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'The sixteenth of June was just like every other day with normal people doing their normal activities. Heading to work, coming back, chatting with family then going to bed.

Normal, right?

The same should've gone for Reene Clove.

But it didn't...

It all started the moment work ended.'

“Ah, I assume you've had a really long day, eh missy?” Adam asked while trying to remove a part of meat stuck in between his teeth, with his pinky finger nail.

“Leaving eleven p.m. must speak for me.” Reene’s tone was exactly how she felt.

Uncaring and bored.

Because truthfully, when you worked in a store that sold coffees and was situated beside a highschool, then yep, that was how you'd feel.

Especially when you have customers mostly dominated by teenagers. The spoiled ones at that.

Reene couldn't help cringing, then continued placing all her stuff in her bag, the only one she actually ever took (a black handbag, plain but comfortable).

Once done, she grabbed the handle, making her way out.

“So, see you same time tomorrow?” He asked, following behind her as she left the store, not bothering to wait for him while he locked it.

Within seconds, he'd caught up with her. “You know, I was thinking maybe we should buy a new air conditioner. Or change the toilet seat, customers are complaining about the broken part. And ah, I shouldn't forget our storage, some kids came ta talk about how it ain't spacious enough for them to have sex in. You know ki—”

“Don't you think it's time to go home. Anna will be waiting.” She cut him off with an obviously feigned smile.

But Adam being Adam, he didn't notice.

“Oh yeah, I don't want her being the scolding wife and giving me a two hour session on why I should be coming home early.” He chortled, then after a hand wave, turned the other way. “Get home safely child. Goodbye!”

The moment he jogged out of sight, she couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped her lips.

Now don't get it wrong, Adam was a sweet boss, but also the type of person you'd internally groan when you walk into a room and see he's there too.

He was the chatty type.

Worse of all, he didn't seem to know when to stop talking. Or when one wasn't interested.

Reene continued walking, tired from another long hours dealing with teenagers.

She really couldn't wait to get home and relax, take a nice shower, have some kind of microwaved dinner then go straight to bed.

Perfect life.

It might be the same with her waking up at eight, bathing, brushing, eating, then heading to work by nine, leaving eleven in the night, just to restart the cycle.

But that didn't mean she didn't like it.

In fact, everyone had to admit it was far better than living some kind of billionaire life with random randos disturbing your life in pretence of being a worker.

Unlike them, she didn't need to bother about having a smaller yacht than her competitors, because, guess what… She had no competitors!

Only limited friends, no boyfriend, enough money to live comfortably and having no care for the world.

Really, what else could a twenty four year old ask for.

Immediately, the hair at the back of her neck shot up as though being watched.

That caused a furrow to tug at her brows.

Surely no one would care to watch her, right?

Still, the uneasy feeling lingered, leaving her far too aware of how silent the street was.

She was literally the only one in a street so silent.

Normally, things like that didn't bother her, because after going home alone by eleven p.m. for two years already, she was bound to get used to the silence.

But tonight…

Tonight, something was off.

Her heart rate picked, and goosebumps coated her skin as the feeling grew.

What was happening?

Suddenly, footsteps could be heard behind her, immediately widening her eyes.

Someone was following.

Someone was following!

The realization caused her strides to increase.

Her house was still a fifteen minutes walk away, which meant she was so far away.

Oh no, that meant no matter what, she couldn't get home soon enough without the person catching up.

To worsen things for her poor self, the street had to me deafly silent.

Her screaming won't attract even the dumbest of animals.

Oh shoot, no no no.

When the steps drew nearer, her pace increased.

Within seconds, she was half running, half walking.

But heck, even the person following increased their pace.

It was then that she noticed…

There wasn't just one footstep.

It wasn't just one person, but… but…

She must've been lost in thought, letting her feet take the lead and not looking right, because the next she knew, her body made contact with a rock hard figure.

A startled shriek escaped her as she stumbled backwards.

Thankfully, before her butt had a chance to make contact with the floor, a hand reached for her waist, pulling her forward so she instead moved to a chest that obviously grew in a gym.

Her heart hammered against her ribcage as she clutched to the person like her life depended on it.

And maybe it did.

“Are you alright?” A deep voice called, snapping her back to realize it was weird to be holding onto someone's cloth.

Very weird.

She quickly drew apart, creating space between them.

And when she stared up at the man in front of her, all forms of breathing disappeared.

Who the heck was this?

He looked like a... like a... like an angel.

His eyes sparked a deep green, which was certainly a contrast to the beautiful black hair of his that'd been cut short, falling over his forehead.

One could drool over how well defined his jaw was, framing the outline of his perfectly made face.

Just by looking at the shoulders and arm, she could already guess the gym was his resting place, because goodness, how could a man be so huge. In a non creepy way at that.

Her mouth hung open, almost unable to close.

This was definitely the definition of hot.

He must have noticed her admiring, because the side of his lips hitched up a little.

Just a little, but it was enough to make her blush.

“What is such a beauty like you doing out here alone?” He asked, his voice smooth and deep, it sent shivers down her spine.

Also, the words reminded her of the fact she was being chased.

She quickly turned, expecting to see her chasers, but weirdly enough, no one came to view.

What? Where did they go?

Had she just been imagining it all? Could it be possible that no one was actually chasing after her, but for some reason, her weird sense made her think otherwise?

That wasn't impossible, right?

“Something wrong?”

She turned back to him with a head shake. “No, nothing's wrong.”

He raised a brow, but didn't talk about that. “Well, I don't think it's safe for you to be walking alone so late at night. Care for a ride?”

A smile appeared on her lips. “You're offering to drive me home?"

“If you want.” He stepped forward. “I'm Zayne by the way. Zayne Thornhart.”

“I'm Reene, and yes, I actually want a ride.” Anything was better than walking home alone so late.

Especially if the person giving you a ride was a totally hot guy.

“Well then Reene, let's—” he paused, his eyes widening.

That caused a furrow of her brows, especially when he took a step back and muttered, “no way.”

“Zayne?”

He took another step back, a confused frown taking over his forehead.

What was going on?

Then, he turned and walked away, only leaving her confused.

What on earth was that about? What was wrong with him?