Athena
Clouds are so lucky. They can float away wherever they desire, to whomever they desire. Right now, staring out of my window, I was thinking the same thing. What I wouldn't give to float away from here ?
" Miss Hearst ! " I jolt out of my day dream when I hear Mrs. Taiko call out my name. Mrs. Taiko was a sweet Asian woman who also happened to be my economics professor. Except, with the way she was glaring at me right now, I wouldn't call her so sweet.
" Miss Hearst. Would you like to share your thoughts with all of us ? Considering the fact that they kept you from paying attention to the lecture I'd say they seem pretty important. " God this was embarrassing.
I apologise quickly, " No no. I'm sorry Mrs. Taiko. It won't happen again," Well atleast I hope it won't.
She looks at me and sighs, " Alright. But don't let it happen again or I won't be so lenient," Thank God.
Once the lecture gets over, we all start vacating the room. But Mrs. Taiko holds me back, " Athena, wait for a moment. I need to talk to you."
I approach her nervously, " Yes ma'am ?"
" Athena, what's going on ? This is the third time I've caught you day dreaming in the middle of the lecture. This is totally unlike you. Is everything okay ? " I feel so ashamed of myself.
I lower my eyes and my fingers start fidgeting, a gesture which takes place involuntarily whenever I feel anxious.
" I know I've been distracted Mrs. Taiko. But I promise you it won't happen again. I'll pay complete attention to the lectures and once again be the ideal student you've always seen me as. Truly," I know I sound like a suck up but I am desperate. I don't want her to be disappointed in me.
She places her hand on my shoulder and says, " Athena, you've always been one of the most brilliant students I've come across in my entire career. I'd hate for you to lose a good opportunity. If your grades slip, you might lose your scholarship. You know that right ?"
Suddenly my throat feels like a sandpaper. I swallow hard and say, " Ofcourse I know ma'am. But as I said, it won't happen again. I promise." She must've felt satisfied with my answer because she lets me go.
Thankfully, that was the last lecture of the day and the week.
Rhea didn't come to college because she had some urgent 'business' to do, so I'm all alone today. I don't ever ask her what this business is about. After all, she's not the only one hiding things.
When I reach home, I see the stray dog of our area sitting on my porch. He's a labrador and an absolute sweetheart. As soon as he sees me, he comes rushing towards me panting with his tongue out.
" Hey boy. You came to see me after so long. Didn't you miss me ?" I rub his back affectionately, " Come on. I know you're hungry. Let's go and feed you some biscuits. " He woofed in response, as if agreeing.
After filling his bowls of biscuits and water , I go up to my room to get ready for work.
Owen's Diner is not a very posh restaurant. But it's quite popular among university students as it's affordable. I've been working here for almost a year now.
Fresh aroma of coffee hits me instantly as I enter the diner. Another thing that the diner is famous for, apart from its chicken pie , is it's amazing Columbian coffee.
" Hello sweetheart. You're a bit early today," Earls greets me.
Earl is a kind and sweet old man with chocolate brown skin and a smile so radiant that it's always enough to make me forget all my worries. He's always been a like a father to me.
I smile at him, " Yes. I didn't have much work to do that at home. So I decided to come early and help you."
Earl's smile dimmed, " You don't need to, honey. Go home. I'll handle it. You can come when it's time for your shift."
I am confused. Earl doesn't ever behave this way, " Why ? I'm already here now. Let me help you."
He looks at me sternly and says, " Athena. I said go home. Don't argue with me " What ?
I try to reason with him when I hear a repulsive voice say behind me, " Well well well, if it isn't the hottie of Owen's Diner," Now I get it, why Earl wanted me to go home. Slimy Simon had come today.
Simon Welson was son of the owner of the diner and a disgusting human being who had no respect for a person's boundaries.
He rarely comes to the diner. Usually Earl is the one who manages everything but whenever Simon comes, he acts as if he's been taking care of the place for years.
He runs his eyes over my body up and down, shamelessly stopping them over my breasts and licks his lips, " Won't you greet me Athena? " He smiles his creepy smile which always makes me want to run for the hills.
I give him a look of disgust and start moving towards the exit when he grabs my hand. I see Earl making a move to come forward but I shake my head at him. I don't want him getting in trouble because of me.
I scowl at Simon and ask, " What do you want Simon ?"
He laughs," Oh Athena darling, you don't want me answering that. I want many things from you but... that is going to have to wait. Right now, I just want you to take over the shift of the girl I just fired."
What the hell. Whom did he fire? I figured it would be better to ask him, " Whom did you fire ?"
" The blonde with small tits. She was being too annoying, " Crap he fired Paris. She desperately needed this job. I make a mental note to check up on her later. God this man is a dick.
Considering the look Earl is giving Simon right now, I'm sure he's thinking the same thing.
" Alright. I'll take over her shift," I quickly run in the kitchen before he can he stop me again.
I serve few tables. Tomorrow is weekend, which means today is definitely going to be busy. I rush back and forth constantly to keep up with the orders.
Finally, by the end of the day I feel very tired. But I notice that Earl looks more tired than me. So I tell him to go home and promise to lock the diner after.
After a lot of insisting on my part and grumbling of his part, he finally relents. After seeing him out, I decide to clean up the tables a bit.
I go to one of the tables with water jug when I bump into a wall.
The wall turns out to be a person. Or more specifically, the chest of a person. Even more specifically, an expensive suit clad chest.
I look up to see whose prestigious suit I ruined and find myself staring in mesmerizing grey eyes of mystery man.
Seeing him here catches me so off guard that I lose my balance and fall directly on my ass.
It seems like clumsy me activates automatically whenever he's around.
" I'm - I'm so sorry. About your suit...I didn't mean to. It's just...I was rushing and all of sudden you came up," I need to stop talking.
" It's okay. Calm down. It's just water...no big deal," No big deal ? Yeah sure. As if his single suit wasn't equal to my six months salary.
But wait...What was he doing here? This is definitely not a place where people like him hang out.
I narrow my eyes at him, " What are you doing here ? I mean, this is not a spot where billionaires come to hang out every now and then," I also notice he's alone today. That Preston guy isn't with him. Well... alone if you don't count the scary bodyguard dude who's standing near his car.
He catches me staring at the bulky man and answers, " Oh... that's just my assistant. Well assistant as well as driver."
" Oh okay. But you still haven't answered my question. What are you doing here ?" I demand.
He raises an eyebrow, as usual ofcourse, " Am I not allowed to go to a restaurant of my choice Ms. Hearst?"
God he was frustrating, " Please Mr. Malcalester. Let's not do this again. Just answer my question," I plead.
He looks a bit alarmed for a moment, like he doesn't know what to answer but then quickly dons the cool mask that he always has on. " I had a meeting nearby. We were just passing by when I smelled the coffee."
With a heated look in his eyes, he bites down on his lip and adds, " It was quite enticing Athena."
The word enticing and Athena coming from his mouth in the same sentence were enough to pool my panties. Moreover, this was the first time he called me by my first name.
I take a deep breath and compose myself. He is a customer and I need to behave professionally in front of him. Thinking about how my panties are creaming, is definitely not going to help me with that.
" Okay. I'll bring you a cup of coffee. How do you like it ?" Is it just me or did that sound suggestive ?
It's not just me cause he smirks too, " Dark, rich...but may be today, a bit creamy too." Oh. My. God. He did not just say that. It's like he's reading my mind.
May be I'm just reading too much between the lines. But I can't help it ! His words... they always have double meaning.
My eyes widen, " Ahem. Okay. Is there anything else you'd like ?" I should've gotten out of here the second I got the chance but don't know why, I ask that question.
He considers for a moment but then answers, " No. Nothing as of now."
Don't know what I was hoping for , but I feel disappointed after hearing his answer.
I proceed towards the kitchen to make his coffee. Just as I start making it, I feel a pair of hands grab my waist. I gasp and turn around, half-hoping, half-expecting those hands to belong to mystery man. But what I see makes my heart jump in my throat .
Simon leans over me with his cruel smile. As I'm about to scream, he covers my mouth with his hand. He cages me to the nearest wall while I struggle against his hold.
He sniffs my neck like the fucking beast that he is and whispers, " God Athena I've been dying to do this. And now, finally I have you all to myself, "
After hearing that I realize he doesn't know Lars is waiting outside. Ofcourse he wouldn't, he came through the back door. I close my eyes and pray to God to somehow take me out of this situation. I try kicking him but he's so huge and strong, he towers over me.
Simon takes out his handkerchief and gags my mouth. He holds both my wrists over my head with one hand. His other hand starts undoing my belt. I squeeze my eyes shut and hope for this nightmare to be over.
Then, all of sudden his weight is pulled off me. I open my eyes to see Lars straddling Simon and punching the shit out of him. I choke on a sob and try calling Lars.
I have never felt so scared in my entire life. Seeing Lars so enraged and Simon unconscious on the ground, the scene was terrifying me.
Lars hears my whimpering and hurries by my side. He takes me in his arms and murmurs soothing words, " Shhh... It's okay. He's gone. He won't hurt you again. I promise, " I don't realize I'm shivering until Lars removes his coat and puts it on me.
He picks me up bridal style and takes me to his car. I remember that I haven't locked the diner yet, " I haven't locked the diner yet," I whisper.
" Don't worry about it. Bowen will take care of that." He puts me in passenger seat and locks the door. He goes to the bulky guy and says something to him. Bulky guy, whose name I presume is Bowen, nods without any questions and goes to the diner.
Lars comes in and slides in the driver seat. I don't have the energy to question him where we were going so I stay silent. I just close me eyes and hope this whole day turns out to be a nightmare. And before I know it... I drift off to slumberland.