CHAPTER FIVE

Damn, I'm late for work again, and this time my manager is going to be on my case because it's the second time this week. Should I start looking for other jobs? I sprint, my brown locs falling onto my face as I rush to the diner where I work as a waitress. Sneaking into the employee area, I quickly change before my manager comes looking for me. I'm heading to the front when my manager appears with Ethan.

“Hey, fancy meeting you here,” I speak first, my nerves still jittery from almost being caught.

“You guys already know? That’s great because he is our new staff, and you are going to be the one to train him. We are short on staff, and some of the older ones don’t know how to show up on time,” he says, shooting me a pointed look.

Oops, he definitely saw me running late. Of course, he did.

“Let me leave you two to it. After your shift, Ethan, come to my office for the final evaluation.” With that, he retreats to his office.

“So, where do we start, Miss Rebel?” Ethan teases.

“Well, I'm glad you asked. How about going to the back and not getting any work done? How's that for being rebellious?” I reply, matching his playful tone. Two can play this game.

"Woah, take it easy, tigress. I only just got this job; I'm not about to lose it today. I don't intend to set a Guinness World Record," he replies with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. It seems like he's restraining some anger, which worries me. Maybe he's a recovering angry kid trying to turn over a new leaf. Yeah, that makes more sense.

I clear my throat. “Right, let’s get to it.”

I spend the rest of my shift training Ethan and serving tables. It's about 11 pm now, so I send Ethan to the manager's office and start cleaning up to close for the night. I work for about 25 minutes before I finish. Just then, my coworker walks in.

"Hey, it's your turn to lock up tonight. I would wait for you, but I'm rushing off to meet Damion. He just got in like 5 minutes ago. You'll be fine, right? Damion is her boyfriend; they're in a long-distance relationship, but they're both trying to make it work, which is cute.

“Yes, I'll be fine. Go have fun, and tell Damion I said hi.”

After I lock up, I consider waiting for Ethan, but I'm not sure if we're taking the same route.

The night is chilly, and it's only August; I guess winter is coming early this year. I tighten my arms around my body as I walk faster because I should have brought a coat.

Suddenly, I feel like someone is watching me. The hairs on my back and neck stand up, and I sense a sinister gaze. I muster enough courage to look back, but there's nothing there. I start to walk faster, and I hear distant footsteps approaching. I didn't realize when I started running, but I am now, scared and crying. I'm crying too hard to see something blocking my path until it's too late. To make a long story short, I end up on the ground in tears, colliding with someone.

“I'm sorry; I didn’t see you there,” I apologize as I try to get up.

“No worries, although you broke my spine, tigress.” Tigress?

“Ethan?”

“The one and only.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Uh, just walking home, I guess, like you. Although I probably should be running. What are we running from, by the way?” He stands up and helps me to my feet.

I look back and still can’t see anybody. “Someone was following me,” I say, dusting off my pants.

He raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Because it seems to me like the road is especially empty tonight.”

I don't know if it was what he said or the way he said it, but I suddenly feel angry.

“I'm very sure of what I heard and felt. If you don’t mind, I'd like to be on my way.” I make to push past him, but he holds onto my arm.

“Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be a jerk. I just didn't see anything or anybody earlier. If it makes you feel better, I can walk you home.” I don’t entirely trust him, but his company is better than walking home alone tonight.

We walk in comfortable silence until we get to my apartment.

“I guess this is you,” he says, gesturing to the building.

I nod. “Thanks for walking me home.”

“Anytime, tigress. See you tomorrow.” He gives me a little salute and continues on his way.

It's only after I've changed into my nightwear and laid in bed that I realize I never told Ethan where I lived on the way home. Somehow, he already knew.

What the hell?