Chapter 5 The Eyes

I lay in bed wide awake, staring at the ceiling. My second night in new, and that too another sleepless one. My desire and want for Edwards was like burning fire but the truth and reality slammed me to ground every time I thought I could figure a way out. I had to learn to control myself and my burning passion around him, no matter what it took. It would have been so easy just to ignore him or cut him out of my life, but life is unfortunately not that simple. I sighed.

I picked up my phone and started scrolling through my Instagram and the first post I was a picture of Christopher with his dog. Greattt!! Even Lucifer wants to look at me and have a great laugh. I hesitantly opened his wall. He was a very private man indeed. His wall was nearly empty. He just had like forty seven pictures up. Most of him with dog, Dodger. Well weird name but I'll give him that his dog is adorable. I hate my luck so goddamn much right now! Firstly, I like a guy with whom I got like absolutely no short. Secondly, he is be-a-uti-ful! And lastly he loves dogs?! Like seriously man?! It's like you're not even trying! "Ugh this is gonna be harder than I thought!" I told my inner goddess as I banged my head on the pillow. I kept my phone down and crossed my arms tightly against my chest. I knew this was gonna be really hard but what other choice did I have that to suck up? I took a deep breath and pushed myself of the bed. I quickly brushed, showered and dressed into a pair of blue ripped jeans and a graphic red t shirt. I glanced at my phone, I still had a few hours before I had to go to work, so I decided to walk around for a bit. I picked up a pen and a pad from the kitchen counter and wrote, " Hey Rem! Couldn't sleep so went out for a walk. Will see you sat work. Love A." I then stuck the note on the refrigerator and headed out.

The morning breeze felt so calming on my face, gently brushing my hair. I pulled out my box of cigarette and lit one as I started walking down the street. The sky way painted blue with a hint pf black from last night. The rays of sun had barely managed to break the sheet of black hue and spread it's golden glow. I could see people running down the street, some of them walking their dogs and other's just wandering down the street hand in hand enjoying their time. It was the first time in ages I felt so alone. It was a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. I always felt a person has two aspects of their lives, professional and personal. When one falls, the other is always there to hold you, keep you up float. But at this moment even when both of these aspects in my life were in full blown swing and in amazing shape, I felt empty, hollow. I continued down The street taking long drags and soaking in every ounce of life, joy and breeze around me. I suddenly felt a stinging pain in my neck, a burning sensation on my skin as if someone was watching. I turned back, no one. I quickly scanned my surrounding but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"Is my brain playing tricks on me?" I questioned. I took a long, deep breath and shrugged it off. I continued walking down the street. But the feeling of being watched never left. I could feel someone's eyes on me. I ducked into the next street and increased my pace. I spotted a Starbucks just a few blocks away, I practically ran for it: pulled one the door and rushed in. It was still pretty empty but it felt safer to sit there than roam and walk through unknown allies. I walked up to the counter.

"Good morning ma'am who you doing today?" the barista asked with a smile.

"Morning! I'm doing amazing. How are you doing?" I said returning her smile.

"I'm good ma'am thank you for asking. So what can I get you?" she asked.

"I'll have a Iced Caramel Brulee Latte venti with blonde expresso, splenda and cold foam" I replied.

"Would you like any drizzle?" she asked.

"Mocha drizzle please" I replied.

"And any toppings or whipping cream?" she asked.

"Hmm, cascara topping please and yes loads of whipping cream!" I smiled.

"Sure! That'll be nine thirty five please" she said.

"Sure here you go" I said as I handed here a ten dollar bill.

"Thank you and who is this coffee to?" she asked.

"Anni... you know what just make it to Ani" I replied, batting my hand a her.

"Sure coming right up!" she said before disappearing behind the counter. I walked up to a chair in the corner facing the street and sat down. I could see the rising sun casting a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene. I smiled. I was never a morning person. It was a pet peeve of mine to come in for morning shifts. But when you work in the hotel industry specially in my country, everything goes out the window. You learn to survive standing for thirty two hours wearing heels, or just running around day in and day out with one or two hours of sleep, this was a very frequent occurrence at some point it feel so normal. But now being here where working hours are much shorter and fixed makes me feel weird, ridicules even. I fell in love with my job because it wasn't another nine to five job but right now it kind of feels like that.

"I have a coffee for Ani!" the barista called out. I got up from my seat and walked up to the counter.

"That's me!" I replied. She handed me the cut and I smiled. I took my cut and walked back to my table. I sat down and turned the cut in my hand.

"Are you shitting me?!" I exclaimed. Well what else can you expect from Starbucks? They never get you name right but seriously how can you spell Ani wrong? Why the fuck you wrote Ana instead of Ani?! Lucifer knows what you would have done with my complete name? I smiled. Then I felt it again, the stinging. I raised my head and looked across the street and I could swear I saw a pair of blue eyes, but now there was no one standing. How could someone move so fast? Was there actually someone or I am just loosing my mind? I shook my head.

"Nope not today!" I said and took a sip from my cup. My buzzing phone grabbed my attention. It was a call from Remy.

"Hey" I answered.

"You're okay right?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just new place so couldn't sleep" I replied as I took another sip.

"I get it. Just too stress too much okay" she said.

"I'm not!" I chuckled.

"Where are you anyways?" she asked.

"I'm at Starbucks" I said.

"Did you eat something?" she questioned.

"Yeah!" I lied.

"Are you sure?" she asked suspiciously.

"Yes Remy" I laughed.

"I'll try to believe you" she snarled.

"Please do!" I joked.

"So I'll see you at work?" she asked

"Affirmative!" I smiled.

"See you soon then!" she said before she hung up. I chuckled. I suddenly felt as if my skin was on fire. I turned around but at moment it was impossible to make out anything, the outlet was filling up with people. I picked my cup and got up from my chair. I opened the GPS as I walked out. I punched in the hotel name and address and clicked on start. It said it was about forty three minutes away if I walked. Perfect! I had still had time my hand. I started walking on the route marked blue by the map, it didn't seem like a long walk. It felt so good seeing people running around me, hustling hard, and achieving what they set out to achieve. I walked pass dozens of people pushing pass me rushing to catch that nine o'clock subway, the stores also started to pen up putting out their boards and turning the closed sign over. As I continued walking I could hear footsteps behind me, I took a sharp breath and started walking faster. I could still hear them behind me, I took a right and heard them getting faster. Then I saw the restaurant just a few blocks away and I ran for it, I could hear the footsteps growing louder. I didn't stop or looked back I just kept running. I leaned for the door and sprang it open, I ran inside and collapsed on the floor. Breathless, lungs aching and legs on fire. I was struggling to breath, tears forming in my eyes. I head noises and approaching and then a hand touched me, I screamed and jumped.

"Hey woah relax it's just me" said James' soft voice. I blinked still short of breath.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worried.

"No....n...o...someone-someone was following me and I..." I said as I sucked in all the air my lungs can take.

"Hey relax come on let's get you a seat and some water" he said draping his arms around me and gently squeezed my shoulder. He lead me to the locker room. Pulling a chair for me he gestured me to sit down, he then rushed out and got me a bottle of water.

"Here" he said handing it to me.

"Thank you" I muttered as I took a sip.

"Now tell me what happened?" he asked, taking a seat in front of me.

"I was just at Starbucks walking to work and then I heard footsteps" I said choking.

"You were being followed?" he softly asked. I nodded.

"Oh Annica I'm so sorry. I know it must be really traumatizing" he said, gently rubbing my arm. I didn't respond.

"Are you gonna be okay? If you want you can take a day off. I'll talk to chef" he said.

"No no I'm fine. I just need a few minutes to calm down that's it" I weakly smiled.

"Okay" he said before he left. I buried my face in my palms. Breathing in deeply, trying my best to calm my racing heart. It felt as if it's gonna beat out of my chest.

"Annica are you okay?" a gentle voice asked. I raised my eyes and saw Edwards sitting on his knees, his face inches from mine, his light eyes filled with concern.

"Chef I...." I paused, pulling my face away from his.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you" he replied getting up and sitting next to me.

"James told you want happened so I just came to check on you. You okay?" he added. His eyes lying on mine, his face soft.

"I'm...okay" I hesitated.

"It's okay. You're safe here. No one's gonna hurt you here" he said squeezing my hand. I could instantly feel a calm over me and I relaxed. For some reason his words did not feel like an empty promise but an honest reassurance.

"Thank you" I smiled.

"Are you sure you don't wanna take a day off?" he asked.

"No. What will I do with a day off?" I asked.

"I don't know. Spend time with you family or....boyfriend or girlfriend! Hey I ain't judging!" he chuckled and I could see his eyes sparkle. I smiled and bit my lower lip. It felt almost as if he was asking....?

"My family is miles away and I don't have a boyfriend....or girlfriend. Just to clear it up" I smiled.

"So my work is all I have" I added.

"Well you can stay only if you feel good enough to work. My kitchen going up in flames is the last thing I want" he smiled warmly.

"I won't let that happen don't worry" I replied.

"Okay" he said before he got up and left. It felt as if we knew each other for ages. No matter what, he did ended up calming me down. He might not be as bad as articles claim.