STIGMA

Placing a hand on her sternum Hannah tried to breathe through nausea. She'd demand of her body to keep going and stop holding her back. Closing her eyes she focused entirely on making herself feel better, maybe it was positive thinking because when she opened her eyes again the need to throw up was gone.

Grabbing the wooden tray filled with two steaming cups of jasmine tea and two plates of red velvet cake she pushed through the thick door and entered the store with a smile on her face. She approached the two lovely ladies sitting by the window and placed their order on the table, making sure she didn't spill anything. The ladies appreciated her effort, showing her their bright smiles.

"Thank you, dear." The lady in the blue dress told her.

Hannah lowered the tray, "No problem, let me know if you need anything else."

The lady in the beige dress grabbed onto her wrist and kept her in place, "How are you feeling, dear. Your mother told me you were feeling under the weather the past few days."

She should have known these well-dressed ladies were friends of her mother. Her usual customers were students who did their schoolwork while sipping tons of coffee and eating sweets. Rarely did people who looked like they owned a yacht visit her little coffee shop.

"I'm fine now." She reassured the lady in the beige dress, forcing a polite smile on her face as she brushed back a blonde lock which escaped from her messy bun, "My mother worries too much. But I suppose I can't blame her seeing parents always worry about their children."

The lady in blue nodded, "Well said, sometimes I wished my children would see it that way."

Hannah knew the only reason why she was tolerating her mother's protective behavior was that she was becoming a parent herself. She knew once her baby was born she'd be the same. Always worrying, wanting her child to be safe and protected.

"They'll will, one day." Hannah promised the lady in blue, "Now if you excuse me I need to get back to work."

The lady in blue nodded, "Yes, of course, dear."

Placing the tray on the counter, Hannah watched as her kitchen help entered the store with a tray filled with delicious smelling blueberry muffins.

"Those smell amazing, Maria."

The brunette grinned, "Right?" She stalled them out in the display which kept their products fresh and then looked up, meeting Hannah's gaze, "I put the dishes in the dishwasher and updated the stock list. I'll be working on the cheesecake now. Do you need anything else?"

Hannah placed her hand on Maria's shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze, "No, you're doing great work. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Maria's eyes softened, "You don't have to find out either. I'm here to stay."

Hannah was rearranging the sweets on the display when she heard someone clear their throat, trying to get her attention. Standing up she smiled at the older man who stood across her, wearing a nice blue sweater and gray slacks. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing an expensive watch to her. His hair was neatly styled while his hazel eyes took her in and then softened, a warm smile spreading across his face. She was sure the man was in his late forties, maybe even fifties, but you couldn't tell. He looked amazingly handsome for his age.

"I'd like a cappuccino to go, please."

"Anything else, sir?"

"No, that's fine."

She nodded and then went right to work, preparing his cappuccino, making sure not to mess the order up and carefully put the lid on, not wanting to break it. She put a sleeve around the cup to make sure the man wouldn't burn himself and then handed him his coffee. He paid in cash, a bit too much, but he told her to keep the change. She watched as he spun around ready to leave the store but then faced her again. His eyes once again taking her in. She could have sworn he was also staring at her when she was preparing his order. He approached the counter again and placed his free hand on the wooden counter, his hazel eyes narrowing on her.

"Excuse me-." His eyes trailed to her hands before he met her gaze again, "Miss, by any chance, did you stay at the D'Amore hotel last summer?"

She swallowed, not wanting the memories which she pushed into a box being unlocked by this strange man, unfortunately, she couldn't keep the lid closed now. The memories were flooding back to her, but she forced herself to stay grounded. Putting on her impassive mask she lied through her teeth, not wanting to have any connections to that hotel or the man who owned it.

"I'm sorry, I think you've confused me with someone else."

His eyes scanned her face, his eyes telling her he didn't quite believe her answer, "Is that so?" He muttered, his hand tightening around the cup, "Anyway, thank you for the coffee. Have a nice day, Miss."

Once the man left the coffee shop she let out a sigh of relief. She couldn't catch her breath yet though because the lady in blue approached the counter, looking curious about the whole ordeal.

"Who was that man?" She asked, "His style was to die for, don't you think? I didn't spot a ring on his finger so I'm guessing he is still free."

"I don't know." Hannah told her honestly, "But you're right he was well dressed."