Bab 53: 53. "Haven Cafe and Vivienne's Shopping"

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...

As a regular in the cafe, Vivienne was familiar with everyone who worked there, and spoke to the teenage boy with ease. "Yes, Ms. Vivienne! Please follow me!" he responded with a nod and gestured for them to follow him to an unoccupied table for two.

The boy's graceful movements and gentlemanly demeanor were evidence of his professionalism. It seemed he had been well-trained to act in this manner, which is fitting for an attendant.

"Please, have a seat and make yourselves comfortable. What would you both like to drink or have?" Miller, a young man with a welcoming gesture, showed them to an empty spot.

"Thanks for showing us the place. I'll have my usual," Vivienne said as she sat down across from Lucien. She turned to Miller, thanked him for his assistance, and ordered her usual.

"Right away, Ms. Vivienne. And what would you like, sir?" Miller acknowledged her order with a smile and asked Lucien for his.

After pondering for a moment and perusing the menu on the table, Lucien replied, "I'll have a Maebourn for now, thank you." Miller noted the order and nodded before taking his leave, giving them a slight bow.

"Are you a regular here?" Lucien inquired, noticing the familiar tone in Vivienne's voice as she conversed with the attendant.

"Hmmn! Indeed. It's been a few years already!" Vivienne nodded affirmatively and replied.

"So you frequent this place often!" Lucien observed, taking in the ambiance of the cafe.

"Hmmn, yes! I do fancy this place. And I also get many good ideas here!" Vivienne smiled as she reminisced about her past visits.

As they waited for their order, Lucien and Vivienne chatted about their daily lives.

Ten minutes later, Miller arrived with their orders and set them down on the table.

"Ahh! Thank you," both expressed their gratitude to Miller for his warm hospitality.

There is a saying in this cafe that there are two specialties famous among the frequent customers who visit here.

Maebourne is one of them. Maebourne coffee is a sacred brew, prepared only by the most skilled baristas using handpicked beans and a rare herb with powerful medicinal properties.

It is said that just one sip of Maebourne can transport you to a state of pure bliss, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and renewed.

Despite its exclusivity and high cost, Maebourne has developed a cult following with coffee enthusiasts traveling from all over the Novus city to sample its delights.

For those lucky enough to experience it, Maebourne is a moment to be savored, a memory to be cherished forever, and for the baristas who prepare it, it is an honor and a privilege to be part of this ancient tradition.

"Wow, parfait!" Lucien exclaims in delight taking a sip.

"I know, it's the best. No matter how many times I drink this, I find it very fascinating!" Vivienne comments as she also takes a sip from her order.

Other than Maebourne, there is another specialty which is Vivienne's favorite, and she usually orders it, Mandrove Mario.

Mandrove Mario is a coffee that stirs the senses.

With its rich, chocolaty flavor and a hint of bitterness, it provides a perfect mix of sweet and savory notes that dance on the tongue and linger in the throat.

But Mandrove Mario is more than just a delicious brew.

It is a powerful elixir, made from the finest beans and a special blend of herbs that not only provide a morning boost of energy but also nourish the body with essential nutrients.

That's also why this place is a haven, as customers enjoy the blissful state after taking sips from their orders.

Miller left them as they enjoyed their treats. Hearing their compliments, he felt happy knowing that the customers he served genuinely loved it.

"I think I'll have to teach Simran a thing or two about this place so I can have a taste of this kind of coffee every day!" Lucien commented, feeling pleased with the taste and sensation he got after drinking it.

"Oh, please. The method to prepare these two specialties is a secret, and it's their lifeline to run this cafe, so obviously, they won't be sharing it!" Vivienne offhandedly replied, making Lucien shake his head.

"Yeah, I know. I was just jesting!" Lucien said as he put down his empty cup.

"Now I feel even more energetic. By the way, if you don't mind, can we go to a few places?" Vivienne also put down her empty cup and smiled, feeling energetic after drinking her coffee.

She had decided to visit a few places that she had thought of and asked for Lucien's suggestions since she couldn't go alone.

"Alright, it's fine as long as you don't strain yourself!" Lucien replied, thinking it was fine as he looked at the over-enthusiastic Vivienne in front of him.

After paying the bill, Lucien and Vivienne left the café and headed back to the park where their car was parked. Vivienne guided Lucien as he drove, and they soon arrived at their destination.

...

"So, what are we doing here?" asked Lucien curiously, as he parked the car and helped Vivienne out.

"I need to buy a few things, and I want to prepare a gift for Simran, who took care of me while I was in a coma," replied Vivienne, explaining her reasons for coming to the Nova Plaza.

Lucien felt a twinge of envy towards Simran, thinking to himself, 'What about me? Ohh...yeah! She forget about all the things I've done for her?' However, he kept his feelings to himself and simply accompanied Vivienne.

The Nova Plaza was a bustling hub of activity, with a vast array of stores selling everything one could possibly need.

Lucien suggested they change their clothes to avoid being recognized by any of their employees and ruining their date.

"Let's take a quick look around the place, but first we should change our clothes. We stand out like a sore thumb and could be easily recognized by our staff," he said, eyeing their conspicuous outfits.

After changing into more inconspicuous clothes, they began exploring the plaza.

Vivienne dragged Lucien from one shop to another, and soon enough, his hands were full of shopping bags.

"Umm...Vivi, can we take a break and drop these bags off first?" Lucien muttered under his breath, finally understanding why husbands often dreaded shopping with their wives. He spoke quietly so that only Vivienne could hear.

...

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