the fire of passion.

chapter 1

I was humming softly to myself along to the song AOK. it was playing over the cafe speakers as i finished making a black coffee for a regular. I put the lid on the drink and moved from around the counter and approached a table. The calm scruffy man was sitting there looking at some papers spread on the table in front of him. I smiled sweetly as I set his coffee down in front of him. "Good evening, Shota, stayed late at the school again?" I asked as I gestured to the seat across from him to see if he would let me sit. He nodded his head as he started speaking. "My students are quite the handful today." I slid down into the seat and rested my hand under my chin on the table. "You care so much for your students, it's really admirable." someone started walking into the shop, the doorbell ringing loudly in the almost empty cafe. "I don't do much, just what I get paid to do." I stood up and walked towards the entrance to the counter. "Whatever you say Shota."

After a few hours I had locked the doors and just finished making sure everything was ready for the opening shift. I tossed my apron into the bin and I walked into the office. I slid on my hoodie and grabbed my keys from the desk. I switched off the lights and made my way outside. I locked the cafe doors and i turned to suddenly see someone in my face. "Hey." he spoke cheerily. I took a step back towards the door. "Oh hey max, what are you doing out here so late?" I shared a smile towards the tall man in front of me. He was near my age with curly red hair and a lip ring. He rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "I was hoping to catch you actually. Can I walk you home?" i gulped at the possible dangerous situation placed in front of me. "I appreciate the offer max but I'm okay. I was actually going to go eat before heading home." i lied straight through my teeth. "I am actually kinda hungry too, we can grab a bite together." I cringed. "Uh, is another time okay?"

I tried to move around him but he grabbed my wrist roughly, yanking my body against his. I tried pulling my hand away but he started squeezing so tightly it felt like he was going to break it. "Ow max, you're hurting me!" he was looking down at me as I was struggling against him. "Do you think you're too good to go out with me? I'm tired of playing nice and waiting for you to make the first move. I'm going to take what belongs to me. He gripped my throat tightly, shoving me up against the glass doors. His skin had turned to stone so my fire had no effect. He started to try and take my clothing off of me. I was screaming so loud I thought my throat was going raw. "Stop right where you are." I heard an angry rough voice yell out from behind max. I couldn't see who it was because there were too many tears running. Max's grip tightened, cutting off my air flow. I started gasping for air, my legs struggling to find solid ground. Suddenly his hand disappeared from my neck and I hit the ground roughly. A strong hand gently touched my shoulder. I screamed and pressed myself against the door. "Somi calm down, it's me." I know that voice anywhere. I looked up to see Shota's face.

His expression was full of worry. "Shota." I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, sobbing loudly. His hands moved around my waist as he held me tight. "You look like you have got your hands full eraser head, i'll turn him in." footsteps left and he was still holding me tight in his arms. After a moment I moved away suddenly. My legs wobbled and he held me up by my arm. "I'm sorry shota i didn't ask before i suddenly hugged you." he smiled at me and i felt my heart flutter in my chest. "Don't ever apologize for touching me." my face burned red. "Here let me take you home, somi." he moved closer. "May i?" he asked and I furrowed my eyes in confusion but I didn't care. I nodded my head while I looked up into his eyes. He moved his arm behind my knees and in one swift movement i was suddenly in his arms. My stomach fluttered. "Thank you." i mumbled, our faces so close. I moved my arms around his neck and rested my head against his chest. We were flying through the air. We were suddenly at my front door and he set me down onto my feet. I turned to face him. "Thank you shota, for saving me." "don't thank me i was only doing my rounds. And anyways, i consider you a friend." "do you want to come in? I can make you a coffee." "i don't want to overstep."