Behind The Face Of A Stigma

NATHAN

He walked in with an aura of a Greek god and cat-like grace that you could not help but notice him. His short black hair was groomed carefully and in place. His face was chiseled and oblong with perfect features.

He was twisted in a way; two sides of a coin. Full of confidence yet calm.
He was dressed casually yet his presence commanded great attention. His skin was a rich tan of Brazilian breed.

When he walked in, all eyes turned in his direction. Whether he noticed the attention, he simply ignored. Naomi found that intriguing.

No one should look like that... Naomi thought as her throat suddenly went dry.

He spared Naomi only as much as a glance and she stared back into captivating hazel eyes. It was only for a few seconds but it felt like an eternity before he tore his gaze from her and walked out towards the outdoor bar.

She was attending to a guest on the phone when he walked in and had completely lost track of what the guest was saying to her.

Snap out of it. She scolded herself mentally.

She couldn't help it. She had always had a thing for drop-dead gorgeous guys even if it was only to fantasize about them.

"Ma'am did you ask for the guest house wifi password?" She cautiously asked.

"Yes I did." The guest replied. "I also want to let you know that I don't know how to use the water heater... It's kind of an advanced technology" she laughed nervously. "Could you please send someone to help me with that?"

"By all means ma'am. Would that be all for now?"

"Yes that would be all. Thank you."

Naomi went home with a little migraine at the end of the day. That was a usual thing on the first day of every job she got. Infact if she didn't get one, she'd believe something was wrong with her.

Three weeks had passed and Naomi had adjusted pretty well to her new job. She was punctual to work, carried out her duties diligently, she was jovial and friendly with all guests and obedient to her supervisor.

"Words got to me that you've been very good with our guests. I heard you have an excellent customer service skills. Most of the guests confirmed this themselves... Keep up the good work." Her Manager commented her one day.

"Naomi, you have to be careful though." He said with a change in his tone. "When you're too friendly with a guest, they take it the wrong way..."

Here we go Naomi thought subconsciously. Of course she understood what he meant. It was all too clear and she was very familiar with that field.

"Thank you Sir. I promise to work harder and I'd be more careful. Thank you once again." She said with as much cheerfulness as she could summon.

She walked back to her duty post and saw him standing there, her heart skipped a beat and started racing. She could literally hear the thuds like drumbeats and only prayed that he didn't notice.

What in the world is wrong with me? Why do I have to behave like a 13 year old whenever I see an handsome guy?? Damn... Why are some guys so fine it makes your heart bleed? Some people have it all and others don't even have a bit. It's so unfair.

Hey you sound pathetic... Her sensible part told her.

With these thoughts in mind, she walked calmly to the front desk while brilliantly hiding the nerves. Like many girls, talking to alpha males unsettled her.

"Good morning, how may I help you?" She asked and exposed her brilliant white teeth in a comfortable smile, something she had practised for years.

"Morning, I'm here to see Mr Rodriguez Montez, your Manager." He replied in a sonorous voice. If he noticed her uneasiness, he didn't show it.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes."

"Name please?"

"Nathan. Nathan Scott."

She dialed Mr Rodriguez's office and informed him of his visitor. "Please let him in." Came the reply.

"Okay Sir. He's expecting you. His office is on the third floor by your right."

"Thank you." Nathan said and moved towards the elevator.

Naomi heaved a sigh of relief after he took the elevator. She hated herself for feeling this way. Thankfully she didn't have to see him leave as her lunch break coincided with the time he left.

As she closed from work, someone stopped to give her a lift but she politely declined.

"Hey I'm going towards the gate. Hop in."

"Uhm...I'm fine. I can walk."

"It's just a lift nothing more. It's not like I'm going to eat you." He finished off with a hearty laugh.

"I appreciate the offer but I'd rather walk."

Subconsciously thinking of what people would say, her mind drifted to that fateful Sunday afternoon five years ago and instead of the stranger in front of her, it was Mr George opening the car door for her.

He had asked her to accompany him to do some shopping since his wife was not around.

It had only been a ride, just one harmless ride and that ride had unleashed the many doors to the world of accusations about her. Everyone had gone haywire with the amount of things they each had to say.

She mentally ticked off the new things they would say if they were to see her with a guy in his car now.

"... it's okay if you don't want the ride. I don't want to force you" He said amidst smiles. "My name's Raymond and here's my card. Could you please give me a call?" He asked somewhat politely.

She took his card and said "Okay."

Days went by and she never called.
She had either completely forgotten about him or intentionally ignored his request.

Either way, the call never came...

If you liked the story please don't forget to COMMENT, VOTE (please click below) and SHARE. I really hope you enjoyed it. I tried to make it longer than the first chapter this time. There is nothing as important as getting opinions and suggestions from y'all. Thank you. I love you all. And don't hesitate to send me private messages. 🤩😍💕✨