Dark Paradise

2

Anabella

The sound of my alarm makes me want to vomit. I didn't even drink that much last night, but the pounding headache is telling me a different story. I let out a sigh getting out of bed, my body heavy and sluggish as I try to erase the memories of last night

The way his hands felt on my body lingers on my mind, a mixture of warmth and fears flushes over me. What scares me the most is that the sense of danger that surrounds him; it fills me with excitement and a thrill that I can't explain.

I shake my head, letting those thoughts disappear to the back of my mind, as the warm water washes away the remaining tension. 

I get out the shower feeling more refresh, waking over to my closet and taking out a long sleeve white shirt, and black jeans, deciding to keep it simple today. I throw on my black vans and put my hair in a loose curly bun with some curls sticking out.

I open Desire room and walk in, leaving some medicine and water by her bedside table, knowing she's going to need it. I love that girl to death, but she drinks like tomorrow will be the last day on earth, and I've learned the hard way to always be prepare for her hangovers.

I leave her room and grab my bag before heading out. I take my beats out of my bag, my phone already in my hand and click shuffle on my playlist, waiting for the first song to start playing before, I start walking to work.

Funnily enough, dangerous women start playing. I try to hide the smile forming on my face, memories from last night flashing through my mind.

I walk to work most days because, it is only a 10-minute walk from our apartment. It is chilly outside, which I don't mind. The chilly weather reminds me living back on the east coast, and a smile plays on my lips as I savor the familiar, comforting chill. The nostalgia hitting me like a bag bricks, overwhelming with memoires of a time and place I can't go back to.

I moved to San Diego a little over a year ago, after ending my long-term relationship. I was just tired feeling stuck, like I was living a life that was not mine. I wanted to experience living somewhere new and different, to break away from my comfort zone and explore outside of it. I moved in with my cousin, Ameila, for about the first 6 months, and then I met Desire when she came into in the cafe drunk. We hit it off as if we were supposed to find each other, and we clicked from there.
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"Good morning, guys!" I greet my coworkers, stepping behind the counter and putting my apron on. "Good morning, Ana!" They greet back, then breaking into conversations about the weekend.

Johnny eyes me and down "You seem different." He says his gaze fill with curiosity.

"What do you mean?" I raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.

He shrugs "Just your vibes are different. I can't put my finger on it." He states and goes help a customer, leaving me lost in thought.

Desire walks in about an hour later and takes a seat at the counter. "I feel like shit. Thank you for leaving medicine for me. You're the best!" She says her voice muffle by exhaustion as she gives me a grateful smile.

I eye her suspiciously "What are you doing here?" Desire works at a fashion company, and only stops by when she is working, but she is off today. I thought she would be off somewhere shopping.

She shrugs casually, glancing at her phone "I'm meeting someone." 

"Is this someone work related or personal?"

Her lips curl into a playful smile "Wouldn't you like to know." I roll my eyes, which causing her to shove me lightly. Desire goes to sit in a booth waiting for this person to show up.

15 minutes go pass, and I feel the tension in the air change, a subtle shift. I glance over at Desire and her posture slightly stiffening when Jace and his friend walk into the cafe. Her eyes darken for a spilt second, but she quickly masks it with a smile, though I know there is more to her reaction. I can sense the tension between her and his friend.

Desire shoots me a smirk, as Jace and his friend sit down. They talk for a little before she come up to me "Can I order drinks?" She smiles innocently her eyes sparking with mischief. What game is she playing at?

"What can I get for you?" I say through gritted teeth, trying to mask my irritation, but failing miserably. "Two black coffee, and an iced matcha." She hands me her car and I swipe it quickly before shoving the card and the receipt in her hands. Desire leaves and sits back down the table erupting into a hush conversation. 

I can feel his stare burning into my skull, while I'm making their drinks, making every moment deliberate under his intense scrutiny. "The guy sitting with Desire is literally eye fucking you." Johnny whispers in my ears, his voice lace with a mixture of concern and amusement. I hide my blushing face, pretending to focus on the drinks I'm making, even though I am already done with them.

"Can you serve this to them please." I plead, hoping he'll agree and take some anxiousness off me. "Nope! I'm busy." He pretends to be absorbed in cleaning the counter, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I huff, grabbing the drinks bringing it over to their table.

"Enjoy." I say with a half-hearted smile. As I turn to leave, Jace grabs my hands, his grip firm yet unexpected.

"You're not going to say Hi, Anabella?" Jace cocks his head to the side, a sly grin tugging at his lips as if he's amused by my hesitation. His eyes, however, tell me otherwise. 

I blink, caught off guard by his expectation. "Hi Jace." I breathe out, letting go of the breath, I didn't know I was holding. His smile widens for a moment before he pulls me down on his lap. My eyes widen in confusion as I try to process what just happened. I glance over at Desire who is already glaring at Jace, irritation written all over her face.

"Jace she's working."  Desire sighs, trying to talk some sense into him. Her voice is calm but firm, like she is used to him acting this way.

Jace shrugs, unbothered "Does it look like I care?" Jace responds, not giving his cousin a second glance. He breathes in my vanilla scent, his eyes closing briefly as he savors the moment.

I start to push myself off his lap and he grip my waist tighter before leaning in towards my ears "Come with me to an event, tomorrow." He states, his voice low, a quiet command.

I shake my head "Let me go." His grip loosens slightly, but he doesn't release me, his expression stubborn and hard. The intensity in his eyes makes it clear he's not used to hearing 'no'.

"It wasn't a question, Angel." He mutters, his voice firm, as he holds me in place, daring me to say no again. My breath catches, the intensity of his grip sending a rush of adrenaline through me. I glance at Desire, who has an unreadable expression on her face.

"Okay. Fine." I give in, my voice barely above a whisper. His hold loosens and I take the opportunity to lift myself off his lap and get back to work, my hands trembling slightly as I try to focus.

"Girl! What was that about." Johnny whispers quietly. His eyes are wide with curiosity, glancing over to make sure none of our other co-workers are listening.

"Long story." I respond not really wanting to get into it right now. I focus on my work hoping he'll take the hint and let the subject drop, at least for now.

"You better tell me everything later or I'll hate you forever." He says, his tone half serious, half teasing. I roll my eyes, feeling some wight lift off my shoulders.

"Sure, Johnny."

I can still feel the weight of Jace's gaze on me, lingering like a shadow, taunting me that this moment is far from over.

A/N : 

Hola my loves!! chapter 2 is done!!!! hope you all enjoy it.

anyways pls vote, comment, and share. it will mean the world to me :) 

have a good day/night!!!