I stared at those colorful, shining lights, mesmerized by the vibrant ambiance they created within the bar. The interior was adorned with a kaleidoscope of lights, casting a magical glow all around the interior of the bar. I took a deep breath and inhaled the intoxicating aroma of fine wine and craft beer. Even though I hate working at the bar, I love this strong scent lingering here. As I scanned the room, I could see people laughing and talking, enjoying their drinks and the lively atmosphere. I could sense the infectious energy in the air, and it made me smile.

"Lily, you have to take another shot with us!" A faithful customer named Joseph, in his late forties, loves to ask for shots with me. I usually refuse, but tonight it's an exception. I slept for approximately two hours. Due to the stress, I couldn't bring myself to eat even a simple slice of bread. I hid a knife under my bed last night just in case the freaky man would appear next to it. I even commanded Grandma to lock her door. She protested at first, and her reason was: "What if I need to use the bathroom, and because the door will be locked, I'll pee myself?" Yeah, that's exactly what she said to me.

I returned to reality and stared at Joseph, who was sitting in front of me.

Drinking would make me dizzy in no time. Yet I accepted it.

I poured tequila at the very top of the empty shot glasses, overflowing them and spilling some on the wooden counter.

Joseph raised his hand in a toast. "To the best and cutest bartender far and near!" He rattled his glass against mine, smirking. I ignored what he said about me and swallowed the whole liquid. As the burning sensation of the alcohol coursed down my throat, I couldn't help but feel a warm buzz spreading throughout my body.

"One glass of red vine." I shifted my head to the voice of a woman who had come to the bar yesterday and startled me on my way home. Her look was completely different today. Her top matched the color of her hair. The top perfectly showed off her cleavage. The leopard coat was hanging onto her shoulders, but her hands were free out of the sleeves. It was hard for me to see her legs, but I took notice of the black leather material dragging down her thighs. Her lips were painted a deep red, and her eyes were lined with black eyeliner. She was holding a little purse, which she carelessly dumped onto the counter.

"Here you go," I said, placing the glass of wine in front of her. I noticed that the image of her was starting to shake, and I had to hold myself by the counter.

"Are you okay, Lily?" I felt Joseph beside me and his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm alright," I assured him with a fake smile.

His hand was still attached to my shoulder, which irritated me.

"You can let go of me. I'm okay now." I said fiercely, looking at him over my shoulder.

He drew closer to me, locking his hand on my waist. "I love it when you're wearing such a short skirt." His lips move to my ear. "Turns me on." He whispered.

Feeling his hand on my waist made my skin crawl, and his words only intensified my discomfort. I hate men.

I knew Joseph had a thing for me. Despite me refusing his proposals for dates or drinking, he still tried his best to win me over.

He didn't mind the age difference between us, and he surely didn't mind that his wife and kids were home waiting for him while he was hitting on a twenty-year-old girl.

Joseph was the kind of man I'd simply shoot with a gun if I owned one. Unfortunately, with the little I get paid, I can't afford such a weapon, only a pepper spray.

"Whatcha doing you disgustingly after warranty, old bastard? Don't you have a wife at home? Or should I teach you a lesson and chop off that pinky-size dick?"

That velvety voice.

I was freed from his capture as the woman with red hair pushed me aside, holding a sharp knife to Joseph's throat.

Her gaze shifted to mine, and the knife bore into his skin. "It's up to you, pretty girl. Should I kill this bastard for you?" She asked, and then an evil giggle escaped her mouth.

If he dies, I'll lose my job, and I can't afford that.

"No!! Don't do it. Just- leave him go, please." I said with a panic in my voice.

Her gaze turned back to him. She pushed the knife so deep into his skin that I could see a drop of blood release from his flesh.

"Go." She said with a threatening voice that didn't sound like it belonged to her.

Joseph sprinted from behind the counter, making his way outside. Worriedly, he glanced our way, hoping that the woman wouldn't follow him outside.

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I looked back at her; her stunning figure could hardly be compared to my slim body with no huge ass or large breasts. Her body was my dream body.

"T-Thank you." I stuttered.

Her fingers swiftly gripped a few strands of my hair, wrapping them around her index finger. "See you later, pretty girl." She let go of my hair as she walked back to the counter, leaving money on top for the wine.

Thankfully, almost everyone was wasted, so just a few people noticed what was happening behind the counter.

• • •

My shift ended a lot sooner than yesterday, which was a huge relief. However, walking home was stressing me out so much that I half forgot how to put my feet in front of me. Every corner of the night appeared to be a demon staring at me with a huge, scary smile carved on its face.

I had to drop my gaze to the asphalt so my legs would be able to work normally again.

As I appeared in front of my house, Grandma was standing behind a tall, masculine man who had a hood over his head.

My eyes widen in horror. I drew deep breaths into my lungs. I sprinted toward the tall man, jumping onto his back and boring my fingernails into his face. I almost scratched his eyeballs out. But he hasn't made a simple sound.

"Get inside, grandma! Call the police!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

But then his hands traveled down my ass, which reminded me I had a short skirt on.

I was about to release my strength from my legs and jump onto the ground, but his grip got too strong, and I couldn't pull away from him.

"Child! He was only helping me!" Grandma yelled at me.

Helping her?

I stopped resisting his hands and yielded. He did not let go of me, even though I was expecting it to happen.

"Are you okay, Lily?" Grandma asked as she came closer to me.

I slowly slide off his back, capturing Grandma's hands. "I'm just fine. What about you? Are you hurt?" I asked nervously.

Grandma shook her head, and that made my worries go away.

I turned my head toward the man, and I again met those dark chocolate eyes. His long hair was now tied in a lower ponytail, and a few strands of hair were flowing in front of his eyes. His clothes were simple yet stylish, with a fitted black t-shirt and dark gray baggy jeans. On top of his t-shirt, he wore a large leather jacket that hugged his muscular shoulders.

I tore my eyes away from him and focused back on Grandma. "What happened?" I asked.

She pointed her finger at the many shopping bags lying against the beginning of the steps. "They were too heavy for me to carry, so this gentleman offered himself to carry these bags home for me." She explained.

Okay, but now I feel really shitty.

"Forgive me, I was just startled to see a man at such an hour in front of our house." I didn't dare look him in the eyes.

"There's nothing to forgive, Miss. I understand completely."

I tighten the grip around Grandma's arm.

"Have a pleasant night." He said as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, leaving.

"Thank you!!" Grandma yelled, and the man waved his hand as he was turned back at us. You could only see the smoke leaving his cigarette.

• • •

Reading a book or watching television did not ease my worry about the mysteriously hot man. First, he met me at work, and now he helped my grandma with bags. It just seems too coincidental.

I need to be more wary of my surroundings, as the woman told me. She's also a little weird to begin with. She almost killed a person. However, Joseph would deserve it, and I don't care how nuts I sound. She's my savior, and I shall pay my debt next time I see her, which hopefully will be tomorrow.

I got up from my bed, heading towards the window. I pushed it up, smelling the wet grass that the fog caused. As I stood by the window, the cool night air brushed against my face, refreshing my senses. Maybe that's all I need. A breath of fresh air.

I stuck my head out, looking around, and that's when I caught sight of a shadowy figure by the trees. We live near the forest, and your imagination can sometimes go wild. I thought I saw many creatures lurking in the dark when I was younger. Grandma always walked with me inside the forest, showing me there's nothing there and that our minds can trick us into believing we see what we imagine we see.

I blink repeatedly and shake my head. But I still saw the figure. It was a pretty tall silhouette.

I hid my head back inside and closed the window. The shadowy figure moved its place closer to the road.

"That's enough."

I ran downstairs, grabbing a kitchen knife, making my way outside.

I cannot stand this feeling of helplessness. I'm done being weak. If something wants to take me, he shall have his chance to do so.

I swung the front door, taking tiny steps outside. A few leaves blew through the porch, making a rustling noise.

I slowly walked down the steps, holding the knife in my hand upright. I shifted my gaze in the direction of the shadowy figure, and it was still there.

This scene reminded me of a horror movie I saw a while ago with my grandma. It was not a clever idea to watch something so brutal with my almost-crazy grandmother. I couldn't sleep properly for a week straight after that.

I stayed still in front of the house, not moving in any way. The silhouette did the same. I guess we were on the same page of social distance.

The sound of my fast-beat heart was banging in my head. Despite that, I focused all my senses on the silhouette.

In a blink of an eye, the silhouette was gone.

It only took one blink for me to lose sight of my danger-possibly my killer.

My grandmother, even though she isn't exactly right in her mind, wouldn't have any enemies. She only goes to work, where she's the cleaning lady, and goes back home, drinking her icy beer and watching unfunny sitcoms.

Whereas I work at the bar, where every man's wife hates me because they like me. Seeing me dress in a skirt with red lipstick smashed against my lips. I played unfairly. I'm aware of that. But I need money to survive.

I spun in circles, ready for the silhouette from each side. However, there was no noise indication. Nothing could tell me where the shadowy figure was.

I stopped spinning as my head spun instead, and I felt dizzy. The knife in my hand slipped away; only its steel rang against the rocky ground.

"Giving up already?" His husky voice brushed against my sensitive ear. I tried to turn my head around, but his hands stopped me from doing so.

They clenched around my waist like a tick that wasn't possible to pull out. His head fell into the lobe of my shoulder.

I felt weak in his presence.

I could sense the tip of his nose and his surprisingly soft lips against my skin. No warmth was radiating from them.

He inhaled my skin, making a sighing noise of pleasure. "You smell so incredibly sexy. Like a cherry, mademoiselle." His freezing breath spread goosebumps on my body.

His right hand shifted from my waist down to my inner thigh.

"Could I taste the cherry down here?" His hand quickly shifted up my thigh.