#nycaesthetic

It’s been a busy few days since I went into the coffee hut, and exactly five days since I saw you.

Safe to say I remember you. Not like I could forget. You’ve been roaming around in my mind.

Which is a first for me.

I’ve always been ahead of my work. I’m a CEO, yet here I am, acting like a high schooler with a crush on the popular girl I couldn’t have.

It’s sickening actually.

Especially considering I only met you once.

Fucking once.

The people around me have been hustling and bustling all morning. I haven’t even gotten my coffee yet. Maybe that’s the problem.

With the launch of the new spring products, everyone’s been working hard. I’ve been hauled up in my office or stomping around yelling at the idiots on the graphics board.

Which I appreciate, but I need my damn coffee.

Speaking of, in walks my assistant, who looks like he’s gotten no sleep at all.

Well shit. Me either.

“Hey Mr. Styles, I’m calling in an order for breakfast. Hope you don’t mind. I’m a bit backed up with the creative team.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes.

“Fine. Put it on the work card. Where are you ordering from?” I asked, a bit annoyed that I have to wait longer for it to now be delivered.

“Uh, coffee hut. Heard they deliver,” he said, pushing up his glasses as he fidgets with his iPad.

Coffee. Hut.

Coffee? Hut?

Your coffee hut?

Is this a prank? I’m being fooled... it can’t be a coincidence, right? Here I am thinking about you, and poof, a sign of your existence.

It’s a sign right?

Well, if he’s ordering...

“Alright. I’ll get a blueberry pie. Two slices. Black coffee. Throw in a breakfast sandwich, will you? No bacon.” I responded, trying not to think about you hand-making my food and sending someone to deliver it.

Or...

“Also, put I requested the owner to send it themselves,” I added. Not asking for much in my eyes.

“Uh, but Mr. Styles the owner—” he tried to say, looking at me confused.

“Uh-huh. That’s all. And tell me when she’s here, please. Thank you, Joseph. And for all of Fucks' sake, tell the creative team to hurry up with the summer project’s color scheme,” I huffed, grabbing the phone off my desk and dialing the lobby number.

Joseph sighed and walked out toward the elevator. I turned to face the window, looking over the city as I dialed the front desk.

Seeing you again is what I needed today.

I don’t know why, but I wouldn’t mind seeing you again after that too.

“Hey, Kevin. It’s me. A young woman with light eyes and dark hair. She works at the coffee hut. Once she shows up, let me know. Yeah, thanks.”

I hung up, feeling a strange sensation floating through my chest and stomach, nervousness? Anxiety? Stupidity?

Whatever it is, it’s something I haven’t felt in years.

—-

About twenty minutes pass, or what I’d call twenty long, grueling moments of me pacing my office and nearly getting angry and impatient.

My desk phone starts ringing. I run over, answering quickly.

“Mr. Styles speaking.”

“Yeah, boss, it’s Kevin. The young woman is here with your delivery. Do you want me to take it—”

“No. I’ll be down. Make sure she doesn’t leave yet. I’d like to grab it myself,” I cut him off.

“Oh, alright. See you—”

I hang up, slamming my phone down. I walk to my personal elevator and press lobby.

My mind races, trying to shut off the endless thoughts.

What if you think I’m some creepy psychopath?

I met you less than a week ago, and I’m acting like a clingy boyfriend.

I’m such a fucking loser.

Finally, the elevator doors open. My staff's eyes follow me as I walk to the front desk. I’m usually not on the lobby floor much, so it’s probably new to them. They’re probably all scrambling to act busy even though I already know how things run around here.

I approach the front desk. There you are.

Standing with my coffee in your hand and a beige bag with “The Coffee Hut” written on the front and back.

You look beautiful hair curled slightly in a bun, cheeks warm from the early afternoon sun.

You’re wearing some comfy blue baggy jeans and a white tank top, feet in black and white Converse sneakers.

Wow.

Gorgeous.

“Hi sweetheart.” I spoke lowly at first.

“Oh... hi again,” you smile at me.

You recognized me.

Of course, you did.

I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander. I could see you doing the same.

I was dressed in a white top that was transparent enough to see my tattoos. What can I say I’m a bit of a tease. Dressed also in black slacks and black leather loafers.

I saw your eyes return to mine instantly like you caught yourself staring too long.

“Yeah, hi again. Sorry if I made you lose some personal work time, but I requested you drop off the order,” I speak clearly, walking closer, standing in front of you as I quickly take the bag and coffee from your hands.

“That’s no problem,” you laugh, look around, then back at me.

You’re probably pretty confused about what’s going on.

“Um, is this your workplace?” you ask innocently, taking in the luxurious dark and light colors of the lobby.

“Yeah, it is, actually… I uh, own it,” I say hesitantly, gesturing for you to come over to a quiet corner with couches and a small table. I sit down, placing the bag and coffee on the table. I watch as you sit across from me.

“Oh? You own it... that’s quite an achievement,” your eyes widen as you look at me, then around the busy floor. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I’m a CEO of a company I made. It’s called Pleasing. We do nail polishes, clothing, accessories, you know, other... uh, things,” I clear my throat, not wanting to blurt out I make vibrators and lubes that would surely scare you off.

“Pleasing? I actually bought a spring cardigan online from your shop over the weekend,” you smile, eyes shining under the warm ceiling lights.

“Yeah? What color?” I ask, curious about your style.

“The green and cream colored one. It’s adorable,” you show me a photo on your phone of you wearing it, with a blue sky behind you, probably near a beach.

I hum, not wanting to say that I’d frame that photo in my office If you’d let me.

“I’m glad you like it,” I say simply.

You nod and peek at the bag.

“You know, when I saw an order for blueberry pie, black coffee, and a sandwich, I thought of when you ordered it before. But I didn’t think it was actually you,” you smile again.

“I’m glad I’m the blueberry guy now,” I joke, watching you laugh.

“You might just be,” you replied.

You’re so cute. I feel nauseous.

I notice you checking your watch and take a deep breath.

“Sorry, I’ve got to head back. I closed up since I delivered it myself. The only one in the shop today,” you say, standing and smoothing your jeans.

I stand too, not ready for you to leave.

“Um, again, I apologize for that. Can I be honest? It might sound a bit creepy, so please forgive me,” I say softly.

“Yeah, sure,” you reply, eyeing me skeptically but staying.

“I wanted to see you again. I mean, I don’t know. I was a bit taken with you when I saw you. Still am. It’s kind of freaky. This has never happened to me before,” I breathe nervously before continuing.

“I’m Harry Styles, by the way, and I was wondering if you’d like to share lunch or dinner with me uh a date…” I say boldly, feeling the weight of saying 'date' again after so long.

Your face flushes bright red, and you look more surprised if anything. Which eases my nerves, at least you didn’t run away.

“Oh... wow. I wasn’t expecting that,” you say nervously. “Well, yes, for the date. And I’m *** “

I smile at your agreement to the date. “That’s a beautiful name. I’ll take your number and text you the details. Just let me know your schedule, and we can go from there,” I say, pulling out my phone and handing it to you.

You type your info into my phone, labeling it with your name, then hand it back.

“I texted myself so it’s saved properly,” you say, pulling out your own phone to label mine, then sending a silly emoji to make sure it’s through making me chuckle.

“Well, I don’t want to keep you any longer. I’ll text you, yeah?” I put my phone away, sipping my coffee.

“Yeah. I’ll see you soon, Harry,” you smile, walking away with a small wave. I watch until you’re out of sight, making sure no one questions why you’re here I made sure our security is very strong. I wouldn’t want them giving you trouble.

We are in the city, had to make sure we’re safe.

When I’m back in my office, I can’t wipe this stupid grin off my face.

But then I think, why should I?

I’ve got a date with you to look forward to.

So I spend the rest of the day not stopping my stupid smiles when I glance at the coffee cup still resting on my desk.

I decided to go through my phone and I even send a smiley face emoji back to your silly one you sent earlier.

“Can’t wait for our date. Hope the rest of your shift goes smoothly. 🙂” - H

I groan at myself, cringing at how eager I already am.

The day progressed as I mentally started picture where I’d want to take you for our date.

Too many restaurants pop in my head, yet one specific one stood out.

I logged onto my computer and started looking up the menu.

It was about an hour into my research when I decided to text you a date and time.

“Hey. Friday night sound good? Around 7 pm?” - H

I pressed send and twiddled with my fingers when I got a text back within minutes.

That was quick.

“Sounds great. Here’s my address. I trust you wouldn’t stalk me or anything. You seem innocent enough, blueberry man.🫐”

I laughed to myself at the nickname.

Anyone else I would’ve blocked them immediately for this shit.

But you?

I laughed.

And I knew that meant something.

————————————————————————————