It was a typical Friday night. The fading hues of the sun signals the start of night life in the city. Street lamps and colorful lights of different establishments bring out a lively vibe. The city is so bright and bustling its as if the sun did not set at all. Slowly the streets are filled with people coming out from work, families happily strolling or eating dinner outside, and friends chatting and planning out their night.

As for me, this is one of the rare days that I get to leave work early. I am Genesis Park and I work in a 24 hour diner and usually I take the night shift so that I can still attend school in the morning, but today is special. Today is my birthday. And even though no one is present to celebrate this day with me, I still see to it to give a few hours to celebrate this day.

As I am putting my apron and cap inside my locker in the employees lounge, our shop manager Lyn peeked from the door. "There's the birthday girl. You're leaving already?"

"Yeah, you just came in?" I didn't bother looking at her and kept on tidying my stuff. She is one of my friends at work and even though technically she's my supervisor but we are comfortable around each other to maintain formalities especially beyond work hours.

"Are you really leaving this early? Can't you wait a little?"

"Yep. It will take me quite some time to get there so I have to hurry up. Any problem sis?" I peeked at her. Curiously enough, she seems to be out of her wits.

"Ahm..you see..can you..aah..." I got curious. I stopped what I'm doing and looked at her flustered face.

"If I'm guessing right you're planning something again. And that something involves me not leaving this room right away."

She laughed nervously. "Why would I do that?"

"You know you suck in telling lies. Spill it now."

She tried avoiding the topic but in the end told me the secret. It turned out my suitor, Frank asked her to stall me for a few minutes, enough to prepare his surprise for my birthday. But since i have no intentions on reciprocating his feelings, I convinced Lyn to let me go and fend off Frank later. It may seem mean to others but I already told him before of my own intentions and I don't want to send the wrong message by waiting for him.

After talking, she left for work and I started for the door.

As I was opening the door, I saw Frank making the turn to where I am. He's looking at his phone and have not seen me yet so I immediately closed the door. If he is already outside, then I can't go out through this door. I ran to the utility door on the other side of the store.

While passing through the kitchen area I saw Lyn looking at me like she was defeated. That's when it dawned on me. That tricky friend of mine sold me! I glared at her. I thought I managed to bring her to my side but the only reason she allowed me to leave was because she knew Frank is already there. Before I close the utility door I glared at Lyn for the last time. "I'll deal with you tomorrow."

It's a good thing I don't have my bike with me right now because I usually park it outside the employees' lounge. So I walk and ran until I'm a few blocks away from our store. I really have to deal with sis Lyn tomorrow.

***

I regularly visit my mom's tomb. But since today is special I have to buy some stuff before going to the train station. When she was still alive, we would always share a cake, no matter how small, during our birthdays. So I plan on buying one on my way to the cemetery.

As I was waiting for my turn on the counter of our favorite bakeshop, a man in suit entered the store while fiddling on his phone. Unknowingly, I started observing him. He is tall, I stand at 5'5" but he seems to be half a foot taller than me. His black hair is very slick that it seems like a crime to even touch it. He's got a strong and manly face like those models on billboards and magazines, maybe even better. He also seem well built but not the bulky type, and he's got this imposing aura that makes people around him fear him but at the same time admire him.

I opened my eyes wide. 'What did you just say Genesis Park?' I scold myself silently after realizing that I used the word admire on a man that I just met. I peeked another look at the man. 'Too dangerous.' I better keep myself from his kind.

He might have felt my gaze because he suddenly looked at my direction. I don't know what happened but I can't take my eyes off him. He's definitely the only one I saw who owns such beautiful and dangerous eyes. We stared at each other for some time until he smirked and nod on my way. That was when I turned my eyes away from the guy.

After that, I tried my best to not look in his way again. After paying for my cake, I quickly walked towards the door. That's when the man blocked my way. He suddenly leaned towards me and whispered. "Why the rush, honey? Are you suddenly playing catch to get my attention?"

"W-what?" I was dumbfounded.

He chuckled. And for some reason I thought that was the sexiest chuckle I heard. Not good, definitely not good. He thinks I'm flirting with him and yet I'm thinking he's sexy.

"Don't bother with the act, I know your kind. So how about this, I have nothing to do tonight. Would you keep me company?"

"I don't...I'm not..." What the heck? Did he really take me for that kind? Hurry up Genesis, get your wits back! He's dangerous! Focus! You are a decent girl and this guy dares insult you. You have to stand up for yourself!

"Hm I get it, honey. Don't worry, I'm not a thrift. I'll definitely satisfy your requirements."

Whoa! Is he saying that I am asking for payment for that? Forget about his good looks and physique, he's not just a jerk, he's arrogant as hell! It's like I was jolted out of sleep, I found my voice and started to talk back. "I'm sorry mister hotshot but I don't think you can 'afford' my requirements as one of them specifically states human and not an asshole."

He raised an eyebrow on me. And just as he was about to retort or so he seems to, his phone started ringing. He looked at the caller and took the call walking a few feet away from me. An opportunity! I quickly went past him and out the shop then went straight to the train station.

My birthday is starting to become very exhausting. First with Lyn's 'betrayal', then escaping Frank, and now this arrogant jerk of a man. I just hope that from this moment onwards, it will be quiet and normal once again.

***