5. Our paths clashed again, Aria.

5. Our paths clashed again, Aria.

Shit, the magazine!

Aria looked at it then at the shelf. She was bloody standing near the shelves holding Star and Sunshine. Goosebumps erupted across her skin as he was approaching the same shelves for the magazine she couldn't afford to get caught.

'What do I do? I don't want him to see me with this magazine.'

She nipped at her lips in utter distress. Her palms sweated and cheeks started turning crimson. Aria froze in her spot rather than bailing out for she was lost in the maze of his eyes.

He was standing by the counter, the shop owner merely affected by his presence. Jake had a frown on his face and his lips twisted from time to time while he complained to Kai about how the magazine and its articles were affecting him; nonetheless his charm never declined.

"You should see my w******p!" Jake hissed.

"It is flooded with messages from random girls. I feel like my number has been leaked. Just look at the mass messages I have received ever since the launch of this new issue. I suspect they have mentioned my number too."

The guys paused by the shelf of coloring books for kids and started laughing and joking over a mermaid book. They passed comments on the picture on the cover as the mermaid was gorgeous with big breasts, a small waist and a body that they were drooling on..

Kai kissed the book's cover and remarked, "If I get a girl like her... I swear I'll never turn around and look at anyone else. Gosh, her body's a blessing!" He hugged it to his heart.

"Huh, bastards don't get such beautiful girls and since you are one of them, you know, you should lower your standards." Neil smirked with a shrug of his shoulders as he gave him a bird.

Jake's eyes popped out hearing him and bubbled over with laughter.

Zack slipped on the floor, clutching his stomach. Their jaws hurt and stomach ached but they could not stop it at all. In fact Kai's reaction was more funny than Neil's remark.

He was so appalled by the remark that his hold on the book loosened. The book fell down. Like an innocent kid bullied at school for being extra cute, he pouted and faked cries.

"I am hanging around snakes. You are not my friends. But that was funny!" He seared and joined his friends.

Aria observed them carefully. They were engrossed in themselves. This was the perfect moment to slip out of the bookshop without being noticed.

She took it as her chance and immediately placed the magazine in its place and slipped out of there, hiding behind the shelves, taking a step at a step without making noise. Suddenly their laughter died. Aria felt someone's presence behind her. She hastily turned to a shelf and pretended as if she was looking for a book.

Dread infected her senses when she sensed someone tap on her shoulder, "Hey Aria, we met again."

She felt fire flooding her veins as her chest heaved. She jumped at the sound of the husky voice, losing her balance.

"Easy, girl! Why do you always panic like that?" A band of warm hands snaked her waist before she cratered down.

Stars twinkled before her vision as tingles erupted on her skin. She was dangling in his arms and the realization made her grip loosen on the book she was holding.

Coming out of his hold, Aria tried not to shake, "I... I am... I am sorry."

"Why are you saying sorry, Aria?" Jake attempted to touch her shoulders but she flinched back.

He observed her with his hawk-like eyes. She was shy and stayed away from guys. And he was the kind of guy that hung out with her bullies and messed with different girls in the school. Hence he didn't mind her flinching back and smiled at her.

"Excuse me, I want to... I want to leave." She stammered and he stepped backwards.

"This way."

"T-thanks."

Jake amusingly watched her. Irrespective of being born to a strong hunter in the pack, Aria was bullied by the kids in school and humiliated by the sassy girls. She was used to getting a harsh reaction. So he could justify her freaked out retort over his positive behavior towards her.

He let her go past him. Before she was out of the bookshop, he noticed the book laying at his feet.

"Aria, wait."

Her heart was already running like a wild animal. When he called her, she stopped breathing. Her hands shivered as Aria slowly turned around.

"You dropped your book." He brought it to her.

It was an encyclopedia featuring various creatures in their world and where they originated. She had not even seen the book when she picked it. It was just that she used it as a prop. The book she needed was the one he had come here looking for— the magazine.

"Umm, no... I don't want this book. I was just checking it." She said.

"Don't lie, Aria. And please, don't antagonize me because of my friends." He glared at them but when he brought his gaze back at her, it was warm and friendly.

"I really don't want this book. I..." She didn't have the money to buy it.

It took her months to collect the cost price of the magazine. She didn't want to waste her money on the expensive encyclopedia.

"Thanks, but I don't want this."

"You sure don't want this?"

"Nope, I was just looking at it."

"Cool, I'll go put it back. And to be frank," Jake's mouth curved up. "Why would a sweet girl like you be interested in a dangerous encyclopedia and its monsters?"

"Umm, I don't like monsters. T-the cover made me curious so I just..." She trailed out as she was not sure what to say further.

"Happy to hear that." Jake smiled again, fracturing her breaths. "Okay then, I will put it back."

As soon as he left her alone, Aria released a breath that had been stuck in her lungs. She clutched the strap of her bag, proceeding to escape.

Her emotions surged since the door was blocked by Kai. He was standing at the threshold with crossed arms and a smirk on his face.

"Our paths clashed again, Aria!" He winked, making Aria's spine into steel.

Tbc...

(What will happen now? Is it plotted once again? Do comment if you're liking it. Lysm:)

XOXO ❤️