Kiss of A Titan
Chapter 42

Soon after they were done having breakfast, her dad took her out of the house to a nearby coffee shop in his police car. Lori was quick to isolate herself in one of the last seats at the far end of the compartment where she could clearly see people walking by when they entered the coffee shop leaving her father to request for two coffees from the sales guy who became nervous at the sight of the policeman heading to meet him at the counter.

"Two hot coffee, mate", "Right away, officer", the salesman replied and did as he was told. The salesman was done in a jiffy and returned to the counter where Lori's dad was waiting for the coffee, "Here's your coffee, sir", "That was fast and uh...here's your money", Lori's dad replied and handed the cash to the salesman from his wallet. Then he walked briskly to the table where Lori sat resting her head on the glass, taking the two coffees along with him. She clearly wasn't in the mood for a coffee but her dad had other intentions in mind.

He sat down quietly facing her and patiently dropped the two coffees on the table. He stole a glimpse at her but she didn't look at him and was still lost in her in her own world.

"Drink it before it gets cold", He shifted her coffee to her end of the table and drank from his. Lori kept to herself even though she heard him.

"If you're not gonna speak up, that's fine", her father said and sipped his coffee, "You just have to listen then", he said but there was still no response from his daughter. Then he brought out a packet of cigarettes from his left pocket and a lighter from his right pocket. He took one cigarette and lit it up after placing it on his lips. It was his usual habit of smoking a cigarette whenever he was to calm his breath each time he was having a conversation with a prisoner and It didn't quite bother him much if his daughter was displeased by his habit.

"It's been two years since you last acted this way and as far as I can remember, it was happened because of that breakup you had with that boyfriend of yours..." he explained, sucking hard on his cigarette, "Do your tears have something to do with him or is it something that I ain't aware of", "Why do you care?", Lori asked feebly.

"Because I'm the only one you got", her father said and put away the cigarette from his lips.

"It doesn't matter if you know the truth or not", "I still have to know. Is he the real reason why you refused to talk to me all day?", He inquired. Lori didn't answer but nodded in affirmation without looking at him, "I should have known better," he took his coffee and drank from it, "So, what did the athlete do this time around, huh? You were the one who broke up with him first, and I guess you still haven't gotten over him yet?", Lori didn't answer his questions nor did she indicate that what he was asking her was true though her silence greatly confirmed his doubts.

"I bet you did find out he's seeing someone else now", he said to himself and drank the last drop of coffee.

"You still love him?" he asked again unsure if she would answer this time around.

"I...guess... I still do", she muttered weakly and sighed heavily, as she kept on watching the people passing by.

"Then try patching things up with him at least that would save you're the heart attack", "Already thought of doing that but it's too late", "How come?"

"You won't understand, I thought if I had the chance to talk things through with him this summer, we would get back together but Now, I don't ever see us getting back together", Lori explained shaking her head in disbelief as she hitched her head from the glass "You could be wrong", "It's hopeless talking to you", she said in anguish.

"I doubt if he'll refuse to patch things if you talk to him about it", "He won't because he knows I made a stupid mistake in the past and I ended it all with him but...", "But you can't let go of the fact that you truly loved him", he rejoined, "You need to talk to him and I believe he'll listen to you", "I don't think that's possible with the way things are complicated right now", Lori replied and a sudden change in her countenance left him in no doubt that she had something else in mind. She had been nursing anger directly at someone else which her dad perceived could be towards the contender for her ex boyfriend.

"It's better if you don't do anything rash that may upset... what's his name again?", He questioned.

"Richard Jefferson", "Richard, right.....Like I said, you better not do anything that'll make you lose your chances to be with him forever", He advised getting ready to leave.

"You leaving already?", "Yeah...I guess I have spent too much time away from the office", Lori stared at him in disappointment after his response.

"What about me?",

She said looking at him with the eyes of the little girl he once knew and loved.

"Fine, you can come with me but I'll drop you off at home", He answered and Lori smiled at him. Then she drank the entire coffee whole till the container was empty leaving not only her dad but the salesman in utter astonishment. Lori got up from her seat and exited the coffee shop along with her dad before her dad drove her back home.