I’ve been coming into the same diner for the last few months and I’ve never seen such a sweet gem in here until now. I’m the type of guy that loves a forbidden fruit, one who’s clearly not been touched and I can tell she’s one of them. I never used to have such a craving, I used to only want women that were established, successful and knew what they wanted in and out of the bedroom.

I soon changed my mind when I found that one perfect woman. The ideal one for me, became my wife. Not only did she know what she wanted, but she did whatever I wanted in the bedroom and fulfilled all my needs. Or so I thought until I put the ring on her finger and discovered that what she appeared to be on the outside was completely different from the inside.

I used to come and visit my new business venture only once per week. As soon as I sit down in my usual spot that I’ve been occupying for the last few months, I change my mind and start making my way to another booth, when I see the waitress’s long legs stride my way.

Even if she’s in a hurry, she has a way about her that makes her flawless. As if nothing’s going to stop her from doing what she needs to do in a way that’ll make you think she did it with such little effort.

I found out her real name the other day. Just her first name, Leah and I find myself getting obsessed with her and I’ve been trying to find out more. It’s as if she is a ghost, there are a few details about her, but everyone has a past. Especially someone like her. Why such a beauty is just working in a diner is beyond my comprehension. It seems as if she’s a ghost as I’ve had my PI follow her a couple of times and all he knows is that fake ID badge attached to her apron saying, Dana is a front. Her real name is Leah and she doesn’t want people to know her real name, that sparked my interest and I want to know the reason why. Women only do that when they’re on the run. She’s trying to hide from something, or someone and the question is what, who?

She lives with the daughter of the owners of the diner. It seems that she’s paid in cash and doesn’t use a card to pay for anything, which is even stranger in this day and age. I stay clear of women I can’t keep an eye on because they tend to be the ones that are so unpredictable.

Fuck!

What the hell am I doing? This is supposed to be all fun and fucking games, yet I’m thinking about it too much as the next picture in my mind is if there’s too much thinking and judging involved that it takes away all the fun. I should walk away from this situation instead of indulging in it. Things like this always get me in trouble and then problems begin.

I have enough of that with the casino, the one my dad gave to me as a gift once I walked away from my family. Death was something I’d been living in for so long. My family was immune to it until someone close died; that was when we started to grieve. We didn’t care who was killed as a result of it.

The last time it happened, the person killed was my wife. That was three years ago, but it still hurts as if it was only yesterday. I walked away and became a legitimate businessman with a conscience. I helped a couple of people that I felt helped solve the mystery behind why my wife was killed, all the time I thought it was to get to my dad. I never knew I’d become a monster. One that my wife was trying to get away from and I vowed never to go down that road again.

I stand up before she has a chance to come to my table. For a split second, I think she looks saddened by not giving her the chance to serve me. I’m not in the mood as memories of my wife flood my mind. I don’t know what’s upsetting me more, the idea that she was going to leave me. Or the fact that she never got the chance, because they killed her before she even had the chance. She asked the wrong people to help her out. She thought they were her friends, she never knew that in this business there is no such thing. Everyone was just in it for themselves and that even included my old man.

They carried the family name as if it was something to be proud of, but the only symbol it portrayed was blood, after all the lives it’d claimed like it had a given right to take without warning.

She holds the door for a second; I didn’t see her moving so fast. I smile at her as I wonder if maybe I should make my move today. The problem is I’m not sure yet. She could be part of my old life. A trap set-up by old enemies. Until I know for sure, then I’ll either ask her out as a matter of courtesy before I claim her for my own. Or I’ll never come back here again.

I nod my head. “Thanks, Leah.”

She smiles back, and I can almost predict the words that are going to come out of her mouth.

“How did you know my name?” She looks at her badge which displays Dana.

I don’t know if it’s a deliberate mistake. Either way, I want her to know that if she intended to get my attention. She’s caught it. How long she holds it, is a completely different question.