Shy ✦ Héctor Bellerín

One

I admit I got a little restless when Isabella's boyfriend did not show up in about an hour. It was about two am, and I was out of patience. Isabella was soundly sleeping in an uncomfortable looking posture on the bar table, snoring faintly but audibly.

I let out a grunt of irritation, and decide to fiddle with a couple bottles of bourbon. Not like it was forbidden for the bartenders to take a drink or two during their work hours. I rotated my neck and yawned, stretching out my tired hands. The door creaked and I immediately look up, a sigh escaping lips.

"Took you a while, sir," I keep my tone even despite my urge to snap. I consider throwing another insult the stranger's way, until my eyes meet a pair of rich brown ones. His glossy dark hair were neatly combed and a few strands fell on his eyes, complimenting his pale skin. Although appealingly well built, he was not very tall.

"Hm?" The waving motion of his hand snaps me back to reality, and I realize I had been gawking.

"How long as she been here?" He asks, his accent thick and unique. I slightly tilt my head in analyzation. He waited for me to answer, and I shake my head clear.

"Uh — she was here a hour and half ago," I said, my voice was pitched and pathetic and distracted.

"Thank you for looking after her," he smiles at me softly, before looking down at Isabella. "And, uh, I am sorry about this. I didn't know she was out so far away."

Not trusting myself to talk, I just nod awkwardly.

He picks Isabella up in his arms in a single graceful movement, and carried her out.

"Good night!" He called before the door shut.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I slip on my jacket before exiting the place myself, and locking it up. The road was unsurprisingly deserted, and my light footsteps were the only source of sound, apart from a couple cats passing by. I wrap my hands around myself as the air started to blow at its peak.

Cold.

It was so cold that I was quaking like a wet cat.

The headlights of another car illuminated the road, and it comes and stops beside me.

I gulp nervously.

"You need a ride?"

I bend down to see the source of the voice.

A weird sort of squeak escapes my mouth as I look at the driver.

"Uh... I think, um..." I bite my lower lip nervously.

What.

"It's very late, I think the earlier you get home, the better," the man from the bar — Bells says pushing the passenger door open toward me. "Consider it a thank you."

I fiddle with my fingers in thought.

Shall I?

Of course, it's late and he is offering.

Of course not, what if he's a creep?

I am bound to run into some other sort of creep at this time, at least he's a creep offering a lift in a BMW.

You can't be serious, you don't even know this dude!

"It'll make me feel better," he says, the slightest hint of impatience in his voice.

I spent another minute reasoning and debating with my rational part of conscience before actually getting in the car. 

"So, where do you live?"

"Near covent garden," I whisper.

"Sorry I didn't catch that..." He leans close to me.

The sent of a strong cologne surrounds me and I sniff mindlessly.

"Uh?" He raises his eyebrow in question.

I shake my head again, and resist the temptation to smack myself.

"N-near Covent Garden. Street 43C." I managed to get the words stuck between the knots in my throat.

"Alright," he enters that in Google Maps, apparently, and stars to drive.

He had put Isabelle on the back seat, who was still snoring softly.

"Do you work this late daily?" He asks suddenly. I realized I had been ogling at him, and start to flush.

"Um, until around midnight, usually."

He nods, most of his awareness engrossed in some other thought. I forcefully avert my eyes to the dark road.

"This is street 43C, right?" He asks.

"There," I raise my frail hands toward my house.

"Okay," he sings, as he pulls over.

I pick my purse up, which I rested on my legs this whole time.

I push the door open.

"Thank you," I breathe before stepping out.

So he isn't an axe murderer.

"I should be the one thanking you," he says, a little grateful smile on his lips.

I stumble a little clumsily, and then clear my throat. Embarrassment courses through my as I steady myself.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," I simply answer. "Thanks for the ride, goodnight!" I nod awkwardly and unlock my house hastily. I shut the door behind me, and press myself against it.

What. The. Hell.

Out of the bunch of things I believed I was, I never though I'd act so . . . shy.

✦

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Love xx

Hayley