Cahaya matahari pagi London yang malu-malu menembusi celah langsir sutera di bilik tetamu rumah agam Max. Elvina terjaga dengan bau kopi yang sangat harum—bukan kopi pahit yang Max selalu pesan di dalam pesawat, tetapi bau kopi yang mempunyai nota rempah yang sangat dia kenali.

Dia turun ke bawah dengan memakai kardigan bulu yang besar. Di dapur moden yang serba canggih itu, Max sedang berdiri di hadapan mesin kopi, tetapi di atas meja terdapat sebuah balang kecil berisi serbuk kopi yang dibawa Elvina dari Melaka.

"Good morning, Star. I decided to try your 'magic beans' today," sapa Max sambil menghulurkan cawan porselin kepada Elvina.

"Good morning, Max. You actually used my coffee? I thought you only drank the 'expensive water' from London boutiques," usik Elvina sambil menghirup kopi itu.

Max ketawa kecil dan menarik Elvina ke dalam pelukannya.

"I realized that expensive water doesn't have the soul that your coffee does. Just like me before I met you. I was expensive, but I had no soul."

Elvina tersenyum, menyandarkan kepalanya di dada Max.

"You're getting very poetic, Mr. Ryan. Is it the London air or the Melaka coffee?"

"It's you, Elvina. Always you," bisik Max. Dia kemudian membawa Elvina ke arah meja makan yang sudah terbentang beberapa keping lakaran reka bentuk.

"I wanted to show you this. My grandfather is recovering well, and he’s been talking about your 'vision' for a cafe in Malacca. He wants us to do it properly."

Elvina meneliti lakaran itu. Ia bukan sekadar kafe biasa. Ia adalah pelan restorasi sebuah bangunan lama di Jonker Walk yang digabungkan dengan elemen moden.

"Max, this is... this is too much. I wanted a small cafe, not a gallery," kata Elvina, matanya meliar melihat butiran reka bentuk itu.

"It's not just a cafe, Elvina. It's a heritage center. You will run it, your way. I'm just providing the 'foundation' as we agreed. But there is one condition," Max memandang Elvina dengan renungan yang sangat bermakna.

"What condition?"

"I want the grand opening to be our engagement party. I want to tell the world that the Star of Malacca has finally agreed to be mine," Max mencapai tangan Elvina, jarinya mengusap lembut gelang tangan yang dipakainya.

"I’ve already spoken to Bibik on the phone this morning. She’s already checking the dates for the hantaran."

Elvina terkejut. "You called Bibik? Without telling me? Max Ryan, you are impossible!"

"I had to! I need to know the 'Nyonya protocols'. I don't want to mess this up. She said I need to prepare twelve trays of gifts. I told her I’d prepare twenty-four if that's what it takes to keep you," Max menyeringai nakal.

"Twelve is enough, Max. Don't go overboard," tawa Elvina pecah. Dia merasa sangat terharu kerana Max sanggup belajar tentang adat budayanya.

"But Max... about my job. I still want to fly for a few more years. I'm not ready to stay on the ground forever."

Max mengangguk faham.

"I know. And I’ve talked to the board. We are launching a new 'Heritage Ambassador' role for the airline. You will be the face of our premium sectors. You fly, you promote our culture, and you come home to me. Whether home is here in Belgravia or in Malacca."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?" Elvina mendongak memandang wajah Max.

"I’m a businessman, Elvina. I don't like losing my best assets. And you are the most precious one I have," Max merapatkan wajahnya ke wajah Elvina. "So, tell me. Is it a deal?"

Elvina melingkarkan tangannya di leher Max, membiarkan deru nafas lelaki itu menyentuh kulitnya.

"It's a deal, Max. But you have to promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"You have to learn how to make this coffee properly. I don't want to drink 'expensive water' for the rest of my life," bisik Elvina sebelum mencium bibir Max dengan penuh kasih.

"I promise. I'll be the best barista in London just for you," balas Max di antara ciuman mereka.

Suasana di dapur itu terasa sangat hangat, jauh dari kedinginan salji yang masih berbaki di luar. Elvina sedar bahawa ufuk yang dahulunya nampak jauh dan mustahil, kini sudah berada dalam genggamannya. Dia bukan lagi pramugari yang hanya melayani impian orang lain; dia sedang membina impiannya sendiri bersama lelaki yang sanggup meruntuhkan tembok dunianya demi cinta.

"I love you, Elvina Idris. More than any empire I've built," bisik Max lagi.

"I love you too, Max Ryan. My grumpy passenger, my boss, and my home," balas Elvina dengan senyuman yang paling bahagia.

* * *