My Protector

His Name is Aydan

There was no doubt about it. I was absolutely shocked.

"W-what are you doing here?" I muttered weakly, my voice floating in the wind. He smiled down at me lightly before he dropped down next to me, leaning against my now useless car. He glanced at me before looking away, his eyes searching the alley with curiosity.

"I told you to stay away." He said slowly. He didn't say it with smugness, or with a I-told-you-so tone. He said it as if simply stating a fact, and it made me feel a tad bit better. I didn't need some random guy telling me how stupid I was, I already knew.

I let my eyes flutter closed as I took small breaths. I know I should be freaked out right now, maybe even scared that this stranger might be stalking me. I had no energy though, and honestly, I didn't even care.

"I almost died." I said, looking up at the darkening sky. My body felt so numb and void of any emotion. It felt like it was all over, and nothing mattered. The same way it felt when they left.

"I know."

My lips tugged up from the corners. He didn't even try to make me feel better or anything, and weirdly, I appreciated it.

"Wow thanks." I muttered sarcastically. I heard the deep vibration of his chuckle and smiled.

"How did you know? When you come into the shop, how did you know about my job?" I asked him, now looking into the beautiful hazel eyes of the stranger from the store.

"It's complicated." He said with a sigh. I frowned but let it go nonetheless. I was in no mood to convince him to talk, especially with that determined look on his face that told me he wasn't going to tell me anything no matter how much I pestered him.

"What's your name?" I asked instead of the questions swirling in my head. He gave a short laugh and looked up at the sky, the way I had only a second ago.

"You must think I'm some creep or something."

I shrugged with a sarcastic look on my face.

"Well..."

"It's Aydan. Aydan Mercado."

I let his name sink in and smiled in approval. His name sounds just as attractive as he looks.

"I'm Avalon Damani." I outstretched a hand for him to shake with a polite smile on my face. He glanced down at it and looked at me, his own smile present.

"Wow. You really take to strangers, don't you?"

"Only you." I winked teasingly. He laughed and wrapped my small hand into his large warm one, giving it a gentle shake.

"Nice to finally meet you Avalon." He muttered under his breath. I didn't know if I was meant to say anything or not, so I just kept my mouth shut and smiled at him, letting myself get lost in his honey eyes. He was just so gorgeous.

"How about we go for coffee?" He suggested after a while. I immediately stopped and hesitated.. First, the police could be looking for me. Second, those psycho guys are after me now. It would be stupid f me to act like none of this ever happened and go sip some coffee with this hot guy. My life isn't that simple.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you."

My gaze snapped up from my hands and my eyebrows furrowed at his words. Protect me? This guy doesn't even know me. He doesn't know what I've gone through, or what he's up against. Why would he even want anything to do with me?

"You don't know what you're talking about." I stated firmly, looking him straight in the eyes. His nose wrinkled the slightest bit and his eyes narrowed. I didn't know what this look meant, but it was adorable, and it had me almost wrapping him up in a tight hug. Of course I didn't though.