BOUND BY HIS NAME

I tried to reply to his message and ask him how he got my number, but I couldn't; my hands were fixed on my phone, but I couldn't type a word. All I did was continuously stare at the message.

I got into my apartment, threw my bag on the wooden chair and sat.

I was torn between confusion and disbelief.

Hector is a stranger whose smile kept on displaying in my mind, and Alejandro is the most ruthless and dangerous man in the city. Both of them strangers, one seeking for attention while the other seeking for payback.

"Why did Hector insist on helping me with the bill?" I whispered. "And how did he get my number?"

I murmured a lot of questions to myself about the two strangers.

I was hoping the answers would come from above, but they didn't.

Later I walk towards the broken wooden bed and sit on the edge, with my eyes still fixed on the screen, only to discover that Hector was still typing; I became anxious, wondering what he was typing this time.

1 New Message

"Let's go out on a date. Azul's café. 4 p.m."

"What?" I whispered urgently with my heart beating fast like it would burst out of my chest.

I summoned the courage and responded to the very last message that he sent, My working place... I have a lot to do tomorrow.

Then I noticed he wasn't done typing. I could wait to see the next message. I turned the phone off and threw it on the bed...

While I was at work, my stomach was aching badly. Now I felt like I had just eaten so much food that I couldn't carry it.

I was shocked that Hector wanted to see me, and on the other hand, Alejandro paid my boss for me to be his personal waitress."

Without further thinking, I took my bath and ate the two loaves of bread that I had kept in the kitchen and to kissed the night goodbye.

****

The sound of the alarm ringing made me sit up on the bed. It was 7:42 in the morning. Normally my time for work is always around 9am. I dragged myself into the bathroom and took my bath, then got dressed for work.

I arrived at the café at around nine minutes past nine. There was a lot of traffic on the street this morning, causing me to come late.

Immediately after I entered the cafe, I noticed the absence of my boss, so I quickly tied the apron and stepped behind the counter, then began repeating the steps that I had become familiar with.

Smile, take orders, deliver drinks quickly, don't trip, don't stare, and don't drop anything. I attended to all of the customers, while my eyes were fixed on the door, waiting patiently for Alejandro to batch in as usual, but he didn't.

The bell made a sound, and the door was pushed open. I felt the breath I've been nervously holding in my throat whoosh out.

A huge muscular man stood at the entrance in an ash suit, then walked out from the shadow, only to discover he wasn't Alejandro; it was someone else. It was Hector.

His eyes scanned the room-

And landed on me.

My breath hitched as I let my mind wander aimlessly, like it has been waiting to do since the moment he walked in.

A smile sat on his face as he slowly approached me. His hands were continuously running through his hair; the look on his face wasn't readable.

"Coffee girl, we met again," he said softly, "and I guess your name is Isabella Ramirez?" He said

I nodded slightly. As my mouth fell open in surprise. How did he know my full name? I remember vividly that I haven't told anyone my full name, not even my boss, so how come he knew that my surname was "Ramirez"?

You said you have a lot of work to do, so I decided to come over to the café." He said.

"Yeah, I do really have a lot to do," I answered.

He continued. "But it seems that you aren't busy as you said." He mumbled...

We have a lot to talk about. "Get me a glass of whisky." He requested as he walked back to the table that was empty.

I quickly brought his drink because I had rumours saying, "He is more dangerous than Alejandro.

"Sit," he ordered, like he controlled every single breath that I breathe.

He took up the whisky glass and took a sip before returning it back to the table.

"You are really a pretty lady. I love the way your eyes and everything are."

"Thanks," I responded.

He continued.

"I've watched you for some time because you're important for my life."

"His life? What is he talking about?" I whispered in a voice that only I could hear.

He pushed the table that was between us and sat very close to me; the hot smell of his perfume was strong. Choking. I couldn't breathe.

After a long conversation, he brought out a huge envelope with a receipt of payment.

He placed the envelope in my hands, and as his hands brushed against mine, for some moment, he didn't let go of my hands, despite the fact that I was struggling to pull out my hands from his.

His touches were too light, and I wasn't comfortable.

"That is a huge amount of money. I brought it for you; use it and take care of yourself," he said with his voice above whispering.

"Thanks, but no, I don't need the money." I whispered out with my eyes blown wide and my heart pounding wildly against my ribs.

Deep down I really need the money, but I can't accept his offer, because I remember the voice of my colleague saying it always comes with a debt.

Just as this was happening, the entrance door to the café was swung opened.

Only to raise my head and discover it was Alejandro.