𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄

𝟑 #2

Thankfully no one said anything to me but I'm sure my boss will soon have a conversation with me.

I watched the men leave and my nerves started to ease.

Aspen gently rubbed my arm up and down in comfort. "Elsie, you won't lose your job don't worry. It happens. Also you should tell our boss about that man touching your back."

"I don't want any trouble. If he doesn't mention anything neither will I."

"Don't say that. You should definitely tell him. He has no right to put his ugly hands on you." She was right but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I'm sure I'll be the one to get in trouble if I said anything about it.

How will I stand up against a man that probably owns half the city?

"It's okay, Aspen. I just really hope I don't get fired." Her gaze stayed on mine for few more seconds and then she finally nodded her head.

????°

I pushed the door open and stepped outside on the warm weather. Summer was nearing and the air was becoming warmer by each day.

Nothing beats the feeling of finishing a shift and knowing that I'll just go home lay on the couch and rest. Well if nothing comes up.

The bag in my hands had a small container with food in it and I adjusted the strap of my purse higher on my shoulder.

The sun was already set as it was past 8 pm. The streets were nicely lit with lights but still, it was pretty dark. Especially on the side of the city where I lived.

I fixed my glasses for the hundredth time as I made my way down the sidewalk.

Ian must be waiting for me patiently. I knew how much he hated when he had to be at Travis' place at his time.

He was use to being home and playing with his toys in his bedroom or in the living room.

Cars passed by and I kept my gaze up front, not wanting to get attention from the wrong crowd. It was the last thing I would want right now. I didn't have any energy for fighting and I was freaking tired.

A sound of a vehicle being near reached my ears and I fastened my walk. Just when I thought of it.

The window of the car opened and someone spoke. "Hey, Elsie right?"

As soon as I heard the voice, I recognised it.

The intimidating man. What did he want now?

I turned my head to the car and saw him inside. One of his hand was on the steering wheel while he was slightly bending his head just to look at me.

I stooped in my place and cleared my throat. Was he going to make a big deal out of earlier?

"Yes?"

"Get in the car. I'll take you wherever you need. You shouldn't be walking alone at this time."

"No, thank you. I'm fine." I said immediately. Was he being for real? Did he really thought I'll get in a car with a stranger?

He let out a sigh before nodding once. Just when I thought that he was going to drive off, he opened the door of his car and got out.

He placed his hand on the top of the car and looked at me again. This time his eyes traveled over my outfit.

Most people thought that my style was ridiculous. That had its own benefits. It kept unwanted male's attention away from me.

I had a green t-shirt with a hot pink thin cardigan on top of it and navy blue pants. The scrunchy I had on my hair was in a yellow color and my purse was in the same shade.

Ever since I was a kid, I loved experimenting with colors and was never ashamed to wear something different.

"I won't harm you. I'll just take you to your home."

"Look, I'm sorry for earlier but I just want to go home peacefully like I do every day. Alone." I empathise the last word. In what world would the head of the Carolingian family even offer something like this?

I didn't need getting involved with him in any way.

"If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have been offering you this in a nice way. I would have thrown you in the car before you were able to utter a word." His eyebrow lifted. It was true but you never knew people's intentions.

"Still, it's a no." I tightened my grip on the bag and didn't back down.

"Okay then." He pushed the door close and locked the car with his key.

He rounded the car and stepped close to me with his hands in the pockets of his black slacks.

"Then I'll walk you to your home." Oh my God, was this man not going to give up?

I didn't said anything, I just stayed still, my head slightly tilted to get a better look at him. There was a lump forming in my throat and my heartbeat increased again.

Couldn't he just leave?

"We can stay here all night if you want."

And he sure was not joking with that. He seemed pretty determined to do what he was intending to do.

"Alright." This man in front of me was going to find out where I live. Amazing. But I'm sure if he wanted to find out, he would have already. Wasn't he like mega rich or something? He must have every information with the snap of his fingers.

Shifting the bag from one to another hand, I began to walk.

The man that I didn't even know the name of, started to walk with me. Well he was like four feet away from me.

He was on left side of the sidewalk, while I was on the right side, close to the buildings.

His polished shoes clacked on the concrete as we silently walked. This was not awkward at all. The man walked like he owned the world though.

The people passing by cowered themselves at his presence. It must feel great for him. Not being scared to walk at this time on the streets. I was actually terrified of it.

About fifteen minutes passed when the apartment building appeared in my vision. The old man from the sixth floor was outside like always with a beer in his hands. He wasn't of any harm but I know that the fights he had with his wife, were so loud that everyone in the building was able to hear.

"Well, sir. Thank you." I said when I stopped on the street before going on the other side of the road. He didn't have to exactly see in which flat I'm going.

"Fenix. And you are welcome." That was a... beautiful name.

I gave him a quick smile and waited for him to walk away. He didn't. I was going to lose my shit.

"You can go now. You must have more important things."

"I don't. You think I walked over to here just to let you alone again?" Just when I thought I was going to get rid of him. Whatever.

"Okay... Bye." I waved at him and hurriedly crossed the street. Billy, the drunk neighbour muttered couple of words but I was already inside of the building.

She disappeared behind the doors and I waited for a few more seconds to make sure she was fully safe.

My eyes were still sore from the outfit she wore. Who even wears that much colours together?

My jaw clenched as I saw another drunken man join the one that was already standing close by the door. She lives here and has to walk all alone.

I grabbed the phone from my pocket and quickly found Kieran's number.

"Sup boss?"

"Find out informations about Elsie that works at Nino's restaurant. Everything you can find. Who she lives with, if she has a boyfriend, who her family and friends are..." As much as I didn't really care, still there was a feeling in the back of my head wanting to know more about her.

"On it." Kieran said and I could practically see him nodding his head.

"Before I forget. Make a call to Big John, I want to see him tomorrow."

"Did something happen at the dinner?"

"Yeah, I want to exchange few words with him." Or cut few of his fingers to more exact. Or I could just cut off his whole hand. He has no business touching people without their permission.

"I will." With that we hung up and I threw a last glance at the flat before I turned around and got back to my car.

???? thoughts on the book so far?

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