To Break (Masky X OC)

Chapter Three

Caoimhe took deep breaths. She was okay. Everything was fine. The man with the frown was just a figment of her imagination created by her paranoia from someone breaking into her house. There was nothing to worry about. She let her hair down from the confines of her hair tie and turned on the shower. The water took a while to heat up but she didn't mind so much. The rhythmic sound of the water hitting the bottom of the tub calmed her nerves as she undressed and stepped into the heat. While showering, she reflected on the past few days. Something didn't add up. Why would someone break in and not take anything? Did anyone even break in or did she just forget to lock the door?

Wrapping her hair in a towel and one around her body, Caoimhe went into her room and got dressed in a flowy silver nightgown with a lace flower design on the bottom. Her hair, still wet, was flat and limp unlike when dry when it was curly and wavy. Her paranoia got the best of her and she closed all the blinds in her house. Normally, she'd have them open so she could look out into the woods. She carefully placed Squishy in her gown pocket and let Gummy sit on her shoulder while Squeegee and Squirble lounged up in their little beds.

Caoimhe had four sugar gliders. They were her little babies. She loved them more than life. On her couch, she finally was able to relax and let Squishy and Gummy roam around. She clicked on the TV and found an old rerun of Wild Krats. Her inner child squealed with delight. She had almost forgotten about the show. Soon, Caoimhe was lost in watching a nostalgic show with her sugar babies.

Brian was becoming a constant regular at the cafe. He'd always sit in the same booth and Caoimhe's initial unease started to eb away the more she talked with him. Brian was funny, kind, and a true theater kid. Instead of dreading, Caoimhe found Brian's presence comforting. Clara, more than once, made a comment or two about the two. Brian quickly shut it down with a sharp comment.

"Morning, Caoimhe," Brian greeted before she could give her usual 'good morning and welcome' speech. "How are things?" He flashed his usual wide, gapped-tooth smile.

Caoimhe shrugged. "Could be better, but I'm glad things aren't worse." She didn't even take out her notepad. "The usual, right?" Brian nodded, eyes twinkling as he winked at her.

"For someone so against romantic rumors you sure flirt a lot," Caoimhe off-handedly commented, bringing over his usual coffee. "Do you mind if I ask what happened?" She gestured to the flower on his neck.

Brian tensed up, once happy mood now turned dark and sour. "It's nothing," he mumbled, gulping down his coffee, avoiding Caoimhe's searching gaze. "Something happened and that's that." The door dinged before Caoimhe could ask another question. Brian's grip tightened on his mug as he glared at the newcomer.

"Good morning, sir!" Clara's voice rang out as she seated the newcomer. He had red flannel, blue jeans stained from dirt or mud, and dark hair with sideburns. Brian glared daggers at the man and turned his gaze back to the window. Clara's voice drowned out to the music and other chatter from the cafe's patrons.

"Are you okay?" Caoimhe softly asked Brian as she set his food in front of him. "You seem upset. Was it me?" She didn't want to hurt Brian or anybody in that case. She hated when others were hurt or upset. When someone was upset or hurt, Caoimhe needed to lend a helping hand.

Brian shook his head. "It's fine," he grunted, voice raspy. He slowly ate his food. "Just old memories coming back." Brian barely ate his food and left soon after with the usual tip and check with a note. Caoimhe took the the check back to the register and went on with her shift.

"Somethin' musta spooked him, right?" Clara asked, coming up behind Caoimhe to register the newcomer's order of coffee and bacon. "That one usually stays 'round till your shift is almost up," Clara observed and stepped back to the coffee pots. "Did ya say somethin'?"

Caoimhe shook her head. "I don't think so?" Guilt gnawed at her gut. "But I did ask a question about his soulmate and he didn't like it. Then, well, he," she gestured to Sideburns, "came in and Brian kinda freaked."

"Brian freaked over Tim?" Clara guffawed, resting a hand over her chest. "That's hilarious! Ever since I moved here Tim has always been sweet and kind. Sure, he's had his bad days, but I swear the guy couldn't hurt a fly."

Caoimhe didn't look convinced. "If you say so. It's just, not like Brian to get spooked? But then again, I've only known him for a few days," she sheepishly laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Well," she looked up at the clock. "Oh shite, I have to meet Collin in ten minutes. Oh, gosh, I forgot to tell you we were opening early today. Can–"

"It's fine, darlin'," Clara grinned, holding the pot of coffee. "You can go. Not many people left here. Go have fun." Caoimhe hugged Clara and thanked her in abundance. She went back, took off her apron, grabbed her things, and went to her car. She briefly glanced at Tim as she left. His eyes caught hers and for a moment, they were locked together. She took notice of how pained his eyes looked. A car horn shook Caoimhe from her thoughts and she left the cafe.

Collin waved her over to the green house the second she got out of her car. "Come on!" he eagerly shouted. "We don't have much time. Hayley will kill us if we don't hurry up and finish this presentation." He grabbed Caoimhe by the hand and dragged her into the greenhouse, throwing her apron at her. "Hurry!" he urged.

Laughing, Caoimhe put on her greenhouse clothes and helped Collin set up the Caemilla stand. Being the Alabama state flower, Hayley thought it to be a good idea to make a tribute to the state with the flowers. Using different shades, Collin, Caoimhe, and other employees set up a stand and floral mural of their state with the words "Sweet Home Alabama" above the state. The whole thing was for the fiftieth anniversary of the greenhouse and an homage to Hayley's family and their home state.

Many of the townspeople showed up to the event. Caoimhe had trouble remembering everyone. She didn't see Brian in the crowd. She figured he must have been busy with something. She did see Tim in the crowd. He awkwardly walked around looking as if he wanted to be there but wasn't a fan of crowds. Caoimhe took initiative and approached the man.

"Good afternoon!" she brightly smiled, holding out her hand. "I'm Caoimhe Callaghan. I'm going to assume you're Tim, right?" Seeing Tim's confused and alarmed face, she backtracked. "Clara told me, sorry. Did I come on too strong? I was trying to introduce myself and just, yeah..."

Tim stared at her and shook her hand. "Yeah, I'm Tim–" His eyes widened and he jerked back as if he had been slapped. Caoimhe flinched back, startled by his reaction. She opened her mouth to make a snappy comment about being rude when her jaw snapped shut. The mark on her wrist glowed with color. This time, her eyes widened.

"I–" she gaped as Tim rolled up his sleeve to look at the now vibrant green clover on his wrist. "Oh." she breathed, looking at Tim.

Tim's eyes darted from his soulmark to Caoimhe, wide with anxiety and fear. "I'm sorry," he whispered and he ran.

"Wait!" Caoimhe shouted, trying to run after Tim. He heard her cry and kept running. 'This wasn't supposed to happen.' He stopped running and hopped into his truck, hand banging against the wheel. He seethed and gripped the wheel tightly. "Of all the people, why did it have to be you?"

"I warned you, Tim. I'm going to make your life a living hell."

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Hey guys!

The plot thickens! Finally three chapters in we get Timmy Boy! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Like I said before, I am having way too much fun with this. Votes and comments are greatly appreciated. I love hearing from you all.

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat