She watched him closely but didn’t press further. It wasn’t hard to see there was more to his answer than he was letting on.
“And you?” William changed the subject. “Still thinking about that bakery?”
Her eyes lit up immediately at the question. “Always. It’s my biggest dream.”
“And what’s stopping you?”
Julia let out a short laugh. “Money, time, circumstances—take your pick.”
“You don’t seem like someone who gives up easily.”
She smiled. “I’m not. But sometimes, the road is longer than we’d like it to be.”
William nodded. He understood exactly what she meant. Before they could continue, one of Julia’s coworkers rushed over. “Julia, can you take the order at table three?”
She gave a quick nod and walked away, leaving William alone at the counter. He sat there, watching her interact with customers, chat with her coworkers, and move with an ease that seemed so natural. For the first time in a long while, he felt at ease, like he had found a place where he could simply exist, without pressure or pretense. And he liked that feeling.
When he finished his coffee, he called over one of the staff members to pay. Before leaving, he left a generous tip and glanced at Julia one last time. She was still busy, but as he walked out the door, he felt her gaze follow him. He smiled to himself as he stepped outside. He would definitely be back.
The following days fell into a familiar pattern. Every morning, William stopped by the diner at the same time, always ordering coffee. At first, Julia pretended not to notice, but it didn’t take long for her to realize his presence had become part of the routine. He always struck up a conversation, and little by little, their exchanges became more natural. Julia grew accustomed to him, and without even realizing it, she started looking forward to seeing him walk through the door each morning.
One day, as he waited for his coffee, William leaned on the counter and said, “Do you have a minute?”
She gave him a wary look. “That depends.”
“I want to show you something.”
Julia hesitated, but curiosity got the better of her. “Okay.”
William pulled out his phone and opened a photo. He turned the screen toward her, revealing the elegant facade of a beachfront hotel. “This is one of my family’s hotels.”
She blinked in surprise. “You own that?”
“Technically, I’m the heir to it. But yes, I help run it.”
Julia studied the photo for a moment. “Sounds incredible.”
He smiled. “And it has a café inside.”
“Now that makes it even more interesting,” she said, and he laughed.
“I knew you’d say that.”
Julia handed the phone back and crossed her arms. “You must be used to places like that, right?”
William shrugged. “I grew up surrounded by that world. But lately, I’ve realized that luxury isn’t everything.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
He was silent for a moment before answering. “Because sometimes, the most valuable things are found in the simplest places.”
Julia didn’t know how to respond. There was something about the way he said it that felt different, deeper. Before she could say anything, the diner got busy again, and she had to get back to work. But that morning, for the first time, she felt there was something about William she didn’t fully understand. And for some reason, she wanted to find out.
Later, when the diner closed, Julia stepped outside and walked toward the bus stop. It had been a long day, but something inside her felt different. She wasn’t sure what it was. When she reached the stop, she leaned against the post and closed her eyes for a moment.
“Is it already closed?” a voice asked.
She opened her eyes quickly, surprised to see William standing there, leaning against a car that was clearly not the same one from the other night. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled. “Thought I’d give you a ride home tonight.”
Julia crossed her arms, skeptical. “Trying to pay off another debt?”
“Maybe.”
She bit her lip, studying him for a moment. Then, she sighed and opened the car door. William smiled as he got into the driver’s seat.
As he drove, Julia glanced at him. Something told her that William wasn’t just another customer. And for the first time, she wondered what his real story was.
Let’s play a little game with those who only read the comments. Type pizza in the comments. Only those who make it this far will understand.
As William drove through the city’s bright streets, Julia looked out the window, watching the streetlights reflect on the glass. The ride was quiet but not uncomfortable. On the contrary, there was something intriguing about the moment.
“Why do I feel like I should have refused this ride?” she asked, breaking the silence.
William smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. “Because I’m not a total stranger?”
“Exactly.” She crossed her arms, pretending to be serious. “You could be a maniac.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “If I were, I think I would’ve shown my intentions by now.”
“True,” Julia said with a small chuckle. “But I still haven’t decided if I trust you.”
“And how do you plan to figure that out?”
She pretended to think. “I guess I’ll need a few weeks of observation.”
“Weeks? That seems like a long time.”
“Trusting someone isn’t something that happens overnight.”
William nodded slightly. “Fair enough.”
The car turned onto a quieter street, and Julia realized they were getting close to her house. That made her wonder about William. He always seemed so at ease, yet he never shared much about himself.
“And you?” she asked, glancing at him. “Where do you live?”
William hesitated for a brief moment but kept his smile. “Downtown.”
“Wow. So, probably one of those fancy buildings I see when I take the bus.”
“Maybe.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You like giving vague answers, don’t you?”
“I just like keeping a little mystery.”
Julia chuckled softly. “Well, I hope it’s not a dark secret.”
“Nothing dark. Just a little boring.”
She frowned. “Why do you think that?”
William took a deep breath, seeming to choose his words carefully. “I think I spent too much time following a set script, doing what was expected of me.”
She didn’t quite know what he meant, but she could tell he was being sincere. “Maybe it’s time to change the script.”
He smiled. “Maybe.”
The car stopped in front of Julia’s modest home. She unfastened her seatbelt and turned to him. “Thanks for the ride.”
“You’re welcome.”
She opened the door but paused before stepping out. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
William raised an eyebrow. “At the diner?”
“Where else?”
He smiled. “Yes, see you tomorrow.”
Julia nodded and stepped out of the car, closing the door behind her. As she walked up the porch steps, she felt a small smile form on her lips.
The next morning, William showed up at the diner as usual. The doorbell jingled as he walked in, and Julia glanced over her shoulder, already expecting to see him there.
“You really are a man of your word,” she said.
“Always.” He took a seat at the counter. “And today, I’m ready to try something different.”
She crossed her arms, amused. “Venturing into the world of coffee choices?”
“Yes. What do you recommend?”
Julia tilted her head, studying him for a moment before grabbing a mug and preparing something. “You seem like someone who needs something strong but not bitter.”
“Was that a compliment or an insult?”
“Just an observation.” She placed the cup in front of him. “Try it.”
William took a sip, tasting the smooth yet bold flavor of the coffee. “Good. I know.”
She smiled, satisfied, and went back to work. Meanwhile, William looked around. He liked this place. He liked Julia’s energy, the way she interacted with customers, and even the simple routine—something so different from the world he was used to.
As the days passed, Julia started noticing little things that made her curious. William never mentioned exactly where he worked. He only said he was in the hotel business but never gave details. He also had refined habits—the way he held his cup, how he analyzed flavors, the way he talked about travel and places that weren’t exactly accessible to just anyone. Julia started wondering who he really was.
One afternoon, while wiping down the counter, she decided to ask, “You never told me the name of your hotel.”
William looked at her for a moment before answering. “I don’t think it matters.”
“Oh, so it’s a secret?”
He gave a small smirk. “Maybe.”
Julia crossed her arms. “You really like keeping an air of mystery, huh?”
“Let’s just say I like avoiding certain judgments.”
She frowned. “What kind of judgments?”
William let out a small sigh. “The kind that make people treat you differently once they find out who you are.”
Julia studied his response. Something about it felt off. But before she could press further, a customer walked in, catching her attention. William watched as she went back to work, feeling a slight tightness in his chest. He knew that sooner or later, Julia would find out the truth, and he feared that when that happened, everything between them would change.
That evening, Julia was on her way home when something caught her eye. As she walked down the sidewalk, she noticed a luxury car parked on a side street. And who was getting out of it? William. He didn’t see her. He was distracted, talking to a man in a suit who looked very serious. Julia stopped, watching from a distance. Something about that scene felt off. The William she knew took the bus, spoke simply, and always said his life was boring. But this William? He was dressed impeccably, surrounded by an air of sophistication.
Julia felt a knot in her stomach. Was he not who he said he was? Swallowing hard, she decided she had to find out the truth. For the first time, she wondered if she had made a mistake in trusting him.
Julia tried to ignore the uneasiness that had been growing inside her since she saw William stepping out of that luxury car. There was something about him that didn’t completely match the image he tried to present. He spoke simply, seemed like an ordinary guy, but little details were starting to suggest otherwise.
In the following days, she tried to act normally, but the doubt never left her mind. Who was William, really? When he showed up at the diner the next morning, as usual, Julia watched him more closely than ever. He was dressed casually, just like always, but there was a quiet confidence about him that didn’t quite fit with someone living a simple life.
“Good morning,” he said, sitting at the counter.
“Good morning,” Julia replied, keeping her tone neutral as she prepared his coffee.
“You seem more serious today.”
She looked up. “Just thinking about a few things.”
“Good things?”
She shrugged. “Haven’t decided yet.”
William tilted his head, studying her for a moment. “Can I help?”
Julia hesitated before asking, “You told me you work in the hotel business, right?”
“That’s right.”
“And what’s the name of the hotel where you work?”
William smiled, but this time it was a different kind of smile, as if he had been expecting that question. “Why do you ask?”
“Curiosity.”
He took a deep breath before answering. “Stone Hotels.”
Julia blinked a few times. She knew that name. It was one of the biggest hotel chains in the country—luxurious, exclusive, expensive. A world far from her own.
“You?” She paused, trying to find the right words. “You work for Stone Hotels?”
William nodded. “Yes.”
She studied him for a moment, letting that sink in. “And what exactly do you do there?”
He took a sip of his coffee before answering. “I’m one of the owners.”
The silence between them lasted longer than Julia would have liked. She felt her stomach drop. So that was it. He wasn’t just an employee or someone working behind the scenes. He was one of the owners. William Stone. Now, everything made sense—the way he spoke, the refined way he carried himself, the luxury car she saw the other night. He had kept this from her.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
William let out a small sigh. “Because I wanted you to get to know me without my last name influencing anything.”
She bit her lower lip, feeling oddly unsettled. “That doesn’t change who you are.”
He looked up at her. “It doesn’t change me. But for a lot of people, it does.”
Julia crossed her arms. “So you think I would have treated you differently if I knew?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. But I didn’t want to take that risk.”
She was silent for a moment, trying to process everything. “You were right,” she said finally. “This does make me see you differently.”
William watched her carefully. “What do you mean?”
Julia let out a soft sigh. “Now I understand why some things never made sense. You came here every day like this was the only place you had coffee. But someone like you could go to the best cafés in the city.”
William gave a small smile. “And who says this isn’t one of the best places?”
She blinked, surprised by his answer. “You really like it here?”
“I do.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond. Before they could continue the conversation, one of the diner’s employees called Julia over to help with an order. She nodded and stepped away, but her mind was elsewhere.
Later that afternoon, when Julia left the diner, she found William leaning against his car, waiting for her. She stopped for a moment, crossing her arms.
“Are you following me now?”
He laughed. “Let’s just say I wanted to make sure you’d accept another ride.”
Julia pretended to think it over. “That depends. Are you still going to keep hiding who you really are?”
William smiled. “I promise to be completely honest from now on.”
She watched him for a few seconds before finally sighing and getting into the car. As he drove, William glanced at her now and then.
“Are you mad at me?”
Julia let out a small laugh. “I don’t know. I’m just trying to understand why someone like you wants to be treated like an ordinary guy.”
Keeping his eyes on the road, he answered, “Because sometimes being an ordinary guy feels more real.”
She studied him for a moment. “So what is it that you really want?”
William was silent for a moment. “I’m trying to figure that out.”
Julia didn’t know how to respond. The rest of the drive was quiet, but not uncomfortable. When they arrived at her house, Julia hesitated before stepping out of the car.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime.”
She nodded and closed the door. But before going inside, she glanced back and saw him still sitting there, watching her.
That night, lying in bed, Julia realized that something inside her was starting to change. And somehow, William was part of it.
The next day, Julia spent most of her time trying not to think about William. After finding out he was one of the owners of Stone Hotels, everything felt more complicated. Not because she cared about his fortune, but because it was unsettling that he had kept that from her for so long.
That evening, when she got home, her mother noticed she was distracted. “Is everything all right, sweetheart?”
Julia sighed, sitting at the table. “I met someone.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“I don’t know. He isn’t exactly who I thought he was.”
Her mother smiled, amused. “Did he lie to you?”
“Not exactly. He just left out a few things.”
“And now you don’t know if you can trust him?”
Julia nodded. Her mother placed a cup of tea in front of her. “Sweetheart, sometimes people hide parts of themselves because they’re afraid of being judged. Maybe he was just waiting for the right moment to tell you.”
Julia bit her lower lip, thinking. “Maybe.”
But even so, something inside her still felt unsettled. The next morning, William showed up at the diner at his usual time. Julia had expected to see him. But this time, something about him seemed different. There was a look in his eyes, almost like he was troubled.
She poured his coffee and leaned on the counter. “Is everything okay?”
He stirred his spoon in the cup before answering. “I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday.”
“About what?”
“About me hiding who I am.”
Julia folded her arms, waiting.
William took a deep breath. “You were right. I shouldn’t have kept that from you.”
She blinked, surprised by his honesty. “It’s not really about the money, William. It’s just, it feels like you wanted to hide an important part of your life.”
He nodded. “Because sometimes, my life feels more like a cage than anything else.”
Julia frowned. “What do you mean?”
He took a sip of coffee before continuing. “Since I was a kid, I was trained to take over the company. I never had a choice. Every decision was made for me. Even the people I spent time with were chosen by my family.”
She studied him carefully. “And you never wanted that?”
“I never wanted to be surrounded by people who only care about money.”
Julia stayed quiet for a moment. Now, everything was starting to make sense. “Is that why you ended up here?”
William gave a small smile. “I guess so.”
She let out a short laugh. “And what did you find?”
He looked at her, holding his cup. “Something real.”
Julia’s eyes locked onto his. She hadn’t expected that answer, but something inside her warmed at his words. Before she could respond, a customer called for her attention, and she had to step away. But that conversation stayed in her mind for the rest of the day.
Later, when her shift ended, Julia walked outside and found William leaning against his car. She crossed her arms, pretending to be serious.