Chapter 6

It was Wednesday and Katherine was working late that night at the cafe. It was almost closing time but customers kept pouring in. Katherine was just waiting for the customers to leave so that she could finish her work and go back to her hostel. Mr. Randel, the cafe owner was a middle aged man. He was kind but strict when it came to work. Katherine along with David, her co-worker, had to wait for the customers to leave, then clean the tables and rearrange them the tables and chairs for the next day, before leaving. 

“Katherine, It’s getting late. I have a test tomorrow. I should be leaving now. Can you please take care? They are the last ones, I guess.” Requested David.

“Sure, I'll take care. You can carry on.” 

“Thanks a lot. Take care. Goodnight.” Said David packing his bag.

Katherine mumbled a ‘goodnight' and started cleaning the tables.

She was stocking up the meat in the freezer section, when a group of boys entered the cafe.

“Katherine, dear, there are few more customers. Please get their order. I've to close the accounts for today.” Said Randel with an apologetic look.

Muttering few curses Katherine went to the customers, taking out her notepad to get their orders. 

‘Who would want to have coffee at this time ?’ she thought feeling annoyed. 

“Welcome. Can I get your ord..” Katherine stopped speaking when her eyes fell on Ashton, Noah and Michael.

Michael whistled, looking at Katherine and Ashton's shocked faces. They were both staring at each other. It was clear, Ashton did not have a clue that she was working there.

“What are you doing here?” Asked Ashton, with concern filled eyes.

“Working.” Replied Katherine in a dud tone.

“I can see that. But why are you here so late? Isn't it like the closing time?” 

‘It is because of people like you, who want to have coffee at eleven in the night that I've to work so late' she wanted to say but she kept quiet. She knew her boss would not tolerate such behaviour so instead she just stared at Ashton for a minute. 

“What would you like to order?” She asked politely.

Noah opened his mouth but was interrupted by Ashton.

“Anything which you feel is easier to make and which doesn't take too long.” 

Katherine turned around and started walking towards the food preparation counter.

Mike and Noah threw a questioning glare at Ashton.

"What?" Retorted Ashton. "I just dont want to be sitting here like forever amd she looks clearly exhausted." He said looking back at her from his seat.

 She made coffee and chicken mayo sandwich, spending very little time to prepare just as he wanted. She walked back and their orders on the table and waited for them to leave so that she could get to her hostel soon.

All the three boys ate with simple conversation taking place in between. 

She saw that Ashton was in a hurry to finish his coffee and was often looking at her. After paying the bill, Ashton started talking to her boss. He pointed towards Katherine and Mr. Randel just shook his head.

She just kept staring at them, not knowing what they were talking but it was clear that they were talking about her. She was feeling a bit  self-concious.

“Kathy darling, please come here.” Called Randel

Now she thought that she was in some sore of trouble. 

‘Did I upset my customers, by any chance? she kept thinking about somwthing that she must have done unknowingly. ‘But, Why should I be worried when I clearly did nothing wrong?’ she thought as she made her way to the cash counter where they all were standing.

“Katherine, this gentleman here says that he knows you and he offers to drop you at your hostel. Is it okay for you? Do you know him dear?” asked Randel in a soft tone.

“Yeah, we study in the same school.” Said Katherine. “but it is okay. I still have to clean the tables.”

“Oh you do not have to worry about that honey. It is already late and it is not safe for you to walk alone all the way to your hostel.” 

“Katherine, you will be safe with Ashton. He will drop you at your place.” Assured Noah

“Okay. I will get my bag and be there in a minute.” Murmured Kathy. As much as she hated the idea of riding along with Ashton, she knew that it wasn't safe for her to walk alone so late at night. So, she agreed to go with him without arguing anymore.

"Hey no funny business, okay? Make sure to drop her safely." Noah and Michael were smirking while wishing him Goodnight. Ashton smacked at the back of Noah's head for mocking him. As they left, Ashton waited for five more minutes near his car for Katherine to come out.

“Where is Noah and Michael?” asked Katherine “Are they not coming with us?” 

“Nope. They have their own cars. I'm not their driver.” Said Ashton opening the passenger door for Katherine.

“Thanks.” She said in a low voice.

Running around to the driver seat, he buckled up the seatbelt and started driving his car.

“Do you work here everyday?” asked Ashton.

“Yeah.” Reply Katherine curtly

“And do you leave this late everyday?” 

“Not always.”

Ashton just looked at her and turned his attention back on the road. ‘She was unbelievable’, he thought.

There was a complete silence all along the way. Every now and then, Ashton kept looking at her. The silence was suffocating her and so she wanted to end it.

“What were you doing out so late?” Asked Katherine to Ashton's surprise. 

“We were group studying at my place for tomorrow's test when Noah wanted to have some fresh air and coffee.” Said Ashton with a small smile tugging at his lips. He never thought she would initiate a conversation with him.

Nodding her head, she turned her head towards the window and stared out of the window. There was silence again. Katherine turned on the radio. The city looked quiet and peaceful. 

Reaching the hostel gate, Katherine turned to Ashton with a small smile. She did not want to be rude at him. 

“Thanks for the ride.” She said.

“It's my pleasure.” Ashton said with a smirk.

“Goodnight. Drive safe.” 

“Goodnight.” He said with a lopsided smile. 

She quickly turned around and started walking into the gate without looking back. His smiles were doing unexplainable things to her and she hated it.

Climbing the stairs to her floor, she saw Ashton still waiting for her to enter her room. Katherine's heart skipped a beat. Deep inside her heart, she knew, that he was the most handsome guy she has ever met. Now she also realised that he was a responsible and caring person. But she was aware that liking him would break her heart. She was too scared of getting hurt. So, she had to build a wall around her heart. She knew that Ashton did not have any bad intention for her. But what concerned her even more was, why would someone like Ashton be worried about her. She was nothing to him but still he cared for her safety.

As for Ashton, Katherine was the most beautiful and headstrong girl he had ever come across. He knew that it was not very easy to make her like him back, like he did but he was also not the one to give up easily. 

He was truly worried about her safety. He did not know how to stop her from working late at the cafe. He wanted to drop her at her place every night after her shift which, obviously, she would never agree to. So, instead he decided to do the one thing that he felt was right. 

For the next few weeks, Ashton would always wait for her outside the cafe till she finished her shift and he would drive behind her slowly till she reached her hostel safely. Initially, she was not aware of the car that followed her but one night, she noticed that a grey car which looked really expensive was following her slowly. Fear crept through her spine. When Ashton noticed Katherine walking fast, scared like a kitten, he slowed down the car. Reaching her hostel gates, she saw the grey car parked under a tree with its headlights on. ‘Was someone following me? Why would someone follow me and what was the motive behind it?’ was all she could  think. This routine continued for a few weeks and She was damn scared that she even considered talking to someone about it.