At This Night

Chapter 1: The stars are moving step by step

I really don't like late night shifts. Why? Because people sucks, like vampires. They suck the last bit of patience one might have, especially when it is 5 minutes before closing and they just roam around like they are in a park.

Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Hoping that such a certain act might calm me down after a really stressful day. Thus, I have this one creepy customer earlier asking what time I would leave because he have something to say. Creepy right?

I am now walking home since we closed the store already. There are almost no buses and people around this area.  The only source of light is coming from the streetlight. As I continue walking I suddenly felt something- someone.  

Wait, wait. Is someone following me? I stopped and looked around for a bit.

"Who are you?!" I shouted and looked behind me. Dang it! It was the creepy guy from earlier!

I started panicking, not knowing what to do, and started running.

I am too young for this. I still want to give back to my parents. I still want to become the best pastry chef in the world. Lastly, I don't want to di-.

"Hmmfff" I struggled hard and try hitting him where it will hurt the most but he is too strong.

"Shh. Keep Quiet. I am not going to hurt you" He said. Can't help but notice how smooth his voice is. Miss Harper, you are about to get murdered and you are still thinking how nice his voice is?

I noticed that we are heading towards the benches near the river where most people hangout during the day. As he loosened his grip on my body, I tried to escape but failed. So, I did the next most logical thing to do and that is to shout.

"Help me! Help mm-" He covers my mouth again with a hanky. "Miss, can you please calm down for a moment? Just hear me out." Tell me, how can I stay calm? 

But I don't know why I am nodding my head. Did he put something on that hanky?

WE are sitting on one of the benches with at least a meter away from each other. Of all the places he could choose, he chose the one with the blown light bulb. It has been minutes since I calmed down and he didn't dare speak.

"So," Now, he does. " I really am sorry for creeping you out earlier, I didn't mean to scare you or anything. I just really want to talk to you."

"What is it?" I faced him and all I can see is his silhouette.

"Can you teach me how to bake?" okay, that is weird.

"Okay? But why me? I am just a barista at a local coffee shop." I do not know him nor recognize his voice, or maybe I did?

"I know you are not just a barista. You make those delicious scones earlier. It is so good! It is moist,fluffy and just melts in you mouth. The spice is not that overpowering. It is just perfect"

Wait, how did he- " How did you know that I am the one who baked them" How did he know? As far as I remember no one put our names on the bread tags.

He must've noticed my face when, " Well your co-worker did."

"Well, that is shocking. We are not even on good terms" For all I know, that guy hates me.

"He doesn't really-anyway, can you teach me how to bake?" Baking. He tasted one of my breads and he wants me to teach him how to bake.

"Huh, Why?" I wasn't expecting that! "I was the one who gave you your university I.D when you once drop it while exiting your store." Okay, I can't remember that incident.

"Huh, but can you at least show me your face? I wanna know who the person I'm talking to."

He opened his phone flash and showed me his face which is covered with a black mask and his hoodie.

"Can you at least show me your whole face?" He seems hesitant at first but he suddenly takes off his mask, slowly revealing his angelic face. Soft almond brown eyes, arched eyebrows and thin lips.

Oh no. I am doomed! Is he The Preston Smith of Mystery?

Suddenly an annoying smirk graces his face. "Like what you see?"      I frowned a little bit. "No, sorry I just really want to learn how to bake.The techniques and secrets. I really just wanna know how you make does scones."

"Dude, with your money you could hire someone to teach you how to bake and you could always search online" Goodness, I really thought he has a really bad problem that only I can solve.

"It is not that easy. My managers won't let me take commitments because 'it will only make me lose my focus' on things that matters and I can't really do it in our dorm. Our manager somehow stays next to our dorms and he frequently checks on us. So please I really do need your help." Is he serious? Dang, rich people problems.

"I will think about it." He must've notice the uncertatinty in my voice. "Please! I will triple your daily rate at the coffee shop or just name your price."

I slowly turned my face to his side, wide-eyed. That would somehow help me through college! I excitedly nod my head with a silly smile on my face.

Now how the heck will I teach him?