Ciel

I exited Fancy cups with my cup of coffee. This is where I usually get my daily caffeine especially during hangovers. Not to mention, to see a certain red head. Francesca.

The famous redhead who owns a quirky coffee shop. I remember the first time I’ve ever laid eyes on the freckled face Habanero. What caught my eyes was her bubbly butt and it was a plus that she was wearing leggings clung to her like a second set of skin. A plus was she also had perky breasts even with just wearing a simple shirt.

Most importantly, she had one of the most beautiful smile plastered on her face, the opening of Fancy cups. She gave a warm welcome to every customer that day and she wasn’t even swayed from the way I look.

I was so used to the way people react badly when they saw me. Like when I’m walking down the street people tend to cross the road just to not pass by me. How their judgmental eyes stared at me with either fear or loathe.

But not her.

Her smile never faltered and her brown eyes sparkled at the sight of me. I couldn’t hide the adoration I had for the innocent sexy girl. I was contented to admire her from afar. To not include her in this pathetic life of mine. She was too innocent for me… I don’t deserve a girl like her.

But then the kiss happened…

I felt every fiber in my body burn with a hidden desire. My soul was suddenly lit on fire with just the touch of her small plump lips that I wouldn’t mind kissing over and over again.

Now that she has me wrapped me around her finger there’s no way I would ever let her go. After the kiss she ended it with a slap. Usually, when someone would lay a finger on me I would be furious but this only made me lust for her more. She was feisty that I curiously wondered what she would be like under the sheets.

I was so consumed by thoughts of Fran that I didn’t notice that I arrived at the bar that I usually hung out at. “Yo Ciel! What has your head in the clouds?” my friend Zen asked as he pushed himself off the billiard table and walked up to me.

“None of your business.” I said sternly. I won’t allow Zen nor the other guys to ever know about my Fran. Zen and the rest of the guys would only break her.

Zen snickered as the both of us sat in front of the bar. My cup of coffee was already gone so I decided to order a bottle of beer. “Don’t tell me it’s some chick.” Zen said.

For some reason it unnerved me that he was referring to Fran that my eyes sharpened its gaze on him. Zen smirked evilly and said “Oh! So it is a girl. You should bring her over sometime.” I was gripping the bottle of beer too tightly. “Is she a ten?” this only angered me further.

The bottle in my hand suddenly shattered from my grip.

This only made Zen feel satisfied. I played right into his hand but I didn’t like that Zen would put a number on my Fran. She’s mine and no one else’s. Not even that Mr. Darcy could stop me.

My hand was bleeding a bit from the shards of glass but I didn’t mind, it wasn’t unusual for my hands to bleed. Zen and I were high school friends and we caused trouble everywhere we went. From skipping school to illegal fighting. Zen was your typical player bad boy, jumping from one woman to another.

He also had the habit to flirt with the girl I would date. His reason was to “test” their loyalty, and usually the girl I’m dating would fall for Zen.

Zen lit up his cigarette and mumbled “Should I test this girl out?”

Just the thought of Zen being near Fran didn’t settle well with me. I shrugged off my anger and said “There’s no girl, Zen.”

I wanted to stay away from Fran to keep her away from Zen. We are definitely the type of men you would want to stay away from. But every time I thought that I wouldn’t see Fran only made my stomach clench painfully.

I ended up staying the night at the bar again. I lived in an apartment away from my family. My parents were business people and they would do anything for me to jump into the family business. But I wanted so much more.

I woke up from a very uncomfortable position on one of the sofas that sat in the lounging room of the rusty bar. My head throb from all the beers I drank last night. Trying my best to ignore my idiot friend, Zen.

My head whirled around in search for said idiot friend but he was nowhere to be seen. I grabbed my leather jacket and walked up to the bar. “Has anyone seen Zen?” I asked no one in particular. Zen was probably with another woman today.

“He said he’ll be back.” the bartender answered.

I then proceeded to leave the bar and making way towards Fancy cups. My heart started racing as I realized that I was going to see Fran once again. Maybe I should bring up the kiss. Who knows it could turn into something more. I smirked as I can imagine her face being red as she starts yelling at me. I have it bad.

My blood suddenly started racing towards my face as I arrived at Fran’s shop. The shop was made of glass so you could see who was inside. But what made my blood boil was that idiot friend of mine sitting at one of the tables. He had a grin on his face as he was saying something to Fran who was serving him.

Fran had her arms folded in front of her chest as a scowl was plastered on her beautiful face. Probably frustrated from something that Zen said. But that’s not the only thing that made my blood boil, it was Zen’s hand caressing Fran’s arm.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists ready to kill my friend. I pushed the door open making the entrance bell ring violently.

“Get away from her!” I snarled at Zen, grabbing everyone’s attention. Zen casually looked at me with his grin plastered face and said “Look who arrived in time. Ciel, this is her isn’t it?” he said it like he just won a prize.

I stormed over to where Zen sat. Fran took a step back as I grabbed Zen by the shirt and yanked him up. “What the hell are you doing here?” I growled at him. Zen chuckled and said “I never thought you’d be overprotective of something… or someone.”

I tightened my grip on him as I easily lifted him off the floor. “Stay away from her!” I hissed.

“Chill Ciel, I’m only testing her,” he said as his gaze turned towards Fran who looked at us with wide eyes. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “And it helps that she’s a total babe.” He added which only added fuel to the fire.

As I saw the way he’s looking at Fran like she was a piece of meat. Like she could be his play thing. Like he could toy with her like some kind of object only pissed me off. I couldn’t hold it back anymore as I dropped him and pulled my fist back and gave a hard punch to his jaw making him knock down the table.

Once I found out that he was still looking at her I continued assaulting him making some of the customers shout in fear as they ran out the shop. Zen stopped looking at Fran and decided to attack me as well. He started grabbing wooden chairs and cups from tables and throwing them at me.

I easily dodged them but I know he wouldn’t be able to dodge me. My anger was too much for me. Fists met our faces as we started kicking each other. Blood was dripping on the floor. “Stay away from her.” I hissed as I gave him a punch for each word.

I was too caught up in my own anger that I didn’t hear the small pitter patter of feet approaching us nor did I hear her angelic voice yell out “Stop!”

Somebody grabbed my shoulder and instinctively I drew my fist back and punched the person who grabbed me only to be completely mortified. A shriek left Fran’s lips as she fell to the ground harshly.

“Fran!” Fran’s two friends yelled as they came to her aid.

One hand was still gripping Zen’s shirt but both of our gazes were on the unconscious red head.

I hurt her.

I immediately dropped Zen to the floor as I awkwardly stood in front of the two friends who were aiding Fran. Confused on what to do. Should I help or should I apologize?

The guy friend moved Fran’s silky hair out of her face revealing a swollen cheek. Guilt instantly filled every part of my body.

Fran’s female friend turned towards me with a glare as she asked “What the hell is wrong with you?” those words echoed through my head.

Then I did the most cowardly thing.

I ran.