Chapter Two

The door closed to a pastry cafe called MorningFix , and a sigh of relief left her. Elise couldn’t believe h e of all people had come here, it must have been for someone else. She knew his name was Yasei, but that was about it, due to her crippling need to stay away from other people. Her life was peaceful, and the social complexities that everyone else could handle had been a struggle for her. Brushing her hair to tuck it behind her ear, a soft sigh left her lips feeling frustrated.

How am I going to get those delicious blueberry muffins, and the lemon cream cheese now? She sighed a bit, she knew that she would have to walk in there.

They never kept those for long though she didn’t want to see him in there, yet she knew it would get crowded around this time. Because the cafe had another door to the plaza it was a hot spot in the city. She was better off going to read novels until he disappeared, and so did everyone else. Taking a deep breath, she couldn’t experience that emotion again, fear— being around people spiked up her anxiety.

It was bad enough that not even her parents could understand one of the main undisputed facts: their relationship was tattered. The mantra gave her that she learned from her Aunt helped Elise dissipate a pressure crippling her. Her embarrassment would go through the damn roof if she had an anxiety attack. Shaking her head to banish that thought, this was the place of solace and quiet no one bothered her.

She knew it was too soon for her to take a big step to socialize. Her gaze went to snap over to Ms. Barnes it was clear she was concerned. Yeah, she didn’t want to worry the kind woman, so she mouthed an ‘I’m fine.’ There was a skeptical look on her face though Elise was relieved the issue wasn’t pressed.

God, she needed to get a grip. Why did unknown and annoying variables disturb her peace?

Life hasn’t left her to deal with anything just yet. Relationships were too complicated, she knew well enough not to expect friendships to last. The real people she could depend on were her Aunt and Uncle. It’s not as shocking as most believed it to be, with others looking outside and only seeing one half.

Thinking about Elijah and Melody Woods, her hands gripped the book tightly, the typical damage of their relationship astounded her. They weren’t pleasant to be around throughout her childhood until now. A mother who wished she used her oval face, and almond eyes to let men swoon over those traits. She wasn’t going to go into the sordid details she made about her body.

Ha! I was graciously given by her. Oil and Water, it was what she and her mother were in terms of personality. And the fact that Elise dealt with her father, who complained though felt jealous every time her mother did something was laughable. Breaking down her confidence was what he wanted to do because his wife was not being faithful.

Sucks what she called her life back then. Pushing those troublesome thoughts and memories behind her. Who could ever completely wipe away those painful times? Elise knew it wouldn’t fade away though she figured the time was a good healer for her. Not entirely, she mused to herself a bit bitterly the fact she lived on her own was liberating enough. Closing her book, the series Condemned Love, this final chapter she would need to go back to later.

“Thank goodness..” She grabbed her book standing up, the rush was dying down. This spot was the best view in the library to see through the large glass windows. Her hand clenched the front of her shirt as a habit to steel herself a bit. All she had to work on was her breathing, maybe a lavender tea would be good too. Taking her steps slowly, it was her flight response kicking in not liking the eyes she thought about on her.

Focus, just take deep breaths.

Her arms clutched her book to her chest, with each step she took somehow felt heavier than the last. Hell, she passed the biggest hurdle of her life, if she pretended there was no one inside. It would be easy to do while walking in the doors slide apart for her. "Just a blueberry muffin and some lemon cream cheese."She glanced at the drink menu and added, "Raspberry sweet tea."

First thing finished she found that was easily grateful to be finished. Stepping away, she headed for a seat to wait until the despondent clerk, who could care less, gathered to call her for her order. Their eyes felt like they were on her right then, she could endure that until she would be able to leave.

“Hey…do you mind if I sit here, Bambi?” A deep rich voice that felt like rich honey echoed in her ears. Elise mentally cursed her though he left she wanted to groan loudly. Bambi? What kind of nickname was that?

She brushed it off her skepticism was expressed in dark brown eyes, as she watched him sit down across from her.This attempt to be charming was just making her unsure of why he approached her.

Now she could feel everyone else looking at her. This was so great. She thought to herself how unlucky she felt right now though she wanted to escape right then. “Why..there are other places…” Elise stated calmly as she could not look at Yasei, his response was a chuckle just taking a seat next to her. How could he not just leave? And grumble about how she was rude by this encounter. Yasei caught her gaze as he sighed, if anything she could not tell if it was maybe indiscernible she guessed.

She couldn’t tell why though his ocean eyes met her brown ones, they looked at her in a very observant way. Ugh, she wondered why her order was taking so long with that cashier. The way he gazed at her she felt under scrutiny even if it didn't seem that way.

“I wanted to sit with you, and you expected me to storm off, right?”He smirked whenever her eyes snapped up, it was what she wanted to happen. Elise figured he was a different breed right then and there. Wanting nothing more than to be away from Yasei, he threatened her comfortable life. Not to mention, like hell, she wanted to be seen with his crowd of friends.

*“What is it? What do you want from me*? And don’t give me any crap. ‘That I just want to get to know you’ , no one ever does.”

Yasei looked startled by her tone which she felt somewhat grateful for to get that smirk off his face. A slight shift in his posture leaning up to look at her. His light brown hair fell over his face, a hand brushed back his unique hairstyle choice. Cursing herself, for feeling it suited his name, and face was the only honest thought she would never say outright.

He pursed his lips for a second, biting his straw in thought as he took a drink.”Not everyone has an agenda..my only thought was ‘who is she?’” Elise was perplexed at this comment, with having no idea how to answer in a way she felt honest.

“I’m just me, that’s how I can answer that question.” She answered sincerely,tapping her nails against the book to distract herself. He shook his head at her statement which she could tell he wasn’t looking for.

Or so she thought.

Yasei took a chance to speak after he was silent for a while. “Underneath, a lonely girl who needs more in life. I don’t presume to know you but people aren’t always so scary.” He smiled at her, a flutter of her heart beat slightly quickened in looking into his. Elise wanted to say he was a fool of himself, it fell into silence as her name was called.

“Elise Woods, your order is up!”

Finally, she didn’t miss her chance to escape from this weird guy. The fact of running out of the cafe crossed her mind though she didn’t want to let Yasei see she was thrown off by him.

I'm glad that's over, I hope this isn't a common thing. Her relieved sigh came out, as she was glad the conversation between them wasn’t long and drawn out. Elise wasn’t one for socializing and if anything she was happy to cut it short.

She headed over to place a tip in the jar not sparing a glance at the brunette. It wasn't satisfaction or anything like that, it was her thoughts, a silly little hope maybe he was different. Wishing for Yasei to be more than a clever fox, that notion if she could believe him, was a stupid move.

“Elise, I hope to see you again, it looks like maybe I’ve got a chance at something real..”

His words as she stepped out of the cafe were unheard by her with another chuckle that escaped him. His eyes glowed a sky blue unaware by those around him, a grin was etched on his lips in excitement. There was something primal that fluttered within his body to claim that sweet little Bambi .

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