The book covered most of the small woman's face at the coffee shop as many men tried to casually glance in her direction. She was definitely a mystery to everyone there since she spoke little words to others and often sat alone in the corner booth minding her own business while her eyes never wandered away from the book currently in her delicate hands.
She was a regular customer who often kept to herself avoiding other people, but even hiding behind the book and the big round glasses around her face, some were able to see the beauty underneath the blonde silky haired girl. She was an emerald beneath all the layers she wore.
Although she had perfect vision and beautiful long golden hair, the small girl often wore a ponytail with overly larger t-shirts in order to not draw attention afraid to have too many look her way. She even bought a cheap pair of glasses hoping it would help mask her appearance in any crowd.
Eventually she put her book on the table as she reached for her mug taking a sip of the hot liquid as her green eyes roamed her surroundings taking note of all the normal people who often came into the coffee shop for their regular beverage.
The city of Asheville, North Carolina was quite popular and allowed her to see all different types of life, but small fragile Kesley chose to stay out of the spotlight not wanting to be a part of any drama that seemed to follow so many in this boring world.
Her past had given her plenty of experiences that could only bring sorrow and heartache to one's soul…
So, naturally, the pretty girl decided to engage in stories of fantasy where happily ever after often existed where no pain or misery continued to haunt the main character.
A small smile formed on Kelsey's lips as she thought about her new book curious on how she had never heard of the tale before where mixes of mythical creatures lived amongst one another in such perfect harmony.
"Is the coffee really that great here?"
A low deep voice asked startling the blonde who jumped while sitting so comfortably in her seat. Not only was Kelsey shaken by the close proximity of the voice, but someone approaching her wasn't very common.
Hot brown liquid fell on her shirt making her eyes immediately widen knowing it would definitely stain. Although she had plenty of different outfits, this one somehow had become her most regular and favorite.
Quickly, she grabbed some napkins frowning as she watched the brown stain sink more into her white sweater. And the harder she pressed, the deeper the stain became.
"Here! Please let me help!" The male voice said as Kelsey lifted her gaze seeing two strong hands reach for more napkins pushing them toward her gently as though making some kind of peace offering to the whole situation.
Kelsey lifted her eyes frowning until she met the beautiful brown eyes of a handsome brown haired man who seemed genuinely concerned over her shirt since his eyes studied the stain with much seriousness. His lips were pressed together in a thin line, but Kelsey could see how they were quite full with a hint of pink.
She blinked surprised at how defined his features were noticing the stubble growing off his chin making him appear much more rigid and much older than his voice made him sound.
Perhaps it was because of how straight his teeth were or even the fact that his hair seemed to be styled straight out of a salon, but Kelsey stared at the handsome being before her with her mouth agaped not able to come up with any response.
The handsome stranger finally shifted his gaze to her green eyes giving her a dazzling smile as he noticed her stunned expression. He didn't seem too surprised making Kelsey realize he was use to this reaction from many women.
"I hope you know I've never had a girl spill her coffee at my intent of flirting." He said as he cleared his throat taking a seat next to her making her shift uncomfortably in her own seat at his forwardness.
"I also hope you can forgive me for my behavior. I just couldn't resist the chance of speaking to you."
Kelsey blinked at the comment before shaking her head vigorously.
"Oh…" she stammered finally coming back to her senses. "It's really no big deal! I have plenty of other sweaters in my closet!"
"You didn't answer my question." He suddenly said making Kelsey scrunch her eyes confused by his words. Although it seemed like he was trying to be playful, she could feel something odd in the way he spoke almost expecting something.
"I'm sorry. What was your ques-"
"Is the coffee any good here? I've been so many places and this coffee shop has the best reviews on google." He said again giving her a charming smile that could almost make a girls knees quiver. But Kelsey was beginning to loose the appeal of the man not feeling any kind of connection and not liking the way he interrupted her.
Kelsey, finally understanding his words, gave him a slight nod noticing how the man kept a straight forced posture. Although he was now seated next to her, it appeared he wasn't making himself very comfortable since he was seated in a stance like he was ready to bolt.
She then quickly cleared her throat avoiding the brown eyes of the mysterious man before her hoping he would eventually just walk away not knowing what he wanted from her. Surely she wasn't his type!?
"Perhaps you should go get some?" Kelsey stated hoping he would get up and walk over to the counter in attempts for her to leave this unbearable encounter.
Her timid voice seemed to amuse the man who chuckled at her shy demeanor. "And risk the chance of missing our encounter? No thank you."
"I can assure you I'm rather boring." She tried to say hoping he would get the hint and leave.
"I highly doubt that."
Kelsey looked back at him noticing his eyes were no longer on her, but actually upon her book once again.
Usually a comment like that would cause her cheeks to heat up, but she raised a brow watching him intently.
The mysterious man suddenly sat down on the other side of the booth looking back into the green eyes of Kelsey with curiosity as a smile grew even wider on his face. He didn't seem to mind the awkward silence that followed since Kelsey looked away from his piercing gaze.
"It seems you enjoy reading." He laughed looking back into her eyes noticing the hesitation she gave. "What is your favorite kind of genre?"
"I don't even know the answer to that question." Kelsey shrugged as she spoke honestly. She then finally returned her green eyes back to his only to see him nod in response. "I just enjoy reading in general." She added.
"Hmmm." He hummed. "You don't even have a favorite story?"
Kelsey once again shrugged not wanting to get personal with the stranger sitting across from her. She knew from a young age to be careful with any personal information one could share.
"Like I said, I'm rather boring." Came another one of her responses making the conversation harder.
The man scoffed lightly at her response not even trying to hide his obnoxious behavior. He was confident, but Kelsey sensed a bit of arrogance hidden behind his beautiful appearance.
The brown haired man then tilted his head with the another award winning smile plastered across his beautiful features almost like he was trying to solve a puzzle. His usual affect on women didn't seem to work the same way it usually did.
Kelsey however felt every part of her body being watched so intently, she was scared he could leave bruises. She was already uncomfortable under his gaze almost sensing he had different intentions then he stated before matinee her internally shiver.
His eyes again drifted back to the book laying on the table as he brought on hand up to the counter tapping his fingers almost like he was weighing his options on what to say. He didn't even attempt anymore of a conversation as if he knew Kelsey was becoming annoyed to his actions.
While still having time to run, Kelsey quickly grabbed her book standing up surprising the brown haired stranger who opened his mouth to speak only to be interrupted.
"We'll would you look at that!" Kelsey began to say looking at her wrist that didn't have a watch upon it. "Time sure flies by when you read at the coffee shop all alone!"
She then giggled trying to laugh the situation off only to look into the man's eyes noticing a hint of annoyance laced within.
She gulped running away quickly from the gentleman who didn't seem to follow since she made it quickly to her car without any notice of someone behind her.
Sitting down in her seat locking the doors, Kelsey flung her head back to the back of the seat letting out a loud sigh realizing she was still not getting better with her interactions with the opposite gender.
"Idiot." She mumbled to herself as she recalled her interaction. Closing her eyes, she replayed the scene which brought a smile to her face before she let out a laugh.
She was quite a mess. And she knew there was no way for her to solve that problem.
Finally, after what felt like hours of sitting in the car, Kelsey opened her eyes grabbing her keys from her purse starting the ignition to return home.
And as the vehicle began to disappear from sight, a certain shadow figure watched far behind with a deep frown upon his face.