5

**Eliana Pov**

Jace seems like a nice guy but I was not letting any man in my life again. I was broken to the level of impossible to fix.

Jace came into the restaurant again today. He had his meal just an hour before we closed. I was about to leave when he approached me, those beautiful eyes looking all nervous. I was confused.

"Jace.... Is something bothering you?" I was wondering why he approached me again today. I already directed him to the supermarket yesterday. Did he not find it?.

"I wanted to thank you for yesterday," he said while we were walking towards the bus station.

"It's no problem at all," I said looking at him. Still waiting for him to talk.

"I was wondering if we could have coffee or drinks sometime.... Together?" Why does it sound like he has never asked a girl out before? That cannot be possible. He is too hot to have never done it before or maybe the women were the ones throwing themselves at him.

"Are you asking me out.... Jace?!" I said in disbelief. Why would he do that? I don't think I am the kind he dates. I picture him dating all those sexy tall, blonde types.

"I think so" now his face was a little relaxed, like he just got the heaviest weight off his chest.

"I am sorry Jace. But I can't" we reached the bus station now and I sat on a bench. He is still standing. There was a look of disbelief still plastered on his face from when I turned his request down.

"But why is that? Am I not up to your standard?

Wait..... You are not married or engaged right?!"

He is in a confused state now.

"No I am not"

"I am sorry, I asked because the first time we bumped into each other, you had a child with you." He looked apologetic.

"No, of course not. I am not married." Even the thought of falling into another dead trap gave me chills.

"Ok good." He had a sign of relief on his face, but it disappeared almost immediately. "But then why won't you go out with me?!" He persisted.

"I don't do dating. At least not anymore. Sorry but I have to go now." Luckily for me the bus arrived and I quickly got in to avoid the conversation. He didn't follow me in. I was grateful for that.

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

Jace kept on coming back with his request but I was not up for it. Why is he so persistent?!

He refused to give up and I refused to give in either.

But I was hanging on a thin thread. He is devilishly handsome and I was afraid I might fall for him and repeat the same mistake I did years ago. I can't afford to let my guard down.

We ended up agreeing to be just friends.

It was a relief for him I guess. But as for me, I have to be really careful.

Today I was off from work and later, we were to go out for a friendly dinner.

Today is Friday, Amelia was going to spend the weekend at Zia's. She was so excited about it.

Amelia already has made a friend in her class. She talks about him all the time. She told me his name is Asher and he has glasses on and she too wants one.

I had to convince her that Asher is using glasses because he needed them. But she doesn't.

Zia is so excited about me having a date. She came to pick Amelia up.

"We are just friends Zia". I repeat for the nth time but she still doesn't want to accept that.

"Eliana….. you have been the one taking care of Amelia. You need someone to take care of you too. I don't know your reason for keeping your wall so high, but I really wish you would lower it a little. Even if it is a trial. Just give it a try." Zia advised. She is sitting on Amelia's bed and I was packing Amelia's bed for the weekend.

"Plus Jace is devilishly handsome. If I were single, I would have taken him myself. Right now, I am jealous of you for having such a Greek looking fella at your disposal. Yet you are not letting him in'' she continued while I finished packing Amelia's bag. "Don't tell Benni Ben." She lowered her voice.

That made me chuckle a little. Zia might be right but she doesn't even know my story.

We went out for dinner. It's lovely. I have forgotten how nice it was to have someone treat you like a lady and Jace was a real gentleman.

I wore a green and white floral dress that was a few inches below my knees. While Jace was in a casual outfit of navy blue shirt and black pants.

"So... what brought you to our little town?" I spoke after we had placed our order.

He sighed and put one of his hands on the table. "Well…. This is an escape from my usual life."

"And what is your usual life like?" I took a sip from my drink and moved forward in my seat, giving him all my attention.

He put a finger under his chin "Let's see…. Very busy, loud and some unwanted attention.

"Unwanted attention huh! from women I presume. They can't resist all of these" I pointed at him, indicating from head to toe.

"You could say that" He smirked.

I felt a sting in my chest from his response. Why would getting attention from other women bother me? I don't like him like that.

But damn… he is hot. That smirk made him look hotter.

"I just needed some peace and quiet from the ways of the city." He added.

"I don't know much about the cities, I haven't been to one, but I hear they are very busy, noisy and crowded." The thought of that gave me chills.

Our meal just arrived and we dug in. I ordered pasta and sauce. The meatballs were really juicy. I enjoyed it.

Jace ordered the same thing too, but with a plate of shrimp. He is not a fan of meat I guess.

The Eliana of before would have loved to be in the city. But now, that does not please me to hear.

We had a plan with Amelia's father to move to the city and start a new life together. He would work on getting drafted for the NFL, while I would attend a culinary school and become a chef. We had a beautiful and perfect plan. But everything went down the drain and I was left with a broken heart and a child.

"Are you from here?" Jace broke the silence.

"No, I moved here a few years ago." I replied after swallowing the food in my mouth.

"Why?" He asked.

"Change. I wanted a change"

He nodded in understanding.

"I had a good time tonight. Thanks to you." I spoke as we walked towards my apartment, holding on to my clutch bag.

"I had better. I am looking forward to more of this." He looked at me with sincerity.

We said our good-byes and a hug before I walked into my apartment before he left.

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

It's been a month. Jace and I have become really good friends but he hasn't officially met my daughter. I still wasn't ready for that.

He tried asking me about her father but I immediately changed the topic. I think he got the message and didn't ask again.

That is how it has been with everyone since I moved here while pregnant. Whenever I was asked, it's either I walked away, shun the person asking, or change the topic. Not even Zia, my only and best friend, knows anything about Amelia's father. I plan on keeping it that way.

This weekend, Amelia's school invited parents for a sport. Amelia is not part of it but her friend Asher is. She begged and really wanted to attend to cheer him on. I had promised her that we would attend and that made her happy. That is all I want. My daughter's happiness.

I was at work today when I overheard some of my coworkers talking about a famous quarterback in our town. They didn't know what he came here for.

We were all in the kitchen when the two guys were having the conversation. They were bringing in items from a van to the kitchen.

What got my attention was a name they mentioned. I froze in my spot and stopped what I was doing to eavesdrop in their discussion.

"Did you know he is the biggest rival of Axel Taylor?" one of them asked.

"Yes I heard. But you know Axel does not stand a chance when he is in the room." The other one responded. " Not his looks, nor body and most importantly, not in the field" he continued.

"Yes you're right. But he keeps getting in his way. Axel is just jealous of him I am sure. That made them become sworn enemies." The first one responded as they walked out of the kitchen through the back door to continue with their work.

Axel Taylor's sworn enemy!?

I have to find him.....

I have to make him my friend.....

It is said that the enemy of your enemy is your friend right!?......

Right there and then all I could think about was an opportunity for revenge.