The entire night passed, and I couldn't stop being wary of the psychopath I met. Several times throughout the night, I checked the view of our driveway through the window in my room.

No one was there.

I also thought about whether it was a release of my imagination, as I was wasted. However, that manly, deep voice was real. It was hard to get it out of my head.

I explained to Grandma that a dog was chasing me, and I'd dropped the beer she longed for. Thankfully, she wasn't mad; I didn't bring any.

Every couple of minutes, I rolled to one side before switching to the other. I checked the time on my phone, which indicated that I didn't have much time before my shift at the bar began. Bartending wasn't something I particularly liked doing, but I had no choice. We were in need of money. Grandma has a job as well, although that doesn't pay much.

To describe my job, it is simple. Bartending is like walking around hell, and you see all those demons around you, staring at you and longing for you. But you have to put up with it with a smile on your face. They leave a good tip otherwise.

When I opened my eyes, a tiny burst of light shone through the window. A furious rain was hammering against it. I grabbed my phone next to me and checked the time. It was almost ten in the morning. At least I slept a little bit, I thought to myself.

After I got out of a very cold shower, I dressed in denim gray jeans and a turtleneck t-shirt, then layered an oversized leather jacket over it. I entangled my hair with a hairbrush and then sprayed lots of cherry perfume all over me. The last touch was wine-red lipstick, so every man could focus on my lips while I talked to him.

I dashed down the stairs, realizing that Grandma had already left for work. I took an apple from the dining table basket and swung open the door to go.

A case of beer was placed in front of the doors. At first, I didn't understand, but then I recalled yesterday's night of terror.

It was the same case I'd left at the graveyard. I peeked outside, looking on either side, to see if I saw anyone who could have left it there. No one suspicious could be seen. Only a stray cat was walking down the empty street.

I pulled back the sleeve of my jacket to see my wristwatch. It was almost past half-ten.

"Shit." I cursed quietly and rushed out of the door, leaving the case of beer untouched outside.

• • •

My shift was boring as hell. Not a lot of customers came today. I was still hopeful because towards the evening it was usually fully crowded here, and it might be surprising, but some customers loved my presence and insisted I should have a drink or two with them. The most surprising thing is that the majority of these people were women and not men.

The door swung open, and a woman in her mid-twenties marched toward the bar counter where I stood behind, washing beer glasses.

"Hello there, darling. Could I have a glass of the strongest bourbon you got there?" She said with a silky, low voice.

A smile was carved into my face. "Of course."

She placed her small, leather-covered black purse on the counter and dug through her pockets, lifting a pack of cigarettes from it. She lit the cigarette, taking in a long breath of nicotine and blowing it through the corner of her mouth. Grey smoke lingered in the air.

I placed the glass of Bourbon in front of her. She grabbed me by my wrist, piercing her eyes through mine as they met.

I focused on her facial features. Her plump red lips, wide, round hazel eyes, and perfectly shaped nose. Dark red, wavy hair framed her sleek cheeks. Wow, she's looking like a model, I thought.

"What is your name, pretty girl?" She asked, blowing out smoke directly at my face.

I coughed, waving the smoke away with my other hand. I slipped my hand from hers, furrowing my eyebrows. No one ever dared to touch me, and just because she's a woman doesn't mean she is allowed to.

I gripped the rectangle tag on my shirt, pushing it ahead. Her eyes landed on it, and a quiet giggle escaped her mouth.

"Sorry, I didn't notice, Lily." She said with a smile. I hadn't thought of any other name than my mother's when I started this job. Maybe a part of me wanted to feel that she was with me, protecting me.

The woman focused on her drink and didn't talk to me for the time she spent in the bar. Only eyeing my every move.

The clock on the wall indicated that it was almost time to close the bar. A few drunk men stayed, babbling about random things under their breath. In the meantime, I cleaned the empty tables, washed a couple of dishes, and waited for the rest of the men to leave, which was the most difficult part to manage. No one wants to listen to you when you're a woman.

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Thankfully, they left willingly as I put a fake smile on my face with a sweet voice, asking them to leave politely.

I put on my favorite band to listen to while I cleaned up what was left in the sink.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a man tall, about two feet, walked inside. He was dressed casually-just some black sweatpants-and a hoodie covered his face. I immediately thought of that terrifying man at the cemetery.

My body started to shiver, and I quickly remembered that I had a knife under the counter just in case.

I bent down, grabbing it before he could notice. I never held a knife in this upright position. I only cut food with it. How can I stab a person?

Don't panic, Vivienne. Or else you'll die.

The man was only a meter away from me, his head tilted down. He banged his fist against the wooden counter. I flinched, holding the left side of my chest.

He slowly released the grip, and a three-dollar bill fell.

"One beer." A low, muscular voice spoke.

I hid the knife back under the counter and tapped the beer fully into a glass. His gaze remained on the floor for an unknown reason until I placed the beer in front of him.

He lifted his head and slid his hood off. I was left speechless. The man wasn't anything terrifying-looking. He was utterly gorgeous. A long, straight-as-an-arrow raven hair reaching his chest caught my attention first. My gaze shifted up, and I noticed his glaring. Deep brown, upturned eyes met my curious eyes. Beautiful set of full lashes. Eyebrows were thick and slightly arched. His left brow was decorated by a silver double hoop piercing. His jawline was as sharp as the blade I held not long ago. A stubble perfectly shaved defined his facial features significantly.

"Thank you." He said and captured the ear of the glass, taking a long swallow.

"No problem." I managed to say back. I grabbed the money he landed me from the counter, examining them to see if they were real.

Probably real.

The bar's closing time was near, and a knot formed in my throat. How should I tell this muscular, tall man that he has to take his leave? It's like asking the headsman to let me pray a little longer before executing me.

I slid a hair tie down as my shoulder-length hair was tied in a low ponytail. I brushed my hair with my fingertips, putting my micro bangs in place. I stared at the beautiful man in front of me, and even though I knew he needed to leave, I wanted to fixate on this image of him in my mind for a bit longer.

"I know when it's time to leave." He chuckled, taking the last swallow of what was left in the glass. "Thanks, kitty." He thanked me and took his leave, leaving me speechless at the choice of nickname I was given.

"To compare me to a cat was ridiculous." I huffed, snatching my bag from under the counter.

I locked the bar quickly and walked the opposite way to my house. It was eleven o'clock, and no living soul was on the street. I pressed my hands against my chest in the cold wind. As I walked, the darkness of the night seemed to grow thicker around me. I felt a shiver of unease run down my spine, and even so, I kept walking.

All of a sudden, a weird rustle came from the forest where I was walking. I stopped in my steps, peering into the dark, but saw nothing. I continued walking, staring straight ahead of me. A pair of heels started knocking lightly against the asphalt. A relief spread through me. I sighed out loud.

"Hey, pretty girl." I turned my head to the side and saw the woman who couldn't keep her eyes away from me being by my side. Her hand snuck around my waist, and that startled me. A cold, but soft hand.

"Do you realize how dangerous it is to walk home at such a time? Be more cautious of your surroundings." She said with a serious tone.

"Should I be more cautious of you?" I asked with laughter. I focused on her reaction; however, that was the total opposite of what I expected. Her hand captured my back, swinging me in front of her and thrusting me into her. I almost screamed at the surprise. A heat formed on my cheeks.

"You should." She said, brushing her thumb against my cheek.

And with that, she let go of me, walking straight ahead. I almost fell, as nothing was securing my body. I balanced my stance, staring at my silhouette far away in the distance.

I couldn't deny the heat that spread within me when the woman's thumb brushed against my cheek. I shook off the weird thoughts and continued walking home.

I took the steps to the front door, unlocking it.

"No beer here anymore," I mumbled to myself.

I got inside, locked the door behind me, and heard a television being played. I entered the living room, and Grandma was watching some sit-coms. I crashed down onto the couch. My whole body was in agony.

"How was work, Vivienne?" Grandma asked.

"Freaking hell, I swear. Don't those fuckers own watches or see that I'm tired as well? No! They have to buy a drink right before my shift ends." I sighed furiously.

"This suffering of ours will never end, child. Our whole life purpose is only to be assigned as slaves. Destroying our bodies each day for a few dollars." Grandma let out a frustrated laugh. "But- at least you're by my side, Lily." Her whole attitude changed, and her sweetness peaked.

I smiled at her, getting up from the couch. "I'll take a bath, Grandma." She simply nodded with a smile and focused on the sitcom.

I barged into my room, grabbing my comfortable pajamas out of the drawer and making my way to the bathroom. As the water reached the top of the bathtub, I sank in, letting out a gasp of pleasure. Warm water with scents of honey and caramel radiated through the air.

I gripped the honey shower gel bottle, turning it upside down and squeezing its contents out onto my palm.

As I placed it back in its place, I noticed that a bottle of beer was set next to the shower gels. I flinched upon seeing it, trying to recall if I had drunk beer in the bathtub.

I examined the bathroom, and my gaze stopped at the sink with a few missing bottles of beer in a case.

I rose swiftly from the bathtub, wrapping a towel around my drenched body. I sprinted down the stairs and into the living room.

"Grandma!!!" I yelled so loudly that I gave her almost a heart attack.

"What happened, for god sake?!" She wondered as she snapped her head over her shoulder.

"Did you buy a case of beer today and drink some of it already?" I asked with a higher, shaky voice.

"No, child. I haven't had the time to buy it. Why are you asking?"

I grasped for a breath, clutching the left side of my chest.

The case of beer I discovered in the morning is the same case I left at the cemetery that now lies in the bathroom sink.

That psychopath got into my house.