Chapter 7

ETHAN

~Trusting sucks when you get stabbed in the back repeatedly~

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, placing his coffee on the round table.

The smirk on his lips was gone, replaced with a look that sent a shudder down my spine, like he'd answered the same question before. He made me feel dumb for asking a reasonable question.

He took a small sip of the coffee, his eyes never leaving mine, “I followed you here, Master. I wasn't allowed to go in through the back door.”

Why on earth was he even following me?

I pinched the bridge of my nose, glancing over my shoulders to stare at my grumpy boss. “You need to leave. Now.” I spat, fingers tightening around the silver tray. He ruined my class with Prof. Meadows, he'd definitely do the same here.

Standing up close to him was already messing with my system.

“I'm not leaving. I'll stay till you close up.” He gave me a challenging smile, almost like he was saying ‘you can't make me leave. I'm stuck with you till death'

“That's not going to work.” I swallowed, watching as a few ladies kept staring at Killan. They weren't just staring—they were gawking at him.

I suddenly wanted to shove him inside for my eyes alone. He was too beautiful to be beholded by the world.

I raked my fingers through my hair, exhaling out loud. “First, you barged into my school, and now, you're stalking me at my work place. What exactly are you?”

“Your loyal servant.” He grinned, taking a majestic sip of the coffee again.

I didn't have time for this.

Deep down, I knew that Killan wasn't going to leave.

He'd never.

Not even if I forced him.

I returned back to the counter to begin taking orders, but just like the lady staring at him earlier had been waiting for me to leave his table, she slipped Into the seat across from him, her fingers naturally finding its way towards his wrist.

Her actions zapped discomfort down my spine.

I tried to rip my gaze away—to act unconcerned—but I couldn't.

My eyes unconsciously found its way to her red lips, reading each sentence that flowed out of them. “You look new around here.” She slurred, leaning her face on her palm, “changed cities?”

To hear them quite clearly, I began taking orders from tables close to theirs.

Now, standing up close to Killan, I watched his reaction to her question. He slowly placed his coffee cup on the table, his eyes devoid of any emotion. “Hmm. I did.”

“Explains your British accent.” She slurred, leaning even closer, so fucking closer I wanted to snap her in two. ‘She is hot.’ Hot was an understatement. She was an exotic beauty men would eagerly wait on the line to have a chit chat with, but Killan didn't even bat an eyelid.

“Do you think we might hang…out sometime?” She asked.

“No, sweetheart. Not this week.” Killan spelled, leaning against his chair.

“How about the next?”

“Also completely booked.”

“So you have a girlfriend you'd rather spend your entire time with?”

Strangely, Killan's eyes found mine. “And she's extremely jealous, she'd snap you in two if she lays her paws on you.”

“How jealous is she? I think I can handle her.”

“I bet you can't.” He smirked, pushing his chair backwards. “I gotta go.”

“Where?”

Killan didn't respond. A relief.

He handled the situation smoothly, leaving the young girl in a state of confusion. He'd said he wanted to leave the restaurant, but why was he advancing towards me?

He stopped before me, slowly slipping his hands into his pocket. “Had fun eavesdropping?”

“E..eavesdropping?” I chuckled, tightening my grip on the silver tray. “Why on earth would I eavesdrop on your conversation with—” I pointed at the blonde, giving a nervous smile. “I..I mean, I was just looking out for you.”

He smirked, stepping closer. “Looking out for me by eavesdropping?”

“You're new here, what if she wanted to lure you out somewhere?”

“Where?” He grinned, running his smooth fingers through his hair, “You're afraid I'd get raped by dozens of hot ladies?”

“I mean….yeah.” I nodded, avoiding his gaze, “trust me, you wouldn't want that to happen.”

“But it doesn't seem all bad.” He glanced over his shoulder, watching her with his hawk-like gaze. Just like she felt the burn in her skin, she whirled around, giving Killan a nasty wink.

“You know what? You should leave.”

“Why?”

“Because…. you're interrupting my work!”

Killan gave me his hurtful look again, placing his palm over his chest. “Oww, that hurts.” He leaned closer, his magnetic voice grazing my ears. “Why do I feel like you're…jealous?”

“Stop being ridiculous.” I pushed him away, glaring hard at him. “You know what? Just stay away from me.”

A few customers were starting to get all grumpy in their seats, and soon, my boss would dash out and start cursing under his breath at how incapable I was.

I didn't want to lose my job. It'd kill me.

Clutching the tray hard, I walked past Killan, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist, his nails grazing my skin. “Master, don't walk home alone tonight.”

“What?!” I pushed his hands away, glaring hard at him. “Stick your nose in your business.”

But deep down, I felt a bit uneasy.

He'd said it desperately, like he was indirectly warning me of an impending doom. “Promise me you won't walk home tonight.”