DEEP AFFECTION AFTER DIVORCE

With a cheerful jingle, I swung open the door of Douglas Diner, signaling my arrival. The familiar aroma of brewing coffee and the distant hum of conversation welcomed me like old friends. Glancing around the bustling café, my eyes sparkled with anticipation. The morning rush was on the horizon, and I was ready to dance through the tables, ready to receive customer orders.

"Good morning, everyone!" I exclaimed, my voice cutting through the morning buzz. My fellow colleagues looked up from their duty posts and responded with smiles. "Good morning, Alicia."

Swiftly, I made my way to the staff room, reaching my locker to retrieve my crisp notepad and trusty pen. Back on the floor, I weaved through the occupied tables with a smile on my face, greeting customers with a warm "Good morning!" and a sparkle in my eye. The regulars grinned in response, accustomed to the infectious joy I brought to the café.

The jingling of the doorbell signals the arrival of a customer, capturing my attention. In walks a tall, sun-kissed man with tousled dirty blonde hair and vibrant green eyes.

"Good morning! What can I get for you?" I ask, pulling out my notepad and pen.

"Hey there, beautiful. I'll take a regular latte and a chocolate donut," he replies, and I promptly jot down his order.

I stride over to the coffee machine, preparing his latte, and then return to the counter to hand him his donut. Once the latte is ready, I carefully pour it into a coffee cup, seal it with a lid, and offer it to the gentleman.

"Thanks, love," he replies, punctuating his words with a wink that prompts an eye roll from me. As he heads out, he hands me the money for his order along with a card bearing his number. I dismissively roll my eyes at the gesture and discard the card once he's out of sight.

Just in the nick of time, one of my closest friends enters through the doors, causing a smile to light up my face. She makes her way around the counter, and we exchange a warm hug.

"Hey Pete," I greet as we break away from the warm hug.

"Hey Alicia, have you been busy?" she inquires, and I shake my head in response.

"Not really. I just started a few minutes ago, and it's pretty relaxed," I reply.

Pete's roots trace back to Ethopia, but she was born here. Over the last two months, we've had the chance to get to know each other, and she's become a significant part of my life. Pete has gorgeous brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Joyce is my second best friend, in addition to Pete. I've known Joyce a little longer than Pete, but my feelings for both are the same.

"Well, let's get back to work," Pete declares before her first customer arrives.

*************

More customers begin to arrive, and the diner quickly fills up. Pete and I have been serving customers for the past four hours. Joyce had arrived three hours earlier, around six thirty in the afternoon. When I felt someone poke my arm, I was in the process of producing a smoothie for one of the clients. When I turn to the side, I see Pete and throw her an annoyed expression. I turn off the machine and completely turn my body to face Pete.

"Why are you poking me Pete, can't you see I am working? ." I ask and she responds by grinning like an idiot and pointing at one of the tables.

I follow her finger pointer until I see one of our regular clients seated at one of the front tables. Troy Nulec who is well known as one of Miami's top bachelors as well as one of the city's most well-known playboy. Who could blame him? Who wouldn't be smitten by his fascinating blue eyes, powerful figure, and billions of dollars? Oh, there's someone who wouldn't fall for him, and that is me. haha

Joyce declares, "Behold, your Prince Charming has arrived."

If glances could kill, Joyce would currently be dead with the way I looked at her.

In irritation, I retort, "He's far from being my Prince Charming."

Since Troy, whom I affectionately dubbed Mr. Rich, started frequenting this diner, the two girls sitting beside me have been adamant about him being my Prince Charming and expressing their belief that he holds a liking for me. This perception likely stems from the fact that he consistently requests me to prepare his coffee and the standard plain bagel with cream cheese.

"Yeah okay keep denying it but know that if you could you would let that man do you all day and night." Pete added this time it was Pete's turn to receive the death stare.

I just rolled my eyes at their little comments before walking towards Mr. Rich. I take out my notepad from my apron pocket as well as a pen.

"Good afternoon Mr. R ... Nulec what may I get you today?" I ask with a fake smile I had to give to the costumers.

"The usual." He responds not really paying attention to me.

He had his hand on his chin as he looked out the window deep in thought. I simply nod before I write down what he usually orders.

"Alicia can I talk to you." He adds and I am taken aback.

First off how does he know my name, oh wait yeah the name tag. But second off why does this hunk of a man want to talk to me an ordinary waitress.

"I am sorry but I am on my shift right now and I can't just sit around talking to the customers." I respond.

"What time does your shift end?" He asks.

"At ten." I respond without thinking.

Why did I just tell him when my shift ended?!

"Alright then I will wait for you." He answers before going back to his thinking.

"Mhmm I am sure you will," I stated inside my head before I turn on my heel and walk away to make his order.

"What were you and Mr. Rich talking about back there?" Pete asks with a curious look on her face.

"Nothing." I reply as I finish making the smoothie and start on the coffee and bagel.

"You sure?" Joyce states while raising an eye brow in suspicion.

"Yes I am sure, now leg me get back to my work." I respond as I pour the coffee into a mug and place the bagel on a plate.

Before picking up the silver tray and walking towards Troy, who was still staring out the window, I place the food on a circular platter.

Placing his meal in front of him, I wait until he utters a polite "Thank you." He raises the mug to his lips, sipping thoughtfully.

With a simple "You're welcome," I move away, attending to other tasks. Tidying up the items

"Well, I think it is time for this girl to head home. See y'all tomorrow," declares Pete, before making her exit from the diner and hopping into her boyfriend's car.

Joyce and I share a laugh at her playful antics, shaking our heads in amusement. " Pete is just too hilarious" I said.

"I know right, she's never one to change." Joyce also said.

************

The clock had just struck eight forty, signaling that my shift was drawing to a close. Joyce had left early because she was to felling too well, leaving only three other waitresses and me in the diner. It was peculiar that this place stayed open until ten at night, and as a result, some of us occasionally had to work until then.

While tidying up a few tables, I suddenly noticed that Troy was no longer seated at his usual table. "Oh he's left already?" I thought to myself.

Wasn't expecting him to wait for me anyway. I continue cleaning the tables when I hear someone walk through the doors. There was only two costumers left and the other waitresses were in the back room on their break. I walk over to the counter to take the person's order. I open my notepad and look up to meet with my ex's green eyes.

"Alicia what are you doing here?" Derek, my ex asks. "Do you work here?"

"No, I don't. I am just standing behind this counter with this uniform on because I want to play dress up. " I answer sarcastically.

"No need to be rude, Alice." Derek states.

"I have told you severally to stop calling me Alice. Only special people call me that, and you are no longer special to me. So what do you want? Is there something you want to order?" I ask as I raise an eyebrow waiting for his order.

"A talk with you." He answers.

"I do not think there is any item on the menu named "A talk with you". So what are you saying bro?" I responded coldly.

"C'mon Alicia, why are you being so mean" He said.

"Did you say I am being so mean? Also, Why would I even want to talk with the person who not only shattered my heart but also got me sacked? I have no interest in facing another dismissal, so please, just place your order, Otherwise, I might have to insist on you leaving," I retort, feeling my anger escalate with every word I say.

"Okay I want a medium coffee with three sugars." He replies and I write his order down.

I walk over to the coffee machine and start making the coffee when he starts talking again. "Alicia please can you just hear me out?."

"What part of NO, do you not understand." I answer.

Pouring coffee into a cup, I secure the lid before handing it over. I head to the table I'm tidying, grabbing a wet cloth before moving on to the next one.

"Alicia, please, just hear me out. I did not mean what I said last time. I... I am begging you, please give me a chance to explain," he implores. I turn around, sighing in defeat.

If that's the only way to silence him, then so be it.

"Fine, you've got one minute," I respond, continuing to clean the tables.

Pouring coffee into a cup, I carefully secure the lid before handing it over. Making my way to the table I was tidying, I grab a damp cloth before proceeding to another.

"First, let me express how deeply sorry I am for my previous actions. I acknowledge it was a mistake, but believe me, I love you – I always have," he confesses. I pivot, shooting him a 'are you serious right now' look.

"So, the blonde slut wasn't up to par, and you have decided to come back to me?" I question, crossing my arms.

"No, it's not that. I realized she doesn't hold a candle to you. Losing you isn't worth any fortune. I love you, Alicia," he insists.

"Derek, I've been better off without you in my life. Maybe those words would've meant something two months ago, but now, I don't want you in my life. You're just not what I desire anymore, You are dead to me" I assert, responding to his plea. "If there's nothing else you want to order, I need you to leave, because it is obvious you have nothing meaningful to say to me"

Returning to the counter, I hear the entrance door's bells chime as it swings closed. A sigh of relief escapes me, and I quickly wipe away a stray tear.

****************

Checked the time, saw it hit nine, and knew my shift was done. I Punched out and walked out of the diner. Shortly after I stepped out of the diner, I spotted a fancy Suv parked outside but shrugged it off. I Kept walking until I clocked that the sleek black Suv was tailing me. Started jogging, but it pulled up right behind me, trapping me between the car and a dead-end alley. Some shadowy figure stepped out, and walked towards me.

Fear surged through me at the thought of being kidnapped or worse. Hastily, I fumbled in my bag for the pepper spray, praying for a lifeline. My heart raced as the figure approached, and in a desperate attempt to ward them off, I discharged the spray.

"What the hell?! Jeez!!!" the figure exclaimed, hands instinctively reaching for their stinging eyes. As they moved closer into the light, I saw that it was Mr Rich.

"Oh, shit! Mr Troy I am so sorry. I thought you were some kind of assailant," I blurted out as I walked toward him. Troy, still recovering, rubbed his eyes until clarity returned.

"I am so sorry." I repeated once more.

"It's okay. I understand. I didn't mean to scare you. Sorry. Uhm, are you free to talk?" He asks and I think about it before shaking my head in response.

"Uhm I would have loved to, but I have somewhere I am rushing to" I Lie, and then I began to walk away hastily. Suddenly, I spotted this giant and muscular man hurry after me, I suspected him to be Mr Troy's bodyguard. Immediately he got to me, I tried to resist him but his strong arms pick me up and carried me into the Suv. Even i felt like a bride who was lifted by her groom, I was shocked but I wasn't scared. Every time I tried to wriggle out of his grip it tightened around me so I finally gave up once we where inside the Suv. Troy placed me in one of the seats and place the seatbelt on me.

"I tried to get you in calmly, but your lack of cooperation has left me with no choice, Alicia." he asserts while withdrawing an envelope.

"Are you kidding me right now? You think this is cool? What could you possibly have to say to me or want from me, that would require you to handle me like this? Uhn!??" I demand.

"I am really sorry for handling you like this. Trust me, I am not always like this. I just couldn't think of another way to get your undivided attention. The thing is, I want you to become my wife." He replies.

I cease my kicking and gaze at him in bewilderment; he wants me to what?! Is this guy on drugs?

"What in the world? Are you sick or something? I don't even know you. You're merely just a regular customer at the diner where I work," I retort.

"Wait. Let me explain. It's not a real marriage, it's just like an arranged marriage for a year." He answers.

"Why me?! I am just a waitress. There are other girls out there, that would kill for the opportunity. You can have any of your sluts do this for you. I mean, You are Troy Nulec for crying out loud!" I exclaim.

"Yes I know that. But I need someone who will make my parents believe that I have changed from my playboy ways. I need someone opposite from the girls I normally hang out with, and you look the part." He responds.

"And why do you want your parents to believe you changed?" I ask.

"Jeez! You ask too many questions." He said.

"I ask too much questions? Would you rather I press charges against you for assault?" I yelled.

"I need to get married to a responsible lady to inherit Troy Industries. Look if you do this you will get ten million dollars at the end. It's only for one year." He explains.

My mouth drops at the amount he is willing to give me. Does he even know what he is doing? How are you just going to give a total stranger ten million dollars because of marriage. "Well he does have the money" I thought to myself. Troy hands me the documents that the envelope contained. I scanned the documents thoroughly. I looked at the page once again and realized that my full name was on it. How the hell did he know my last name?!

Troy seemed to notice my confusion and answered, "I asked one of your friends and told her not to tell you."

It had to be Pete who told him my full name.

I take a few minutes to to think. "It's just a year. More so, look at yourself, you could use this to sort a lot of pending bills like your mom's hospital bills. Mehn, this is a tough one" My inner voice wouldn't stop reminding me of how miserable my life is. I thought so deeply for minutes and he was so patient with me. Of course, why won't he be, this is a big decision to be made. Ten million dollars will come in handy after the year is over. I can start my own company and make something out of my life.

I bite my lip before answering, " Just one year right? Nothing more" I asked

"Yes Just One year" he crossed his fingers.

"Do I get paid now or at the end?" I asked, scratching my head.

Troy smiled before showing me where to sign and I grabbed the pen before signing the document.

"Sign right here" He said.

I signed and sighed. I sold my life to a complete stranger.

Gazing at my ceiling, I find myself immersed in my thoughts. What on earth have I gotten myself into? A profound shift awaits me in life from this moment forward. Was accepting his proposal the correct decision? What if, beyond the contract, he harbours evil intentions for me? Releasing a prolonged sigh, I rise from my bed, determined to cease overthinking. No more pondering. I reach for my grey sleeping robe, casually draping it over myself without bothering to tie it. I walk to the mini kitchen and start on my breakfast. I tie my hair into a messy bun so I don't get any hair in my food.

I crack some eggs and pour them into the pan. I grab the spatula and move it around. Once the scrambled eggs are ready I place them on a plate and grab the bacon from the fridge. Before I started preparing my breakfast, I ensure the pan is spotless, giving it a thorough cleaning prior to frying my bacon. Once the bacon reaches the perfect crispness to my liking, I neatly position the three strips alongside my scrambled eggs. After turning off the stove, I promptly place the pan in the sink.

As I'm on the brink of taking a seat to enjoy my morning meal, an unexpected interruption occurs – the doorbell rings, and a groan escapes me. "Who could that be" I thought to myself. Resignedly, I rise from my chair and make my way to the apartment door. "Who is there?" I asked. Without waiting for a response, I swung the door open and I am surprised with who I saw.

"What the hell???" I exclaimed as a cloud of confusion settled over me. How did he end up here, and more importantly, how did he know where I lived? Who is this guy?

"Why on earth are you here?!" I demand an explanation.

"I've come to pick you up; you're moving in with me today," he states matter-of-factly.

"What if I have no interest in that?" I challenge, meeting his intense blue-eyed gaze.

"You're mine now, Alicia, and you'll do as I say," he growls.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Hold it right there. I am not your slave or a commodity that you own and I am neither none of your workers who you can boss around at your liking!" I reply as my anger starts to rise.

Why did I agree to marry this man?!

"You're my fiancé, my soon-to-be wife. So, as from now henceforth, you will do as I say and and as I please. So for the last time, go inside and pack your things immediately." He commands, his eyes scanning down my body.

It suddenly dawns on me that I'm only clad in my grey girl boxers and a white singlet. Hastily, I grab my robe and attempt to cover as much skin as possible. It also dawned on me that what I was experiencing now is the consequence of my action, which I think is my new reality. No one forced me to sign those papers, I did so, voluntarily.

"Alright, mister bossy pants," I retort. "And just so you know, if this is going to work, you would have to learn how to talk to me politely" I said.

"Whatever. I'll arrange for someone to come collect your belongings and transport them to the villa. They should be here shortly, So go freshen up and get dressed, I'll be back for you in an hour." he states before exiting. Turning back at the doorway, he hums in excitement.

He stopped and turned towards me " Also, if you want this to work, don't you ever raise your voice at me again."

The tone of his voice caused goose bumps to run down my back and arms. I quickly shut the door and let out a deep sigh.

With a huff I walk over to the table and start eating my breakfast which had cooled down. Great now I have to microwave it again, because of that asshole.

***********

After finishing my meal, I headed back to my room to choose an outfit for the day. Opting for comfort, I selected a pair of navy blue jeans and donned a stylish black and red patterned flannel with lace trim. Completing the look, I slipped into a pair of black lace TOMS. With my attire settled, I tied my hair into a neat side ponytail before turning my attention to packing.

Fortunately, the apartment came fully furnished, alleviating the need to worry about furniture. My packing checklist primarily focused on essentials-clothes, shoes, and eating/cooking utensils. In the final tally, I opted for just two medium-sized suitcases to hold my clothes and assigned three boxes for the rest of my belongings. Packing my things turned out to be a breeze, taking only an hour of my time. With some spare moments to spare before Troy's scheduled arrival, I decided to apply a touch of light makeup. As I stashed some cash into my bag, a knock echoed at the door. I strolled over and swung the door open.

Two muscular men were standing in the other side and one of the asks, "Are you Alicia Anderson?"

"Yes, what can I do for you?" I ask.

"Mr. Nulec sent us to come pick up your stuff." The other man answers.

"Oh yeah right, come in the boxes are in the living room." I state as I open the door fully so they can come in.

They take the three boxes and two suit cases and carry them to the door.

"Is this it?" The first man asks and I nod in response.

"Thank you." I respond before closing the door.

I head into the living room and take a seat as I wait for Troy. Another ten minutes passed and I was getting bored. Just as I was about to pull out my phone there is a knock on the door. I open the door and Troy is standing on the other side of the door.

"Are you ready to go?" He asks.

My eyes scan my apartment making sure I didn't forget anything before I turn around and answer, "Yeah let me just grab my bag."

I walk into the living room and grab my black leather handbag before walking out of the apartment making sure to lock the door. We were walking towards the elevator doors when Gabriel my neighbor walked out of his apartment and smirked as soon as he saw me. He ran his hand through his beach blonde hair as his eyes ran over my body.

"Hey Alicia where are you going?" He asks and I roll my eyes in annoyance.

"None of your business, now can you excuse me?" I ask as I try to walk past him but he blocks my way.

Ever since I moved in Gabriel has been hitting on me. Yet no matter how many times I tell him to fuck off he won't. Why can't he just take no for an answer?

"Calm down babe no need to get feisty," he states before he leans down and whispers in my ear, "Although I do like them to act like that in the bed."

I look at him with a disgusted look as he licks his lips.

"Now I wanted to see if you were free tonight, maybe you and I could grab a couple of drinks and-"

"She isn't going anywhere with you." Troy's growls as he pulls me towards him.

"Oh really and why is that?" Gabrial asks as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Because she is my fiancé." Troy replies.

"Really because I don't see any ring." Gabriel answers.

"Well that doesn't concern you now does it? Now will you excuse me, please." I state before pushing last Gabriel with Troy right behind me.

"I always knew you were a gold digger Alicia." Gabriel responds.

Troy's hands form a fist before he turns around and throws Gabriel a right hook. Gabriel falls on the floor as he clutched his cheek.

"Don't every call my girlfriend a gold digger, understood?" Troy asks and Gabriel nods as he stares up at Troy with a frighten look on his face.

Troy just punched someone for me, huh maybe this year won't be so bad after all.

I walk into the elevator with Troy right behind me and press the number for the first floor.

"Can you stop being a big flirt, I don't want to go punching every guy that crosses paths with you." Troy states and my mouth hangs open in disbelief.

"A big flirt? That guy was the one who got in my way, I told him to move but he didn't. What did you want me to do, throw him a right hook so he could move?!" I retort with anger.

"What did I tell you about yelling at me Alicia?" He asks.