Consume my broken heart

Chapter 11

A few days pass, and I hoped my plan would ease away when time passes, but it didn't. The urge to find justice is immense. Maybe that's because my dad's blood floods through my veins. They deserve a punishment and that's what they are going to get.

"Grace? Can you take the order from table two?" Nathalie shouts to the back. I nod and toss the towel to the side. Tonight it's my turn to stop early, and Nathalie has to close the bakery. Belinda has a day off, so we'll make sure everything goes smoothly today.

I'm making my way to table two when Nathalie stops me. "It's that handsome guy again. He asked for you to serve him." Nathalie giggles, wriggling with her eyebrows in a hopeful mood.

"Don't get too excited. I have no interest in him, whatsoever." I answer her in annoyance before marching to him. The idea of everyone seeing something potential between us makes me agitated. He's definitely not the type of guy you want to introduce to your parents. What do you do for a living, Aiden? My father would ask first. Well, he's a freaking hitman, a murderer.

"Hey," Aiden greets me with a genuine smile when I stop across from where he was sitting.

"Hey, what can I get you?" I ask him somewhat bitter, not in the mood for a chat. I don't want to give Nathalie some kind of hope by seeing me talking to a guy which she has never witnessed before. She once asked me if I was a lesbian. I thought that was funny, back then. It would be so much easier to fall in love with a girl than a boy. It would make my life so much easier. Although, I guess two women can be fireworks too when they fight. It's better to stay alone, making your own decisions without all the drama.

"The same as always." He replied friendly. I nod and note his order on my small piece of paper.

The past few days, he hadn't shown himself. The thought of him here gave me some kind of comfort and peace, knowing someone is here who can protect me. He's fierce and bold, the bad-boy type who you don't mess with. So, when he didn't show up for three days in a row, I worried something bad might had happened to him. If you live and work in the dark, you might as well get hurt once in a while. The things he does for a living are sick and twisted, yet he cleans the streets. Making Louisiana a safer and better place.

I have got mixed feelings when he's in my presence. One part of me wants to run away because this man is just no ordinary man. He can hurt me in a blink of an eye. However, the other part of me craves answers. My curiosity and sense of reason taking the upper hand. There has to be a cause for his choice of work. What did he have to endure in his childhood or as a grown-up? I can't believe he would kill for fun, not for the greater good.

"So, I haven't seen you for a while?" I ask. The urge to know what he has done forced me to ask him. When the words were out of my mouth, I had regretted it instantly. Why can't I shut up with my big mouth? He's bad and I have to take some distance from him.

Aiden his brow shoots up in surprise, a devilish smile appearing on his face. "You don't have to answer that." I quickly correct myself and rush back to fetch his order.

"Goddamnit, Grace," I whisper to myself in disappointment. He's a dangerous man. I play the sentence in my head like a tape on repeat. It's better to keep this platonic between us. He's just a customer and nothing more. I don't even know him well. I won't become friends with him or worse...

In the back, I order Nathalie to bring him his coffee and a chocolate muffin. It was also time for me to go home.

"What's the matter? Did he do something wrong?" She asks me in concern.

"No, nothing's wrong. I'm just ready to go home." I answer her while I'm pulling my apron over my head.

"Oh, sorry. Is it already seven?" She asks in astonishment.

"Yeah, another two hours and you can close the bakery and go to your romantic lover." I chuckle.

Nathalie shakes her head, rolling with her eyes. "The date wasn't that perfect, but hopefully in time he'll learn how a proper date is done." She says with a wink before leaving me in the kitchen.

I collect my purse and keys before making my way through the bakery. "See you tomorrow." I wave to Nathalie, who waves back at me while placing the muffin before Aiden.

Aiden studied me the entire way out. I could feel his eyes burn on every inch of my body. Entering my car, I shake my head in disbelief. That man has got no manners staring at me like that. Or maybe he was just pissed I haven't said goodbye to him as well. However, with the look on his face, he wasn't mad or disappointed, more surprised and amused by my sudden exit.

I need to get home so I can continue with my investigation. I have got two months until I won't have enough time to do what I want. Mom and dad count on me by leading their business. It will need my full concentration, so I will have to deal with everything within two months. Hopefully, I will find some strength and peace if I do what I believe is what they deserve.

Arriving home, I recognized Barbie's white Audi A1 in front of our porch. I open the front door and close it behind me. From afar, I hear someone crying and whispering. What's all the fuss about? She probably didn't get a contract with the agency. Slowly, I walk into the living area, trying to be as invisible as possible.

"What happened then?" Dad asks calmly, but his facial expression told me he was angry about something.

"We went to the hotel room and Rick didn't even give me a look. I felt horrible, and it was all my damn fault." She spoke with her eyes downcast.

"What's wrong?" I ask in concern. I have never seen Barbie like this. She was a total mess. Her hair was in a messy bun, clearly not in her normal state of mind because she hates buns.

Everyone in the room glanced at me, including my sister. Her flushed skin told me she was embarrassed about something.

"Your sister had some trouble with Rick, that's all." Mom answers calmly, sending me a reassuring smile.

"He didn't hurt you, right?" I ask without thinking clearly.

"Not every man is a rapist, Grace." Barbie barked in annoyance.

"Wow, I'm just worried, okay," I say irritated with my hands in the air in offense.

"I cheated on Rick, okay. Now you know and soon everyone will know. I'm sure nobody will ever want to hire me, again." She sobbed.

"Don't be so dramatic, Barbie," Dad spoke authoritatively. "This will blow over in time," Dad adds calmly and mom nods in unison.

"Don't give me that look, Grace. I'm not perfect either." She hissed before laying herself down on the sofa. Mom stands up, giving me a look of warning, so I keep my mouth shut. This isn't worth a fight, so I ignore the scene in front of me and walk up the stairs toward my chamber. Barbie has some serious problems with her self-destructive behavior. Well, maybe that's the only thing we both have in common, though.