Redemption

Chapter Two

Since the accident I've been afraid to leave my house. I feel paranoid and invaded. If it weren't for Axel and his friends I would have been dead by now. When I got home that night I couldn't help but think of him, he's been running through my mind all week. Aside from that, how do those men know my last name? Do they know who I am? The thought of them spying on me and knowing every secret I keep gives me the shivers.

Axel, he's so handsome with his chiseled face, those blue eyes pierced through my brown ones as if he could see right through me, analyzing me. His touch runs a shock through my body yet he makes me feel so confident in my own skin. In a way I wish I could replay that night but who would want to remember scary men trying to kidnap you? 

Samantha called me that night apologizing for leaving. Apparently she met someone at the club and they hit it off really well. I told her about what happened and she felt really guilty for leaving. I am still pretty mad at her because who leaves their best friend at a club, drunk, at night? So as an "apology" she is supposed to treat me to lunch and a day at the spa today around three. It's eight in the morning right now which gives me enough time to treat myself to Rose'. It is my favorite cafe in New York with their cozy atmosphere and the gorgeous lights that hung around it. It's a simple place yet it was extremely classy: I would see only socialites stepping foot into the cafe. 

I stepped out of my limo and walked into the cafe. There were famous artwork that hung around the room, marble flooring, a chandelier hung from the high roof, and the tables were all draped with silk cloths. Whoever came up with the idea is a genius, capturing trendy and professional atmospheres. 

The hostess, a young girl that looked like she was at least seventeen, greeted me with a bright smile. "Good morning, please follow me." she took me to a table next to the window that had a perfect view of central park. I was about to take a seat when I saw a familiar face. Axel. 

He was with Dean and another man, they were all dressed in expensive suits and looked like they are in deep conversation. I was about to look away when our eyes met. I shot him a smile and waved. He got up from his seat and walked over to my table. The way he walked over made me admire him even more, his five o'clock shadow gave his jaw line definition, his sleeked back hair, and the way his body is built. In the short time, he took my breath away.

"Kiara, how lovely to see you again." he greeted with a smile. That charming smile. It must have girls falling to their knees for him. 

"I could say the same thing Axel." I smiled politely.

"What are you doing here if you don't mind me asking?" 

"Well, this is my all time favorite cafe. I come here when I want to work on something." 

"I'm glad you take a great interest  to my Cafe. Come join us, I have two people I want you to meet." He gestured over to his table.

"Uh-um, sure." His cafe? He owns this place? I thought as I followed him to the table.

"I don't run the place but I do own the property." he said over his shoulder as if he read my mind.

 I am not exactly sure what we are. I do not know if I am just a friend or a fling or an interest? But if I believed that we are anything more than friends I would be fooling myself. Sigh. A girl can only dream, right? 

As we approached the table, Axel kindly pulls out a seat for me and waits till I sat down to scoot me in. Such a gentleman thing to do. He then sits down on the chair next to me. 

"Dean, Drake, meet Kiara Nova." he leaned back in his chair comfortably. 

"Kiara this is Dean" he pointed to the man across from me who had chocolate brown curls and a calm demeanor. He simply nodded my way and took a sip out of his cup of dark coffee.