A Threat And A Treat

Finally, they arrived in town, and Arthur parked the truck before a cafe. Helena quickly got out of the car, eager to distance herself from the ominous Cadillac that had been trailing them.

"Baby, let's have something to eat," Arthur said, leading Helena to the cafe.

"Sure, maybe some coffee and donuts," Helena answered, relieved that the black Cadillac didn't park nearby.

"Anything you want," Arthur said, opening the door for Helena. The smell of coffee and freshly baked croissants filled the air.

The cafe is small but inviting with its warm yellow walls and wooden furniture. A glass-front counter holds various pastries and croissants, the delectable smell wafting from the kitchen. A few round tables have chairs pushed in around them, and freshly picked flowers in small vases add a cheerful atmosphere. Sunlight streams through the windows, filling the room with a gentle conversation hum.

Helena couldn't help but feel a sense of safety and comfort in Arthur's presence. She glanced over at him and caught him looking at her with a slight smile.

"You okay?" he asked, his eyes studying hers.

Helena nodded, feeling her heart racing in her chest. "I'm fine."

She wasn't sure if the adrenaline from the suspicious black Cadillac or the way Arthur looked at her made her feel this way. She took a deep breath and looked away, trying to compose herself.

They found a cozy corner and ordered their drinks and pastries. "This place is cozy," Arthur said, roaming his sight around the cafe.

"Yeah, this is my first time here. I don't usually drop by a cafe after buying my monthly groceries."

"I see. So, this is your second time eating here in town, first when we bought the materials for an outdoor shower and had lunch in a fast food restaurant," Arthur said proudly.

She nodded. "Exactly."

"And both times, you were with me. I should be grateful," he chuckled.

"You should," she said firmly.

Helena's thoughts drifted back to when she hid from those creepy men, who resembled the one in the car she just saw. She shivered at the memory and instinctively glanced over at Arthur, comforted by his presence.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, Gabby. Her best friend had been there for her during those difficult days, always providing a safe place for Helena to stay. She smiled as she remembered the fun they had shared despite their difficult circumstances.

Her phone ringing broke her from her dreamlike state, and she glanced over at Arthur, who looked worried. She quickly checked her phone. The message read, "WE ARE WATCHING YOU!"

"Baby," he called out her name, resting his arms on the table nervously, "Is that an emergency?"

She shook her head no and returned the phone to her pocket.

He frowned, unsure if everything was okay. "Are you sure?" he asked uneasily.

"Yeah," she said simply. Arthur could tell something wasn't quite right with her voice. She continued, "Gabby, want me to call her later. She said she missed me."

"Your best friend is so sweet," he added, reaching a hand over to take hers.

She nodded. "She is."

Helena feels nervous about lying to Arthur but doesn't want to appear paranoid. And besides, she's not even sure if she wants to talk about the black Cadillac and the terror it brought her.

The sound of their food arriving brought Helena out of her thoughts. "Here's your order," the waiter said.

"Thanks." Helena nodded at the waiter so did Arthur.

As soon they were tucking into their coffee, cake, and donuts, Helena couldn't help but feel an underlying tension in the air, which only seemed to grow heavier with each passing second.

"Arthur, I think it would be better to go to the grocery store first since it is nearby before going to the local farmer's market. What do you say?" Helena asked.

"Yeah. Sounds good to me," he agreed before taking a long sip of his espresso coffee. "This coffee is so good." He savored the bitter flavor that spread across his tongue like an artist's paint across a canvas. He paired his with a cake topped with vanilla frosting and diced strawberries.

"Yeah, same. I didn't expect to have a good latte in this town. San Antonio never ceased to amaze me," she said as she took a slow drink from her cappuccino cup. It was topped with caramel-flavored foam and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar; she paired it with donuts. She wasn't starving; the coffee and food were appetizing, so she finished them.

As they finished their coffee and headed towards the grocery store, Helena looked over her shoulder nervously. She felt like someone was watching them, yet every time she looked around, there was no one to be found. Arthur could sense that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The grocery store is an old but well-kept building with a bright white door and large glass windows displaying the various products available. It looks inviting and full of possibilities, with its shelves lined with colorful produce and multiple items, from canned goods to fresh seafood. Inside, the store has a warm energy and a friendly atmosphere, freshly swept floors, and the staff members are welcoming.

Helena rushed through the aisles, filling the basket with canned goods, bread, etc. She seemed almost frantic in her haste, and Arthur wondered what had spooked her so much. He sensed something was wrong and asked, "Hey, you okay?"

Helena gave a weak nod and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just hurry up and get what we need."

But despite his curiosity, he stayed quiet and followed her lead — gathering the items needed for the month.

After shopping, they went to the counter to pay for the items they got. "Let me pay for this," Arthur said. He took his card out as soon as the cashier got the total amount of their groceries.

"You don't have to. I got this," Helena said.

"Please, I insist," Arthur begged, handing his card to the cashier. Helena didn't refuse anymore.

Finally finished with their shopping, Arthur grabbed her hand as they walked out of the store. He could still feel her trembling as she walked silently beside him.

They headed back to the truck; just when Helena expected him to lead her to the local farmer's market, Arthur parked at another store where they passed by the black Cadillac.

"What are we doing here?" Helena asked, confused.

"We're getting a dishwasher today to help us get things a bit easier in the kitchen."

"Hey, wait," she grabbed the hem of Arthur's shirt as he was about to get out of the car. "We don't need a dishwasher now, and besides, I don't have a budget for a new one," she said, her voice fading.

"Don't worry, I got it. Let's buy the affordable one. I insist."

"Here you are, you keep insisting," she laughed to hide her disappointment. "Arthur, you don't have to pay for everything."

"Of course, I have to," he turned to her with a smile that brought warmth to her chest.

"Alright, then, don't pay for rent anymore."

"Deal. Get ready to go inside." He opened his door, got out of the car, and then helped her out of the vehicle.

Helena's eyes darted across the parking lot as if scanning for a hidden threat. Her breathing accelerated, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Even after they loaded their newly purchased dishwasher in their pickup and arrived at the local farmer's market, Helena couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Arthur noticed that something was wrong and placed a comforting hand on her back. "Baby, what's going on? You seem really anxious."

Helena took a deep breath and turned to face him. "I don't know. I just have this feeling that we're being followed," she said with a voice laced with fear.

Arthur's brows furrowed in concern. "Followed? By who?"