Lemon Like Love

Lopase

~Next day~

~Lenna's pov~
Cal had seen the stitches and bandages on me, and his expression immediately shifted from concern to curiosity.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine worry. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready to share the truth with him. But as I looked into his eyes, so full of kindness and understanding, I knew I couldn't keep it a secret any longer. Taking a deep breath, I began to recount the events that had led to my injuries, the fear and pain still fresh in my mind. Cal listened intently, his features softening with each word, and when I finally finished, he hugged me tight.

"I'm such a horrible friend! I left my phone and went to get food without telling you where I was going," he said, his voice filled with guilt. "If I had been there with you, none of this would have happened." His words hit me like a wave, washing away any lingering doubts I had about confiding in him. I pulled away from the embrace and looked into his eyes, wanting him to see the truth in my own.

"Cal, this was not your fault," I reassured him. "No one could have known this would happen!"

"But I-"

"God, you guys are so dramatic!" Matteo groaned. We both turned to see Matteo standing in the doorway, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips. His interruption brought us back to reality, reminding us that there were still others in the room, oblivious to the weight of our conversation. I couldn't help but feel a mix of annoyance and relief at his presence. Annoyance because his timing was impeccable, always managing to disrupt serious moments, and relief because his lightheartedness offered a much-needed break from the heavy emotions that had consumed us. "Seriously, can't you two save the melodrama for another time?" he said, rolling his eyes sarcastically. "I'm sure the world would be devastated if we missed out on your angsty dialogue."

"Piss off, Matteo." Cal flipped him off with a smirk, not missing a beat. Matteo simply laughed, seemingly unfazed by Cal's response.

"Before I forget, we have to go meet up with those Italians today," he said.

"Italians?" Cal asked.

"He means the officers that are working with us on the case," I interjected.

"Do you even remember their names, Matteo?" Cal chuckled. Matteo paused for a moment, pretending to think.

"Hmm, let's see. There's Kamari, Zuko, and... uh... I think the third one's name starts with an A." He scratched his head, feigning deep concentration. Cal and I exchanged amused glances, knowing that Matteo's forgetfulness was nothing new.

"Well, at least you got two of them right. The third one's name is Atlas, so remember that," Cal said with a smirk.

Matteo grinned sheepishly and nodded. "Right, Atlas. I got it," he replied.

We all got up and headed over to the Cafe across the street, our laughter filling the air as we walked. As we entered the cozy little Cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries enveloped us, instantly making us feel at home. The barista behind the counter greeted us with a friendly smile, ready to take our orders. We settled into a booth near the window, the morning sunlight streaming in and casting a golden glow on our table.

"Hey!! We're here!!" Kamari yelled excitedly as she slid into the booth next to me. Her energy was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Zuko and Atlas followed suit, finding their spots around the table and joining in on the excitement. The Cafe buzzed with conversation and laughter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

"Let's have some good food before discussing, shall we?" Atlas asked. We all nodded in agreement, flipping open the menus in front of us. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, making it even harder to decide what to order. Kamari's eyes widened as she scanned the menu, her excitement growing by the second. Zuko leaned over, whispering something to her that made her burst into laughter. I couldn't help but chuckle at their interaction. Meanwhile, Atlas studied the menu with a focused expression, his finger tracing the different options as he weighed his choices. The waiter approached our table, ready to take our orders, and we all took turns placing our requests. Kamari chose a frothy cappuccino with a hint of caramel; her taste for the sweeter things in life was evident. Zuko, always one to go against the norm, opted for a strong and bold espresso that would surely wake him up from his morning grogginess. Atlas, ever the health-conscious one, decided on a matcha latte, his love for all things green evident in his choice. Cal chose a simple black coffee, preferring the simplicity and strong flavor it offered. As for grumpy Matteo , he grudgingly ordered a decaf Americano, muttering under his breath about the lack of options for true coffee lovers, and I myself got my usual chocolate mocha with extra whipped cream, indulging in the sweet and comforting flavors that never failed to brighten my day. The waiter wrote down all of our orders and flashed a polite smile before walking back towards the counter. The clinking of coffee mugs and the aroma of freshly brewed beans filled the cozy cafe, creating an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. As we waited for our drinks, our conversation flowed effortlessly, with each of us sharing anecdotes and laughter. Matteo's initial grumpiness seemed to dissipate as the lively chatter enveloped him, his scowl turning into a faint smile. Cal, always the observer, listened intently, occasionally interjecting with a witty remark that earned him a round of chuckles.