Chapter twenty-four : Everly

"Good morning everyone," I smiled as I entered the locker room. "Good morning, you look lively today." Peyton said tying her apron. "Oh yes," I chirped. I'd been getting a positive vibe since I woke up. I woke to a morning text from Lucifer, then I also happened to meet Casper on my way to work and not to mention for our special dessert today we had cheesecake. The day couldn't get any better. I wore my employee batch and then headed out to my place.

When I looked at the clock it was already past my lunch break. I knew from the morning text that Lucifer wouldn't be joining for lunch today, so that meant I had two hours for myself. "Eve," I turned around to see Jamie standing behind me, "there's someone asking for you." He pointed outside the café.

"Who is it?" I asked, I wasn't accepting anyone today. Jamie shrugged his shoulders in reply and moved to his counter. My substitute soon arrived and I made my way outside, I looked around and saw a huge crowd. My eyes met with a woman and she shouted something, within a few seconds the crowd was rushing in my direction. Before I could act one of them already reached beside me "Are you Everly Madigan?" He asked with a recoder in his hand.

"Yes."

"Do you know Lucifer Adler?" Another shouted. I looked up to spot the person but my vision was blurred by a sudden flash. "What kind of a relationship do you have with Lucifer Adler?" Came a voice from the crowd. I stepped back but the crowd had already surrounded me.

"How long have you known him?", "Are you two going out?", "Where did you meet him the first time?", "Are you just another fling for Mr. Adler?", "Will he settle down this time?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I tried to get away but bumped into someone. People continued shouting and the flashes only increased. My vision became unfocused, "Please let me pass," I tried to push through them but it only ended up becoming cramped.

"Move away, let the girl go." Someone stood in front of me and shouted, my vision was filled with dark spots. Next I felt a hand on my arm and I was pulled back through the crowd. I was back inside the café, the door was closed and shutters were drawn down. When my vision cleared I saw Mr. James standing in front of me, "Are you alright?" He asked. I nodded and sat down on the nearest chair.

"What was that all about?" Peyton asked.

"I don't know. They kept repeating Lucifer's name," I tried looking through the spaces between the shutters.

"You should call him and ask about this. He could surely help." Peyton announced.

"No, I don't think so." I murmured but to be honest he was the only one who could help. Moreover he was supposed to close up an important deal today, I couldn't disturb him.

"They're not planning to go away," Jamie said peeping through a small window, "looks like they'll stay here until they get their answers." He moved back to stand beside Mr. James.

"Seems like we'll have to close up for today," Mr. James sighed.

"No, you can't do that," I stood up.

"There's no other way. The crowd out there won't allow customers to get in." He contradicted.

"Then I'll take a day off. They're here because of me, if I leave it'll be pointless for them to stay."

"Are you crazy? I cannot risk your safety Everly." He snapped. I knew he would never agree to the idea but I couldn't let him and everybody suffer because of me. I stood up and said it once again, this time in a sterner tone, "Mr. James I'll leave now. I'll take the back exit and get out of here. Then you can inform the reporters out there that I left. My decision is final." And I made my way to the locker room with everyone close on my heels.

"Eve, think about this once," Peyton said. I didn't say anything and continued packing up my stuff.

"Everly," it was Mr. James, "we'll try to distract them and you make sure to get back home safe." I smiled and nodded then headed to the back door. I sneaked out and moved to the entrance of the alley. I peaked from behind the wall and saw the crowd bustling. Soon the door to the café opened and Peyton stepped out, "Everyone," she started, "Everly Madigan," my name got their attention and it was my chance. I dashed out and ran across the street to the alley away from the café. I maintained a steady pace and kept glancing back to see if someone had followed me.

As I reached the bus stop I called Peyton, she answered immediately, "Are you okay?" She shouted.

"Yes I am at the bus stop. What about there?" I got up when I saw the bus approaching.

"Everly thank God you decided to leave. As soon as we started to talk some of them pushed past us into the café looking for you. They seem to be the clingy type, take care of yourself."

"Is everyone okay? No one's hurt right?" I asked, the panic evident in my voice.

"Yes Eve everyone's fine, no one's hurt. Just take care of yourself, and Mr. James granted you a few days leave."

I smiled, "Yes I will and thank everyone from my side." I hung up and boarded the bus. I took the last seat and flopped down. The questions from earlier started running through my mind. Relationship? Fling? What in the world were they talking about? I pulled out my phone and started typing a message to Lucifer asking about the mess. When finished my thumb hovered over the send button but instead it fell on the delete button. I erased the text and put the phone back in my pocket. He already had too much to worry about I did not want to add on anything else. I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes. To think my day would witness such turn of events.

I got off at my stop and walk back to my place. As I neared it something felt different, there were a lot of vehicles parked in the parking lot down the street. I became more vigilant and started hurrying up, I slowed down when I reached the building. My dropped open in horror. The crowd of reporters outside the café was nothing compared to the one waiting outside my building. There was no way I'd be able to make it inside unnoticed. What was happening? Why were they so keen on seeing me? And where was I supposed to go now with them huddled up here? I was deep in my thoughts when I felt a nudge at my knee, I looked down and saw Whispers. "What are you doing here?" I spoke in a low voice. It looked up at me and my eyes fell on something in its mouth. He moved forward and dropped it at my feet, it was a dead mouse. I shouted and jumped out from behind the car which drew all the attention toward me.

"There she is," one of them shouted and they started making their way to me but I stood there frozen not able to move a muscle. Whispers nudged at my knee again and I was brought back to my senses. I started running down the street. I ran without looking back, where to now, was all I thought.

I saw the 24/7 super mart up front and decided on getting in. I rushed through the parking lot and got inside. I stood there for a moment catching my breath, looking outside and I saw them. They were able to catch up with me and now some of them were headed this way. I started moving toward the back, trying to put as much distance between us. I now stood at the end of an aisle, I debated on calling Lucifer but shook my head. No I could manage this on my own. Before I could turn around and head the other way I heard sounds of people talking, "You sure she got in here?" One of them said.

"Yes the people outside saw a girl running in here," the other said.

My throat went dry, I moved away from them into another aisle and fished out my phone. I looked down at the screen, this was my only option. I dialed Lucifer's number, it rang a few times then went into voicemail. I took a trembling breath, one last time. If he didn't pick up this time I won't try again. I tried again, it rang and he picked up on the third ring.