Chapter 1

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Avatia's POV

"Oh mom, seriously?" I asked my mom. God. Why do moms always have to oppose to their children's demand. I can't believe my mom wants me to stay at home on a Monday morning and miss my interview simply because she needs help with the packing. Yes, we just moved into this new quiet neighborhood. It's quite nice and the view is everything but I'm not missing my interview.

"But mom, Draya says the interview is today. I can't miss it. I'd help out when I come back. I promise." I kept protesting, knowing she'd eventually give up.

"Fine! You win, but be careful honey. And I wish you luck, okay?"

I ran into a sweet hug from my mom.

"Thanks mom. I won't let you down. You know, we need the money to keep up with the bills and food." I tried to give her a solid reason for working. Yes! My mom doesn't want me to handle both work and school at the same time. But I don't have any class yet since we just moved in. I'll enroll in college next week though.

"In case it gets too hard, just quit. I don't want you stressing out honey. " she said. She always says that anyways. She's a nurse.

She is the only family I have. Dad died when I was 17. Well, it wasn't easy from there but we didn't let it get in the way. Mom is over protective of me. Well, thats because I am her only baby.

"Bye mom." I said as I kissed her forehead.

"Not so fast sweetheart, your breakfast first." And that is my super mom for you. Urghh.

"But mo-"

"No buts Avatia Kim Hilton. Breakfast first." Mom said. Well, when ever she calls me like that, I know she's in her momma bear mood. I just have to give up.

"Fine. " I huff.

*****

Well, here I am, after having a healthy breakfast under moms watchful eyes. I take out my phone and call Draya, my best friend. More of a sister. No answer. Oh great. She said I should wait for her here and she's nowhere in sight. I hate waiting for people. I really hate it. What a deserted place. I mean I didn't know this type of places existed in New York.

I decide to go across the road and sit on the waiting bench. No car. Good. I start walking. Then all of a sudden, I hear a car hooting so close. How come? I look to my right and see a speeding car. It's like everything stopped for a moment and my mind couldn't process anything. I couldn't walk again. I became so scared. Oh my God, Avatia..... You're dead. You're so dead. Mom warned you. She warned you.

The hooting became super close. I shut my eyes in fear, not willing to witness my own death. Dear God, please help me. I wait for the pain, flying up and landing really hard but I don't feel anything. Am I dead already? Oh no! Oh no! I can't breathe again. Oh no!

"What the hell, kid?" Huh, I'm not dead? I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the guy who was yelling at me from the black Lamborghini that was directly in front of me. Just inches away. That was close. Then the guy with the husky voice stepped out of the car. Oh my God. Wait a minute. Did I say guy. Scratch that. The Greek god in a human body. "Are you fuckin' crazy?"

I snap out of my thoughts at his words. Did he just call me kid and cuss? Even though he has the most amazing Italian accent I've ever heard, he's so rude. He's looking at me with piercing silver eyes filled with rage. I respect people and driving rules. He doesn't. I mean this road was crystal clear before I started crossing. He was driving above the speed limit and now he's not even sorry. For crying out loud he called me kid! And I'm 21! I do the one thing I know best. I stick out my tongue at him and walk away without looking back. Childish, I know but I'm not a bully. I don't know how to cuss in return. Lame though.

I finally reach the waiting area and sit but the car is nowhere in sight. What a handsome and annoying man.

But something was out of place. The way he looked at me. That look. I can't figure it out. Aside from rage, there was some type of emotion there.

Just when my butt touched the bench, my phone rang. Now look at when she finally decides to call.

"Where are you? " I ask as I pick up the call.

"I'm so sorry Ava, I was with my boss. I'm minutes away. Don't be sad, I know how deserted that part of the town is and how bored you can be. I'm so sorry. Lunch's on me." She answered and I know she really is sorry.

"Just hurry. " I tell her and hang up. What a way to start a Monday. Urghhh.

***

Miss Hilton you can start work tomorrow. I'm impressed with your attitude." The calm old man who owned the shop said. The coffee shop was far more beautiful and classic than I expected and the boss seemed friendly. On any other day, I'll jump and do my happy dance right in front of him but not after that encounter with that rude greek god. Don't get it wrong, I'm excited to start working here, its a cool place. Mom would be proud.

"Thank you sir. I'm grateful." I smiled at him as I shook his warm hands.

He smiled back at me. "Just call me Adam, dear."

"Sure sir___I mean, Adam. I'll just go see Draya." Once he shook his head signaling a yes, I walked out to a sorry looking Draya.

I was pulled into one of her bone crushing hugs. "I'm super duper sorry Ava, Adam needed me to run an errand for him. He's a nice guy, I couldn't say no. I'm so sorry B. F. F. A. E. "

Well, she has a good excuse and from what I noticed, Adam really is a nice old man. "Well its ok, and thank God

you had a good excuse, if not, it'll be just a B. F. Without the F. A. E (forever and ever). "

"Thank you and less I forget, on our drive here, you were ranting about this 'rude' handsome guy you saw, I couldn't put two and two together since I didn't want you to miss your interview. I need the spicy details." She said as she wiggled her eyebrows and emphasized on 'spicy'.

I giggled and said. "Remember that cheesecake you once baked when I was in Ohio?"

"Yup."

"You want the spicy details, you bake me those same cakes." Well, I got my revenge on her. Cheesecakes for details.

She rolled her beautiful brown eyes before muttering a weak 'fine'.

Well I did tell her everything about the guy, leaving out the strange look I noticed in his eyes.

"He sounds hot, you know you could atleast kick his ass and get his number for me, right? " Draya said laughing.

I stood up hanging my bag on my shoulder and looking at Draya. "Yeah, right. Anyways, Adam said I'd start work tomorrow. I'll rush back home to mom, she needs my help. I should get going. "

"Oh, I'll just walk you out. Send my love to your mom and don't forget work starts at 8." "Bye Dray. " I said as I hailed a cab. "See you tomorrow. "

****

And tomorrow did come pretty fast. Here I am, standing in the kitchen of ADAM'S. Well that's the name of the coffee shop. I'm yet to memorize this speech. I've been trying for the past hour and Eleanor, the baker here says I'm next in line to wait the table and it just so happens this table is a VIP table, that means I have to do great with my speech. 'Hi, my name is Kim, and I'm your waitress today. Would you like some coffee, espresso, cappuccino, you name it. We equally have freshly baked cakes that would go very well with your drink.' What a speech. Yes, I have to use my middle name when waiting. I mean this coffee shop has a lot of rules like an actual restaurant.

"Avatia, a new customer." One of my coworkers called out.

I already felt my heart pumping out of my chest. You can do this Ava. You can. "Oh.... Ok. "

I walked to the guy who sat at the VIP section of the shop. He was the only one in this section. He was wearing a well tailored black tux like it was sewn on him. He was paying no attention to me, but rather looking at his sleek black iPhone. His perfume hit my nostrils from the distance and I shook my head trying not to get distracted.

"Hi, my name is Kim and____"

"Save your speech. Get me a cup of black coffee with just a cube of sugar. " The guy said with a sexy accent. Wait, I think I know this voice. Anyways, its not time to start thinking. Its time to start working. "Would you just do your damn job? I need the coffee now!"

"Yes sir." I said and scurried off to the kitchen, ready to give Sam the orders to make Mr. Black's coffee but seeing how busy he was, I decided to do it myself. The name Mr. Black suits him. He has this dark aura I can't figure out so I'll call him Mr. Black. Coffee was something everyone could make. I used to make dads coffee. I

put in the cube of sugar but thought about how bitter it must be so added another one. He wouldn't notice. I then walked straight to the VIP area.

"You're 5 minutes, 28 seconds late..." He said, as soon as I placed the coffee in front of him "...and it takes just 4 minutes to make my coffee, who the hell employed you here?"

Was this man serious? I just made his coffee, the least he could do was say 'thank you'. And why on earth did he count the seconds? Some people are so weird.

"And what the fuck did you put in my coffee. I said I want just a cube of sugar and you fill it with ten cubes? Are you crazy?"

I was dumbstruck. No one has ever spoken to me like that. Yeah, spoken, he wasn't yelling to call for attention which I'm thankful for. He stood up and left without another word but he paid for his coffee, with a huge tip of $50. I was beyond shocked. No one left such a huge tip for what he or she didn't touch. Maybe it was a mistake. I'll give it to the manager.

The hurt of being insulted publicly was killing me. I quietly took the tray and returned to the pantry where everyone was looking at me like they knew what just happened.

Sam was the first to speak. Well more of question. "How could you make Mr. Vaughn's coffee? Do you want to get fired? Worst still, you added extra sugar. That man is dangerous, Avatia. When ever he comes here, the atmosphere changes from pink to black and the worst thing is, he comes here everyday, I might loose my job tomorrow for the mistake you just made. Oh Ava! "

This was killing me even more, I thought I was helping Sam but turns out I was doing the wrong thing. Wait! How do they know what just happened anyway?

"How do you all know? " I asked in a hushed tone, feeling so embarrassed. Draya was busy waiting a table so she couldn't come to my rescue.

One of my coworkers answered as if she was waiting for the question. "Bad news doesn't stay in one place. "

"You all get to work!" Eleanor, the motherly woman in the kitchen said and her orders were respected at once.

My vision was already blurry...this was my first day of work and I was already in trouble? I walked to Eleanor and handed the tip Mr. Black left to her.

"Keep it sweetheart, Mr. Vaughn always leaves that much of a tip once in a while." she said like she knew him well.

"Who is he anyway?" I asked curiously as a tear escaped my eye.

Eleanor handed me a tissue and her next words made me scared. "Don't cry sweetheart and as for the man, its for me to know and you to find out. But just be careful, his aura is full of danger."

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