Chapter 9

Cirilla's point of view

I woke up earlier than usual the next day. Frankly, I couldn't sleep. The thoughts of the stranger at the alley kept me awake throughout the night. I can't stop thinking about him. And the unspeakable chemistry between us was undeniable. I groaned into my pillow.

Unable to decide yet if I should take him up on his date or not. I dug my head into the soft pillow, recollecting everything that happened last night. Weirdly, I loved the pull that existed between us. I wouldn't mind experiencing it again. What could probably go wrong? I guess I had just decided. I'm going on a date.

I raced to my closet in search of something nice to wear. I realized I was in a conflict between jeans and a cropped shirt. and a short dress. I didn't want to dress less or too much. Quickly I grabbed my phone, texting Lyra who's much capable of managing this crisis.

'I've got a date. Don't know what to wear' I entered the send button, perching on the edge of the bed. In short seconds, my phone beeps aloud.

'Oh my gosh! Is he cute? Handsome? Sexy?' I chuckled at her response.

'Well, he's not exactly bad' I sent back. That was a lie. Mason was gorgeous. Incredulously handsome and sexy as hell.

'Oooh! Someone's falling head over heels in love' I blinked at her words. Yes. I was a bit infatuated by him, but I doubt it was love. I was simply about having a good time. That's all.

'Doubt it. Please just help me pick out an outfit.' We agreed and I ended up going with the short dress.

I bustled in for a quick shower. Hurriedly, I was done. I took my time diligently getting dressed and ready. It was a few minutes past nine already. I grabbed my bag and peered at myself in the mirror for the last time, sending an approving smile at my appearance. I brushed some locks of hair behind my ears. I allowed it to fall down my shoulders. My lips were colored bright pink, intensifying my natural pink lips. The lime dress fell on me nicely, clutching lightly on my waist. It flowed symmetrically, stopping mid-thigh. It was sleeveless, having a single strap instead, exposing the birthmark on the skin of my back in the shape of a small, yet noticeable flower.

I glanced at the time. Almost thirty minutes past nine. I was late. Well, a guy should always do the waiting.

Exiting the house. I stopped the cab and navigated my way to the cafe. The name hung boldly on the building. It was large and fancy. I gaited across the street to the cafe. My blue eyes scanned the area for Mason's familiar face. Nothing. The cafe was already packed with an average number of people over the counter and some scattered in groups over the place. No sign of Mason. He probably waited a little and got bored. Bloody bastard. I felt infuriated for no reason.

I turned around, unexpectedly crashing against a hard chest and a cocky smile.

"Hang on beautiful" I grabbed his chiseled chest for support. His large arms held me, pinning me tightly against his chest. He had a hand on my neck and another slightly above my ass. I stared into his eyes. They were a gorgeous pair of gray. His hair was a dirty brown. My eyes roved down to his cocky smile revealing his perfect dimples and then to his full tempting lips.

"I would hate it if you tripped and fell" His lips brushed against my cheek gently. I felt the rush of adrenaline in my bones. I pulled away from him.

"You're late" I bit out. More harshly than I would have liked.

His cocky smile was ever present. "In my defense, I'm quite punctual. But you can't blame me if I lost my instant focus upon catching the pleasant sight of a beautiful lady looking as hot as fuck while alighting from the cab. It's quite beautiful scenery if I must say."

I hide my smile. Looking into his eyes. "Are we just going to stand here?"

He furrowed his eyes on me, smiling darkly. He grabbed my hand leading me into the cafe. We settled into the booth closer to the window. A waiter came to our table. From the quick pleasantries and smiles they exchanged. I concluded they knew each other well.

"I'm sensing you come here often?" I asked the second the waiter wandered back to get our orders.

Mason broadened his smile. "I know him from way back. We belong to the same…. well…" He searched for the right word. " ….. circle"

I nodded. Not understanding what he meant by that, and not wanting to dwell more on it.

"So Cirilla. Tell me about yourself. Well, I do know you are a gorgeous beauty and nothing close to a damsel in distress" His appealing eyes took me in me, expectantly.

"I live with my mum. Senior year in high school. Works night shifts at a bar and what more is there…." I cocked my head sideways as if I was thinking about more information to share. "Yeah... and I just moved into town. That sums it up"

He raised his brows. As if expecting more.

"You're next" I swerved, startling him out of his thoughts.

He guided his enormous arms on the table. "What do you want to know?"

I paused. Staring into his eyes. "Everything about you does seem fine," I said, watching a new waiter bring over some food. Fried chips and freshly squeezed orange juice.

After he left, my eyes darted back to the amusing stranger.

"Mason Hartley. Not from around here. Only visiting a friend for a while." He stopped as if he had given me enough information.

Touché. I didn't exactly spill everything about myself. I smiled sweetly. Hiding my emotions. "And this friend of yours, any chance it's a girlfriend" I asked boldly, yet flirtily. Taking a bite from my chips.

He chuckled, whipping his stranded tendrils off his face. "No. No girlfriends." He said calmly with a cool wink.

I nodded. Still imprisoning my smiles. I was not going to let him know just how much he seemed to be affecting me.

"You?" He sipped from his drink. "Any boyfriends?"

I slightly hesitate. "Not currently"

A huge smile found his impeccable lips. He caught my eyes staring at them. Good gracious Cirilla. A silly smirk appears on his lips. I looked away, sipping from my drink.

"It's beautiful" I glanced up to see his gaze on me. "It's a beautiful work of art. What is it exactly?" He pointed at the mark dominating a small portion of the skin of my back.

"It's a birthmark" Was all I said. It was a mark birthed with me, shaped in the form of a flower. I wasn't exactly sure what type of flower it was. But it had always been there.

He simply nodded. Not saying anything else.

I felt Mason's eyes on me. He leaned over the table. His eyes glistened mischievously. "What do you say we go somewhere quiet?" His voice was deep and husky. Laced with something. Desire.

I cocked my head sideways, scrutinizing him. "My shift begins at noon"

His smirk deepened. "I promise I'll return you before then"

I furrowed my brows, thinking. His gray eyes never leave mine. My mind is almost made up when I hear a faint voice grunt at the back of my head. 'Don't you fucking say yes!'

Too late. "Where are we going?"

His smile blossomed. Grabbing my hand, he led me to his car.

"The most beautiful place you've ever seen" His words flew out as he ignited the car. The engine roared alive and we were on the road.

He pulled up in front of a very tall, and odd-looking building. Firmly holding my hand, l followed his trail as he led me into the building, and in short minutes we burst out to an open view. We were at the top of the building. True to his words. I stood on the edge of a skyscraper. My eyes twinkled in wonder. The view was amazing and yes, beautiful.

"It's more beautiful at night" I felt his presence behind me. "Lovely, isn't it?" His low, husky voice breathed in my ear from behind. I shuddered at our proximity. But don't look at him.

"Yeah. The most beautiful" I said, trying to pull my thoughts from him, and to the beautiful view.

"That's a lie. Nothing beats your beauty." His breath lingered on my skin. "I always come here when I'm in town. The view is calming"

I couldn't agree more. I pulled out my phone to take a picture of the wonder.

"See I told you, you'll love it"

His eyes locked with mine and our stare became intense. "Have you ever had a sweet feeling when you meet someone for the first time, and strangely it feels like you've known that person all your life? Like you had always been destined to meet?"

His sudden question surprised me. But he doesn't take those intense crystals away from me. I think briefly about his words. Frankly, I've never felt that way. But it seemed like he had, or was experiencing it somehow.

The calm morning breeze blew gently. His dirty brown hair danced against the wind. I felt cold chills run down my spine as his head lowered to my face. I searched his eyes and they were filled with intense need, want, and desire. A similar desire soon drowned me. His nose brushed against mine. His full soft lips were only a breath apart from mine. I could feel the heat building in my stomach. I wanted so badly for his lips to touch mine already. I wanted to feel warmth against mine. But he was hesitating. His searching gray eyes scanned mine as if warning me I could pull back. But I was already in deep and didn't want an escape. Gently, his firm hands squeezed my waist to his body and his lips brushed mine for the briefest seconds. He pulled away intently boring into my blue crystals as want and desire darkened his irises.

Without hesitating, he returned his warm lips to mine. He kissed me slowly, biting my upper lips for permission which I did not hesitate to allow. His tongue delved into mine. The way he explored every corner of my mouth was arousing. His every action caused sensual reactions from my body and a moan escaped from my lips. He pulled back briefly. "Fuck Cirilla. If you keep moaning like that I won't be able to hold back"

I smiled at him. Desperate for his lips to return to mine. He kissed me again with more desire and I loved it to the core.

After our little exploration. It was almost noon. Regretfully, we headed back to town. He dropped me off my first shift at the gym. I could barely contain the weird sensation in my bones. Whatever I was feeling for this Mason guy was intense. I couldn't stop thinking about him the whole day. The best I've been. I ended my shift at the gym, heading to the bar.

I had several missed calls and text messages from Lyra. All of which I could not attend to during work hours. Finally, I was back home and as expected Mum hadn't returned yet. Her recent outings were becoming more creepy and strange. Something's up. Taking advantage of her absence, I snuck into her room, snooping around. As usual, it was anything from being in order. I rummaged through her stuff. Not sure what I'm doing here, or what exactly I'm looking for. But anything that could explain what was happening in my own mother's life was very well welcomed.

I found nothing so far. I pulled out the last drawer in her closet. My eyes narrowed on the picture well placed there. I took it out. It was a picture of a man. I had never seen him before. He was very handsome. His face is manly and beautiful. His body was built like that of a Greek god, and something about him screamed power and authority. I found myself involuntarily smiling, staring deeply into his rich amber eyes. Something tells me he was my father. The one that abandoned mum and I for a worthless whore. The one I should hate. Before I could explore my thoughts more, the picture was yanked away from me.

Mum. Her sandy brown eyes were sending icy glares at me. "What the fuck are you doing in my room?"

I was startled. But enraged as well. That man was my father. And the fact that she didn't allow me a chance to know what he at least looked like infuriated me. "He's my father"

"The one who abandoned you. And tossed me aside like trash the instant he met that fucking golddigger" She screamed at my face, tugging at my arm violently. "Get out of my room"

I freed myself from her grip. "Fine. I'll leave by myself" I stormed out of her room into mine.

I plopped on the bed, my anger still boiling for no reason. My phone rang, pulling me from my intense fury. Lyra.

"Tell me. Tell me. Tell me." She rushed on quickly as soon as I answered. "How did your date go?" Her question made my anger vanish completely. My thoughts are now filled with Mason.

"It went smoothly," I said, having a silly ear-to-ear smile.

"Did he kiss you? Tell me everything that happened" I plopped my head on the pillow, narrating everything to my best friend. It was nice having someone to talk to. It was nice having Lyra in my life.

"I say that's love" She cooed and I laughed at her words. This was nothing but pure sensual attraction. An infatuation on my part. I wasn't sure about love, after the wreck of a mess it left my mum in after my father abandoned us. But I was hell-bent on having a good time with Mason.