Nolan Hector:

There he was. Reading a book. He didn't seem like a man who would read books. But then, he always had a book in his hand at this time. This hour.

I wouldn't lie, he was beautiful. Dark curly locks, silver eyes, that often made the person in front of them weak from their knees. He was tall, almost an inch taller than me. And he was leanly muscular.

Even now, he was only in a half sleeve, round neck t-shirt and sweats. His hair were falling on his forehead and a pair of reading glasses on his nose. I could stare at him all day.

I felt like a stalker.

But then, I was. I couldn't help it when he sat down on his window at night, reading Lord knows what with so much of concentration that even the writer would get shocked.

And then something happened that never happened before. His eyes looked up from the book and I felt like my heart dropped down to my stomach. His silver, breathtaking eyes met mine with intensity that I almost flinched back from it.

We both stayed there for a minute. Looking into each other's eyes. This wasn't the first time, we both were looking at each other. But it wasn't definitely usual for me to get caught while staring at someone. At him.

Raphael Pierson.

And just like that, after a minute of staring, he pulled the curtain, hiding himself completely from me and my eyes blinked at the sudden actions of my neighbor. Embarrassment filled my chest as I quickly closed my own window.

He had caught me staring at him. Like a creep.

But isn't this what creeps do? Stare at people until they become uncomfortable and pull their curtains.

My heart was stuttering inside my chest. The sudden whim, I was feeling inside me made me light-headed. I was happy that he noticed me. But more than that, I was scared that he noticed me.

Because Raphael Pierson had quite some reputation out in the society. He was known for his experiments. He was known for treating people like they are moon and then breaking their hearts like a falling star. He was one deadly man.

He liked being with new people and treating them like moon. But the time they start to fall for Raphael, he breaks their heart. This was his game.

And considering how he caught me staring at him like a kid eyes a candy, I know, I invited trouble for me. Because he liked playing games. I had witnessed quite a few of them. Perks of having him as my neighbor. And perks of having a window in front of his. Sarcasm. That was sarcasm.

After cursing the life, I finally went to my bed and pulled the blanket over my body and buried myself in the warmth of my bed.

Tomorrow is going to be a new day. A new day with same old people. With same old miseries. With same old pain. Tomorrow is going to be different. I could feel it. After all, Raphael Pierson had caught me staring at him. And for some reason, I knew he wouldn't let it go.

__

"Nolan, you're not eating." Helen, my sister said to me when I was playing with my food. I didn't even realize it until she pointed it out. I smiled, shaking my head at her. How do I tell her, I'm feeling anxious?

"The food is hot." I said simply and her lips rolled up in an O, nodding her head.

"Food is always cooked hot, Nolan. Don't be ridiculous, is there something that is troubling you?" She asked me and the fork from my hand fell down on the plate with clink.

What's troubling me?

I don't know? Maybe, my hidden sexuality?

My life?

My attraction towards our neighbor?

I have many things troubling me, dear sister.

"Other than my college, nothing. You tell me, how's work? I heard your Boss is removing employees again." I said and she pinched the bridge of her nose as she leaned back on her chair.

"The fear is real, Nolan. The Boss is removing employees again. He says he is suffering a lot of loss. And losing job means, losing this house." She said, stabbing the carrot and I frowned. How true was everything. Every fear was turning real as the devil.

"Don't worry too much, Helen. Look for another job. Maybe a little stable this time. And until then, my money can sustain three of us." I said, stroking Helen's baby girl— Hope.

Her eyes looked at the sleeping infant, curled in her laps and a small smile formed on her face. She was sad. Because our circumstances would only worsen Hope's future. How would we raise her without a stable income?

I remember the day, Helen's husband died from heart attack. Helen was only two months pregnant back then. And look at Hope now. She is fourth months old.

"I hope, it goes well, Nolan. I hope, I find a good job. But at least he lets me keep Hope with me all the time. I'm not sure if the other job would allow me that." She said and I smiled in encouragement at her.

"Everything will be peachy in no time. I'll rush now. I'm already an hour late. And I have an important submission today." I said and she nodded her head. I dumped the soiled utensils in the sink. I would wash them after coming home from the college.

"I'll see you in the evening, brother. Have fun." Yeah, as if getting bullied is fun. Being cornered is fun.

"I'll try. Take care of our Hope." With that I closed the door behind me.

__

"Do you need a ride?" I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me. It was deep. Rough. I felt my feet ceasing on the road. But I have heard this voice before. But where exactly, I don't remember.

I turned around and my eyes widened when they fell on Raphael Pierson. He was there, on his bike. He was dressed in an olive color, button up shirt and dark pants. The dark shades on his eyes told me he hadn't yet started his bike. He was still standing on the road.

One thing, Raphael Pierson believed was, no matter whose story it is, he is always the main lead. He behaved like one. Like he owns the nation. But he doesn't.

"No, I'm fine." I said slowly, looking away from his face. It is hard to look in the eyes of the person you like. And it's even more harder when you have been caught staring at them. I was still embarrassed.

"You look in hurry. I can drop you to your college." I didn't ask him how he knew I was going to my college. After all, we were neighbors. Though we never shared a conversation with each other, we knew what we both were doing in life. Other than screwing it, of course.

"You're a stranger." I tried pathetically to not accept the ride from him. It would be difficult for me once I accept this. I would only make the game for him more easier. I would only allow him to break me more easily.

"Well, I wasn't a stranger when you were staring at me last night like there's no tomorrow." He said it so casually, with straight face. I couldn't look into his eyes, for he had his shades. But he sounded so impassive, so emotionless. Unlike his soft voice.

"I..... I was going to shut my windows. I wasn't staring at you. It was a coincidence." Liar.

I, at least tried and his lips curled up in a small smile. I don't know why it seemed mocking to me. Like he knew I was lying. Even I did. But there was no point in making me more embarrassed than I already was.

"Yeah, you were closing your window for half an hour. Next time, you decide to lie to me, cook something better." He said to me, taking a step forward and my eyes widened as I took one back.

"I'm not lying." I said in my steely voice and he scoffed.

"Again lying. Anyways, that's not my concern. Do you or do you not want a ride from me. Because even I have office to go to. And even I'm running late." He said and I pursued my lips.

It was a fifteen minutes walking distance.

But it was much better than riding with him. Hearing him say how I was gazing at him like you're a lovestruck puppy. It was better than be a victim of his game.

"I'll walk." I decided and he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Suit yourself. Next time you wish to stare at me, be bold enough to accept it. Have a nice day, kid." Kid? Kid!

He was only like three or four years older to me! And I was twenty two!

I shook my head as I saw his bike roaring to life before he was out of my sight. My heart was pounding inside my chest. I was happy, I stood firm. But I knew, I caught his attention. It would be harder to stay firm in front of him.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath before I started running to where my college was. It was honestly one of my worst days of the month. He confronted me. Crushes are better when they are not spoken to. And I was realizing it now.

___

"Do you remember what is the viscosity of oil?" The teacher said as she started writing on the whiteboard, starting with her lesson.

I looked down at the watch on my wrist. I have work today. And I need to work an hour extra today, considering how I had to leave an hour early yesterday.

I was noting down the notes when I felt a paper ball hitting on my back, followed by many more. My fingers curled in a fist, knowing they were Samantha and her friends. It was ridiculous, actually. How they thought bullying someone was fun. Making fun of someone's miseries is actually entertainment. I pitied her at times.

I ignored them, like I always do, focusing on writing down my numerical. They weren't going to pay my bills. I will. I need to study. And crying about it would bring me no good.

"Hey, loser. We're calling you. Are you deaf!" Samantha growled lowly from behind and my eyes clenched in raw anger.

That's it.

I'm done.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you, Samantha. Can you repeat what you just said, maybe louder this time?" I said, loudly, turning around to look at the bully, who was looking at me with wide eyes now.

Mrs. Harvey stopped teaching as her attention turned towards us and Samantha's jaw clenched in anger, embarrassment. I usually ignore things. I don't pay much heed to them but they were really irritating me today.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Hector?" Mrs. Harvey asked me, she was a member of anti-ragging community and my lips curled up in a small smile.

How does it feel to taste the end of your career on your tongue, dearest Samantha?

"Samantha was trying to speak something to me from quite some while, Mrs. Harvey. I couldn't hear her properly, hence I was asking her to repeat." I said, looking at her boldly, waiting for her to repeat her insulting words again but much to my disappointment, she didn't.

"Miss Green, is there something you wish to share? I'm running late with my chapter. Say fast." Mrs. Harvey said impatiently and I looked at her, daring her to repeat her words.

"I..... I'm sorry, Mrs. Harvey, I was just trying to tell Nolan that his pen has fallen down. That's it, Mrs. Harvey. Nothing else." She said uneasily, giving me a death stare. But I cared less now. Fucking coward!

"Very well. Don't disturb the class again until it's very important, Miss Green and Mr. Hector. Okay, class, back to the studies. As I was explaining how...." Mrs. Harvey started again, turning to the whiteboard and I looked at Samantha with a smile.

Coward.

It was the last lecture of the day. I stuffed my books in my locker, emptying my bag as I had to go for work now. I was almost out of the college when I saw a few students blocking my way. Not again.

"You think that was smart, Nolan? Embarrassing me in the class?" Samantha growled, taking a threatening step forward and I looked at her, bored. Get a life, come on.

"No, Samantha. Not wasn't smart. That was genius. Now get to the side, I have a job to go to, unlike some of us." I said and her eyes blazed with hatred. Shouldn't I be hating her?

"How dare you!"

"Look, Samantha. Bullying is a crime. I hope, you're aware about it. And let's face it, you can only bully me when we are not supervised by an authoritative person. That simply says how much of a coward you are in real life. So, step aside and let me go to my work. I'm getting late." I said patiently and her eyes only narrowed more. And she was angry and embarrassed.

"That wasn't even bullying. We were messing with you but you had to spoil it. So, guess who is going avenge it? Me! And who is going to suffer now? You." She said and I rolled my eyes at how immature they were.

"Go then! You must need to plot your revenge, no? I'll see you tomorrow, Samantha. Hopefully with a little of bit of empathy." I said, walking past her, shaking my head as I removed my phone.

Helen had sent me a picture of Hope smiling at a co-worker and my face softened. Hope was a beautiful infant. And a real stress buster. Our little Hope.

___

"I can't believe they followed here to trouble you." My co-worker, Jaz said and I let out a sigh, getting a fricking sandwich for the fourth time.

Somehow, the cheese wasn't enough for them the first time I went with their order. And for the second time, the sandwich wasn't warm enough. Who in the name of heaven eats a hot sandwich? And the third time, they wanted to add mayonnaise in it when they cleared denied it for the first time.

"I don't want to ruin their careers by reporting them. But they're honestly leaving me no other choice now. I'll honestly screw their lives if they don't stop in a week." I said, rubbing my temples and Jaz placed his hand on my shoulder in comfort.

"Calm down, Nolan. Anger is not a good emotion to feel. If they send you again, tell me, I'll take their orders then." Jaz said and I let out a sigh, shaking my head.

"Thank you but that won't be needed. I'll be back." I said, taking their order for the fourth time now.

By the time, I reached their table and placed their orders down, they were ready to point some more mistakes but before they could've troubled me more, I heard a voice behind me. A painfully familiar voice.

"Excuse me, is there an empty table available? For one." The voice asked and my heart curled inside my chest. No, no, please.

I was about to walk back in the kitchen, not looking at him but my Boss was standing in front of me, eyeing me dangerously, silently warning me to attend the customer. So I did.

It was Raphael Pierson.

When I had decided to take job here, I knew Raphael worked in the company in front of this diner. I was stupid enough to get this job. But Raphael never once in last one year came here to chill or eat.

Today was the first day.

And deep down, I knew, this was no coincidence. If anything, this is Raphael's well knitted plan. He was smart. This was a game. I knew. I knew of him.

Anything with Raphael is never a coincidence.

He clicked his fingers in front of my eyes and I blinked, nodding my head.

"Yes, Sir. We do have table for one as well. Please follow me." I gritted out, leading him to the row where table for one were arranged.

Raphael Pierson was still wearing his shades. His eyes were still hidden from me when he had a good access to mine. For some reason, he always preferred sunglasses outside. He never lets his eyes unveil unless he is in his house.

His silver eyes.

"I'll get you a menu." I said hurriedly but he stopped me, shaking his head.

"No need. Get me a filtered coffee. With a cube of sugar." He said, not even looking at me as he removed his laptop and I cleared my throat.

"I'm afraid, you can't work here for longer hours. We can't reserve a table for more than an hour when we have customers lining up." I said politely and he looked at me now. Through his shades. But I wanted to see his eyes.

The urge of take his sunglasses off made my hands to itch.

"I'll pay for every hour." He said simply and I shook my head. But I don't want you here. I wanted to yell.

"I'm afraid, that's against the policy." I tried again. But I wasn't lying. It really was against the policy.

"Those children are troubling. Aren't they?" Raphael asked me instead and my breath got stuck in my throat as I looked at him with wide eyes. Holy moly.

"Customers are often troubles for waiters. That's no big deal." Unless they are here to bully you. I, of course, didn't say that out loud.

"Call the owner, will you? I'm sure, he'll beg to differ." He said simply and I blinked at him.

"Excuse me?"

"About letting me work here." He said smartly and I clenched my jaw.

"Of course, Sir. Anything else?"

"Just the owner and the coffee." He said, typing in his laptop and I clenched my jaw but obliged.

I knew he called my boss to not just request him to let him stay but to throw Samantha and her group out. Because the next thing I saw was my Boss asking my bullies to leave.

And Raphael Pierson was looking at me the whole time.

Maybe, maybe the game had started.