Episode 1 — Cheesecake

Elco's POV

It was 4:25 in the morning, and my body already felt like it had gone through a full day. My head was heavy, my neck stiff, and my tote bag—stuffed with notebooks, folders, and God-knows-what—felt like it weighed as much as an entire apartment.

I adjusted the strap and reached for the small inhaler pendant hanging from my necklace. I opened it, inhaled the minty scent, and let it calm me down. For a moment, it felt like the world slowed. Then I continued walking toward the Glasshouse cafeteria, the only place awake this early in the university.

The glass doors slid open, and the barista greeted me instantly.

“Good morning, sir.” he greeted.

I gave a short nod and a small smile before dropping my bag on the nearest table. My phone was already in my hand as I walked to the counter.

“One strong coffee, with creamer, one pump sugar,” I muttered.

I paid online, and the app took forever to confirm. My eyelids grew heavier, threatening to shut completely. Finally, the barista handed me the receipt.

“Signature and number, please. Thank you.”

I look at him again... he has a pure white skin-almost look like dracula, and he is tall. Like for real. I instinctively grab my pendant and inhale for a bit.

I signed quickly and returned to my table. My head dropped straight onto the surface, the coolness of the wood against my cheek too tempting. The café’s air-conditioning, mixed with the comforting smell of roasted beans, almost felt like a lullaby.

Still, I forced myself upright, opened my laptop, and spread out a pile of notebooks, and then i read, study, take notes and read again. I barely caught the time—4:40 a.m.—before sleep won. (T_T)

When I opened my eyes again, it was already 5:30. I stretched, groaned a little, and finally reached for my coffee and the cheesecake.

I took a bite,

again..

and again..

Then...

Did i order a cheesecake?

There, right in front of me, was a slice of cheesecake.

I frowned. “Wait… huh?”

I blinked, checked my cup, and checked my receipt. No mistake—coffee only. But the cheesecake was there. Half-eaten, actually. My fork was already sticking into it.

“What the—did I…?” My eyes widened. “No way.”

Tf!? did i get a wrong order?

I looked around. The place was nearly empty. Impossible. I stood and walked to the counter. A new barista was there, shorter than the one earlier, and smiled politely when I approached.

“Excuse me, may I ask? Did you serve my order?” I pointed to my table.

“Oh, I’m sorry, sir. That was my co-worker. He already left. Is there a problem?”

I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s just… Did anyone else order cheesecake? Aside from me?” God, I sounded like an idiot. I hate you, Elco!

The barista tilted his head. “I can ask him later, sir, but I need to accommodate the other customer now.”

I turned and realized someone was already waiting behind me. I smiled awkwardly and shook my head. “No need, it’s okay. Thank you.”

Back at my table, I noticed something else. My coffee was still hot. It's really hot. Which didn’t make sense at all, not when it had been sitting in a paper cup for almost an hour in a cold, air-conditioned room.

I exhaled sharply and shook my head. “Elco, stop overthinking.”

So I took another bite of the cheesecake, savoring the sweetness that melted perfectly in my mouth. My lips curved into a smile despite myself.

“To whoever you are,” I whispered under my breath, snapping a quick photo of the cheesecake and coffee, “thank you for this delicious surprise.”

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