Danger & Cigarettes

I was not attracted to people who smoke. I fucking hated them for fuck's sake. Every time I pass by a person in the streets who is smoking, I would cough dramatically so they could feel bad. Sometimes it worked but sometimes it didn't. 

However, the next time he stopped by the convenience store, he bought two packs of cigarettes and half a dozen bottles of beer. 

His huge build, cologne with hints of alcohol, and cigars, his dark gaze, and his formal suit were all too impeccably alluring. 

I knew he was dangerous-a dangerous man I shouldn't dare stare or talk to for more than a cashier and customer relationship but how could I resist him when he would walk in here looking like a whole buffet? 

For 3 months, I have kept my distance from him but my heart almost leaped in joy as he asked me a question I didn't really expect from him (unless he wanted to kill me). 

My mother would kill me for wasting my time staring at him instead of focusing on my work.

"What time does your shift end?" He asked me with a stick of cigarette already in between those thin lips of his. 

I accidentally locked my gaze on him for more than 5 seconds before I finally realized what he was asking. 

"Uh...what?" Flustered, the tip of my ears reddened and I rushed to give him back his change. 

I immediately dropped the cash when the tip of our fingers touched. 

"I said, what time does your shift end?" He coolly repeated, turning his back on me and leaning against the counter. "I will take you home today."

My mouth was agape in shock. "No thanks. I would be killed if I-"

"Do you actually think I would kill you?" He turned around and raised his brow to question me. "Come on, think smart. If I had any intentions to kill you, I would have taken advantage of you at night, alone here."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Yeah but..."

"I don't want to kill you. I want to keep my favorite cashier safe because tonight a gang war will happen."

So fucking stupid of me. So damn stupid and yet I couldn't resist the way he looked at me and the smirk on his lips. Especially after he told me, "A lady like yourself shouldn't be working at hours like this in a place like this."

I was a girl, yes but because of my baggy ass clothes, my short hair, and my masculine energy, people didn't think of me as one so he surprised me when he said that.

He had always exuded calmness despite the intimidating aura so for the entire time I was in his car, I didn't feel like I was in danger. 

As he dropped me off at my house, he told me to have a good night and he left without anything else but me I dreamt about the possible scenarios that could have happened if I invited him inside. 

So that became our routine. He would always look out for me and would never fail to protect me from the gang wars that would happen. 

Two weeks after that, at 1 a.m., he suddenly came in with blood dripping off his arm. Panicking, I immediately helped and patched his injury up. 

I could feel those brown eyes on me whenever I moved and only when I finished aiding him did I have the courage to look at him. 

My breath hitched as he smiled at me. "Where did you learn how to do this?" 

I started sputtering nonsense but I sighed and finally made out a decent sentence. "I...I am a nursing student."

His brows jolted in surprise. "Ah, no doubt. But how could you even manage to do work and study at the same time?"

He buttoned up his shirt slowly.

I swallowed in nervousness. "I have no choice...my mother owns this place but she focuses more on her clothing shop and gambling."

He clicked his tongue and shook his head lightly as if he was frustrated by that. "How old are you?"

"24," I said. 

"So you're graduating?" 

I nodded. "Within 3 months."

He nodded and stood up. "Well, thank you for helping me but I have to go.".

I didn't know what the fuck was wrong with me but I stopped him by gripping his hand. "Wai-wait."

He looked at me with a small smirk. "Yes?"

"How...how about you? What is your name?"

"Hmm...you have to gain some more points for you to know my name." He chuckled as he joked. 

"Then at least, how old are you?" I insisted on knowing more about him. 

"I'm 29 years old." He said then he looked down. "Unless you want me to be a distraction, let go of me."

I shyly let go and apologized but I stopped him again. "What do you mean by that?" 

He stared into my eyes before he asked, "Can you afford to have any distractions in your life?"

"What?"

"No, fuck that. Do you want me to be a distraction? Because if not then tell me now." 

My eyes widened and my heart anticipated my reply. 

I couldn't afford a distraction but I would be lying if I tell that I didn't want him. I fucking made him my motivation because somehow, I anticipated the day I would be aiding him because of his dangerous life that involved guns and knives. 

"You...I cannot have a distraction but you...became my motivation..." I shamefully admitted. 

His smirk widened. "Your motivation?"

I nodded, lowering my head. "Yes, I uh..."

"We have been admiring each other for a while now, haven't we?" He questioned then he stepped closer to me, suddenly gripping my chin to make me look at him. "Look at me. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I like you as well."