VALERIA ANNASTA XIMENEZ POV

"Valeria! Order for table 4!" Lucha called out from the kitchen.

I gave the very stingy woman a straight smile as I grabbed the tray.

My body had practically memorized all the movements to properly move around this small diner without missing a single beat. After working here for two years, I remembered everything I needed to do and never, as in never dropped a single plate.

I made my way past Justin as he spun around me to get to his table. "Your order." I said as I placed each plate down with absolute elegance.

The couple thanked me.

It was an hour just before closing time and our customers lessened at this time. I cracked my neck and massaged my stiff shoulders as I hugged the tray tightly against my chest.

The bell rang signaling another customer. I looked up to see a handsome stranger. His dark brown hair was effortlessly styled. His simple white T-shirt hugged his body tightly that I could accurately trace his muscles with my finger.

"Stop drooling." Justin nudged me as he tilted his head up, "Lucha has been calling you for a minute now."

I turned around to see an annoyed Lucha. Her uptight personality definitely angered me, but she hadn't pushed my limits just yet. I walked back to the kitchen, "Sorry Lucha." I mumbled out, my eyes trained on the plates as I placed them in my tray.

I was trying so hard to keep my eyes off of her or else she'd see me wishing her the worst. "Just because it's almost closing time doesn't mean you can slack on the job Valeria."

Smiling, I turned around and rolled my eyes as I listened to her grumble in Spanish. I walked through the doors to hear that her voice had finally faded away.

"Here's your order." I smiled at these two girls at the table, placing down their food.

I looked to my right only to catch brown eyes, intensely staring at me. He had a small smirk on his face. He bit his lip and leaned back against the seat, giving me a once over look.

God. Kill me now.

I felt disgusted and scrunched my nose. How could I think about a customer like that? It was like a teacher having dirty thoughts for their student.

I walked past him, making my way behind the counter. I watched customers eat. No one was really leaving, nor was anyone entering. No one called for me either so I just stood idly by.

I decided to make use of myself and looked through the bank book and orders. I made sure that every food that’s been ordered had been listed.

“I got some food for six o’clock. But I’d be happy to switch with you.” Justin winked at me as he held a tray of dishes.

I looked behind me, back at the guy in the white t shirt. He was on his phone, texting away as he chewed on his gum.

He was hot and I couldn’t deny that.

“All yours Justin.” I shrugged.

Who knows how I’d act if I served him? This boy’s looks were already doing something to me from afar, what more up and personal?

Justin arched a brow, “Well I can’t promise he’ll stay single for long.”

Justin blew me an air kiss and I rolled my eyes. I propped my elbows on the counter top as I leaned against the counter.

I didn’t realize I had been watching Justin serve the handsome stranger, until I saw the guy grin at me.

I snapped out of my trance and turned around. I put my hands on my cheeks, feeling them heat up.

“Whew it’s not the first time seeing a cute guy. Keep it together.” I muttered to myself.

But it was my first time seeing a greek god.

My ovaries were practically bursting at this point.

VALERIA ANNASTA XIMENEZ POV

My shift was finally over. I changed out of the disgusting uniform, which at this point, smelled like oil. I slipped on my blue jeans and a gray hoodie. I pulled my hair out of its high bun and the messy curls that had been made cascaded down my shoulders.

"By Justin." I said as I walked out the door, not even bothering to say bye to Lucha.

Justin gave me a curt nod and from my peripheral view, I could see the tiny woman squinting her eyes at me. I heard Justin tell her that maybe I hadn't seen her.

I did. I definitely saw her, but did I want to say bye? No.

I put my earphones in as I walked out the back door. The cool, night breeze hit me and I felt myself shiver.

I had gotten a missed call from Ryan, my boyfriend, and I sighed. Ryan and I had been together for almost a year now, but I wasn't sure if I loved the dude. I liked him for sure, but love was a whole different level.

The whole relationship itself just wasn't exciting. The reason we got together was because we were friends, and everyone told us we looked good together, so we gave it try.

He'd fallen in deep, but I on the other hand was just not ready for him.

"What's up? Why'd you call?" I asked through the microphone of my earbuds.

Ryan groaned, I heard him shuffle. He was probably in bed right now. It was midnight and he had football practice today, so he was most likely tired.

"I just wanted to see if you were okay. Want me to pick you up babe?" He groggily said, a yawn escaping his mouth.

A small giggle escaped my lips, "I just finished my shift. Lucha was being a b*tch as usual today. It's okay babe, you sound tired, I'm on my way home anyways."

A tired chuckle was heard through the phone, "You sure? I can come pick you up. I don't want you walking so late. That's why I keep telling you that you should start your shift earlier."

"Okay okay Mr. Nagger. I'll talk to Lucha, but I'm okay babe. Seriously. Plus I know you had football practice today, you're probably more tired then I am. Go to sleep and I'll see you at school tomorrow." I soothed.

There was a moment of silence before Ryan finally agreed with a sigh, "Okay, just text me when you get home and be careful." Another pause and there it was, "I love you babe."

"Mhm. Goodnight babe." I mumbled out, my hands shaking due to this suffocating phone call.

I ended the call and let out a breath, I didn't even know I was holding in. Music began to blare through my earphones and I felt myself sway as I listened and waiting for the walking man to appear in the crosswalk lights.

I hummed to the melody, my fingers tapped against my thigh, tapping along to the beat.

Music was such a beautiful escape.

"¿Qué estás escuchando hermosa? (What are you listening to beautiful?)" A voice said and my eyes shot open.

Familiar brown eyes looked at me with a glint of amusement.

VALERIA ANNASTA XIMENEZ POV

I was speechless. I couldn't find any words to say as I looked at this man. He was on his motorcycle, right in front of me. A smirk played on his lips.

I'm pretty sure the walking man was on by now.

"Do I know you?" I asked, my brow arching.

He chuckled.

Damn even his chuckle is sexy. "No, but I would like for you to get to know me."

Was he hitting on me? Due to my hispanic genetics, I could understand Spanish, but I couldn't speak it. I was a quarter hispanic, a quarter black, and half filipino. And I'm pretty sure he called me beautiful.

I gave him a tight smile, "Look your cute and all, but I have a boyfriend, and I need to get home."

I walked around his motorcycle as I crossed the street. I heard him rev it up and soon enough I found him driving slowly beside me, on the sidewalk.

"Dude, go on the street, you're gonna be fined." I glared at him as I looked around for cops.

"Look, I just wanted to offer you a ride home. I can't leave a beautiful girl like you walking home by yourself. Especially since it's so dark."

"I appreciate the offer, but how do I know you're not a serial killer trying to kill me?"

He chuckled, his eyes darkened, and he leaned his body slightly closer to me, "Babe, I'm not the one trying to kill you or harm you. They are."

He gave me a look and I peeked towards the direction he implied with his eyes. A slick black car was across the street, their windows tinted. It moved slowly by the sidewalk.

"You're joking with me."

"Hey hey." He put his arms up in defeat, "I overheard their conversation when I left the diner sweetheart. I couldn't bear to let you walk alone."

I stopped and took one more look over this guy's shoulders. The car was indeed following us. The streets were absolutely deserted at this time.

I pursued my lips, “What’d they say?”

“Nothing sweet, I’ll tell you that.” A dry chuckle escaped his mouth.

As much as I’d like to walk home by myself, I can’t help but feel paranoid now. Maybe he was a good guy and those in the car were bad. Maybe it was vice versa.

I didn’t know and that’s what scared me the most.

Red alarms blared in my head. I just wanted to go home.

Maybe I should’ve taken up Ryan’s offer for a ride, but either way, I’d have to wait for him, and I’d probably get kidnapped either way.

I just gave him a look. A look that said, just tell me. A look that showed I was serious and this wasn’t a funny matter.

“They said something about taking you home with them. That’s all I need to say sweetheart.” He shrugged.

I looked at him. He was a stranger. Stranger danger! I learned that the moment I was born and I’ve lived up to it for eighteen years now.

But he didn’t look bad compared to the men in the car. Their windows were now rolled down as they parked. They probably stopped since this dude and I had been talking for the past five minutes now.

I could hardly see their faces in the dark, but I could see their eyes.

And they were staring directly at us.

I made my decision.

My hands found its way to my hips, "You promise to get me home safely?"

"I promise señorita."