Chapter 2

DAHLIA

As soon as I find solace in a secluded area, hidden from the eyes of security guards, I lean against the wall, bend at my waist, and allow my hands to find refuge on my knees.

Gosh, I hate running.

My mind drifts back to the stranger from earlier and what I did. Yes, I know I have done a few things that I’m not proud of, but so far, this is the worst of them.

But is it weird to say that I almost don’t regret it?

I mean, I might never see him again, and it’s not like he knows my name or school that he can report me.

I see it as one of those crazy adventures that teenagers my age venture into. Instead of a one-night stand or a drink-and-drive scenario, I kissed a stranger to get away from the police.

Up tops, Dahlia! Look how you’ve grown.

But today is not over yet, and there’s a reason I got in the police foot chase in the first instance. I straighten, allowing a heavy exhale to escape my lips, before reaching for my neck to pull off the ID card that hung around me all morning.

If I knew the guards would chase me for it, I would have removed it before stepping into the mall. But I guess I just didn’t think the guards here were vigilante enough.

They would usually just gist and chow on donuts in the movies.

It’s great to know our law enforcers are working.

Succeeding in freeing my neck from the rope of the plastic card, I pull my backpack from behind me, where it compactly follows me through the day’s debacle. Sliding the zip open, I throw the card in and bring out my hoodie, tugging it over my head in one go.

I replace my backpack and step out of the corner to look around any more stores I have yet to visit in search of a job.

After leaving four shops behind, I am prepared to give up the search and head to my hostel until a woman in an eclectic mix of a quirky crop top and a flowing princess skirt comes up to me. “Are you looking for a job?” I nod, interest filling my eyes as I stare directly into hers.

“See that store over there?” her finger jut in the direction of the store as she speaks, “They might be on the lookout for new hires. I saw you ask earlier, that’s why.”

A wide smile beams across my face as I bow with a ‘Thank you,’ hurrying in the indicated direction.

As I reach the store labeled ‘Seb’s Place’ with a big sign showing plates and cups, it is clear that this is probably a restaurant.

I gently nudge at the door, allowing it to open as I step into the room.

Wow.

It might just be me, but the room exudes a sense of comfort, most likely emanating from the arrangement of chairs and tables that dot the space. Or it could be the ambiance of warmth and coziness, perfecting a haven within its four walls.

The room was draped in hues of gold, with walls reflecting the soft glow of yellow lights.

Talk about ‘the best spot for a romantic getaway.’

As I twirl slowly around a spot, I find a few patrons sitting enjoying their meals, as the clinking of cutlery and hush conversations add to the room’s sense of intimacy. But before I can fully ingest all that this sun-kissed restaurant has to offer, I see an approaching figure in a red t-shirt, jeans, and boots.

Her every step is laced with confidence, with one foot crossing the other in a perfectly straight line. She doesn’t look super curvy, but I can see her hips sway from one side to the other with a hint of authority and a dash of allure.

Like I know what ‘allure’ means…

As she draws closer to where I stand, frozen in awe of her, I see the mole on the side of her face, right underneath her eye, matching seamlessly with the sweet smile beaming across her face, showing elegance and hospitality.

She must be the owner.

I smile as soon she reaches me. “Hi, this place is nice,” I say without thinking.

“Thank you,” she says, unfurling her fingers, allowing them to dance apart like the petals of a delicate flower opening to the sun. “Welcome to Seb’s Place.” She pulls in her hands and places them graciously on her chest, close to her name tag, which I am just noticing. “My name’s Loren, and I’m the manager here.” Like smooth drapery, her hands fall to her sides…

Weirdly, I’ve been following her hands, now that I think about it.

“Would you like a table?” she asks, maintaining friendly eye contact that was starting to creep me out.

I hesitate for a moment, almost like I was thinking of how she would think I could afford this place.

“Uh, no. I am not here for the food,” I smile, still looking around, but as soon as I pass her gaze, I realize her sunshine smile has disappeared with no trace of its existence.

“Why are you here then?” Her sweet voice has also frozen into a sharp, cold tone with a hint of impatience.

“Uh—I just thought… I am actually looking for a job, and I thought you might be hiring,” I say, my nerves causing my voice to quiver slightly.

She gives me a once-over as I follow the trail of her eyes, scanning me from my worn-out sneakers to my hoodie-covered head.

It’s not like I am poorly dressed—yes, my blouse had been messed up by the running from earlier, but the hoodie has done a good job of hiding it.

“What is your name?”

“Dahlia,” I answer her, still wondering where her big smile vanished.

Or maybe she doesn’t like employees.

“Come with me.” She turns and struts in front of me like a model on the runway while I follow in a lazy stride, mostly from the exhaustion of the day’s event. Guiding me along a brief corridor, she halts in front of the door marked ‘CEO.’

She knocks three times, the sound echoing softly, and without a moment’s pause, she exerts gentle pressure on the door, allowing it to swing inward.

As the door parts, a flood of intense, blinding daylight streams into the room, momentarily overwhelming the dim interior… and my eyes.

With the back of my hand, I rub my eyes, watching as the room transforms from a haze into distinct shapes.

The scene becomes focused gradually, and I see Loren with a man. They’re talking, but I can’t hear what they are saying because I’m still wondering how the lady wasn’t affected by the blinding light.

I take my time to look around the office, which is a different ambiance from the main room. The office is small but well-arranged, so it doesn’t look stuffy or clustered.

I almost owe the space to the two big windows on the opposite side of where I’m standing, and as I scan the room even more, I notice the big mirror close to Loren and the man.

A big mirror—

That’s probably what is making the room appear bigger.

Wait.

I squint my eyes, trying to make out the image in the mirror. I see blonde hair, familiar chests, and lips that strike up a memory I thought I had forgotten.

Shit! It’s the stranger I kissed.