Legally Yours, Illegaly Mine….
Ch 2: Café Collision
Morning sunlight filtered through the latticed windows of Café La Rosa, a quaint, ivy-draped spot nestled between two stone buildings. The smell of roasted espresso, flaky pastries, and fresh basil wafted through the air.
Inside, Anivitha Nanduri was fighting for her life.
Not literally—just for a table. And her dignity.
Her laptop bag was slung over one shoulder, her hair was an unintentional homage to a cyclone, and she had a biscotti in her mouth because her hands were full.
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
(muffled)
“One cappuccino to go… no, make that two shots, grazie.”
She turned just as someone moved behind her—fast.
Her elbow jerked, her bag slipped, and her very full coffee cup went flying.
Right onto a man’s chest.
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
(dryly)
“Well. That’s one way to wake up in the morning.”
He stood still, mildly irritated, mildly amused, a white shirt now ruined by dark espresso. His expression? The kind that said “I own three yachts but I might sue you anyway.”
He was tall, effortlessly well-dressed in navy trousers and rolled sleeves, hair tousled like he’d been in a wind tunnel and still come out looking like a Vogue ad.
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
(horrified)
“Oh god—I am so sorry! It slipped, I swear, I didn’t mean—do you want tissues? A doctor? A dry cleaner?”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
(deadpan)
“I’d settle for a refund. Or a new shirt. Armani, if you’re asking.”
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
“Wow. Rich and sarcastic. What a joy.”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
“Clumsy and dramatic. A lethal combination.”
She huffed, rummaging through her tote bag for wet wipes that didn’t exist.
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
“Look, I’ve had exactly 4 hours of sleep, I got off a 10-hour flight, and I’ve been mistaken for ‘Anithiva’ all week. This is the highlight of my day.”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
(raising an eyebrow)
“Anithiva?”
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
(gritting her teeth)
“My name is Anivitha. A-N-I—never mind. You know what? I’ll buy you another coffee.”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
“I’d rather have my shirt back.”
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
(with a sugar-sweet smile)
“Then maybe don’t stand that close to the counter next time, Mr. Armani.”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
“You’re feisty for someone who just committed caffeine assault.”
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
(smirking)
“And you’re annoyingly calm for someone wearing latte.”
Before either of them could escalate their little word war, the barista called out her order. She grabbed her drink, gave him a sharp nod, and turned on her heel.
But not before tossing over her shoulder—
Anivitha Nanduri (fl)
“Ciao, Mr. Coffee-Stain.”
Jayden watched her go, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
He didn’t know her name yet.
But the woman with the fire in her eyes and an attitude to match just crashed into his morning—and maybe, unknowingly, into his life.
Jayden’s POV – Minutes later
Matteo Romano (ml younger brother)
(sipping espresso)
“What happened to your shirt?”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
(leaning back, still amused)
“Got into a minor caffeine brawl with a hurricane in ethnic wear.”
Matteo Romano (ml younger brother)
“Did you tell her who you were?”
Jayden Morris Romano (ml)
“Why ruin the mystery?”
Anivitha’s phone – Group chat
[Deepika | Sahasra – Group Chat 💬]
Deepika:
“Tell us you met someone hot already.”
Anivitha:
“Yes. Hot, rude, and caffeinated.”
Sahasra:
“Oooh. Do tell.”
Anivitha:
“I may or may not have spilled an entire cappuccino on an Italian runway model with an ego problem.”
Deepika:
“So basically your future husband?”
Anivitha:
“You’re both insane.”
Cherrie
The espresso has spilled, the sarcasm is brewing, and fate just served their first collision extra hot.
Cherrie
This wasn’t love at first sight.
But it was irritation at first spill—which is almost more fun. 😏
Cherrie
Stay caffeinated, dear readers—romance is about to steam.
Comments
Ashleydew
so far, it's good, author
2025-06-08
1