25
Avery’s pov
There’s an older man, about forty pushing to maybe fifty who’s drooling all over the counter, his head plastered to the surface, snoring away. I want to wake him up and tell him to go home, but it looks like he needs the rest.
Grandpa looks like he had the world’s shittiest day.” Shayne snorted. beside and passes me a plate filled with buttery scorns, bagels, and some fruits.” Table two.”
After my classes, I went straight to work today. Since another of the staff hadn’t shown up today and called in sick, I took up the offer to work overtime. I was here on a scholarship, which meant I had to find. ways to make money to eat and buy things I needed.
Xade didn’t like me working and has always offered to take care of me, his father was loaded but I refused. I rather work my way than depend on anyone. Setting the plate down on table 2, I smiled at the woman.
Thank you,” she returned a friendly smile, picking up the fork to start eating. “Avery, table 4!” Shayne yelled behind the counter, sliding another full plate on the smooth surface.
I had just clutched the plate when the door opens and someone I had been avoiding the entire day walked in. The thing about Xade, is that you can never miss him. He had an aura to him that demanded all the attention, which he got, a lot. It pulled you in, from his gorgeous looks to just the kind of power that poured from him.
Like a magnet, his eyes connect to mine and I quickly look away,
10
grabbing the plate and rushing to give it to table 4, my heart thudding. Avoiding him had been easy since he was nowhere to be found on the campus, I knew so because I was looking for him.
But him being here right now would prove difficult to ignore him. “Here’s your order,” I said, setting down the plate with a practiced smile as I tried to ignore the flutters of emotions Xade’s presence had stirred inside me.
I was still furious with him, but I will not lie and say that I could never stay mad at him forever. I glanced over at him once more, my heart. skipping when he began to approach me with long strides.
Dammit. Not now. I am suppose to still be mad at you.
I make a beeline for the kitchen, ignoring Shayne who’s giving me the ‘what the f*ck are you doing look‘ which I replied to. “Two minute break.”
I will be lucky if they don’t fire my ass. I can’t just take a break in the middle of working, however Shayne is too busy telling Xade he isn’t allowed to be back there to grill me.
I push the door open, my heart thrumming behind my ribcage. aggressively. The chefs here are startled, looking at me as if I had come in here with three heads. I gave them a nervous apologetic smile and busied myself with looking for the way out.
There’s an emergency back door somewhere here, I remember it because I saw it once when I had to wash the dishes.
“You can’t go back there!” I hear Shayne yell, just as the door bursts. open and an intimidating Xade walks in. My heart jumps in my throat and I yelped, walking faster when his burning eyes fall on me.
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A shiver races down my spine and little goosebumps dot on my skin where his gaze lands. With my heart in throat, I rush to the exit door that like the gates of heaven sang to me.
“Sir, you cannot be in here.” One of the chefs scolded. I give her props for speaking up since the sight of Xade alone can intimidate both.
s*xes.
I use this as a good distraction to slip out the door, letting out a breath when I am now in the empty back alley. However, my relief is short. lived when the bane of my anxiety follows after me with determination.
I am not surprised to see that he had followed me. I schooled my features and straightened my spine, squaring my shoulders.
“What are you doing here? This is my workplace, you can’t be here.”
His blue eyes read me like an open book and his hands pushed in his front pockets. “You’ve been ignoring me. I had to see you.”
I rolled my eyes, letting out a dry snort. ” Ironic, coming from the guy who ghosted me first. For two days!”
His eyes flashed and his jaw ticked. “I told you why I did that V. But you’re probably right, I should’ve come to you those two days and f*ck you so hard you’d not be so rude right now.”
As much as I tried to keep it in, my blush blooms furiously on my face.
Coming here won’t change anything. I am still mad at you for sending Kyan to the hospital.”
I tried to side step him but he grips my arm. Tingles shoot up my arm and I gasped. “Let me apologize Avery. I can’t stand it when you’re mad at me.
My teeth gripped my lower lip, sinking into the flesh as his soft voice
brushed against my car delicately. The thing with Xade too was that he was rough with others, but when it came to me he’d be so delicate as if I was the rarest flower.
But even though my resolve is wearing down, I can’t cave in so easily. I don’t want him thinking it was okay to beat up guys to a pulp just for my sake. “Should’ve thought of that before you let your fist talk for you.”
I pulled my arm away from his warm hold just as the door opened and a furious red faced Shayne glared at me. “Back to work Avery!”
I nodded, rushing back in only for Xade to grip my arm to stop me. I turn to him in surprise, and his eyes soften on my face. “I’m not leaving until you forgive me V.”
“Avery-
Shayne started but Xade looked behind me to shoot him with a hard stare. “I’m talking to my girlfriend if you don’t mind, leave us.”