Francesca

It’s been a week since the day Ciel and his jerk of a friend trashed our shop and included me in their fight. My cheek was still a bit swollen and is now a light purple now. I had to assure my customers that I was alright, that I was just a clumsy person.

Stephen and Angela were furious. Stephen was even able to punch Ciel’s friend. But ever since then I haven’t seen Ciel. He didn’t come to the shop to get his coffee like he usually does.

Sure, Ciel could be an absolute douchebag but I expected him to come back to the shop with his tail between his legs and start apologizing.

“Stay away from her.”

His voice echoed through my mind like a broken record player. Even if it’s been a week I was still torn between either being angry towards Ciel or… grateful?

I realized I was standing behind the counter with my hand supporting my head in a dreamy state, thinking of the one man that frustrates me to no end. I shook my head from the thought of being grateful towards him.

I could’ve handled myself.

But then I remembered the look in Ciel’s eyes when his friend touched my arm. It was feral. Like a breast released from its cage. Ciel did had the bad boy look and his aura reeked of it but I expected him to be the type to flirt and maybe cause a bit of trouble.

My heart jumped in my throat when Ciel defended me when his friend commented that I’m a babe. But he was no different, right? Ciel flirted way worse than his friend.

“Look who arrived in time. Ciel, this is her isn’t it?”

What did Ciel’s friend mean by that?

This is her.

I shook my head furiously. I’m overthinking things.

“Hey Fran, does your cheek hurt?” Stephen asked worriedly. He’s always been a worrywart. I sighed and replied “Barely.”

“Don’t bother her Steph, our friend here is thinking of her knight in shining leather.” Angela teased. I scowled at both of them as they both chuckled. They’ve caught me a few times staring out of space, of course, I was thinking none other than that douchebag. Sometimes I would also think about that wet dream of mine.

“I’m not thinking of Ciel.” I spat out quickly which only caused them both to giggle at my reaction. “Who said it was Ciel?” Angela asked teasingly. My face fell into my hands as I sighed.

“You know there’s a saying the more you hate the more you love.” Stephen suddenly wanted to join the teasing club. As if I could ever love a person like Ciel. It’s one thing to lust over someone and another to fall in love with him.

The day passed by quickly and every time the entrance bell rang my head would snap towards its direction only to end up disappointed. The day was coming to an end and it was my day to do closing.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Stephen asked as he and Angela were going out for a few drinks. “I’ll be okay. I’m going to go straight home after this.” I assured them. Angela rolled her eyes and said “You’d have a lot more fun in your life if you’d come during our outings.”

I smiled sheepishly and said “I’d have more fun just sitting here in my shop and reading—” “About Mr. Darcy. We know, we know. Just take care.” Angela finished for me. After they left I stayed for almost an hour as I read a few chapters of my book.

I checked my watch to see that it was midnight and decided to start heading out. But as I looked up from my watch I noticed that it was heavily raining. I sighed frustratingly as I remembered that I didn’t bring my umbrella. I slowly got my bag and jacket and exited the shop.

I stood in the pouring rain as I tried locking the doors to the shop but it’s difficult to see through the rain. Not to mention, I dropped the keys on the ground making me stay longer in the rain. By the time the shop was secured and locked I was already drenched from head to toe.

There was no point in running to my apartment, I would either sprain something or slip and fall. As I started walking I noticed a figure standing at the corner of the shop. I looked up and couldn’t help but let out a gasp. There stood in the pouring rain under an umbrella is none other than the man I’ve been waiting all week for. Ciel.

He noticed me and it could be my imagination or the rain but I swore his eyes widened as he saw me. I stood still not knowing what to do. I could feel my inner self start yelling profanities at me. I’ve been imagining all week that he would stop by at the shop and we would get into our usual argument and he would apologize. I even practiced arguing.

It even shock me that he wasn’t wearing his signature leather jacket. This time he’s wearing a long black wool jacket. It didn’t surprise me that he even looked good in it. Actually, he looked completely good in it… it made me wonder if he had abs like in my dream.

He frowned and this time it wasn’t his usual frown. He literally looked upset. He stormed towards me until I stood right under the umbrella with him. It was a shock to see him this close without his grin or playful stare. He looked at me with such intensity I swore I was going to melt right on the spot.

“What are you doing?” he asked sounding upset. This snapped me out of my bubble as I frowned back and replied “Are you an idiot? I’m going home.” His frown deepened as he said “You shouldn’t be walking out here in the rain.”

I rolled my eyes and said “Thank you for stating the obvious. Besides it’s none of your—” but I didn’t get to finish my sentence because I felt something warm on my shoulders and noticed that Ciel put his large wool jacket on me. I suddenly blushed and averted my eyes. “I don’t need your jacket.”

I heard him sigh. “If you didn’t notice you’re shivering. A simple thank you would’ve sufficed.” I deepened my frown as I held onto his jacket. I couldn’t help but smell the manly scent of his jacket and all I wanted to do was make love with the smell.

“Thank you.” I stuttered.

“That will keep you from catching a cold. Let’s go.” He said as he faced a certain direction waiting for me to walk since we both were under the umbrella. My head snapped towards him as I asked in surprise “Where are we going?”

“I’m going to walk you home.” Was his answer.

“Why? I can take care of myself.” I said.

His eyes narrowed at mine and I didn’t back down. “A woman shouldn’t be on the streets during midnight especially when it’s raining. Even if you’re a Habanero that doesn’t make you an exception.” He said.

I could feel it again. That feeling I only get when he’s around, the throbbing vein on my forehead. As I tried to keep the urge to strangle him I suddenly felt his hand grabbed mine as he started dragging me.

“Hurry. We shouldn’t be standing in the rain like a bunch of idiots.” he said. He asked where I lived and I was reluctant in telling him as I remembered my wet dream.

He sighed frustratingly. “Fine. Then we’re going to my place. It’s much nearer.” I could already feel the look of horror spreading through every inch of my face. I could imagine a small apartment that hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. He doesn’t seem like one to clean and cook. I could also imagine rats and roaches running around his kitchen.

I have a horrible feeling about this.

My jaw only hung open when we arrived at a fancy building complex. He had to enter a certain code to enter the building and not only did that shocked me but the interior of the lounge was enough to tell me that this place was super expensive.

Did he actually live here?

When we got into the elevator that’s when I actually felt super cold. My body was shivering violently. Good thing that ever since we entered the building neither of us had any eye contact.

We surprisingly arrived on the top floor and as he opened the door to his apartment I could feel my brain crack. His apartment was nothing like I expected it was completely the opposite. It was pristine clean and modernize.

It was an open area with a joint kitchen and living room. The whole wall behind the kitchen and living room is glass giving a beautiful view of the raining sky and a small park nearby. There was three other doors leading elsewhere. The dark marble floor sparkled and the silver kitchen looked brand new.

I could feel a huge banner hanging above me that says judgmental.

“Sorry if my place is a bit messy.” He said as he picked up jacket from the sofa. He called that messy?

I couldn’t stop shivering as I tried tightening his jacket around me. I suddenly felt very weak and black dots dancing in front of me.

“Something wrong Habanero?” And there it goes again with that annoying nickname.

My view suddenly became blurry and started swaying back and forth.

“Habanero?” he called from the kitchen.

My eyesight suddenly got dark and I felt like collapsing.

“Francesca!” he shouted.

One thing ran through my head before everything went black.

It’s his first time saying my name.

And I liked it.