Chapter 5

The next day, Stephie exited her home only to find yet another piece of paper on her porch. This time, when Stephie tried to ignore it, she found that the words on the leaflet had changed from old scribbles she was used to, to a new message.

Think you can get away? Was what was written on the page. The words struck a fearful beat in her chest, and a sharp exhale pushed its way out of her lips.

Blinking and gulping in a panic, Stephie quickly balled the paper and scanned her surrounding areas. The neighborhood was quiet for a weekday afternoon, and yet Stephie couldn't help the feeling that she was being watched. The mailman was once again making his rounds and minding his business, and at first glance nothing seemed out of place, and yet Stephie couldn't shake the churning of warning in her abdomen, nor could she calm the erect hairs on her neck. Hurrying down the steps of her home, Stephie walked a little quicker to the bus stop than she usually would.

On the bus, Stephie noticed a couple sitting not too far from her. The girl and the guy both stared at the girl's phone, then the girl looked in Stephie's direction. When Stephie saw this, she gulped and looked away. At work, Mack was quieter than usual. Stephie, trying to be unbothered by the tense air that morning, attempted to lock her mind in work mode.

Stowing away her personal items, Stephie began her shift, and yet, the more people who entered the café, the more she couldn't shake the feeling as though she had egg on her face, and yet no one was telling her. At least not verbally. However, with every person who entered the café, at least two or three would stare at their phone screens, then at Stephie. Mack avoided speaking with her, and Stephie could do nothing but serve caffeine and sugar loaded drinks with a smile.

As the hours passed, more and more people filled the café. The other workers whispered amongst themselves and stared at Stephie too. A man, dressed in a simple shirt and jeans entered the café and sat in a booth close to the entrance. Pulling his phone out, he sent a text to an unregistered number, confirming that Stephie was in the building, then the man left, undetected by the person of the hour.

In the office building across town, Carter's afternoon concerns were being interrupted by his son's intrusion.

"Have you seen this?" Was the first thing Jacob said while approaching his dad's desk.

In his hand, the young entrepreneur carried his cell, and on it was an article from a local news outlet. There was a picture of Stephie from the previous afternoon while they stood outside the building.

The title read: Is the Mourning Mogul Already Seeking a New Wife?

Carter exhaled in disapproval and shook his head. Scrolling further, he began to read the scandal-rousing piece, as pictures of him and Stephie eating at the Wharf and walking in the town were also included in the article. Further down, was another picture of John opening the car door for Stephie the evening prior, after her shift at the café.

Having seen enough, Carter returned the phone to Jacob, who stared at his father disapprovingly.

"You said she was nothing for us to worry about, and now there are rumors she's your mistress, or potentially a new wife." Jacob pointed out.

"What did I teach you about believing these articles?" Carter quizzed his son.

"It's not about what I believe, but what our partners believe. If word of this scandal gets to them, we could lose contracts." Jacob reminded his father.

Carter opened his mouth to say something, when John hurried into the office.

"I just drove by the café, there are more people than usual. I think Miss Stephanie might be in trouble." John expressed in concern.

"Yeah, that's because she's all over the internet. The town's new interest piece." Jacob stated with a tone filled with disdain.

"Do you think she might be in danger?" Carter wondered while looking at John and ignoring his son's condescending attitude towards Stephie.

"I'm surprised the local news channel hasn't cornered her yet, but it could only be a matter of time." John forewarned.

"Mmh." Carter hummed, a pensive mask falling on his salt and pepper brow.

Looking between the stumped driver and his pensive and somewhat troubled father, Jacob scoffed softly and left the office. Both John ad Carter looked after him, then they shared a look, Carter giving a soft knowing smirk.

"I think Stephanie will be fine." Carter admitted, and John rose his eyebrows in realization.

Jacob, having convinced himself to protect the company's and his family's reputation at all costs, hurried to his car. Driving on the road, the young billionaire made his way to the café and just in time, as he took notice of the local news van parked just one block away from the café. Seeing the heavy foot traffic at the shop's entrance, Jacob drove around the building and into the back alley, then he parked his car and waited. With the heavy foot traffic in the store and the approaching news vultures, it was only a matter of time before Stephie would exit the building through the back.

Inside the café, Mack had strategically moved Stephie from serving drinks to simply restocking the shelves which were accessible through the kitchen. While serving a couple their afternoon smoothies, Mack noticed the news van down the block. Having every reason to believe that they were there for Stephie, being well aware of the articles circling the internet involving her, Mack excused himself from the cash register and hurried to the kitchen.

"Stephie, I have to send you home." Mack expressed while approaching her.

Hearing this, Stephie's brain instantly thickened in her ear canals, as the blood drained from her face.

"Mack, I promise I don't know what's going on today, or why there's so much attention on me-"

"I know," Mack replied, cutting off Stephie's defense, "but I see the news van outside. If the boss sees us on the news for whatever reason, it'll be mine and your head. Just go home for today, and if the heat dies down by the weekend, you can come back on Monday. I'll grab your stuff." Mack decided, not letting Stephie have any leeway.

Sighing and having no other choice, Stephie removed her gloves and washed her hands, while the usual kitchen workers pretended to not have been witnesses to her practically being fired, and for what? Stephie was still unaware.

Mack returned swiftly with Stephie's purse, phone, and charger.

"I'm sorry." Mack expressed sincerely while handing Stephie her personal items.

"Go through the back door and get home safely." Mack wished her luck.

Stephie nodded and secured her purse to her person. Walking towards the back door, Stephie opened it only to freeze when she noticed the familiar maroon sedan parked in the alley. Unsure of what to do, Stephie closed the door and turned with the aim to walk away.

Jacob opened his door and stepped out of the car.

"Get in." Was the first thing he told Stephie.

Seeing neither Carter nor John around, Stephie declined the offer with a simple, "No thanks."

Jacob wasn't amused, and he repeated, "get in."

"Dude, I said no." Stephie snapped, her guard shooting higher than a deadly arrow across a trench.

Jacob scoffed and rolled his eyes while checking his watch.

Stephie turned and began walking away, then a man turned the building's corner, appearing at the end of the alley. The man froze when he took notice of Stephie, and she too stopped in her tracks. The man pulled out his phone and looked at his screen, then he looked at Stephie, confirming it was her. Putting his hands in his pockets, the man turned around the building's corner again and disappeared from sight.

"The reporters are going to flood this alley in less than a minute. Just get in the car." Jacob warned.

Huffing in distress, Stephie faced Jacob.

"Where's the old man?" Stephie wondered about Carter.

"Is that what he wants you to call him?" Jacob remarked, his tone degrading.

"Yeah, I don't need this." Stephie decided, and she began rushing down the alley, hoping to get away before the reporters came.

Seeing this, Jacob entered his car, and just as he prepared to drive off, the reporters arrived with the man from earlier. Skidding to a stop, Stephie's eyes widened in a panic. Stephie aimed to turn and run in the opposite direction, only to find that another group of people with their phones out were now turning that corner.

Jacob suddenly pulled up to Stephie's side. He hurriedly placed the car in park and exited the car. Grabbing Stephie's left arm, right above her elbow, Jacob pulled her towards the car, and opened the passenger side, pushing her in.

"Hey!" The man yelled at Jacob, who then returned to the driver's side.

Closing his door, Jacob purposely revved the engine in warning, and the crowd rushed close to the building, leaving a clear exit for the vehicle. Driving out of the alley in haste, Jacob hurried to leave the town and drive onto the expressway.

"Where are you taking me? I live in the opposite direction." Stephie protested, still somewhat in shock at the unfolding events, "and what the heck is going on? What did your dad do to have all these people watching me?"

Jacob ignored Stephie's words and questions, like a speed racer avoiding a pothole, and pulled out his phone.

"Yeah," Jacob answered, "She's with me." Then he hung up.

"Dude, I know you hear me." Stephie snapped, and yet the mean man only ignored her further.

Jacob didn't relent on his fast driving until he exited the expressway and now entered a much more upscale part of the city. Tall buildings adorned the skyline, which now sported a slight orange and pink tinge, as the sun began to sink in the horizon. This side of the city had less bus stops and more car charging stations. Tesla vehicles and electric fancy mobiles blessed the road. The foot traffic included one too many pairs of shaved legs, floating hair, sunglasses, and lots of electric scooters. The dining here was high end, and even the pets were carried in bags and strollers rather than touch the lowly sidewalk.

Stephie's wonderings had now been overtaken by the small-town girl's version of culture shock, as she was struck silent. She had never travelled to that part of the city before, and here she thought the center of her town near the Barlowe Industries building was as fancy as life could get. Her eyes hopped from one skyscraper to the next, and from one fancy hotel's entrance to the next high-end bistro, which probably charged $25 for a strip of salmon and avocado placed on toast, sprinkled with sesame seed, and only served sparkling water.

Jacob continued driving, becoming even more unimpressed by Stephie's clear awe of a regular city. Seeing as to this girl was so easily impressed and money hungry, Jacob could only dislike her more. Now, he just needed to figure out her price, and have her leave the city, just to not put the company or his family's reputation at risk. That was the only reason behind him rescuing her from the reporters. Otherwise, Jacob could only look forward to wishing her good riddance.

Jacob eventually reached the building in which he owned his own private condo. Entering the parking lot, Jacob parked his vehicle in his designated spot.

"Get out." Jacob instructed gruffly, as he exited the car as well.

Rolling her eyes, Stephie opened the car door and exited the vehicle.

Once she did this, Stephie began looking around for a possible exit, but Jacob had other plans. Grabbing her by the elbow once again, he began leading her to the underground elevator which only residents had access to. Punching in his code, Jacob hurried Stephie into the metal box as soon as the doors parted.

Hating the feeling of Jacob's iron grip on her skin, Stephie struggled against him.

"Let go." Stephie demanded, and yet even with her tugging, Jacob's grip only became stronger.

"Obviously I'm not going anywhere, I said let go." Stephie struggled a little harder.

Seeing as her tug was stronger than expected, her momentum flailed backwards, as she managed to pull Jacob towards her. The motion so swift and unexpected, both bodies hit the elevator's side wall. Stephie's spine lined with the metal panel, while Jacob's palm met the area above her head, keeping him steady enough to not crush her completely.

Blinking, Stephie took a breath to process the position in which they found themselves. Jacob appeared to lean over her, his face above hers. Her right hand, which was free, pressed against Jacob's chest, in a meek push, and Jacob's grip on her elbow only became more secure.

Blinking, Jacob looked down at Stephie and she looked up at him. They stayed in this position for a moment too long. Jacob's grip tightened, as Stephie's palm pushed even more against him, and yet neither one of them moved.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jacob questioned, his tone rough and mean.

"You wouldn't let go." Stephie explained while craning her neck to look him dead in the eyes.

"Think anyone finds you having a smart mouth attractive?" Jacob then wondered, sensing the urge to guard himself from Stephie's dark brown gaze, especially now that he could get a better look at her pretty orbs.

Hearing this question sent Stephie's heartrate skyrocketing in anger. It didn't matter that Jacob's intense gaze now allowed her to see his pupil's true color. Rich chocolate brown. Scrunching his shirt with her fist, Stephie aimed to push him away, and yet Jacob barely budged. In fact, this effort from Stephie only encouraged Jacob to now grab her wrist with his free hand, rendering Stephie helpless. And though Jacb grabbed her wirts to show he was stronger, it didn't occur to him that he was encouraging her to keep her hand against the flesh of his chest.

Jacob drew even closer, his gaze mean and intense, his aura inimidating. He appeared as though he was gearing up to do some damage. This made Stephie nervous, but before he could do anything more, the elevator dinged, as they reached Jacob's condo.

Sighing stiffly, Jacob used his hold on Stephie's elbow to lead her out of the elevator and to his couch. Forcing her to sit, Jacob removed his suit jacket and unbuttoned his sleeves. Rolling up the material to reveal his arms, defined and laced with vascualture, Jacob then turned and faced Stephie. He stared her down and she stared back at him.

Seeing this, Jacob could only remember the faint tickle of her breath on the base of his neck during their unexpected embrace in the elevator. His palm also tickled with the fading sensation of her skin in the mapping of his hand. The hairs of his nose seemed to hold on to the lingering scent which had accompanied her aura. Her body spray, overpowered by the aroma of ground coffee powder, sugar, and baked goods.

Blinking, Jacob scolded his brain for wandering from the matter at hand.

The troublesome waitress.

Blinking, and re-focusing his gaze on the silent barista once more, Jacob spoke clearly, "How much should I pay for you to leave the state and never return?"