Chapter 28 Be Careful
Chapter 28 Be Careful
ARDEN
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“Thank you! Have a nice day!” <b>I </b><b>said </b>with a bright smile as a customer snatched her drink from the counter. She was preupied with her phone, reaching out instinctively for the cup. I had to aim it into her hand, ensuring she could grab it without looking away from her screen.
With that, she strolled out without any further acknowledgment. Still, I maintained my smile; it beat the countless men trying to shove their numbers at me any day.
I nced out the window and noted the darkening skies. The café was nearly empty, with only a few stragglersing in for <b>takeaway </b>coffee as closing time approached.
I sighed in relief and smiled softly to myself. I had survived my first shift.
“You know, I’ve never done it in a café–ser, I mean, I’ve been adventurous in various ces, but not here. Wouldn’t it be thrilling to fulfill that fantasy?”
Well, almost.
Out of everyone 1 encountered today, my boss might just be the worst of them all.
I ignored him, focusing on wiping the counters clean. My gaze flicked to the clock. Only ten minutes left. I could endure his relentless flirting until then–at least, that’s what I thought.
After serving thest customer, ! wrapped up some final tidying before heading to the locker <b>room</b><b>. </b>To my dismay, Rowan was still lingering there,
He crossed his arms in front of his chest, leaning nonchntly against the wall, a smirk stered across his <b>face</b><b>. </b>
“Does the owner really have to be here all the time?” <b>Lasked</b>, trying to sound nonchnt.
His smirk widened. “Well, it’s the owner’s prerogative, don’t you think? After all, he does own this ce.”
I removed my apron and stashed it in my bag, reordering my items and gearing up for departure. However, Rowan stepped in front of <b>me</b>, blocking my <b>path</b>.
I sighed in frustration, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Don’t you have something better to do? Like, I don’t <b>know</b>, raising your points or something?”
Rowan <b>nced </b>casually at his <b>watch</b>. “Actually, <b>someone </b>did call me to her dorm tonight. But you could always take her ce if you’re interested.”
“No <b>thanks</b>,” I replied deadpan. I’d rather head <b>home</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Want me to give you a ride?” he <b>offered</b><b>, </b>a hint of yful mischief in his tone.
“Nope,” I shook <b>my </b>head firmly. “The buses are still running”
Heughed, tilting his head back against the lockers. “Such tant rejection.”
I pursed my lips, trying to maintain my <bposure</b>. “Can you please <b>move</b>, sir?”
“Ooh, Llike it when you call me that, he teased, eyes glinting with amusement.
Tsighed heavily and ran my fingers through my messy hair in <b>exasperation</b>. “Do you really have to turn everything into a
sexual innuendo!”
You know I’m genuinely curious,” he said suddenly, redirecting the conversation. “Why are you working here?” “Like I mentioned before, not everyone has the financial means to study here,” I muttered, ncing away in irritation.
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Chapter 28 Be Careful
“It’s strange, though,” he continued, unfazed. “Isn’t Kieran your brother? From the West?”
I froze at the mention of his <b>name</b>, the casualness of <b>his </b>inquiry sending a jolt of unease through me.
“How do you know that?”
He shrugged nonchntly. “I heard it from a girl I was fucking from the West.”
I bit my lip in frustration. “Anyway, I don’t think it’s any of your business.”
“I’m leaving.” I dered, determined <b>to </b>exit this awkward exchange.
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On my way out, I bumped into his shoulder. He must <b>have </b>been caught off guard because <b>the </b>next thing we knew, his hand. slipped and grazed the edge of a locker. This ce was still under renovation, which meant there were a lot of sharp edges everywhere. Blood dripped from his hand, and he hissed in <b>pain</b>.
I froze <b>in </b>my spot, suddenly feeling a surge of guilt, even though I knew it wasn’t entirely my fault. Still, I couldn’t
there and do nothing. With that thought, I grabbed his arm, surprising even him..
-What are you doing?” he muttered.
I fished out some napkins <b>from </b>my bag and applied direct pressure to his wound.
“So <b>now </b>you’re not hesitating to <b>touch </b>me?” he remarked, a teasing lilt to his tone.
“Can you shut your mouth for <b>a </b>moment?” I snapped back.
just stand
my relief, he fell silent, allowing me to drag him toward the bathroom where I <b>could </b>properly wash his wound with water.
“It’s going to
heal on its own. Just leave it,” <b>he </b>insisted.
“You’re a werewolf, not a god, I muttered under my breath. “You at least need to cover it.”
thurt.”
“Wounds like this still hurt.”
I focused intently on his wound, leaning in closer for a better look. I could feel him stiffening under <b>my </b>hold, but I chose to <b>ignore </b>it, determined to take care of <b>him</b><b>.. </b>
Using my handkerchief, I wrapped it around <b>his </b>arm. The fabric was pink and adorned with hearts, a sharp contrast to his rugged demeanor.
“There,” I said, unable to hide the smile creeping up on my lips. He actually looked ridiculous wearing it. Stepping back, I looked up at him, still grinning.
“You’re going to wear that on your one–night <b>stand</b>, <b>huh</b>?” I teased lightly.
Our eyes met, <b>and </b>my smile faltered slightly as I <b>caught </b>the intensity of his gaze. He usually <b>wore </b>a joking expression when we spoke, <b>but </b>in <b>that </b>moment, he appeared serious–more <b>serious</b>, even, than when we had been <b>working </b>on our project for <b>Miss </b>Loveson’s ss.
I pulled air into my cheeks, trying to stille another <b>smile</b>, and then hosted my <b>backpack </b>over my shoulders once again.
“I’m really going.” I muttered. “Just be careful next time.
With that I-moved past him, making sure to tread carefully <b>this </b><b>time</b>.
To my surprise, he didn’t <b>say </b>anything further. He stood there,pletely frozen, <b>as </b>I walked out of the café,
Once outside, I entered the school through the <b>pupil </b>scanner and headed to the <b>bus </b>stop. It was then <b>that </b>I noticed Owen was <b>also </b>waiting there. I wasn’t quite <b>sure </b><b>what </bpelled me to speak to him, but somehow, I did. As soon as I reached the bus stup. I sat down next to him andunched <b>into </b><b>conversation </b>
“Hey.” I said cheerily, trying to break the ice.
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Chapter 28 Be Careful
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He merely nced at me and adjusted his earphones further into his ears. I pursed my lips, feeling a hint of awkwardness. but pressed on.
“I think we’re <b>heading </b>to the same <b>dorm</b>. Do you want to go together?” I suggested, hoping to bridge the gap between us.
“Do whatever you want.” he muttered dismissively.
I chuckled awkwardly, turning slightly to the side. “Alright. The next bus should be here soon,” <b>I </b>continued, trying to fill the silence. “I guess we’ll have to see each other more often since we work in the same café. My name’s Arden by the way
You talk too much,” he said suddenly, halting my spirited chatter. “Why are you even talking to me?”
I paused for a moment reflecting on the sincerity of my answer. “A friend at work would be nice,” I replied.
A scoff escaped his lips, and just then, the bus arrived. He stood up, brushing past me without a backward nce.
“I don’t need such things” he said, his tone final as he stepped away.