growls.
The smile quickly fell from Daliah’s face as her cousin’s chastising voice rings through loud and clear. Grinding her teeth her frame shrank.
“O-oh… I didn’t hear my phone I fell asleep.”
She responds sheepishly as she fiddles with her shirt.
“Im sorry… I didn’t mean to worry Mum I was just tired of the party. I’ll be home soon…”
She reassures.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll tell her you’re okay.” Bruce says, tone a bit softer now. He knew she was with Jonny he just wanted to make sure she was safe. “Are you okay?” He asks, just for safe measure.
“Im fine just passed out at Jonny’s.”
She chuckles nervously. She had never gone to a man’s house alone before and now she had slept on someone’s couch. She smiles at the thought of Jonny being the person she was sharing so many firsts with.
“Passed out!? What happened?” Bruce asks, concern in his voice.
“Calm down Bruce-” she starts rolling her eyes “I was just tired from helping Mum with all the preparations for the party. I just needed a nap.”
Relaxing back into the futon she lets out a content sigh. It doesn’t even pass her mind that some people may misinterpret her nap as code for something more… adult.
"Well, I'll let your mother know you are okay." Bruce decides. "Stay safe, you never know what kind of baggage people carry." He warned. "Talk to you later." He says before hanging up.
