Chapter 5: Angela pov

I thought he was going to touch my cheek and instinctively flinched but then he surprised me by pulling away. No one has ever noticed in time to stop before and I wonder if he is just naturally observant. But the severe expression on his face was more frightening to me than the idea of being touched by him, the similarity to my stepdad was enough for me to have flashbacks and I don’t like it.

Once they leave, I get up and take a look at myself in the mirror, my makeup is a streaky mess but thankfully it is just my eyes. Everything else is still fine, so I rinse and reapply my eye makeup, while Anya watches from the doorway.

“You know, despite the fact that the two of you argued so fiercely, I think he likes you.”

“Ha! What, ever would make you think that a guy like him, would ever want anything to do with a person like me.”

“Oh, just the fact that he marched your attacker off premises and then came looking for you to make sure you were okay. Broke the door down to help you and caught you when you fainted.”

“Wait, he held me in his arms?”

“Yep! You passed out and he caught you before you hit the ground, very romantic. He brought you out here to lay down and never left your side until you woke up.”

“How long was I out for?”

“About fifteen minutes. But I’m serious Angela, I really do think he likes you, and he is rich.”

I groan as I see her start daydreaming about dating a rich man, it’s all she has ever hoped for and now she thinks that a guy like that, is interested in me.

“Just drop it. After today I wouldn’t be surprised if they never come back.”

“Aww, no don’t say that, let me dream a little longer at least.”

I laugh at her and she smiles, happy she has cheered me up then leaves me alone with my thoughts. I don’t even know his name, he called his companion Ellis, I guess I could use that next time if they come back. I put those thoughts aside for now and focus on completing the rest of my shift. A few customers ask how I am, and I reassure them I am fine, then the afternoon passes uneventfully.

**

On Saturday morning, I dress in one of the few skimpy tops I own, a thin strap tank top that shows off the tops of my wing tattoo, and my leggings, I put my hair up in a ponytail and then set about cleaning my flat. At about five pm I realise I have been cleaning all day and I  call the local Chinese to order myself dinner, before refocusing on putting away my clean laundry.

“Ding Dong!”

I am interrupted by the bell and answer it expecting my food but I am shocked when I see Jack and Anya there instead with beer.

“Dayum girl if I was straight, I think I would choose to drink you and not these.”

“J... J... Jack? Anya? What are you both doing here?”

“Saving you from a weekend of boredom. Now that I know where you live, I fully intend to make a nuisance of myself and turn up whenever I see fit to.”

“Why?”

“Because I have been dying to hang with you for the past year baby girl, but you are so secretive it was impossible.”

I gape at him while still standing in my doorway as they are on the threshold.

“Jack is right Angela, even I wasn’t sure if you would ever let me spend time with you outside of work so here, we are. Now, hurry and let us in so we can talk about boys and braid hair, and all that fun stuff. Oh, and I have some big news for you too.”

I frown in suspicion of what she might be referring to but fighting my urge to slam the door I surprise myself by stepping back and showing them inside. They smile and file in, then just as I am about to close it the delivery guy arrives with my food.

“Here you go miss, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Not at all. Thank you as always.”

“Bye.”

I close the door and carry the bag to the kitchenette grabbing my cardigan to place over my arms and shoulders as I go. I ordered my usual, but the portion sizes are big so if I spread it out right, we might be able to share this between us.

“Hey, Um are either of you hungry?”

“Starving!”

They both yell back, and I chuckle as I divide the meal for us.

“Here.”

“Oh, I didn’t realise we were taking your dinner, are you sure this is okay?”

“Yes, this is always too much for one meal for me anyway, but I normally would reheat the rest the next day.”

“It’s delicious Thanks, baby girl.”

Jack’s endearments make me smile and we eat our meals in comfortable silence in the sitting area. I sit cross-legged on the armchair while they sit on the sofa. I am enjoying their company, and this is all new for me.

“By the way, I can smell cleaning products. Have you been cleaning today Angel?”

“Mmm yeah, three days cooped up with nothing better to do, meant mess started to build up.”

“But it was pretty spotless on Tuesday when I brought you home. How much mess could you have possibly made?”

“I am ashamed to admit that I was a bit of a slob while I was off, so I just had to put the place back in order.”

“Hmm okay, we will try not to make too much mess tonight then.”

“So, you were serious? You really plan to stay and drink?”

“Yup!”

“Whatever, anyway, Anya what was the big news you wanted to tell me?”

“Oh yeah! So that guy from yesterday, you know the rude one in the suit? He was in today, but not wearing a suit. I almost fainted when he walked in, I didn’t recognise him at first and when I went to take his order, he asked for a latte.

But after I brought it to him, he didn’t even take a sip before he asked where you were. That’s when I realised it was him and I said it was your day off, he looked a bit down about that. He stayed for a bit, but then he stood up and came to pay. After he paid, he left and when I collected his cup it was practically untouched.”