Chapter 8

Cirilla's point of view

"Hey, Jaxon!" I bellowed behind me, strutting my way to the locker. It was Friday night and I had just reported for my night shift at the bar in town. Quickly, I had changed into a work outfit. I pulled out my phone quickly, sending a brief text to Niko. He was out of town. He left school abruptly today, saying something urgent came up at his family house somewhere in Nevada.

I met with Jaxon at the counter, he was pouring in some drinks for some customers.

"You are a minute early," He said to me and I smiled. It has only been a short time since I started working here, but Jaxon and I have gotten kind of close. I think my social skills were improving by the day. Jaxon dark skin like rich chocolate brushed past mine, moving to serve some customers while I took my position at the counter.

I scanned around the bar. It had an average number of people. It was only a matter of time before people began to rush in nonstop. Plus it was Friday night which for some reason meant party night.

I dug into my usual task. Waitressing. The bar became busier as the night slowly settled in. I hurtled around the large bar serving drinks, getting tips, and bottling my rage from drunken imbeciles that made a pass at me or attempted to grab my ass.

Miles, the bar manager abruptly made an appearance behind the counter engaging in only heavens knew what. I kept an eye out for Lyra and Stefan, they had informed me they would be coming around tonight. But no sign of them yet.

After some hours into my shift, I grabbed the trash and headed out through the back into the alley behind where we usually piled the trash for pickup. I was taken completely off guard when rough hands grabbed my waist and my ass slammed against a hard rock surface. The stench of alcohol and cigarettes contaminated the night's air around me. I jerked away, my eyes falling on the disgusting sight of a man. He had two companions.

"Wanna dance pretty?" He said whistling, I recognized all three. I had earlier served some drinks to them. I did not doubt that these idiots probably thought I was an easy one and followed me.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring them. Calmly breathing, I wasn't about to lose my cool and make trouble, even though they all were seriously asking for it. I threw the trash into the bin. Stepping around him. He grabbed my wrist harshly. I hissed sharply in rage, pulling out from his grip. I sent a punch to his stomach. The other two sent me furious glares, instantly lunging at me. I sent a kick out to the one on the right. He groaned to the ground. I grabbed the other by his throat, smashing his dinosaur head against the wall.

And the one I had previously gutted in the stomach had recovered. A sick smile slit through his disgusting lips. I pulled up my brows, flummoxed. Why the hell was he smiling?

My question was answered when he brought two fingers to his lips, releasing a whistling sound.

Almost on cue, odd-looking guys appeared from the shadows. They had glares on me and were ready to fight. It looked like they had been preparing for this their whole life. I cocked a haughty smirk, glancing at the bar's back entrance. No one was in view. One of the bar rules was never to pick a fight with the customers in the bar. But luckily for me, it didn't say I couldn't fight them outside the bar.

"What are you smiling at bitch!" One of the backups roared.

I exercised my fingers. Smiling. "I'm thinking of how much I'll enjoy beating you imbeciles up" A wicked grin formed on my lips. I felt the rush of adrenaline in my bones. It always happened when I trained in the gym or when I was about to beat up someone. The feeling was intense and soothing. Too bad, I doubt these guys will hold up for more than a minute.

One of the backups released a menacing sound. "And I can't stop thinking of how much pleasure I'll enjoy fucking you like crazy"

They circled me, trying to intimidate me. It only made me chuckle at their exquisite foolishness. I'm going to have so much fun. They had eyes on me and I anticipated their every move. I was about to lunge at them when startling sounds erupted from a corner that was covered by darkness.

I took a step backward, as loud clapping sounds echoed from the end of the alley. It was so dark I couldn't see. I became alarmed by the presence lurking in the shadows. I heard quiet movements strode closer to me in the darkness. But I remained rooted in my spot. Almost immediately, dim lights flickered on the figure.

"Impressive. Nothing leaves an instant turn on than watching a beautiful lady defend herself" A voice sounded. Male. His voice was smooth. Rich and wholesomely soothing to the ears. His eyes momentarily darted my way for the briefest seconds and then pulled back to the group surrounding us. They held similar confused gazes like mine.

He strolled to my side. "Bothering such a beauty is a crime you know"

"And who might you be?" One of the guys spoke, releasing a laugh. "Her fucking buddy?" It was meant to be a joke, as the others swelled in laughter of their own.

I shut my eyes, infuriated. Who the hell was this psycho? His gaze was fixated on the guys. A throaty chuckle escaped his lips. He chuckled again, before stopping abruptly. I couldn't see him clearly, but I felt the deathly chill in the air. Instantly he threw a tight blow at one of the guys.

Without hesitating he went after another. The remaining guys lunged at us. I dismantled my rage pouncing on the closest imbecile I could find. In a half-quarter-second, they were all on the cold ground, groaning in pain as they gathered themselves up, scampering away.

I made a dramatic dusting of my hands and adjusted my shirt primely into the skirt.

I felt the stranger move closer to me. "I think it's only appropriate I get a thank you"

I heard him say the words but I didn't glance his way. "I see no reason to. I could have handled those imbeciles"

"I'm sure you could. But a thank you could still be in order"

I adjusted my eyes to take a good look at him. He had broad and sharp shoulders. Well built and manly frame. His neatly trimmed hair was probably black or brown. It was hard to tell in the dim lights. I squint my eyes trailing the outline of his face. His well-shaped jaw, perfect eyes, and his lips were full and I can only imagine temptingly soft. Honestly, I forgot what I had to say.

He cleared his throat, jolting my sanity back. My tender blue eyes fell into his. It caused my breath to falter. He was beautiful. And incredulously sexy. I spanked myself mentally to focus. To get my dirty thoughts in control.

He was wearing a dirty, and flirtatious smirk. I threw him a quizzical stare. Not sure what he found amusing.

His smirk deepened, showing two perfect holes at both sides of his cheeks. "I tend to get that a lot." He said coolly, indicating the indecent looks I threw at him, but a pride dangled at his words. But still, he was right. I was sure he often got those kinds of stares.

We stared at each other for a long minute. I could feel his heated gaze on me, literally undressing me, before pulling it up to my lips. Adam's apple twitched. His eyes met mine. "Such a beauty" He paused abruptly like he had said something he shouldn't. "And I'm pretty certain you've heard that a lot" He added, running a hand through his neat hair.

His action caused a ruffle in his hair and a few tendrils fell on his forehead. I bit my upper lips instinctively. I had never met anyone as beautiful as him before. The guys at my other schools couldn't compare to him. I took a split second to think. I haven't seen him around here before.

Was he from around here?

Did he go to my school? He looked quite young. More or less, a year or two older.

I got a grip on my thoughts. My brows pulled up. "Listen I don't know who you are and what the hell is your deal so just fuck off." My lips rambled on, a piece of my mind not meaning the last few words.

"Hmmm. Bitchy. I can handle that"

I fought the flush that marched up my cheeks at his every word to me. I smiled coquettishly. "Trust me. You can't handle me. So scurry off"

He cocked his head to his side. Leaning against the wall, his eyes glowing like black crystals in the faint darkness. "Maybe I can't. Or maybe I could."

We bored each other silently. As much as I loved whatever was going on between us. I had an actual job to get back to. And it felt like he somehow read my thoughts.

"So no thank you. But can I at least get a name?" He muttered gently, but his voice was almost pleading. Moving close to me. So close that our noses could kiss if he just bent a little. His heated breath mixed with mine.

My heart did a double flip the instant his eyes fell on my lips. He visibly swallowed a lump. I marveled at the way my presence affected him.

A smile touched my lips. I suddenly found pleasure in torturing him the most. I pulled my head so close to his, letting our nose touch, our lips almost on each other's. "No. I don't see a reason to tell a stranger my name" I pulled away instantly. I began walking back to the bar's back entrance. Still, I felt his presence stalking me, but I refused to look his way.

"When do you get off work?" He bellowed behind me.

I reached for the door and just in time before I shut it, my eyes met him again. He held a deep beautiful smile, and I shut it close. Not replying to his question.

"Goodness Cirilla! What took you so long?" I met Jaxon almost at the door. "Miles went ballistic when he realized you were gone for too long. I thought something happened to you"

I smiled to ease up his tensed shoulders and creased expression. "I'm fine. I had a little trouble taking out the trash"

He raised his brows but didn't say a word. We head back to the busy bar.

There was a minute left for my shift to be over. I handed over my position at the counter to another waitress just starting her shift. Changing back to my clothing, I grabbed my stuff from the locker, waved Jaxon goodbye, and headed out. The streets were busy as always. I strolled to the other side of the street in search of a cab home which I will have a hard time finding. But after ten minutes of nothing, I resolved to call an Uber instead.

From nowhere, a black car pulled up in front of me. It was lustrous and beautiful indeed. But I knew almost nothing about cars. The window pulled open and the face of the stranger in the alley was in view.

His smirk was plastered, revealing his perfect twin dimples. "Can I at least give you a beautiful ride home?"

I exhaled, rolling my eyes. Keeping my eyes on my phone and my attempt to call for an Uber.

"Don't tell me you're scared. I promise I won't bite. Besides, I'll be dumb to try anything stupid after what you've shown me back there" His gorgeous smile is ever-present.

I watched him expressionlessly for a minute. Aside from the obvious fact that he's a complete flirt and a good fighter, he didn't seem that bad or suspicious. And he was right about his last few words, if he tried doing anything stupid, I could no doubt handle him. So I resolved to take him up on the offer. I slid into the car, fastening my seatbelt. I noted the triumphant smile stalking his lips.

"Mason" He held his hand out to me.

I inspected it cautiously. "Cirilla" I took his hand. It was large, somewhat rough, and cold. He pulled it to his soft lips, implanting a feathering kiss.

"Cirilla. Special and unique. Just like you." I raise a brow at him. What the hell did he mean by that?

"I meant it suits you perfectly" He clarified. I directed him to the street next to my house. I wasn't going to show a total stranger where I lived. And besides, I wasn't in the mood for one of Mum's outbursts

If by one hell of a chance she saw me. Before I alighted, he held my hand quickly.

"Cirilla" I turned to his call. "Could we maybe see tomorrow? For a cup of coffee or something," He said coolly, gazing at me expectantly.

I hesitated briefly. "I don't think I can make time for you. I have a heap of things to do tomorrow" I told him. It was a half-truth and half-lie because I have the morning completely free, but the afternoon and evening are taken by work.

He nodded, thinking. "Still, I'll be waiting by nine. Prescott cafe, I'll be waiting'' We stare at each other heatedly.

The sexual tension between us was prickling in the air. I felt the physical attraction pulling us. It was like some kind of enchantment or something. But I had to break free from whatever spell this was.

I cleared my throat, taking back my hand.

I got out of the car and walked away. I still felt his heated stare watching me till I took a corner.

I reached home and Mum hadn't arrived yet. I was clueless about what she had been up to these few days. She usually left home so early before I woke up and arrived so late at night. I motioned into my room, perching on the edge of the bed.

Prescott cafe. He would be waiting.

I wasn't sure if I'd show up yet. Maybe I won't, or maybe I will.

Strangely, Mason's last words seemed stuck in my mind. Maybe it's probably because I haven't been out with a guy for a while now or maybe I just find him attractive. Nonetheless, something about him was irresistible.