Chapter 3

What the hell was he doing here? Did she come to see me Was he here for me? No, don’t be stupid Elina this is the only book store in town maybe he just wants a book. He wasn’t here because of me he probably doesn’t remember me or my name. Odeyea was first to throw me a questioning glare. I kept the book in front of my face but as I sild my eyes to Mare she was standing there grinning like the Cheshire cat then looked back at me. “Hi I needed some help picking out the a book I think I could use some help.” I could hear the smile on his face and that thick voice. Ugh, that voice was so smooth and rich I could hear it for hours and never complain. I kept the book over my face trying to make sure my face wasn’t tomato red. As I slowly slid down the book just past my eyes I saw Kol there. He was wearing black pants and shoes along with a black button-up shirt. He had the same sliver Rolex watch you could see because he rolled his sleeves. He also wore a single silver chain around his neck his hands were adorned with all types of expensive-looking rings. “Hello Elina,” he said as his hand came up to lower the rest of the book from my face. He remembered my name. He remembered that I said I had worked at a book store. I hope he didn’t remember how terrified I was when Jett was about to hit me I’m usually stronger but Jett does something to me where I can’t help but feel helpless. That interaction last night was so short but I stuck it in my head and apparently, it stuck in Kol’s too. Has he moved then book down I saw the smile on his face I could see both of the dimples on his face? “I needed some help finding a book” he repeated and I just nodded and took a step forward “so can you show me your favorite book” I didn’t want to be an awestruck girl “why are you here,” I said and it came out a little harsher then I had wanted it too. “ well can’t people just want to look at a book.” He grinned at me and I turned we were in the middle of the bookshelves “you’re telling me that you have never been to this store in your life but you just decide to come here the night after you met me.” he took a step towards me and I instantly took a step backward. I could see the apology in his eyes but I didn’t want his pity I couldn’t stand it. “Come on Princess you don’t like coexistence” they smirk on his face relaxing me a little I wasn’t scared of him stepping back was an impulse. For some reason, I knew Kol wouldn’t hurt me. Maybe I was an idiot my life experience had told me to never just trust anyone. But my stupid self I trusted this man how I met yesterday at a club. “No I don’t believe in coincidence,” I said as I lead him down the fantasy isle of books I grazed my fingers along the backs of I took a deep breath in. Then I stopped at my favourite book it was about a girl who falls in love with her guard then finds out he’s a foreign prince. It is my absolute favourite. I pull it off the shelf and stick it out I pass it to Kol. “This is my favourite” he looks down and grabs it with both hands his fingers grazing mine they are rough and as I look down they are scared too. You can tell just by his hands he has been through a lot in his life. I was taken back a little by the touch of his hands I needed to get my mind off it “where are your bodyguards today” he chuffed a breathed laugh “they are outside I told them to wait out there.” He smiled “why do you need them anyway” I wanted to know I had seen quite a few people from Cardona with bodyguards it wasn’t un normal but I had never actually talked to someone who had bodyguards. “My father makes me have them he thinks it’s safer that way but I don’t need them anyway,” he smirked at me this time no dimple showing at all. I could tell he didn’t want to talk about his bodyguards. Hence, I changed the subject “ so the book is 20 dollars” I say gesturing to the counter where I see mare and aelin staring at us. Still, as I gestured they all of a sudden found interest with some non-existent dust on the counter “so that dude last night he was your ex right” he said more of an inquisitive tone in his voice “yes he is” I said way weather than I had hoped. “Would you ever go back to him” a scoffed a laugh “my ex yeah I’d hit that again but this time with a baseball bat” he laughed and for the first time I think this was a genuine laugh it came from deep in his chest I giggled to just at the sheer sound of his laugh. We walked up to the counter both smiling. I don’t know who long it had been since I had giggled and smiled I don’t think Kol would care but he made me smile which was a difficult task and I was grateful for that. For him. When I got behind the counter Kol pulls a 20 dollar bill out of his pocket. I turned to ring him threw then when I look back I see next to the 20 is a brown hundred dollar bill “I just need the twenty” I picked up the hundred to hand pack to him. He shook his head “your tip” a blew out a breath “you know we don’t get tips right” I said to him then he looked me right in the eyes it was like he was looking through my soul “does it looks like I care princess.” I didn’t know what to do I was sure I couldn’t accept it Kol had already grabbed the book and started to walk out of the store when I said “Kol I can’t accept this” he turned around a happily surprised looked on his face. “Ah, she does remember my name” I furrowed my brow in confusion why would I forget his name. I could never forget his name. He just smiled at me and walked backward tapping his hand on the book. “wait “ what did I just do what was I doing Elina you idiot he was about to leave. I wanted to regret calling out his name but as this beautiful stopped in his tracks and stared at me I didn’t regret it I wouldn’t let my doubt rule me today. “What are you doing tomorrow night,” I said as I walked around the counter and closer to Kol he smiled and said “I’m taking a beautiful girl out for dinner.” my stomach dropped I am so stupid for getting my hopes up. Of course, he has someone. “Well um have fun” he just looked me up and down he licked his lips then ran his teeth over his bottom lip “I was talking about you princess”. Of course, I’m an even bigger idiot for not seeing it. I bit my lip and nodded my head “I’m done work at 3 tomorrow” then I’ll pick you up from your apartment at 5 see you then princess” he said as he strode out the door I turned around to see Odeyea and Mare with a shit-eating grin on there faces “oh shut up” I chuffed walking back over to the counter “but we didn’t even say anything yet” Mare chimed in “but knowing you two dumb asses it would have been something stupid” Odeyea out her hand over her heart and gave a sarcastic appalled face. We giggled and talked about it. How did I get here having a date with a man so out of my league I didn’t even think he would notice me?

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