EMLYN | 18+

Chapter Six

6 months later

When I stepped out the cab, a sudden wind picked up forcing me to push the strands of my hair roughly out my face. Instead of fighting with it, I decided gathering the locks in a ponytail was the better option.

I smoothed the slight wrinkles on my shirt as I walked into the cafe I'd been working at for the past six months. Not only had the small cafe become a safe place, but it was also like my second home.

After Tessa got me the hook up with the job, I'd been working as many shifts as I could to avoid being stuck in the apartment alone. Tessa thought it was because I wanted to save quickly.

When I pushed the door open, the chimes sounded at the top bringing a few eyes to me and when my eyes met some of my coworkers I returned the smiles I received. Though I wasn't as close to them as I was to Tessa, everyone was nice to me and for once it felt as if I had something close to friends again.

I moved to the door that led to the back for employees and my smile brightened at the sight of Tessa. "Hey Tess."

She looked up from the inventory she was checking with a big smile stretching across her face, "Em! Did you get her okay? You know I hate when you travel alone." She walked over, hugging me and I returned the action trying to put her at ease.

"We can't work the same shifts everyday," I laughed a little at the crazy thought, "plus, I've been taking the same route for months. It was fine."

I didn't want to tell her that I had the smallest panic attack when it was time to get in the cab, which was something that had been happening for a few weeks.

In the beginning, Tessa didn't let me travel alone. She spoke to Tony and offered to train me which led to us having the same shifts for a while. Tessa made sure to stick with me for most of the days, helping me with everything I needed which I appreciated.

I assured her I was fine when I realized that it was selfish of me to take her away from her life just to help me with mine. It was crazy how I was a year older than her but she seemed to be the big sister I never had. 

I walked to the small locker with my name on it and flipped it opening grabbing my hat and apron from inside. After securing my name tag, I started another day of being a barista.

The store was a bit more crowded than it usually was for a Sunday and I observed it was because of the college kids littered around the store studying for their exams. I sat on the small stool we kept behind the register and watched the bustle of everyone living their lives.

I wondered faintly about what it would be like to go back to school. As a kid, I looked forward to going to college and living in a dorm with roommates but circumstances made it that I only finished high school. I knew deep down that with my parents gone, the chances of attending college were slim and I was right.

He made sure it was out of the picture, because how could I go to college and be kept under his watchful eye?

"Em, can you take the register for a sec?" Tessa asked as she made her way to the back. Her question brought my focus back to work and I nodded quickly moving from my position.

I gave her a smile nodding as I grabbed the company hat and slid it back on my head. I made my way back to the front and logged into the register looking up at the sound of a customer.

"Hello, what can I get for-" It felt as if I couldn't breathe. The words got lost on my tongue as I met familiar dark eyes. I could see the surprise in his expression and I was almost positive my face held the same one.

I hadn't ever prepared what I would say if I was to ever see him again. In all honesty, I wasn't expecting to see him again - ever. Save for the gossip tabloids that occasionally floated around that were about him. After all, New York was a pretty big place. What were the odds?