9:15 PM And it is still snowing; we got out of the restaurant we had dinner in; dinner was full of Suzy talking about her past love life; I zipped my jacket; protecting myself from freezing to death. We walked toward where she parked her car. “I feel bad.” “Why?” she wondered. “Because you paid for that expensive steak.” she laughed at the stupid statement I made. “I told you, dinner was on me; I WANT to pay for it.” “Still-” “Get in the car and shush missy.” “Okay! jeez.” Suzy stopped near the apartment complex. “Here we are; oof, this place looks scary at night; you should move out next to my apartment.” I unlocked my seat belt, giving her a disappointed look. “You know I can’t.” “Yes, you can!” “Well, maybe, but not now.” Suzy opened her mouth to continue her disagreement, but then she stopped knowing I’m a stubborn girl. “All right.” I gave her one last smile. “See you on Monday, goodnight!” “Night,” I said back, closing the car’s door.

While I was approaching the stairs, I sensed someone was eyeing me; I turned around. No one, just darkness; this is NOT normal; this is the third time this week.

The next day I told Suzy what happened last night while we were on the phone. “You didn’t call the police?” “I-I don’t know, maybe I’m imagining things,” I said, walking back and forth around the kitchen. “Again, my door is always open.” “Thanks; we’ll talk more tomorrow.” “Yep.” I heard her sigh, probably tired of my bullshit; I ended the call, then checked if the pasta was ready to be eaten.

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Monday came, busy as always; more and more customers came each hour; until “Excuse me?” a black-haired guy with a dark business suit stood in front of the counter table, an extremely handsome man; he looked like a CEO from a million dollar company, too expensive to be here; the sunlight made his hazel eyes more visible and shiny, that’s when it hit me, that’s how Suzy described the ‘mysterious guy’ she was talking about. “Can I help you?” “I’m searching for A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. “It’s in the literature section, fourth shelf.” “Thanks.” is that actually him? I mean. Hazel eyes, short black hair, five o’clock shadow that obviously tells that he’s older than me, four years? More? And on top of that, he has a french accent; that’s how she described him; the good-looking guy came back holding his book, “That will be 20 dollars.” he handed me a...black card? Shouldn’t he go to those expensive bookshops in New York? ; why here of all places? I handed him back his credit card; he took it, murmuring a small ‘thank you.’ And then he left, just like that.

I told Suzy what happened while we were having our break. “He’s EXACTLY as you told me.” “Sooo...did you get his number?” “No! It was just... weird; you said you have seen him come here multiple times without buying anything.” I said, glancing at her from the corner of my eyes. “Yes, all of them are on my shift; it’s like- he comes. doesn’t find you. Leaves. I don’t know about you, but this is creepy to me.” “Creepy?” I chuckled “He doesn’t look creepy to me.”