Tucked between two modern high-rises in the heart of the city, Vee'spresso is the kind of place you do not expect to find, but once you do, you never forgets about it. Vee'spresso, from the outside, is unassuming; with a slim, brick-fronted café with soft wooden trim and a narrow black sign hanging above the door in handwritten script. There's just one word; "Vee'spresso". No tagline. No explanation. Yet it invites curiosity, not noise. When you step inside it, the hum of the city fades like a closed door on a crowded courtroom, as if the whole place is breathing in and our slowly.
The interior design is warm minimalism, much like its owner, with matte wood counters, brass light fixtures, and the shelves lined with mismatched mugs and old books which consists of some legal and some romance, not to mention comic books and magazines - Oh, don't forget the owner's personal collection of recipe books! Everything in the cafe feels like it was handpicked, lived-in, and quietly intentional - or personally.
At the back, there's a three-seated corner table near the ceiling height glass wall - a little worn out but sacred, with three different coloured ceramic cups always ready. Regulars have come to call it "The Third Corner", though no one ever sits there without an invite from the owner herself with reasons never explained. It's just there waiting.
When sitting inside the cafe, one will hear the soft music, classic vinyl on slow rotation, mostly piano, jazz, or indie folk - It only ever changes when a certain hamster (as what the owner likes to call her) comes over. Conversations barely heard, as they stay low, gentle. The atmosphere inside makes strangers feel like regulars, and regulars feel like old friends. There's no rush here, only rhythm, as if the time has stopped ticking, and everything about the cafe says; "Pause. Stay. Be."
But the real magic is upstairs. Where a narrow staircase behind the counter leads to a hidden rooftop terrace, lush with string lights, potted plants, and a single vintage couch facing the skyline. As beautiful as it looks, it is too bad that the rooftop is not open to the public, and only a few people have access to it.
The rooftop is an exclusive spot for exclusive people only, and these exclusive people are the owner herself, Veronica Carlisle, and her two best friends, Thristan Everard, and Hana Quinn. The rooftop is their world above world, their hideout, their Querencia - or whatever it is called. The rooftop is a place where laughter echoes louder, where secrets are told without flinching, and where, even after every problems, they still meet without asking why.
Sometimes, only two of them shows up.
Sometimes, just one.
Most times, all three of them are there.
And sometimes, no one comes.
Still, the rooftop waits. Just like The Third Corner downstairs...
***
It is late in the afternoon. Golden light washes over the Vee'spresso rooftop, casting soft shadows across the potted plants and string lights. A small coffee table hold scattered papers, a laptop, and two half-drunk coffees, two people are in the middle of discussion regarding an upcoming hotel anniversary, where they will be collaborating.
But before we go further into the story, let us meet the female lead of our story, Veronica Carlisle. Owner of Vee'spresso, a 27 years old woman who threw away her diploma in law only to open a café. Her interest includes watching movies, cooking, and lazing around. Veronica is a tall, beautiful, and smart woman. She wears glasses which made her looks like a charismatic businesswoman, but girl just have a bad eyesight and cannot see things without her glasses on. Veronica is not into sports and she most definitely not into exercise either, so her free time are usually spent just lazing around or cleaning her house.
Now, seated across her is our male lead. Julian Callister, CEO of Callister Hotel, the biggest hotel in the city. A young CEO with height around 185 cm. Not that buff but he was surely muscular. Julian took over his family business at the age of twenty-five and managed to make himself one of the most successful bachelors in a short span of five years. Now, at the age of 32, he become every bachelor's idol and every girl's ideal type. His interest includes basketball, working out and movies. Well, he is not much of a zombie's fan though.
Now, back to the story. Veronica raised her head from the document and her eyes met with the person sitting across her who, at the same time has been waiting silently for the past fifteen minutes. Fixing her spectacles for the nth time, Veronica flashed a smile towards the man resulting to a tint of pink on his cheeks. Veronica have always had that alluring looks that can sweep all the man to stand on her lane, well, not literally all but you know what I mean. Looking away to hide his blush, the man cleared his throat before fixing his posture to begin their discussion.
"Have you looked through everything?" His voice cracked a little due to the long silence between them.
Veronica nodded, putting down the papers she has been reading. "But I think I need to change some of the menus here." She finally spoke after fifteen minutes of silence, picking up a marker, her hand moves to mark the pictures of desserts and cakes on the paper she was holding earlier. "These, might not be suitable based on your guest lists."
Frowning, Julian asks. "And why is that?"
"Your guests are mostly business men in their early forties to early sixties. People of this age mostly want to watch their sugar intake, and these are the ones too sweet for them." Julian nodded and their conversation continues.
Meanwhile, in the background, Hana Quinn is laying on the vintage couch, eating some snacks that Julian was sure would leave a mess on the carpet underneath the couch. While Thristan Everard was seated on the carpet beside the couch Hana was laying on, comic book in his hands, flipping the pages slowly since Hana was reading along with him. A sight Julian has gotten used to despite his initial shock seeing his best friend, Thristan acting like an obedient puppy - the man is famous for his indifferent attitude. Although, if you look closely at his actions, Thristan isn't even reading at the comic, he was just holding it for Hana to read - I mean, who the hell reads with their sunglasses on, especially when the sun is fading?
The two has been talking in hushed tones earlier, but not anymore.
Julian, focused on his discussion; "Hmm, I see." He nodded, but can't help but notice the way Hana was wiping her dirty fingers from the snacks on Thristan's shirt, making the man scowl at her but was replied with a cute chuckle. "So what do you suggest we replace them with? I'm-..."
"I gave you tissue, Hana! Stop wiping your fingers on my shirt!" Thristan's voice cut in from the background making Julian paused.
"And I told you I need new one! This one can't be used anymore!" Hana said, throwing the tissue on Thristan's face.
"I just bought this, you know!"
"You can just wash it!"
Julian raises a brow at Veronica, half-smiling. "Should we continue when the sitcom ends?"
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Veronica let out a sigh before turning around to look at her two best friends. "You two-... hah..."
"This is a rooftop, not a debate hall. And in case you've forgotten, its also attached to my business, which you are currently disrupting. Again." Veronica shot the two a glare. Hana looked at Veronica and glanced at Thristan before going back to her lying position.
"Tell that to Mr. Sunglasses at Sunset." Hana muttered, putting down the package of her snack in which Thristan picks up and threw it on the small bin beside the coffee table immediately.
"Tell your dirty little hamster to clean up her mess, miss boss." Thristan shrugs.
"You say that but you always cleans them up anyway, Thrist, so shut it and starts cleaning that mess." Veronica shots and Thristan stared at her. Offended, but kept quiet because it's true. Hana nodded, as she rolls her eyes.
"And you, Hana. Just because you work with shots doesn't mean you need to fire them up here." Veronica added, and Hana just nodded, going back to her laying position after Thristan lifted her up earlier to clean the couch.
The rooftop's back to it's original peace, as the two toned down their voices while Veronica turns back to Julian, smoothing the corner of a crinkled proposal. Julian smiled, and said in a low voice; "You're terrifying when you're in charge."
"I used to cross-examine men three times your size before lunch." Veronica shrugged, picking up a paper to read.
"I should be careful of my words then." Julian chuckled.
Veronica let out a soft chuckle. "If you survive this rooftop, you can survive anything."
Meanwhile in the background, Hana successfully steals Thristan's sunglasses. Thristan tried getting them back buth Hana ran away, almost tripping over a planter making Thristan let out a loud gasp which successfully made Veronica turned to see them in case Hana gets hurts. Thank God, Thristan managed to catch Hana before she fall face first on the floor. They both fell into a fit of laughter, too loud for Veronica's liking, especially when they just made her heart dropped to the floor. Their chase then continue as they made their way downstairs.
Shaking her head, Veronica lets out a sigh, both relieved and fed up with her friend. "Oh my god..." Julian just watching all that in amusement.
"So... how often do you host rooftop chaos hour?" Julian asks.
Chuckling, Veronica gave a casual answer. "Every day ending in Y?"
Julian stared at Veronica, trying to find something from her expression. "You know, most people would've kicked them out."
"Well, I'm not most people..." Veronica shrugged.
"Why do you do that though? I often sees you prioritizing Hana over everything, she's not a kid, nor is she a princess." Julian asks again, genuinely curious.
Shrugging, Veronica arranged the documents on the table as their meeting has already ended. "Because I want to. And before you ask anymore questions, yes, I'm doing it out of my own will. No one told me to do it, not even Hana herself."
"I don't understand..." Julian muttered, still confused.
"You don't have to understand, you're not required to." Veronica said, standing up while carrying the documents with one hand. "You don't know anything about how our friendship works, so please don't judge Hana based on what you only see a few times."
There was a short pause before Julian let out a sigh, along with a nod of understanding. "....sorry."
Smiling, Veronica nodded. "It's fine. Well then, I still have some work to do, so I will have to go downstairs. You can stay here for a while or come down to the cafe, it's your choice. I'll ask the part timer to serve you some drink or dessert. See you next time, Mister Julian."
Julian watched as Veronica made her way down the stairs to the café downstairs. Thinking back, Veronica was right. Julian have no rights to judge Hana based on what he sees during his visits to Vee'spresso. Julian Ashford you stupid idiot!
***
For as long as we humans have known, the setting sun and the darkening sky have signaled the end of the day, a time to wind down and rest. Even the birds quiet down and retreat to their nests. But for those whose lives begin when the sun goes down, which is for the true creatures of the night—the darkness is a gift.
Take, for instance, the people inside the building marked by a glowing sign that reads Nightless Sky. Like many other clubs in the city, it is alive with night dwellers who thrive when others sleep. Here, people live without restraint, they spend money freely, dancing without care, their bodies brushing against strangers without a second thought. They drink the night away, cloud their lungs with smoke, and sometimes even share fleeting encounters with people whose names, or medical history that they, themselves will never know.
…Okay, okay. That might have sounded a bit harsh. Let's not judge those who simply choose to enjoy life their own way.
If we are to talk about Nightless Sky, it is the third biggest club in the area. However, in terms of visitors, or precisely customers, Nightless Sky has the highest number of customers compared to other clubs. The reason being because of how they prioritise their customer's safety. And well, because most of the staff and workers are good looking.
Tonight, just like any other night, the music wasn't loud at Nightless Sky — just loud enough to make you think twice before speaking, soft enough to let your silence go unnoticed. Behind the bar, Hana moved like she was part of the place, not working in it but woven into it, the same way cigarette smoke laced the velvet curtains, the same way time didn't seem to pass between drinks. Her hair was pulled back with her favourite hair stick, a strand fallings as she moves around, and she just ignored them, too unbothered to fix it. She never rushed, never fumbled, but you got the sense that if you blinked, you'd miss her. Hana wasn't the kind of bartender who flirted or filled the air. She poured, watched, and listened. And somehow, without saying a word, she can make you feel like you've said too much.
People didn't come to Nightless Sky to be seen. They came to forget, to vanish between whiskey and the weight of their own silence. Hana never ask questions, she never offer answers. But she remembered what you drank, and she looked you in the eye just long enough to make it feel like a dare.
There were rumors about Hana, that she was an ex-stripper who ran away from something, used to dance, used to fight. But she never confirmed anything. She didn't need to - though some of them are true. She had the kind of presence that made your curiosity feel like a trespass. Hana never ask questions, she never offer answers. Her expression always flat. But at times, when certain people shows up, her face brightens up just a little. And regulars (who are also fans of her) would stare at her for the whole night just to catch a glimpse of her rarely shown smile.
And that was the thing about Nightless Sky and Hana: The lights never went out, but that didn't mean it wasn't dark inthere.
***
3.30 a.m. Hana puts down the last glass she has been cleaning and glances at the door when it opens, revealing a half asleep Thristan walking in. Hana paused and waited until the man stood at the other side of the counter, examining Hana's every action despite being half asleep. Taking a seat on the counter stool, Thristan rested his elbow on the counter to support his face. "You done?"
Nodding, Hana walked around the counter to approach Thristan, trying to remove her apron in the meanwhile, but Thristan was faster in removing it for her. As if on autopilot, Thristan pulled Hana towards him and rested his forehead against her shoulder while his arms wrapped around her waist to remove the apron. Hana, used to it, just let Thristan do whatever he wants.
Thristan Everard, the addition that made Veronica and Hana's duo to become a trio. Veronica and Hana has been friend since childhood and Thristan only joined when the girls turned fifteen. Julian's mother used to be friend with Veronica and Hana's mothers, but she had to move away when she got married. Years later, the three families reunited again, and the children also became trio best friends, just like their mothers. The girls did not know of Julian since Julian was a friend that Thristan met through his father, because their fathers are apparently childhood friend. While Julian's family operates on big hotels, Thristan's family owns a food company, but Thristan owns a few clubs under his name and is managing them instead of taking over his father's company. The Callister and Everard families are basically business partners.
"Why are you here?" Hana questions, her eyes following Thristan's movements as he starts folding the apron.
"To pick you up of course." Thristan answered as if it's the most obvious answer ever as he put down the fabric carefully on the counter.
"Don't you have work tomorrow? I can go home by myself." Hana said, trying to pick her bag, but Thristan was faster in picking the bag up and slinging it over his shoulder as if it's a natural thing for him to do.
"I never said you can't go home by yourself." Thristan said, flicking Hana's forehead lightly before pulling her by the wrist as they walk out of the club premise. "I'm just making sure you get home safe, or Vee's gonna be worried."
"I never understand why is she acting like my mother when I'm literally stronger than her..." Hana grumbled, grabbing Thristan's hand when he thrusted it out for her to hold.
"You're only facing the consequences of your own actions. It was a trauma for both Vee and I." Thristan shrugged, while Hana could only grumbled and let herself gets dragged by Thristan.
"Are you hungry?" Thristan ask once they reached his car, opening the door for Hana before opening the rear door to put Hana's bag down and went behind the wheel. Hana merely shook her head as she closes her eyes.
"Sleep, then. You must be tired." He chuckled, poking her cheek with his finger.
Hana hummed. "Wake me up when we're home."
***
Thristan turned his car to enter Hana's house's premises and he could immediately spot Veronica standing at the entrance, expression filled with panic and worry, Julian standing beside her, and Thristan couldn't make out what he was telling Veronica. Probably comforting her. Veronica's body tensed up the moment she saw Thristan's car and rushed to them the moment Thristan parked his car.
"Why did none of you bothered to answer my calls!" She said. It wasn't a question, but a statement. A demanding one at that.
Sighing, Thristan stared at Veronica with a bored expression. "I was driving, Vee. And Hana fell asleep right at the moment she get inside the car. I told you that I'm picking her up, what are you so worried about? She's not going to disappear so suddenly..."
"What?" Veronica said, voice cold as she looked at Thristan as if she was staring at his soul. Thristan bit his bottom lip at his own words, silently cursing himself.
"Sorry, Vee. I didn't mean to-..." Thristan couldn't finish his words when Veronica walked pass him to open the car where Hana was fast asleep.
"Hana? You're home, wake up and get inside." Veronica said, shaking Hana's body lightly to wake her up and Hana being a light sleeper, woke up immediately. Rubbing her eyes, Hana muttered something, but it was hard to understand, as her words sounds like she's speaking gibberish.
"Yes, you're home. Now wake up and get inside your house to sleep." Veronica, apparently, understood her.
Hana muttered another gibberish and Veronica scowled at her. "Just go to sleep, why would you take a shower this late at night? Here, come down and get inside..." Veronica said, pulling Hana out of the car before guiding her inside her house, walking past Thristan.
"Vee..." Thristan muttered.
Veronica watched as Hana punched in her door passcode and sluggishly walked inside before turning to look at Thristan. "Don't you ever say something like that again."
"Yeah, sorry. I really didn't mean it in a bad way." Veronica stared at Thristan before nodding, letting herself be pulled into Thristan's embrace.
"Sorry for being too sensitive..." She said, voice muffled due to their hug.
Thristan chuckled. "No, I'm sorry for being too insensitive..."
Detaching herself off the hug, Veronica looked at Julian, finally remembering that he was still there - he offered to wait together earlier. "Oh, Julian. I'm sorry you had to see that..."
Julian merely shrugged. "It's fine. Though, are you okay?"
Sighing, Veronica just smiled and nodded. "The both of you should leave, it's late. I'll see you in our next meeting, Julian."
"Why are you here this late though?" Thristan asked, finally realising the fact that Julian was with Veronica at four in the morning.
Julian rubbed his nape. "I woke up at three and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to go for a run. And when I jogged past here, I saw Veronica standing here, looking worried, so I decided to stop. And here we are now..."
"How did you managed to jog all the way here from your house though? This isn't even the usual route you take when you jog." Thristan said, fixing his hoodie, feeling cold due to the morning air.
"Well, I just felt like taking a different route tonight." Julian shrugged. "And I'm glad that I did. Because I get to see Veronica." He said, smiling. Thristan just made a bored face, already knowing of his friend's little crush on Veronica.
"Let's go, I'll drive you home." Thristan said, pulling Julian by the shoulder before looking at Veronica. "Vee, we're leaving. You should go to sleep too, you have work tomorrow, right? Just leave the hamster be, I'll come over in the morning to check on her. You just make sure to take your rest."
Veronica nodded, covering her mouth to muffle her yawn. "Then I'll head inside first. You two take care on your way home." She said before walking inside her own house.
*** *
"Why do you and Veronica always treats Hana like she's a priority?" Julian asked, handing Thristan a hot chocolate before taking the space next to him. Earlier, when they arrived at Julian's penthouse, Julian told Thristan to sleep over since it was almost five in the morning when they arrived.
Glancing at his best friend, Thristan crease his brows together. "What do you mean?"
"No offense, I'm just really curious." Julian said, trying his best to convey his thought without being rude. "Veronica said I don't understand how your friendship works, so I shouldn't be judging carelessly. That's why asking, I'm trying to understand."
There was a long pause of silence, and Julian was about to give up getting answer but Thristan answered first. "It's not my place to tell you the details, but Vee hasn't always been like that towards Hana." Thristan started, Julian turned his body to face Thristan completely. "Sure, she does act like the mature one between them, but she wasn't that overprotective then."
"All I can tell you is that something happened to Hana in the past, and that's the start of everything that's going on between them."
Julian was stunned. In the three months he'd known Hana, she had left him with nothing but bad impressions. At times, she came off as an arrogant, spoiled girl, there are times when she acts like a shy black kitten, but mostly she came off like a bratty princess. And Julian couldn't understand how Veronica would drop everything the moment Hana mentioned something as simple as craving pasta. What baffled Julian the most, though, was how, no matter the situation, Veronica always seemed to put Hana above everything else… even herself.
"And what about you though? Do you also start after what happened?"
Thristan let out a chuckle. "I've always been like this to them both. I've never changed."
There was a short pause before Julian rolled his eyes. "What a lying asshole." He muttered and Thristan laugh out loud.
"And anyway, it's all on Vee," Thristan said once his laughter had died down. "Have you ever actually seen Hana ask Vee for anything? No, right? Hana's always been independent. It's Vee who keeps treating her like she's some five-year-old kid. Sure, Hana's got a foul mouth, but she's not as bad as you think."
That completely shut Julian up. He couldn't make sense of it. Hana, who acted like an arrogant, spoiled princess. Veronica, who willingly played the role of her personal assistant. And Thristan, who seemed carefree on the surface, but was quietly protective of them both. Was their friendship just too complicated, or was Julian simply the one who didn't understand how it worked?
And it was all for Julian to find out.